A new project is starting rehearsals this week!
Three friends and I are putting together a band called Action Pants. It's a cover band, doing inappropriate versions of songs we all know. Inappropriate because it'll be a dance/distortion/punk performance of decidedly non-aggressive songs from artists like Gowan, Chris Isaak, The Shirelles, Kylie Minogue, and Petula Clark. Among others.
I've been in a few bands that take themselves way too seriously. This one will be FUN. We're determined to do a good job, and treat the songs with respect, but we're all adults with no sense of shame. So we're going to do what we want with the stages we're allowed on.
Sorry to keep this short, I have to get down to my studio to figure out how to funk-up Wicked Game...
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Watch The Blood Run
This song deals with the troubles I had as a teenager living in a small town.
With the frustration of not feeling "at home," and with no clue on how to obtain a sense of belonging, I would often cut myself. My left arm, shoulder, and hand are covered in the scars left behind. I started getting tattoos, and these helped to keep me from cutting as I didn't want to ruin the inked designs that took their place. Surprising, but it worked.
Cutting was a way to release the frustration and pressure - perhaps it was the adrenaline rush that came with the pain, maybe it was self-punishment for not being able to fit into society like we're "supposed to." Or maybe it was just the increased stimulation that was intellectually lacking in such a lonely place? Who knows...
Almost 20 years later, I was sitting in my studio strumming the acoustic guitar part for what would become "Watch The Blood Run." The first lyric came from nowhere: "Every time I think of you I find myself just sitting in the dark." That line brought back memories of a time when I was caught cutting, when my girlfriend walked in on me. Sitting alone in my darkened bedroom, she initially thought she'd walked in on something else... haha, nope. I was digging a sewing needle into my arm and excavating a deep groove. The rest of the lyrics came quickly, and I was finally able to express what was going on in my head while I cut.
The rest of the song came very quickly, surprisingly including the harmonica melody. I think it was the first thing I wrote on that instrument, and I can still only play my own songs on it. I've never learned to actually perform anything but this and "Your Heart And Mine" on a harmonica.
When I mixed the song, I realized the guitar-and-drum-based song needed more. I asked John (the mixing engineer) to add some keyboards to it. He created a fantastic, 70s-inspired organ piece. In turn, that lead to my writing another guitar part in the 5 minutes that John laid down the keys. Then I asked him to play the new piece on an electric piano. The song now had a very different feel to what I had originally intended. Now it needed a tambourine loudly bashing through the song! Scope Creep ensued... Finally we had finished it and listened to the mix. It was done. Or so we thought. About to it save, I interrupted with "um, I might have an idea. I'm not really liking the start. What if we copy the heavy guitar and drums, and paste them as a 4-bar lead-in to the song?" We tried it, copy/pasted the bass guitar as well, and ended up with the huge introduction that you now hear. God I love the rearrangment capabilities of computer-based recording.
And that was how Watch The Blood Run came to be. And personally it means a lot to have finally been able to express what I was dealing with so long ago.
With the frustration of not feeling "at home," and with no clue on how to obtain a sense of belonging, I would often cut myself. My left arm, shoulder, and hand are covered in the scars left behind. I started getting tattoos, and these helped to keep me from cutting as I didn't want to ruin the inked designs that took their place. Surprising, but it worked.
Cutting was a way to release the frustration and pressure - perhaps it was the adrenaline rush that came with the pain, maybe it was self-punishment for not being able to fit into society like we're "supposed to." Or maybe it was just the increased stimulation that was intellectually lacking in such a lonely place? Who knows...
Almost 20 years later, I was sitting in my studio strumming the acoustic guitar part for what would become "Watch The Blood Run." The first lyric came from nowhere: "Every time I think of you I find myself just sitting in the dark." That line brought back memories of a time when I was caught cutting, when my girlfriend walked in on me. Sitting alone in my darkened bedroom, she initially thought she'd walked in on something else... haha, nope. I was digging a sewing needle into my arm and excavating a deep groove. The rest of the lyrics came quickly, and I was finally able to express what was going on in my head while I cut.
The rest of the song came very quickly, surprisingly including the harmonica melody. I think it was the first thing I wrote on that instrument, and I can still only play my own songs on it. I've never learned to actually perform anything but this and "Your Heart And Mine" on a harmonica.
When I mixed the song, I realized the guitar-and-drum-based song needed more. I asked John (the mixing engineer) to add some keyboards to it. He created a fantastic, 70s-inspired organ piece. In turn, that lead to my writing another guitar part in the 5 minutes that John laid down the keys. Then I asked him to play the new piece on an electric piano. The song now had a very different feel to what I had originally intended. Now it needed a tambourine loudly bashing through the song! Scope Creep ensued... Finally we had finished it and listened to the mix. It was done. Or so we thought. About to it save, I interrupted with "um, I might have an idea. I'm not really liking the start. What if we copy the heavy guitar and drums, and paste them as a 4-bar lead-in to the song?" We tried it, copy/pasted the bass guitar as well, and ended up with the huge introduction that you now hear. God I love the rearrangment capabilities of computer-based recording.
And that was how Watch The Blood Run came to be. And personally it means a lot to have finally been able to express what I was dealing with so long ago.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Restart... Again
Wow, the last time I blogged was a year and a half ago!
When we last spoke, I had just recorded an 8-song album titled The Scars That I've Earned.
Right after the recording sessions, I had a cycling accident that took me out of commission for a year or so. It was tough, all I could think about was finishing the album.
At my return I tried to mix it myself, like I did for Love Isn't Enough. It didn't sound good enough, my mixing talents just aren't quite up to par. So I asked John Jamieson, of Soundhouse Studio, to help. He did, and we created a collection of songs that exceeded my highest hopes.
The Scars That I've Earned is now available on CDBABY (CD and MP3), iTunes (MP3), and directly from me at MATTSWIFTMUSIC.COM (CD and MP3)!
Here's the song I'm most proud of. One of these days, I'll tell you it's story - it's a tearjerker.
When we last spoke, I had just recorded an 8-song album titled The Scars That I've Earned.
Right after the recording sessions, I had a cycling accident that took me out of commission for a year or so. It was tough, all I could think about was finishing the album.
At my return I tried to mix it myself, like I did for Love Isn't Enough. It didn't sound good enough, my mixing talents just aren't quite up to par. So I asked John Jamieson, of Soundhouse Studio, to help. He did, and we created a collection of songs that exceeded my highest hopes.
The Scars That I've Earned is now available on CDBABY (CD and MP3), iTunes (MP3), and directly from me at MATTSWIFTMUSIC.COM (CD and MP3)!
Here's the song I'm most proud of. One of these days, I'll tell you it's story - it's a tearjerker.
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!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Guitar Accompli
Well, it’s been almost a month. I’m still slugging away at the album, but these songs are seriously kicking some ass!
Let me backtrack a bit. A month ago, I was recovering from a f’ed up hand. It was slowly getting better, but the knuckles for my pinky and ring finger were starting to get cramped and stiff. For some reason, I decided to grab the 2 fingers and lightly pull. They pulled out about ¼”! That was a little scary for a minute, I thought I’d pulled them off! They instantly started to feel better, and have been fine ever since. I guess they just needed realigning.
As for the record, I just finished the guitar tracks on the weekend.
I tried a new routine this time. Normally I’ll record in this order:
1. drum programming
2. bass guitar
3. acoustic guitars as a foundation
4. electric guitars
5. keyboards, pianos, synthesizers
6. vocals
This time I switched it up a little. I recorded all the electric guitars first, then added the acoustic guitars. I wouldn’t have thought it would make a difference, but it really has. Instead of having a fat acoustic bulking each song, they’ve become more of just an accent on some tracks. Sure, some have a driving acoustic rhythm behind them, but on others it’s just a chord here and there or a subtle riff. On a few of the songs it’s really changed the feel. I also did most of the synths and keyboards before the acoustics. I’m really loving these tracks. It’s not unusual to find me rocking out these days with the speakers blasting!
Next up: Vocals. I haven’t done any real singing in over a year, except for the live stuff with The Boys From County Hell. And for the live shows I usually can’t hear myself and just shout while hoping I’m getting close to the right notes.
I have notes from my signing lessons, and am going to spend a few weeks going through those and rebuilding my vocal chords. Like an athlete’s muscles, they get flabby and weak if you don’t practice and keep them in shape. Once my throat is buff again, I’ll be ready to step up to the microphone.
I'm getting close!
Let me backtrack a bit. A month ago, I was recovering from a f’ed up hand. It was slowly getting better, but the knuckles for my pinky and ring finger were starting to get cramped and stiff. For some reason, I decided to grab the 2 fingers and lightly pull. They pulled out about ¼”! That was a little scary for a minute, I thought I’d pulled them off! They instantly started to feel better, and have been fine ever since. I guess they just needed realigning.
As for the record, I just finished the guitar tracks on the weekend.
I tried a new routine this time. Normally I’ll record in this order:
1. drum programming
2. bass guitar
3. acoustic guitars as a foundation
4. electric guitars
5. keyboards, pianos, synthesizers
6. vocals
This time I switched it up a little. I recorded all the electric guitars first, then added the acoustic guitars. I wouldn’t have thought it would make a difference, but it really has. Instead of having a fat acoustic bulking each song, they’ve become more of just an accent on some tracks. Sure, some have a driving acoustic rhythm behind them, but on others it’s just a chord here and there or a subtle riff. On a few of the songs it’s really changed the feel. I also did most of the synths and keyboards before the acoustics. I’m really loving these tracks. It’s not unusual to find me rocking out these days with the speakers blasting!
Next up: Vocals. I haven’t done any real singing in over a year, except for the live stuff with The Boys From County Hell. And for the live shows I usually can’t hear myself and just shout while hoping I’m getting close to the right notes.
I have notes from my signing lessons, and am going to spend a few weeks going through those and rebuilding my vocal chords. Like an athlete’s muscles, they get flabby and weak if you don’t practice and keep them in shape. Once my throat is buff again, I’ll be ready to step up to the microphone.
I'm getting close!
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