HARLAN - 17
'17' is a big pop ballad by teenage singer-songwriter Harlan Goode. Jackson Mercer, a fellow member of the Vermillion Production team, produced this track.
I originally was not signed up to help with the recording of this track; however, Jackson reached out to me initially about recording bass at home. I was then asked to help record drums, as Harlan wanted the song to sound more like it does live.
I also later added a guitar to the track.
"Bess was an incredible help during the recording process for “17,” written by Harlan Goode. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and creative input made a huge difference in shaping the sound of the track. She brought a great energy to the studio, ensuring that both the drum and bass recordings were tight, balanced, and full of life.
Her ability to quickly understand the production direction and adapt her playing to fit the vision was invaluable. Bess’s precision on the drums and her sense of groove on the bass helped elevate the track beyond expectations, giving it a solid rhythmic foundation that tied the entire arrangement together.
Working with her was not only productive but genuinely enjoyable — her collaborative spirit and technical expertise made the entire recording process smooth and inspiring. I’m truly grateful for her contribution to the project, and I’d recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, talented, and dedicated musician." - Producer Jackson Mercer.
THE PROCESS:
CONSTRUCTING THE INSTRUMENTAL
When I joined the process, Jackson had already made significant progress on the instrumental, utilising simulated drum and bass sounds alongside the piano and vocals.
I believe I suggested to Jackson during our vermillion class playthrough of the tracks that it could use real bass and offered to record it myself and send over the stems (single audio tracks) to be mixed in. I gave a few options to Jackson and HARLAN to choose from, and then I was contacted again about recording drums.
We recorded drums in the Neve room in the large tracking room, which is unlike the other projects I've recorded this semester, because HARLAN wanted a big sound, so we set up in the big room instead of the small amp room.
Using an 11-microphone configuration, I oversaw the setup and recording of the drums. Making sure every microphone had sound and was metering at the correct levels.
Later on, I recorded guitar at home - similar to how bass was recorded - I sent the team a lot of tracks and let them choose.
COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATION
Working on “17” gave me the opportunity to step into a session musician role, which I genuinely enjoy. The communication throughout this project was easy and professional — I collaborated directly with Jackson Mercer to ensure my parts aligned with his production vision and Harlan’s performance style.
Our back-and-forth exchanges were clear and efficient, from discussing tone and feel to deciding on the best takes for each instrument. I really valued the sense of trust and creative openness in this process — Jackson gave me freedom to interpret the parts while still maintaining a cohesive sound for the track.
It was also another great chance to record drums in the studios, something I always find rewarding. Being part of a project in this way — contributing my musicianship to someone else’s production — reminded me how much I thrive in collaborative environments where communication and mutual respect drive the creative outcome.
Reflection
Being a part of this song reminded me how much I enjoy working on a project as a session musician — stepping in to contribute creatively within someone else’s vision. It was refreshing to collaborate in this capacity, where my role was to serve the song and the producer’s direction rather than lead the project myself. That shift in dynamic taught me a lot about flexibility and professionalism within a studio setting.
I particularly loved the opportunity to record drums again in the studio, as it allowed me to refine my workflow for setup, communication, and quick troubleshooting. Contributing multiple parts (bass, drums, guitar) across different recording contexts also strengthened my ability to deliver consistent results while responding to evolving creative feedback.
This project reinforced that collaboration is not just about shared ideas — it’s about trust, adaptability, and respect for another producer’s process, and how those values ultimately enhance the final product.