Space pop band Calliope will have a CD release party for its fourth full-length album, “Braille” on Saturday at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave.
The cover is $8 and that cost includes a copy of the new disc.
Jason Lantrip, who plays guitar and electronics, said that each time the band records an album, it takes a slightly different approach.
“Our first album (self-titled, 1995) was recorded in an expensive studio, Chicago Trax studios in Chicago, in one weekend,” he said. “That was mostly first takes and there wasn’t a whole lot of overdubs.”
The band’s second album, 1997’s “I Can See You With My Eyes Closed” was recorded in a week, and the band had more time to add some synth programming.
“That gave us the opportunity to add a textural element,” Lantrip said. For the bands third album, 1999’s “(in)organics”, it built a home studio, Trash 180, in Lansing.
“It was entirely self-recorded and it changed the process entirely,” he said. “We could lay something down and reflect on it for a week and cut it up if we had to - sometimes we might not have known how to play a song until after we recorded it.”
Lantrip said on “Braille,” there was a lot more prewritten and rehearsed songs going into the studio.
“We put down some rhythms then tinkered with them after the fact and added the final touches,” he said. “We kind of wanted to make it kind of an easy record to consume.
“We’ve got little experimental touches, some stuff like moogs and maybe a few samples here and there, but mostly they’re just songs played by a band.”
Lantrip said it is difficult for the band to do extensive tours, since each of the members have day gigs and other commitments. Lantrip co-owns Scavenger Hunt, 321 E. Grand River, with his wife.
“It’s one of those Catch 22s - you have to tour a lot to be able to pick up shows worth touring for,” he said. “It seems to be working out - (Thick Records) is always working on things in Chicago for us.”
Lantrip said the album has been sent to distribution, and there has been a good amount of interest in new markets so far, including decent-sized orders from Italy and the U.K.
Carmen Electra Paradise will open the show.
Cover is $8 for those 21 and over. That cost includes the new Calliope album. For more information, call Mac’s Bar at (517)484-6795.
