Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Friday, January 4, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - While Yellowknifers relaxed during their Christmas vacations, some musicians were busier than ever.

The guys from 3-Across-Dee-Eye spent their holidays working hard on their first album at Dancing Sky Studio - a project they went into not knowing what exactly they'd come out with.

Paul McGrath, left, Stephen Richardson, Dave Dowe and Nate McGrath take a second away from their recording at Dancing Sky Studios to goof off for the camera. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

Nathan McGrath, one of the group's guitarists, said one thing people can expect it to be is, "a look into the mind of Dee-Eye ... and perhaps their closet."

Stephen Richardson, guitarist and vocalist for the group, called some of the music they'll record "thought-rock, 'cause I spend almost all my time and nights thinking about it ... we really think out the tunes and think out the lyrics quite a bit."

As Rick Poltaruk of Dancing Sky Studios recorded some vocals from Richardson on Wednesday afternoon, he said the guys were getting a lot done quickly.

In about a week of recording, the band had almost completed 17 original tracks, including 3 Dinky Pile-up, 11:11 and Sketchy, and they were already working on the final vocal stretch.

"Normally you can almost look at four or five days for just drums," said Poltaruk. As Richardson and Poltaruk worked away, McGrath, David Dowe and Paul McGrath listened on.

"Once the different tracks are down, you can hear it coming together," said Dowe.

Although many tracks will end up on the CD, Richardson said he would like to add a little something extra to the final product, which could potentially be a bonus acoustic CD. Another idea is to have a bonus DVD.

"A lot of people just want to download a tune, but I think it's a lost thing to have a whole album," said Richardson.

And for those who are into downloading, the band also plans on uploading some of their tracks on iTunes.

The guys finished recording this week, and the final touches are still being done. When the album comes out, the band has plans for a CD release party - or two.

"I'd like to do actually a couple, because After 8's been pretty good to us," said Richardson.

He said they may include their CD in the price of admission, much like Jim Taylor did at his CD release party at the Top Knight in December.

If all goes as planned, 3-Across-Dee-Eye's CD release party will happen in March.