Monday, May 27, 2013
Wham Bam, Thank You Ma’m!
Last Saturday (the 18th), I woke up early and just a little bit hung over.
I made a pot of coffee and headed downstairs to my studio, where I turned on the computer. Eight hours later, I realized that I hadn’t had breakfast yet, but had instead programmed the drums for eight exciting new songs!
Between Saturday and Sunday I recorded the drums and bass guitars. Monday I recorded all the guitars, keyboards, and percussion. Tuesday I did the vocal tracks for 6 of the songs. Wednesday morning I finished that last two.
That’s it! An 8-song record in 5 days! It’s raw, it’s organic, it’s flawed (a bit), and I love every note!
The Scars That I’ve Earned
One Sin
Judgement Day
Your Heart And Mine
My Revenge
Watch The Blood Run
Promise
Today And Tomorrow
Goodbye
Now I’ve just got to mix and master the project. I can’t wait!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Scattered
Yeah, I know. Delinquent blog. I’m not much of a writer, but I DO like blogging this stuff…
What’s been happening? As I said before, the music is complete. Just need to record the vocals. I’ve been trying to lay down the tracks, and they just haven’t been sounding right. I think there’s too much reverberation in my studio, so I’m going to look at building a vocal booth. For now, some supports and a couple of blankets should make a “fort” that will deaden the sound going into the microphone (no jokes about my voice, right?).
I got a little frustrated with the lack of vocal success the other day, and watched Stand Up Guys. Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin… can’t go wrong with that cast! What struck me was the killer soundtrack. Old soul music, Detroit & Philly grooves. I took some inspiration, and have tried to re-arrange and re-record some of the songs with that late 60s/early 70s feeling. It’s pretty cool, but far from the more “guitar pop” genre that I normally focus on.
So now I’m going back and forth between the two. If I could compete with my ambitions, I’d record both. It’s like having 2 hot dates on the same night, and not being sure which to pick.
I remember my dad once telling me (lies) about how he managed to do it before meeting my mum. Also, I’m expanding my instrument collection.
For Christmas last year, my wife gave me a cheap harmonica. I really liked the instrument, and have written a few pieces that really suit it. So for my birthday a few weeks ago she bought me a set of good ones. I’m loving them, and they’ll certainly be on the roster for whatever comes next.
I also picked up a new ukulele last night. It won’t be a big addition to the music, but is perfect in small doses. No “tiptoe through the tulips,” I promise!
Here's some Baby Huey. Inspired me, maybe it'll give you a kick too!
What’s been happening? As I said before, the music is complete. Just need to record the vocals. I’ve been trying to lay down the tracks, and they just haven’t been sounding right. I think there’s too much reverberation in my studio, so I’m going to look at building a vocal booth. For now, some supports and a couple of blankets should make a “fort” that will deaden the sound going into the microphone (no jokes about my voice, right?).
I got a little frustrated with the lack of vocal success the other day, and watched Stand Up Guys. Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin… can’t go wrong with that cast! What struck me was the killer soundtrack. Old soul music, Detroit & Philly grooves. I took some inspiration, and have tried to re-arrange and re-record some of the songs with that late 60s/early 70s feeling. It’s pretty cool, but far from the more “guitar pop” genre that I normally focus on.
So now I’m going back and forth between the two. If I could compete with my ambitions, I’d record both. It’s like having 2 hot dates on the same night, and not being sure which to pick.
I remember my dad once telling me (lies) about how he managed to do it before meeting my mum. Also, I’m expanding my instrument collection.
For Christmas last year, my wife gave me a cheap harmonica. I really liked the instrument, and have written a few pieces that really suit it. So for my birthday a few weeks ago she bought me a set of good ones. I’m loving them, and they’ll certainly be on the roster for whatever comes next.
I also picked up a new ukulele last night. It won’t be a big addition to the music, but is perfect in small doses. No “tiptoe through the tulips,” I promise!
Here's some Baby Huey. Inspired me, maybe it'll give you a kick too!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Return to Splendor
Remember me? It’s been 5 months…
I had a bad neck & head injury, and had to postpone my recordings for a while. I just couldn’t focus on singing when every movement pulled me out of the song and back to reality. But we’ve got a sunny, warm weekend coming up, and I’ll be spending it in the studio. RECORDING THE VOCAL TRACKS! FINALLY!
Here’s a little filler to while away your time…
Years ago, I wrote a piano-based song called The Shadow. I’ve always enjoyed that track. One of my many ideas was to record a techno album of my favourite (self-penned) songs. I put together a rough techno version of The Shadow, and it seemed pretty cool. Very ‘early Depeche Mode’. Unfortunately that idea hit the backburner, and it’s languished there ever since. One of the surprising aspects of the project was that if I changed the bassline, it inspired new melodies. One was a keyboard line that would have never fit in the piano version.
Last night I was plucking away on a guitar, and started playing that Shadow-inspired keyboard line. I changed the key into one more suited to the instrument, accidentally replaced one of the chords, and away I went. Straight into a brand new song! With the changes resetting my view on the song’s history, a new chorus followed. And a few shouted-out sentences that might form a basis for the lyrics.
And then company came over for dinner and I put down the guitar.
Today this new songs is running through my brain over and over. I’ll be rushing into the studio tonight to lay down a demo. I’ve got to get this one on tape before I forget it. Very excited!
I had a bad neck & head injury, and had to postpone my recordings for a while. I just couldn’t focus on singing when every movement pulled me out of the song and back to reality. But we’ve got a sunny, warm weekend coming up, and I’ll be spending it in the studio. RECORDING THE VOCAL TRACKS! FINALLY!
Here’s a little filler to while away your time…
Years ago, I wrote a piano-based song called The Shadow. I’ve always enjoyed that track. One of my many ideas was to record a techno album of my favourite (self-penned) songs. I put together a rough techno version of The Shadow, and it seemed pretty cool. Very ‘early Depeche Mode’. Unfortunately that idea hit the backburner, and it’s languished there ever since. One of the surprising aspects of the project was that if I changed the bassline, it inspired new melodies. One was a keyboard line that would have never fit in the piano version.
Last night I was plucking away on a guitar, and started playing that Shadow-inspired keyboard line. I changed the key into one more suited to the instrument, accidentally replaced one of the chords, and away I went. Straight into a brand new song! With the changes resetting my view on the song’s history, a new chorus followed. And a few shouted-out sentences that might form a basis for the lyrics.
And then company came over for dinner and I put down the guitar.
Today this new songs is running through my brain over and over. I’ll be rushing into the studio tonight to lay down a demo. I’ve got to get this one on tape before I forget it. Very excited!
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