‘Finding diamonds’

     They came from across the country; one from Los Angeles, one from New York City, and another from Tulsa, Okla.; and all with a common thread.

     They met in a 111-year-old house in Monticello, to join residents Cole Seigel and Michelle Stephen Seigel, with one goal in mind: to make music.

     It was definitely a reunion – four of the five people involved are originally from Tulsa. They range in age from 29 to 39.

     “We’ve known each other for years, ran around the same circles, worked in the same restaurant,” said Gabe Royal. “But we hadn’t really jammed out.”

     For the most part, three of them created the music. Cole played guitar, piano, drums, and works on the computer to mix sound. Gabe Royal played guitar, cello, and provides vocals. Jo Phraze, Gabe said, is “our resident lyricist.”

     None of them knew where their recording sessions would take them.

     “It’s (about) finding diamonds,” said Gabe, who lives in New York. “We don’t have to have three songs, we don’t have to stop at 15, but this project is a project in itself. This is for the songs we create while we’re out here.”

     “It’s for the sake of art—energizing each other and extending our creativity.” Cole said. “This is a retreat for us—it’s our time.”

     Working behind the scenes was Miles Rogoish, a former professional BMX rider who now is carving out a career in directing and filmmaking. He lived in Los Angeles for 10 years before moving back to Tulsa. Rogoish came to Monticello to document the proceedings, through photography and video.

     “It’s an archival situation,” Miles said. “I see visuals of them playing that could be a music video or something like that. (There could be) interviews, or conversation like we’re having now, just to have on file.

     “So whenever it creates itself into what it is, there’s an archive of the first sitdown, like, ‘This is where it started.’ ”

     Miles even stepped in to provide vocals on occasion.

     “Nobody planned on that,” Cole said.

     Michelle has been married to Cole for almost two years. Together, they operate a tattoo parlor in Los Angeles, called The Order of the Raven DTLA, even though they live in Monticello.

     “Cole does a great job running the ins and outs of the shop remotely from here,” she said. “Given today’s technology, remote business endeavors are increasingly possible. Cole and I work from home when I am not traveling. Monticello is a nice community to work remotely from and we are enjoying spending time on the farm gardening and caring for horses and chickens.”

     For the music project, Michelle offered support wherever she could – helping with lighting, arranging meals, and more.

     “I’m the wrangler,” she said.

     Cooking was a big part of the collaboration; as this interview was being held, Gabe was putting together a beef stew.

     Once they got to the music, they worked in a small, upstairs room converted into a music studio.

     “It works in here,” Cole said. “I don’t like perfect studios – (they are too) sterile. I like having my cords going all over the place.”

     Cole described the music as having a pop, hip-hop influence, as well as indie rock, although, as Michelle put it, “They’re not going to be limited by one genre.”

     One song they had been working on had a distinct hip-hop feel, with melodic guitar riffs accompanied by more subtle bass and drums, topped by Jo’s rhythmic, rapping vocals.

     “Jo is a lyricist,” Cole said. “So we write it, and then we bring in Jo and let her come up with a hook.”

     “I have trouble writing lyrics,” Gabe said.

     “And I have trouble coming up with melodies for the lyrics,” Jo added. “So (Gabe) hums it out and I put the words to it. I grew up as a writer; poetry and creative writing.”

     It took time; the night before this Feb. 21 interview, they had stayed up until 4:30 a.m. working on tracks.

     “Another night they were up until 6 a.m.,” Michelle noted. “Musicians tend to be night owls and enjoy the twilight hours. I provided the espresso to keep them fueled.”

     By the time the out-of-towners left Feb. 23, they had recorded 11 rough mixes, three of which, Cole said, were fully constructed and in the finishing process.

     “The sessions were productive,” Michelle added. “They had a goal of one song per day and exceeded their expectations.”

     While in town, they said they had not planned on forming an actual band, but that appeared to be changing. Contacted last week, Cole said the musicians’ goals had become more developed.

     “The plans include a music documentary short, music videos, an immersion EP, and live performances,” he said.

     Cole said spending time with longtime friends and creative musicians was a highlight.

     “I have been working on the studio for a while, and it was nice sharing it with musicians I admire,” he said. “Watching them create and enjoy the space we have curated was rewarding.”

     It’s clear they plan to do it again.

     “We are planning another collaboration meeting in Tulsa, New York or L.A. to finish working on the songs and do additional writing, cook more food, and shoot more video,” Cole said.

     “Performance schedules will be discussed for the winter of 2019. We also need to hash out a band name; we have several ideas.”

     Here is one: Finding Diamonds.