So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/06 19:23The RPM site seems to have entered its post-party April lull - and we who keep coming back, seem to more and more resemble folks at a party who are still hanging around after all the free beer has been exhausted & the food is all gone... we just hang out because, well, we like the vibe, and some of us don't ever want the party to be over.
(And of course, now we have a jukebox crammed full of music - which should take the better part of a year to get through. We need more free beer!)
Which brings up the topic of this, uh, topic:
So - Now What?
You made an album in 29 days - no small feat - but what are you going to do over the next year to keep that musical momentum alive?
Well, here's a thought:
There are ten months until RPM starts up again; and if you were able to record one cut a month, you'd finish an entire album before the next RPM.
There are several significant advantages to doing this:
• It keeps the concept of making your own music in the forefront of your life.
• It'll sharpen your production chops in preparation for next year's RPM.
• It'll also build up stamina & momentum so that you slide into RPM much more easily than the mad panic that usually takes place February 1.
There are so many other reasons to do this - many of them won't appear until you try - and there's always that unknown quality: what will happen if I do this? Making music shouldn't be something you ramp up for once a year - it should be a continual process; a way to let out all that pent-up creativity that otherwise gets drowned by the throbbing concerns of daily life.
RPM's goal was to make you put your music first for just one month of the year - and it worked, didn't it? Well, this was such a good year for RPM (we've been blown away by the quality of some of what we've heard on the Jukebox) that we just want to keep you guys actively producing music.
This site is here throughout the entire year - so let's make it a place were you can come, stay in touch, and help each other create something special throughout the rest of 2008... plus test out new tunes on each other, & maybe even collaborate.
We're game to try it - how about you?
What the hell - we'll even start the ball rolling...
Due to time constraints, I had to slash two planned tracks from my 08 RPM album. I recorded the first new one last week, and will be finishing up the second tomorrow. Once those are done, and the final mixes are done, it's off to the replicator to become part of my new label in a month or so.
I plan to put together another album or two this year, as well as get the label up and running... not to mention a few other projects up my sleeves. I think my entire year will be filled to the brim with music! Yours should too!
Post edited by: Joshua Wentz, at: 2008/04/06 19:34
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mparker
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/06 19:43I've just finished upgrading my MacBook to Leopard after putting it off until after RPM.
Now I'm going to start writing and recording a CD for my full band which I hope to do by the end of the year, then it will be time to get ready for RPM '09.
I may post rough cuts here as I'm working on my full band CD.
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Lunarsight
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/06 20:00I actually was doing this last year. I'm still fine-tuning my post-2007 RPM Challenge album now.
The first few tracks have been uploaded over on Soundclick. (They comprise a multipart song called Format Sea.)
I'm currently working on a brief instrumental called Wardrobe Malfunction, which is proving to be a fine-tuning challenge. It's still missing something.
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sister_savage
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/07 17:12Absolutely! Just as soon as my studio returns from its cardboard box holiday...
Tess
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Rubaboo
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/07 19:47We've followed up our RPM Challenge album Realistic Barnyard Friends with a 4-song EP, released late last night in MungBeing 19.
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Raleigh
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/07 21:05I've worked on a few tracks... mostly noodling with new tchnology, but this is an intriguing idea.
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thel1195
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 02:10What's that you say? One new cut? That's a start, but lets kick it up a notch. You want a challenge, let's make it a challenge. One new cut a month in a differ genre of music. Oh yeah!
Roots, Reggae, Rap, Soul, R&B, techno, trance, rock, celtic, tribal (many, many flavor here), folk, country, Funk, disco, jazz, big band, industrial, et al. Bridge the gap. You might find something else you're good at!
Baby's First Ride Lyndell
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ACL
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 03:08thel1195 wrote: What's that you say? One new cut? That's a start, but lets kick it up a notch. You want a challenge, let's make it a challenge. One new cut a month in a differ genre of music. Oh yeah!
LMAO... So, in other words, we'll do what we normally do.
But, actually that's a great idea...
kirk & wendy, aka acl, aka another cultural landslide
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I got sick from staying up too late during the mixing process.
My marriage almost broke up as a result of this project.
One of my songs out and out sucks. But I put it on the CD anyway to bring it past 35 minutes.
I've released it internetwide with a wide amount of indifference. Not that it's anything I'm not used to, mind.
I'll probably do this again, but not without some planning. However, I am still in recovery.
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Raleigh
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 05:19If we're gonna do this thing here, could someone refresh my memory on how to [correctly] link to my profile page?
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Mosfet
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 05:53Raleigh wrote: If we're gonna do this thing here, could someone refresh my memory on how to [correctly] link to my profile page?
I think you need to LOG OUT of the website, and find your profile like the general public.. then link to it.. Or something like that.
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thel1195
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 07:23ACL wrote: thel1195 wrote: What's that you say? One new cut? That's a start, but lets kick it up a notch. You want a challenge, let's make it a challenge. One new cut a month in a differ genre of music. Oh yeah!
LMAO... So, in other words, we'll do what we normally do.
Yeah, I forgot where I was for a second.
Maybe each month could have a theme. Collaboraton month. Lyric themed month. Angst month. Break up songs month AKA Get-the-hell-out songs month. Something unique to the RPM way of being.
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.. I want to experiment with sci-fi-ey female vocals..
You wouldn't believe how sick of my own voice I got in February.
Where in theory would I find something like that that I could manipulate ruthlessly without getting the copyright overlords mad at me?
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 12:20ACL: Resurrection is quite impressive!! Percussion, groove and voices just fit together perfectly.
EDITJoshua: "AUTOMATIC 18" is quite classy -- really was a great listen. Haven't had a chance to listen to "4-pack" of songs from Rubaboo yet.
I don't know if this is my April selection or not! It is really just a jam -- and no where near the inventiveness of Resurrection. Anyway, I try not compare myself too much to others -- it reduces the embarrassment of it all.
***************************************************** Still recovering from the February FAWM/RPM CD, but I stumbled into this nice jam over at the Fender Forum. Clayville created the "True Blue" jam (acoustic/electric guitars, bass, percussion); MarkB added mandolin and electric guitar and slide; I added lyrics, harmonica and banjo. Enjoy.
Lots of "drinking" songs about the pain of breaking up and the woman leaving. Not too many sad ones about the girl coming back (LOL!).
Post edited by: KevinEmmrich, at: 2008/04/08 16:01
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kavin
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 18:52My objective is to complete TWO album projects before RPM'09. One is my annual psychedelic/acoustic Christmas album I record every year to give away in lieu of presents and cards. The other is a batch of new songs I withheld from the RPM Challenge, which will be a more elaborate project with many guest musicians, and I hope to get professional mastering help with.
My first post-RPM'08 recording is complete. The local paper has a Mothers Day Songwriting contest going, the real challenge being to write a song for mom which is a minute or less (the winners will be videotaped and posted on their website). Prizes also include iTunes gift cards (yippee!).
In the near future I will try to post my Minute Mom Song on my RPM profile.
ptm (peace thru music)
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shallowpeeps
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/08 19:05Damon and I are going to start working on his album starting this saturday. It will be finished before the next RPM - in fact i'd like to make a full album of my own material as well - but we'll see.
The good news for me is that a friend with a nice recording space has agreed to assist in tracking drums - AND - a family member (who makes pro audio hardware) is gonna comp me a portable digital firewire interface for my macbook which means i can track guitars in my living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. I'm so excited!
i'm hoping to get back at the recording thing when i get a break between scurrying around for money, going on the road, doing system work/repairs, fixing my guitars etc.
glad to see the party is still going.
i'm gonna have more and better stuff this time next year, i can feel it!
dav=-0
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I was too engrossed in my RPM project to really take notice of all of the VUA stuff happening at the same time here, but just because RPM is over doesn't mean VUA is gone. I've recorded a track for the new VUA project and I'm really excited about what it's all about. So, check it out! I'm sure the VUA "core" would love to have more RPMers get involved!
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/28 14:49It's not a protest song -- just that some folks never get to participate in the "American Dream".
Clay laid down just a great Keef-inspired jam track, he even used a 5-string tele tuned to open G and capo'd at the 4th fret -- classic Keith Richards. I tried to do my best with the layered vocals, but it doesn't help that I couldn't quite hit all the pitches. I think I am starting a change jar to buy some auto-tune software -- I don't think anyone will mind!
I added voices (many) and a rhythm/lead guitar. It was tough to find the perfect sonic space for the guitar -- and I never really found a place I was 100% happy with. I was always trampling on something cool that Clay did.
Anyway, please excuse the off-pitch stuff, I did the best I could.
I couldn't agree more! VUA is a ton of fun, and the end product is extremely satisfying!
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fenceflatley
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Re:So... Now What? An idea. - 2008/04/28 16:34What happened to the replenishing the beer supply in all of this...I coulda swore there was a mention of free beer in the intitial post...
*sigh*
Oh well. Two days left in April. Haven't started a song yet. That sounds about right. <<<FLASHBACKS TO FEBRUARY>>>
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Joshua Wentz
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May Music - 2008/05/07 20:22Just finished up Winchester Sessions #17, which is a dual session with Dylan Leeds (who completed RPM 2007 under the moniker "Ouch My Leg".
Recorded for the Nur Ein competition over at Song Fight.
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Floppy Jalopy
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Re:May Music - 2008/05/07 23:02I just started working with Indi who you all may know from 2007.(she's on the Jukebox) Indi's learning violin so we are collaborating via the Interweb.
Interesting things are afoot.
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mparker
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Re:May Music - 2008/05/07 23:11I have 5 songs so far written and demoed for my upcoming pre-RPM release. Not going to post them yet as the singing is terrible for two reasons:-
1) It was done in one take whilst sitting down 2) The key is specifically designed for another singer so a lot of it is well outside of my comfort range - another way of saying there's lots of off key stuff there
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room34
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Re:May Music - 2008/05/08 06:10Joshua Wentz wrote: Just finished up Winchester Sessions #17, which is a dual session with Dylan Leeds (who completed RPM 2007 under the moniker "Ouch My Leg".
Who's got some new music for May? I worked on some new stuff last Friday night... it may not evolve into anything final, but I put my rough, incomplete mixes up...
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Lunarsight
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Re:May Music - 2008/05/09 13:37I've been working on a song from before called "And The Damned Demanded".. It's a little out of my range of ability (particularly for the mixing), but it's a good learning experience.
I find learning mastering is kind of like learning how to use computers. (I learned computers by breaking several of them - that's how you discover all the things you're not supposed to do with them, like taking your laptop with you into the shower or duct-taping your computer monitor to the ceiling.)
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themissedconnections
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Re:May Music - 2008/05/09 16:10i have begun writing three new songs! i was burned out for a while but now i am back. i just moved so having no internet temporarily has been great for making songs, since there is nothing to distract me.
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Oh yeah! 
