KITTIE Drummer Discusses Upcoming Album

Canadian metal band KITTIE entered Retromedia Studios in Red Bank, New Jersey studio in July with producer Jack Ponti (BON JOVI, DORO, SKID ROW, ALICE COOPER) to begin recording its new album, tentatively due in early 2007 through the band's own label, Kiss of Infamy Records. Kevin Shirley (IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER) has been tapped to mix the effort, which will mark the band's first full-length release since its split with longtime home Artemis Records.

In a short interview posted at MercedesLander.net, KITTIE drummer Mercedes Lander answered a few questions about the recording process for the group's new album. Read on:

Q: How has your experience been in the studio this time around?

Mercedes: "Everything has been great. As of right now, we are 12 songs in. the process has gone so smoothly and the songs sound amazing... This is definitely the best recording we have ever done."

Q: How is it making an album with the newest members Trish and Tara?

Mercedes: "Trish and Tara bring so much to the table, it's actually quite amazing... I don't want to give away too much but you'll see what I mean when you hear the finished product."

Q: Name one bad experience you've had making this album so far.

Mercedes: "Honestly... we haven't had one bad thing happen... We are way too excited to be doing this recording."

Q: Name one great experience you've had so far.

Mercedes: "We really have come into our own on this recording... It's so much more than the usual one-dimensional recordings we have done in the past... There are so many layers and wonderful little things that make this record sonically superior to anything weve ever done... and that's a great experience."

Q: How would you describe this album as a whole?

Mercedes: "The recording techniques we are using on this record are very different.. We are using a lot of vintage guitars and unique mike placements. I think this record is leaps and bounds ahead of anything we have ever done before and I'm so excited for the finished product."

Q: What is the name of your favorite song on this album?

Mercedes: "Probaby 'The Flower of Flesh and Blood' or 'The Change'... both wonderful little ditties."

Q: How much longer do you think you girls are going to be in the studio for this album?

Mercedes: "We should be finished by the first of September."

Q: Have you thought up of any type of album artwork yet?

Mercedes: "It's in the works right now. I promise it will be very dark and tie in with the theme and the title of the album very well."

Q: How is it like working with people such as Jack Ponti [producer] and Kevin Shirley [mixer]?

Mercedes: "We have yet to meet Kevin because we havent got to the mixing part of the recording but Jack is a very wonderful person. He knows his shit and has a great ear for music. He also pushes us to our creative limits, which is nice because we have never really experienced that before. He is amazing at what he does and we are so happy to be working with him."