The local paper, affectionately referred to as the Atlanta Urninal and Constipation , ran this today about my musical efforts:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/business/stories/2008/07/13/resume.html
They do a regular feature in each Sunday's Business section called "Not On The Resume" -- came out OK, albeit very brief. But when it comes to press, every little bit of press helps; good or bad, it gets the word out.
OK, I have to share this one -- true story. It was 1985, and I played bass in a band based in Chapel Hill, NC. At this time, REM was turning the entire music scene upside down, college radio was taking off, and the Athens and Chapel Hill areas seemed like they were going to both go national, with lots of bands, record company attention, crowds at shows, etc.
Somehow, we'd wrangled a Friday night opening slot at the legendary 40-Watt Club in Athens, but weren't sure who the other two bands... (1923 more chars)
The Rip Off Artists, a new power pop band, posted their personal manifesto on their web site. I thought it was not only funny but worthy of sharing. Individual agreement will vary, but not bad songwriting ideas to follow no matter your genre category of choice:
1. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach and John Barry are the 5 primary pop music influences. 2. Lyrics are 50% of a pop song; they should either make a philosophical point or tell a story. 3. Tambourines... (393 more chars)
First new blog entry since February, been a lot going on other than music but I have had time to take the next step after recording an album in 29 days -- promote it. Outside of this fine community, that is.
In mid March I sent my songs off to CD Baby, who then distributes them to iTunes, Napster, and all the rest, even more traditional e-retailers like Amazon. Cost was $55 ($20 of that is for their UPC code). There are other options out there for this, but the CD Baby folks are not onl... (799 more chars)
About March 3rd, my computer suffered an unrecoverable corruption error, whatever the fudge that is. Despite all attempts to fix it, I had to wipe the hard drive and re-load everything. And while I thought I'd backed up all my files, I didn't realize my recording software actually stored the audio WAV data in a different location than the Cakewalk files. Doh! Luckily, I'd sent off my RPM CD and still have the WAV masters, but now have no ability to go back and tweak the mixes. Which is pro... (716 more chars)
The final song was finished in the wee hours of the last day of February. I took off work today to take care of the remaining items to the Challenge:
- figure out the sequence of songs - come up with the album art - print covers, burn CD, assemble, package it up, and get it in the mail - update my web site with the final versions of everything
I put up links to each song, so that folks on RPM and my family and friends can download them. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results this year... (402 more chars)
Tenth song done and up for anybody to check out:
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com/2008_RPM_demos/Welcome_To_The_Circus.html
It's got it all, except for lyrics. I was running out of time to come up with anything I'd be not ashamed to sing, so this is a power pop nod to Wing's "Rockestra" with references to Jellyfish, Queen, and the Fab Four sprinkled throughout.
32 tracks of goodness, including dueling guitars, a bass line that I am proud of, six tracks of vocal "ahhs" and chee... (482 more chars)
A pretty busy weekend, both in terms of wrapping this thing up and life in general. It was my oldest son's 11th birthday so I didn't want to totally isolate myself but was also feeling the clock ticking the entire time. Balance!
I did manage to complete another two songs by Sunday, which makes 9 tunes totaling 31 minutes, 5 seconds.
The first of the two just finished is a tune by Dr. Bob Cook, featuring him on vocals and electric piano. I added the funky bass line, the guitar parts, and... (1189 more chars)
I finally finished the first song I wrote for this year's Challenge. I got a new 12-string accoustic for Christmas and this riff popped out the first time I played it. In February, it became a song and quickly grew over the first week into... well, something I got bored with. Not because it wasn't a good tune, but mostly because I wanted to work on all the other songs that were bubbling up in those first days of the month.
So today, I opened it back up, scrapped the old mix, and started aga... (1116 more chars)
I was able to finish up THREE songs today. This puts me at six completed, two that just need mixing, one barely recorded, and one to go. And the clock on the RPM page says nine days left... no problem.
The first one I finished today ("Not There") features a cool guitar lick from another old bandmate, the talented Holden Richards. I kinda like the sparse sound on the tune, the bass line, and the jittery guitar chording. But I will also take the blame for the keyboard solo.
http://www.bro... (1017 more chars)
Wow, haven't added to this blog in three days, but I finally have something to show after not posting up a song in more than a week. I'd been waiting for a visit from my former bandmate Dr. Bob of Gainesville, FL. On Friday night, we had a productive late-night recording session. He added great vocals and keyboard parts to at least four songs and even recorded one of his own. I spent the rest of the weekend and this afternoon mixing like a crazy man.
I had been working on my "masterpiece" (... (964 more chars)
I knew going in that Valentine's Day wouldn't be productive in terms of the Challenge. But while waiting to go out for dinner, I was listening to my oldest practice his piano lessons and I realized a song he was banging out would make a great intro to a new tune that's been slowly coalescing in my head. It's still forming, but I know it wants to be a really noisy rocker, and this circus-y sounding piano part might be a good way to kick it off. We'll see...
While no recording was done today, ... (619 more chars)
Nice break tonight from my stuff, I helped out fellow RPM'er extraordinaire Mick with a song of his. Which consisted of four minutes of me chanting along to his reference track. It's going to be dropped in along with others that have provided the same and I'm interested to hear the end result. Last year, his album featured the dijideroo and this year he's already shown more skill on a jaw harp than I knew you could do with the thing. Glad to help, since I got assistance from another RPM'er on o... (724 more chars)
I knew I wouldn't get much done today, it's the wyfe's birthday. I didn't get you a present but I also didn't spent the entire night on the computer with my guitar!
However, I did have an hour or so after work, and tried to re-record a 12-string accoustic using my patented two-computer-pain-in-the-ass method -- time consuming, but I like the resulting big fat sound that comes from both a line input with a live mic. Unfortunately, while I played the parts correctly, it just didn't have that ... (821 more chars)
Came home from work today to read that a couple of fellow alumni from the 2007 Challenge are thinking of dropping out, each for good reasons of their own. I understand, it is different this time around.
Last year was frustrating, nerve-wracking, but above all satisfying; just completing the Challenge was the goal in itself. But it appears I'm not alone in wanting this second go-round to be about creating an even better end result. Which is a lot harder, while I've gotten better at this ... (2246 more chars)
I spent today working on what's becoming my favorite track, both from the songwriting side as well as the nearly-finished production. It's a pretty catchy tune, if I do say so myself. It started out with a good hook and some sing-along lyrics I'm happy with, and now it's loaded with those little extra bits that is pushing it over the top.
To the basic accoustic 12-string, bass and drums, I put down at least four other rhythm guitar overdubs -- subtle, but nice when they come in. Then percus... (462 more chars)
I posted another song today, it's in the rockabilly vein: lots of 7th chords, a walking bass line, and slapback delay effects. I'd been close to scrapping the song as it needed lead guitar and I can't play that style, and my original pick for a guitarist has been too busy. But a fellow RPM'er stepped up, laid down some tasty licks for me, and I am very pleased with the end result.
Production-wise, it was interesting working with somebody long distance. What Will Deuel sent me via email was ... (2327 more chars)
Man, I got a lot done the last couple of nights. If I can keep up the pace over the weekend, I stand a pretty good chance of being halfway thru at the end of week two of the Challenge... hmmm, that's not quite as impressive as I thought when I started typing this, being that there are four weeks in February.
But -- tonight I nearly finished up one song (hope to post it soon), got to the goal line on another (want to let it simmer over night and see how it tastes tomorrow), and have two mo... (1216 more chars)
So yesterday, even though I didn't have time to record, I did think about the Challenge a lot. One thought I'd come up with was a cool way to re-record a 12-string accoustic for a rockabilly song I'm working on -- record two channels at once, one with a mic and the other direct from the guitar's pickup. Should be easy, but I discovered my crappy built-in soundcard will only take one input source at a time.
But wait -- I have my laptop plus the desktop! I'll just record the mic track on ... (1319 more chars)
Non-RPM necessities forced today to be a wash, recording-wise. But I've got so many great ideas, I can't wait until tomorrow after work to get going again. Sorry for the boring blog tonight, but one of my goals for this year was to actually document every day's progress (or lack thereof). Tomorrow!
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com/
Much better day today than yesterday. I was feeling all pitiful because I had no time to record, and two good friends who said they'd love to be a part of this year's Challenge dropped off the face of the earth as soon as that damn countdown clock started ticking. Then I'd sent around a link to my first finished tune to some friends and family, and got no reply back. So I was bummed, but told myself, "Self, you did this last year in isolation, had a great time, and produced something you've bee... (1548 more chars)
No real progress was made today, too much going on at work and at home. Details unneccessary, you all know the story.
I did, however, send a link to my website with my first song out yesterday to friends and family. I also posted it to the demos thread on the discussion board. Response has been underwhelming. Also, folks I'd asked to help out by recording tracks or vocals are too busy, it appears.
I need to remember a couple of things: 1) while I am very excited about this year's... (567 more chars)
I got up early today and actually finished my first song -- this one was inspired from all the election crap going on now, what with Super Tuesday almost here. Again, I don't know how you New Hampshire folks handle this stuff, here in Georgia its too much for me.
I am underwhelmed by all candidates, but feel not participating isn't an answer. I think my end result is pretty good, considering not a lot of time went into the recording and mixing -- usually, I'd futz with it for-damn-near-e... (1543 more chars)
Overcast in Atlanta this morning, so spring will be here soon? I can never remember. And no wonder, my mind, ears, and fingers are fried -- I've been in front of this computer long enough my wife and kids are already asking when this RPM thing will be over.
Well, I wanted this weekend to be productive, but I'm about out of steam. Which is good, as tomorrow looks to be busy enough that I won't get much done. Neglected family, Cub Scout den leader stuff, and house chores are going to eat... (1094 more chars)
I took today off from work so I could spend it getting a head-start on the month. Last year I was scrambling near the end and it was not fun, even in retrospect. Time pressure doesn't make me creative, just makes it rushed.
So last night about 10:30 I dusted off one of the song scraps I had in mind to do this year, and at midnight laid down a basic drum track and then bass. This morning and afternoon I added the main 12-string accoustic and a Rickenbacker-y chiming riff, and then record... (1195 more chars)
I stand at the brink of the 2008 RPM Challenge in much better shape than I was last year at this time. Hell, I didn't hear about it until February 1, 2007! I learned a lot from doing it last time, mostly that I simply could do it.
This year, however, I have material going in as opposed to trying to do everything in one month. Last year, I started from zero and was frantically trying to come up with enough tunes and lyrics right up to the wire, and I think it shows in the final result -... (2701 more chars)
Well, haven't added to this blog in a while but have some news I want to put down so when I go back and read this 20 years from now I can remember everything. Ha.
Anyway, got some good press in today's Atlanta Business Chronicle . Not really an album review, but good coverage in the city's top business pub. Gives me a start of a press kit I can now send out to other magazines, radio, etc. and start getting some actual reviews. Link to the article is: http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.c... (1178 more chars)
here's another music site that seems pretty cool, it's just about music and unsigned bands: http://www.sonicjive.com/
so now I've got profiles in a number of places:
http://www.sonicjive.com/BrokenPromiseKeeper
http://www.myspace.com/brokenpromisekeeper
http://www.virb.com/brokenpromisekeeper
plus my web site: http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com/
don't know if this is worth the (minimal) effort I'm putting into it, but I figure the more places I push this stuff, the... (141 more chars)
The weird error on myspace was fixed so I was able to upload the fourth song. This one was done completely in one day -- writing, recording, mixing in about five hours. It was done three days before the end of the challenge, when I added up the songs I had completed so far and realized I was about 30 seconds short. It kinda has a "live" vibe to it and is supposed to be funny. Check out "What About You".
http://www.myspace.com/brokenpromisekeeper
of course, you can hear the ... (108 more chars)
OK, because everybody else is doing it, I am too. I suffered thru the laborious process of putting together a MySpace Music page. Three songs are up, a fourth to come once their "processing" error gets fixed. I don't see the thrill, but I am old and thought a plain old website was fine, friends or no friends.
Pweeze be my fwend. http://www.myspace.com/brokenpromisekeeper
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Handed over the CD to the nice UPS man during lunch today. Like a huge weight fell off my shoulders. Good luck to everyone still working on their submission and can't wait to hear everything.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Almost there, stay on target Red Five -- all I have left to do is take this puppy to the post office or UPS store tomorrow and send it off. I am NOT going to listen to my songs again between now and then, the temptation to give it one final tweak must be avoided.
I can't believe the progress I made over the last 26 days. It's been a lot of fun, the entire process: writing the songs, coming up with lyrics that hopefully don't suck too much, adding the overdubs and orchestration, and comi... (1164 more chars)
Wow, all the songs are re-mixed, mastered, and uploaded to the Sample Engine and my web site. www.BrokenPromiseKeeper.com is live and the album art and song order have also been completed. All that's left is to burn the tracks to a disk and mail it off. What a relief. This has been fun but my wife and kids will be happy to hear me say "it's over" tomorrow (er, this) morning. I've had a blast but am starting to suffer from sleep deprivation and anxiety disorders.
http://www.brokenpro... (17 more chars)
Just finished up song nine, which pushes me over the edge with a total of 39:03. Yeah! I'm burning it to a CD to listen to on the way to and from work tomorrow, and hopefully I won't notice any glaring mistakes and the song order will be OK. If everthing checks out by Monday night, I'll re-upload the final mixes to the site below and start on my album cover art and liner notes. This has been fun, but I'm glad the end is near. My wife and kids are too!
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.... (6 more chars)
Shit. I spend the morning finishing up song eight, which I'm sure will put me over 35 minutes. so then I spend much of the afternoon cleaning up mixes, re-doing a few vocals, trimming beginnings and ends, etc. Think I'm done? Well... I add up everthing with all eight songs and it comes to 34 minutes and 11 seconds. Plus I had a new riff come to me on the drive home from dinner... So I guess tomorrow won't be lazing around and working on the cover artwork like I'd thought. Hopefully this ... (282 more chars)
Was going to just jump into recording song eight tonight, which will put me past the 35 minute mark and take some of the pressure off. But first, as usual, I read some of the other blogs. The one about "this isn't a race" kinda bugged me. No, it's not a race, but it is a challenge with some necessary and easy rules. Just do it, and don't think too much is how I feel. I'm not producing any Art, I'm just getting tunes that were in me out there and not really even caring if anybody hears th... (1414 more chars)
wow, finished song seven tonight, but am going to wait until tomorrow to upload it -- tomorrow's a work day and it's late. this one's a rocker, though, and under three minutes -- radio friendly? adding up the time for all seven songs finished so far, I'm at 30 minutes and 15 seconds, so I feel better about completing the challenge from a time perspective, even though I'd like to cut 10 songs total. We'll see, still have to work on the cover art and liner notes...
http://www.brokenpromis... (14 more chars)
Back in Decatur, GA and back to work. Had a great long weekend in NYC, charged up the batteries with the energy only that city can give. Took today off to work on the challenge (and rest my feet from all the walking we did). Finished song #6 and worked out the guitar and lyrics to #7, which I will hopefully put a big dent in tomorrow.
Overall, I continue to be very pleased with what's taking shape, despite no feedback from others here. To be fair, I've not been a big poster on this boa... (203 more chars)
so, it's technically 45 minutes into Day 16, but so what -- I finished my fifth song. knocked this one out pretty fast, just started yesterday after work. thank god for Cakewalk's ability to copy and paste snippets of guitar licks and arrange them, or I'd never get thru the challenge.
Anyway, this was my most complicated production effort yet, the song's very basic but it has seven guitar tracks, three vocals on the chorus, etc. hopefully it's subtle and doesn't sound too muddy, I tried... (770 more chars)
And a happy Hallmark Day to you all. Started on a new song tonight, got the basic guitar part down and a basic drum track. Hope to get the bass and guitar overdumbs done tomorrow. Have a simple melody in mind but not much at this point in the way of lyrics. Hopefully I'll go to bed tonight and they will magically come to me in my sleep.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Stayed up late last night to finish song four, then re-uploaded it after work today -- I added some sound efx of wind and thunder. Hey, it's named "The Sound and The Fury," right? Hear the roar of the guitars and smell the ozone. The four songs completed so far come to about 20 minutes of music, so I'm over halfway there if I'm aiming to complete the challenge on time alone.
check the new one out and give me feedback. pweeze.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Back after a three-day absence for a funeral in snowy western NY/eastern PA. Thought about the RPM Challenge the entire time, itching to play and record. Tonight's the wife's b-day, so as a present I'm not going to spend hours in front of the computer wearing headphones like I would like to be doing. Still, am close to wrapping up and posting Song 4 and am pleased enough with the first three. Assuming I can finish the new one tomorrow, that leaves 15 days for six songs or however many minutes (... (178 more chars)
I got much farther today than expected with the latest song, but not enough to finish it. Too bad, I'll be out of pocket for a couple of days due to the funeral. But I really like this one and am loathe to stop working on it, but reason tells me to stop before I mess it up.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Well, after a day off I was all pumped up to get a lot done tonight. You know where this is going... I did rough out another song and hope to cut it tomorrow. But when ACC basketball starts heating up and it's the Carolina-Duke game, recording has to be put on the back burner. GO HEELS, what a great game. Thank goodness the challenge isn't during March Madness...
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Non productive. Too much work plus learning Grandma passed away last night at 92, so making plans to fly from Atlanta to Buffalo and then drive to Conneaut Lake, PA. Not what I'd planned on doing this weekend, which was recording.
On the way home this evening, I listened today to the three songs I've got so far and am OK with my progress. Only seven more to go, or maybe just one long freeform blues jam to make up the alloted time. OK, maybe that's a threat if I don't start to get any f... (64 more chars)
Whew, a lot accomplished today -- an entire song done. And if I don't mind saying so, I like it the best yet. Just a straightforward power-pop-trio thing, not any overdubs except for the solo. That deadline is keeping me from getting to artsy-fartsy...
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Finished up Song 2 today, and still have time to cook dinner and watch some of the Stupid Bowl. Everything went faster, which must mean I'm getting the hang of the recording process or am learning to let go little mistakes and keep moving.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Well, this is actually the morning of Day 4, but I did a lot yesterday and when I finally knocked off, it was late. Will hopefully finish Song 2 today.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com
Wow, I was actually productive. Put down drums, rhythm guitars and bass last night in a long spurt of creativity. Well, sorta... it was a song I'd been kicking around for a long time and never committed to tape. That's what this is about, right? After work today, I did the vocals and the lead guitars. It ain't great, but with only 26 days left, I don't have time to make it perfect. Hope I can keep up the pace...
Anyway, I also created a quick web site so I can load up the tracks for sh... (260 more chars)
