About "Chasing Paper" - Soulberry
The Process
The song began as a simple, rough idea — just a sketch of a groove and a few chord changes. From there, we laid down some early vocal takes to establish the vibe and build a foundation. Those scratch vocals helped shape the emotional tone of the song and gave us a roadmap to follow as the arrangement grew into the layered, dynamic production it became.
Building the Instrumental Foundation
After locking in the vocal idea, we began shaping the track’s sound one layer at a time. We started with rhythm — combining live cajón and programmed drums to create a tight, expressive groove. Guitars were recorded through amps for warmth and texture, while piano, strings, horns, and synths were added to build harmonic depth and movement.
Latin percussion like bongos and shakers brought extra bounce, and organ swells added color and glue. Every element was carefully chosen to support the emotion of the song, building toward a sound that’s both dynamic and soulful.
“Chasing Paper” – Behind the Song
“Chasing Paper” is a soulful, groove-driven journey through ambition, nostalgia, and emotional honesty — all wrapped in a lush 96-track production. The song pulls its inspiration from the golden era of Motown, borrows smooth vibes from yacht rock, and blends it with fresh, modern touches that give it its own unique character.
At its core, the track is about the hustle — chasing dreams, chasing meaning, chasing the “paper” — all while trying not to lose yourself in the process. It’s slick, it’s heartfelt, and it knows how to groove.
Sound + Style
The sonic palette is wide, but intentional — a tribute to vintage soul and West Coast smooth, with a modern edge.
• Motown Vibes: You’ll feel it in the groove — the syncopation, the deep pocket, the melodic basslines, and the tight horn stabs. There’s a warmth and movement that nods to artists like Marvin Gaye and The Temptations.
• Yacht Rock Smoothness: Think layered harmonies, electric piano glides, clean guitar tones, and that unmistakable laid-back sophistication. The influence of Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, and Michael McDonald sneaks in with finesse.
• Modern Energy: Synth textures, bold transitions, and meticulous layering give it a current, cinematic feel that pushes the track into 2025 — not just a throwback, but a reinvention.
Instrument Breakdown (Yes, All 96 Tracks!)
Live Recordings: Real Instruments, Real Soul
• Guitars: Mic’d through amps for that analog magic. From funky comps to soaring leads, they bring the swagger and shimmer.
• Cajón: A raw, percussive pulse that grounds the rhythm in something earthy and real.
• Shaker: The secret sauce — subtle movement and groove that keeps everything dancing.
• Vocals: Emotional and expressive lead vocals meet layered, Motown-inspired backgrounds. Delivered with intention, tracked for feel.
MIDI Instruments: Hand-Played with Heart
• Drums: Programmed for punch and feel, tight yet humanized to lock with the cajón.
• Latin Percussion: Bongos and tasty extras add bounce and rhythmic color.
• Piano: From classic block chords to soulful comping — the harmonic backbone.
• Strings: Cinematic sweeps and lifts that raise the emotional stakes in all the right spots.
• Horns: Crisp and bold, with phrasing that would make a Motown arranger proud.
• Organs & Synths: Atmospheric pads and soulful organ fills bring the glue — and a little sparkle on top.
Production Approach
This wasn’t just stacking sounds for the sake of it — this was layering with intention. The track builds and breathes across its runtime, with careful automation and dynamic shifts. Every texture is there to tell a story, fill a space, or create contrast. The blend of live performance and MIDI-driven instrumentation gives it a hybrid feel that’s both grounded and elevated.
From its humble cajón grooves to its cinematic swells, Chasing Paper bridges generations of sound — it’s as much a nod to the past as it is a statement for now.
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The Mixing Process
After recording and arranging all 96 tracks, mixing was where everything truly came to life. It’s where we took the raw ingredients — vocals, instruments, percussion, effects — and blended them into a balanced, emotionally impactful whole.
The goal wasn’t just to make everything sound “good,” but to make each element feel intentional and connected. We started by gain staging all the tracks, setting levels so nothing clipped and every sound had its space. Then came EQ and compression — carving out room for each part to breathe, while gluing things together rhythmically and tonally.
Reverbs and delays added space and vibe, especially on vocals and keys, while automation brought movement — pushing and pulling the mix dynamically from section to section. Instruments like the horns and strings were treated with care to keep them lush but not overpowering, and the cajón and Latin percussion were balanced to support the groove without crowding the rhythm section.
With so many tracks, it was all about detail and intention — making sure the emotional message of the song came through in every frequency range and moment of energy. Mixing wasn’t just technical — it was storytelling with sound.
The Album Cover Photo Shoot
The cover features our beloved studio cat, Grace, caught mid-stare — and honestly, it says everything. She wandered into the shoot, locked eyes with the camera, and gave us a look that was equal parts wisdom, judgment, and “I run this place.” We couldn’t have planned it better. Grace became the unexpected star of the album — confident, mysterious, and totally in charge.