NAPERVILLE, IL — Recently gifted a four-track tape recorder, local musician Lee Ferrante recorded an especially timid and breathy vocal track while clearly not wanting his roommates to hear, sources confirmed.
“Look, sometimes bedroom pop projects are literally recorded in the bedroom, and that means it can be especially embarrassing to record vocals with all of your roommates in such close proximity,” defended Ferrante, just barely audibly. “If I happen to sound half-hearted on my latest songs, that’s just a part of my process of not bothering anyone. Not having my housemates hear me, and then possibly make fun of me, is something that really inspires me as an artist. And who knows? The style just may catch on.”
Ferrante’s roommates appeared confused and even unaware that music was being recorded in their home.
“I didn’t even know Lee liked music, much less made it himself. I just figured he was in there reading or possibly doing jigsaw puzzles,” said longtime roommate Ruben Coombes. “It wouldn’t bother me at all if he sang at a reasonable volume. I don’t know why he feels he’s got to keep such a hushed tone. There’s no way that will come out normal…In fact, he’s right. I’d probably make fun of him, but mainly because he’s whisper-singing.”
Home recording historian Miriam Ogden noted that many albums throughout the past few decades were done while not trying to disturb someone close by.
“Though it can be a bit cringey on the ear if you don’t know how to properly harness your vocal cords, feebly masking the fact that you’re singing so as not to have your housemates hear has a long, rich history,” Ogden noted. “In fact, not many people realize that every track on ‘Back in Black’ was cut entirely while Brian Johnson’s dad was upstairs trying to take a nap. Clearly a pro. With regards to Ferrante’s music, though, it’s sadly obvious he’s not quite there yet. I mean, you can practically hear the blankets over his head because the guy recorded it under his covers. It’s a rough listen. Woof.”
At press time, Ferrante was dismayed to learn that his new album, despite singing on all 12 tracks, was in the running for “Best Instrumental LP” in the Naperville alternative circular.