If you're a musician and haven't got a Producer... get one! Those of you who have been following The Soviets blog will know that we have been working with John Elliott and Andrew Archer of Loft production LLP on a three track EP and they've done a brilliant job. We've worked hard as a band to arrange the songs and achieve a sound that we felt gave the songs maximum impact but working with John and Andrew has really opened our eyes as to how many layers and magical sprinkles go into making even the simplest of songs. They used ideas and techniques that we wouldn't have even dreamt of in a million years, especially on the vocals, and they really did what a producer is supposed to do... take what they have and make it better! We're at the first round of mastering now and the five members of the band and two producers are sitting on the songs for a week to make some notes, get used to the songs then we'll get back together to discuss, make any necessary tweaks, then send them out into the abyss of the interweb... I can't wait!

We've also been working with Phil Hunton (www.philiphunton.co.uk), a Newcastle-based photographer for our latest photoshoot. Now, I'm sure Phil would agree that none of us are going to knock Cheryl Cole of her rightful perch as one of Britain's loveliest looking ladies... largely due to the fact that none of us are lovely and (although this is open to debate) none of us are ladies. However, if I'm not mistaken, Phil has done the impossible and beaten some really good pictures out of us. Granted this has nothing to do with our modelling ability and everything to do with Phil's talent and experience, but still I think the lads deserve a little pat on the back. The vast majority of the bands I speak to, seem to have something against photo shoots, but you need to accept that image is just as important (if not more important in some cases) as the music itself in the overall product. I can pretty much guarantee that when you first arrived on the site you had a quick listen to the music, then looked for photos... and were a little bit annoyed when you couldn't find any (we're giving the site an overhaul and the photos will be in place once it is launched in August). The pictures themselves are in post production getting a little bit of the Photoshop magic, but I have to say that Phil was brilliant in relaxing all the lads, getting them to forget there was a camera there and really focussing our minds on what the overall look and feel of The Soviets should be. To Phil, John and Andrew - we salute you!

Micky C