by Oscar Flood
Hepcat Dilemma was at one of Pittsburgh’s premiere studios early on June 29th to begin a second effort towards recording the follow up to “Art Imitates Life”. The band arrived at The Vault shortly after nine in the morning for a marathon ten-hour session that saw them recording the basic tracks for most of the new album.
With producer Bob McCutcheon spinning the knobs (along with his assistant Brian) the band recorded eleven tracks, most of which should end up on the new album. The pace was brisk and the band was enthusiastic by the results. “We’re off to a great start,” commented guitarist Bob Loiselle. “Bob and Brian are great to work with and the facilities are excellent. We couldn’t be happier.”
Hepcat Dilemma had been working on the new album off and on for several years with their long-time producer Matt Vaughan but when Matt decided to shutter Hollywood Studios last year, they decided it would be for the best to start from scratch. “It was tough to start over,” says Bob. “We had recorded some really good stuff but with the newer songs and a few new arrangements it just seemed like the right way to go.”
While a few of the songs have made appearances in the setlists of the band’s infrequent live performances over the past few years, most will be new to fans of the band. Working titles include “Lansberry’s Mail”, “Behind the Crytal Waterfall” and “All the Beautiful Ships”.
Hepcat Dilemma will be returning to The Vault in a couple of weeks to complete the recording and are hoping to have the album released at the end of the year or early next year on Rat-on-a-Stick Records.