After a long delay, local band Chinese For Travelers are ready to debut their first album. Started two years ago by drummer Rob Radcliffe, he recruited bassist Sam Inkster first, having played with him for years in the now defunct Wantmonster. Singer and synth player Stephanie Schrempp-Zizzou was next, hijacked from her regular gig with 8'0s band Val Kilmer and The New Coke. The final piece of the puzzle was singer and guitarist Nelson From Nelson, a regular in the local music scene and currently playing with progressive rockers Almanak.
After a year of writing, rehearsals, and two shows, the group headed to Mopus Studios. Under the direction of friends (and bandmates in The Automation) Shane Johnsen and Al Black, six tracks were recorded. "To save time and money, we recorded the bed tracks in one day, all playing together in the same room", explains Nelson. "It was very efficient, and had a more organic feel than a usual drums-then-bass-then-guitars type of recording."
The extensive editing, mixing and mastering began – all done in-house by Johnsen – after a month of overdubbing vocals, guitars, and keyboards. The album was nearly done, and the group had one rehearsal for their next show before tragedy struck; Nelson fell off a retaining wall, breaking both ankles, heels, a vertebrae and tailbone. The local community rallied behind him, showing massive support at a fundraiser on his behalf, and finally he is ready to take the stage again. "It's been a long five months, for sure, but I'm well enough to play now, and want to get back to doing what I love," he says.
Chinese For Travelers are joined by Shyness Of Strangers (aka Vadim Kristopher) playing songs off of his new album, and Winlaw rock duo Immune 2 Cobras. Tickets are $10 at the door and doors open at 9 p.m.