Its a stupid concept that I just couldn't let go. Essentially my theory is that if you're friends with a bear there'll only be one outcome. It will eat your face. Fact.
And yeah, its half finished mostly because I'm moving flat and have had pretty much zero time to work on it. And I'm working this weekend. And I'm tired. Petty excuses I know, but I cling on to them like the original Prince of Persia would to a ledge. 1 Comments
Things for you to see and do
Tuesday, 24 June 2008, 18:05
The young lady who's song I covered has her own blog now. Check it out here. And enter the world of sweetafton23...
I'm in the process of moving flat and its a nightmare. I'm looking around my room and trying to figure out a way to either:
My dark work is complete. May I present to you MyCover of MyHope, a song by Molly (aka sweetafton23).
You can download the MP3 here. As always if you're an iTunes subscriber you should have it already.
So about the song:
Molly rose to stardom after uploading a video of her attempts at playing Jonathan Coulton's Mr Fancy Pants. Its a great video and after trying to play this song I'm all too familiar with the frustration seen within. Her cover of Tom Cruise Crazy is equally enjoyable.
But then she had the audacity to upload a video of an original song called MyHope. And gosh darn it was good. I had to cover it. Here's the original YouTube video:
I also strung together a collection of images so that I could post a video response. Here it is:
I decided to go with the cover first, partly because I'm lazy and partly because I was eager to do it.
You'll find out tomorrow what it is, and there may even be a YouTube video to accompany it. 0 Comments
I Feel Fantastic
Monday, 16 June 2008, 05:20
Its true, I Feel Fantastic. Despite just finishing a 12 hour night shift my spirits are buoyed by the fact I have 2 solid ideas for my next songs.
The first is just a ridiculously stupid concept that I couldn't get out of my head at work. Don't get your hopes up. It involves bears and what happens when you befriend them.
The second is a cover. Now originally I didn't want to do any covers but I'm making a special exception here. The song is awesome and I just hope I do it justice. 0 Comments
What's Happening?
Sunday, 15 June 2008, 03:57
So, I saw The Happening. I was really excited because I'm a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan. My one word review: Meh. Naturally you should see it for yourself, but for a film called The Happening, not much actually happens...
Oh, and this is quite possibly the sweetest video I've seen on Youtube. If I weren't a robot I'd probably weep a little. 0 Comments
SONG 9 - CREDITO CRUNCH
Friday, 13 June 2008, 11:56
Here we go again, click the play button on the Flash player below to hear this week's song:
If you can't see it, or it doesn't work, download the MP3 directly here.
I think this is the most fun I've had writing a song so far! Once I'd taken a left turn down Ridiculous Street it became easier from there. It's high concept nourishment, delivered in junk food packaging. And yes, that doesn't make any sense to me either.
I work for a financial news company and I'm not going to lie, the world of finance can be a bit dull. There are some interesting people though for example: Jean-Claude Trichet, Ben Bernanke and Mervyn King.
In my head, these three are a roaming band of mercenaries. Their hearts are good, but good deeds alone don't pay for shiny things like Bernanke's magical saxaphone. Essentially, they'll fight off the invading horde so long as their palms are crossed with gold. And lots of it.
The song deals with them dealing with their most ferocious enemy yet. You've heard of the global credit crunch right? Now meet it's physical manifestation: Credito Crunch
On a side note, a couple of samples were used. AudioSparx has some great sound effects, highly recommended. The other is a sample from ccMixter, Klaus Neumaier to be exact. 2 Comments
They're coming to take me away
Thursday, 12 June 2008, 19:26
Well, I've just finished a marathon 2 day non stop session for this week's song. Its a little strange sitting down at night to record some guitars, then looking out the window and seeing the sun rising. How time does fly.
Its pretty much done, just going to let it breath till tomorrow and then have another look at the mix. There's a lot I can say about this week's song... But I'll wait until tomorrow. 0 Comments
paper cut panic
Sunday, 8 June 2008, 23:24
The title says it all.
paper cut panic is a blog by Kirsten Murray, the young lady who's tasked herself with creating an image to accompany each of my songs. Check it out when you get a chance.
Also of mention is MotoNick's blog about his epic trek round the world on a motorcycle. Seriously, some of it is film worthy stuff. Just incredible. 0 Comments
SONG 8 - THIS IS HOW I ROLL
Friday, 6 June 2008, 19:27
The flash player below withholds the audio goodness. Why not give it a whirl?
If you can't see it, or it doesn't work, download the MP3 directly here.
Was a little bit rushed this week, but I'm more or less happy with it. I also self indulged somewhat and stuck in a screeching solo for good measure. Not much else to say about this week. Essentially it gives a brief insight into, well.... how I roll.
On a side note, Kirsten Murray drops the bomb again with her 5th image to accompany the song 'The Year 2243':
A quick thanks again to Raul who had lent me a mic and audio interface for the last 7 weeks. I've finally got round to buying my own and its about time! Purchased from Turnkey who are unfortunately closing down very soon, so if you happen to live in London get down there quick for some excellent deals.
This week's song is almost in the bag. Its a return to simpler times and its a tune I'm pretty happy with so far. Just need to get a few more vocals done after work today and I'll mix it up on Friday.
I'm also faced with the arduous task of moving flat at the end of the month which I'm not looking forward to. It's dawning on me now just how much stuff I have collected over the past few years that I don't actually need. eBay here I come... 0 Comments
Picture Time
Monday, 2 June 2008, 14:32
So Kirsten Murray keeps dropping hits. Here's her picture for Song 4 - Vaguely You:
Its a stupid concept that I just couldn't let go. Essentially my theory is that if you're friends with a bear there'll only be one outcome. It will eat your face. Fact.
And yeah, its half finished mostly because I'm moving flat and have had pretty much zero time to work on it. And I'm working this weekend. And I'm tired. Petty excuses I know, but I cling on to them like the original Prince of Persia would to a ledge.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008, 18:05
Things for you to see and do
The young lady who's song I covered has her own blog now. Check it out here. And enter the world of sweetafton23...
I'm in the process of moving flat and its a nightmare. I'm looking around my room and trying to figure out a way to either:
Time travel forward a week
Make everything pack itself
Summon a legion of elves to help me pack
I'll let you know how it goes...
Friday, 20 June 2008, 15:32
SONG 10 - MYHOPE (cover)
My dark work is complete. May I present to you MyCover of MyHope, a song by Molly (aka sweetafton23).
You can download the MP3 here. As always if you're an iTunes subscriber you should have it already.
So about the song:
Molly rose to stardom after uploading a video of her attempts at playing Jonathan Coulton's Mr Fancy Pants. Its a great video and after trying to play this song I'm all too familiar with the frustration seen within. Her cover of Tom Cruise Crazy is equally enjoyable.
But then she had the audacity to upload a video of an original song called MyHope. And gosh darn it was good. I had to cover it. Here's the original YouTube video:
I also strung together a collection of images so that I could post a video response. Here it is:
Thursday, 19 June 2008, 13:16
MyCover
I decided to go with the cover first, partly because I'm lazy and partly because I was eager to do it.
You'll find out tomorrow what it is, and there may even be a YouTube video to accompany it.
Monday, 16 June 2008, 05:20
I Feel Fantastic
Its true, I Feel Fantastic. Despite just finishing a 12 hour night shift my spirits are buoyed by the fact I have 2 solid ideas for my next songs.
The first is just a ridiculously stupid concept that I couldn't get out of my head at work. Don't get your hopes up. It involves bears and what happens when you befriend them.
The second is a cover. Now originally I didn't want to do any covers but I'm making a special exception here. The song is awesome and I just hope I do it justice.
Sunday, 15 June 2008, 03:57
What's Happening?
So, I saw The Happening. I was really excited because I'm a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan. My one word review: Meh. Naturally you should see it for yourself, but for a film called The Happening, not much actually happens...
Oh, and this is quite possibly the sweetest video I've seen on Youtube. If I weren't a robot I'd probably weep a little.
Friday, 13 June 2008, 11:56
SONG 9 - CREDITO CRUNCH
Here we go again, click the play button on the Flash player below to hear this week's song:
If you can't see it, or it doesn't work, download the MP3 directly here.
I think this is the most fun I've had writing a song so far! Once I'd taken a left turn down Ridiculous Street it became easier from there. It's high concept nourishment, delivered in junk food packaging. And yes, that doesn't make any sense to me either.
I work for a financial news company and I'm not going to lie, the world of finance can be a bit dull. There are some interesting people though for example: Jean-Claude Trichet, Ben Bernanke and Mervyn King.
In my head, these three are a roaming band of mercenaries. Their hearts are good, but good deeds alone don't pay for shiny things like Bernanke's magical saxaphone. Essentially, they'll fight off the invading horde so long as their palms are crossed with gold. And lots of it.
The song deals with them dealing with their most ferocious enemy yet. You've heard of the global credit crunch right? Now meet it's physical manifestation: Credito Crunch
On a side note, a couple of samples were used. AudioSparx has some great sound effects, highly recommended. The other is a sample from ccMixter, Klaus Neumaier to be exact.
Thursday, 12 June 2008, 19:26
They're coming to take me away
Well, I've just finished a marathon 2 day non stop session for this week's song. Its a little strange sitting down at night to record some guitars, then looking out the window and seeing the sun rising. How time does fly.
Its pretty much done, just going to let it breath till tomorrow and then have another look at the mix. There's a lot I can say about this week's song... But I'll wait until tomorrow.
Sunday, 8 June 2008, 23:24
paper cut panic
The title says it all.
paper cut panic is a blog by Kirsten Murray, the young lady who's tasked herself with creating an image to accompany each of my songs. Check it out when you get a chance.
Also of mention is MotoNick's blog about his epic trek round the world on a motorcycle. Seriously, some of it is film worthy stuff. Just incredible.
Friday, 6 June 2008, 19:27
SONG 8 - THIS IS HOW I ROLL
The flash player below withholds the audio goodness. Why not give it a whirl?
If you can't see it, or it doesn't work, download the MP3 directly here.
Was a little bit rushed this week, but I'm more or less happy with it. I also self indulged somewhat and stuck in a screeching solo for good measure. Not much else to say about this week. Essentially it gives a brief insight into, well.... how I roll.
On a side note, Kirsten Murray drops the bomb again with her 5th image to accompany the song 'The Year 2243':
Thursday, 5 June 2008, 10:29
Too much stuff
A quick thanks again to Raul who had lent me a mic and audio interface for the last 7 weeks. I've finally got round to buying my own and its about time! Purchased from Turnkey who are unfortunately closing down very soon, so if you happen to live in London get down there quick for some excellent deals.
This week's song is almost in the bag. Its a return to simpler times and its a tune I'm pretty happy with so far. Just need to get a few more vocals done after work today and I'll mix it up on Friday.
I'm also faced with the arduous task of moving flat at the end of the month which I'm not looking forward to. It's dawning on me now just how much stuff I have collected over the past few years that I don't actually need. eBay here I come...
Monday, 2 June 2008, 14:32
Picture Time
So Kirsten Murray keeps dropping hits. Here's her picture for Song 4 - Vaguely You:
Inspired by the wonderful Jonathan Coulton I have decided to embark on my own epic adventure of recording 1 song each week for the next year.
I've spent too much time procrastinating for the past few years and never doing anything with my spare time, and so this was the obvious solution. By doing this I hope to become a better musician in general, and learn a whole lot about music production.
Whilst I've always been musical I've never studied musical theory for any substantial length of time. Even when playing cello in my early teens I would commit songs to memory, learning by ear rather than digesting the sheet music in front of me.
This continued when I played in various bands as a teenager. I started out on bass and though I had lessons, very little theory was taught to me (although I did learn to play slap bass, for which I am thankful). Ok, so thats a technique rather than theory, but you get the point! I then picked up the guitar, and self taught by doing what a lot of teenager probably do; learn to play their favourite songs. This is all well and good, but when your entire CD collection comprises of nothing but punk and metal, I found myself somewhat limited in my song repertoire. Only in the last few years have I expanded my musical horizons and at risk of sounding corny, its really opened up my eyes. Ears. Again, you know what I mean.
So thats it. A year long voyage to discover more about music, write songs I've always wanted to write, work night shifts as a broadcast operator and hopefully not have a breakdown in the process!
