Cough cough

24 09 2010

Tonight, I am sad. I got home from work and, about ten minutes into another looping adventure, my throat started to hurt. So that was pretty much that. It’s no fun when I’m struggling to hit the notes I normally do. But I do feel like I’m much better at looping than I was – progress at least.

The last week has been dedicated to two things: listening to the Manics, and watching Prime Suspect.

I bought both reissues of The Holy Bible and Everything Must Go. Lots of great extras and good video material. Plus the US mix of the Bible is excellent stuff (bar two or three tracks). Finally bought Send Away The Tigers and, from my brief listen today, it’s great stuff. It’s nice having them back in my life. Brings back a lot of emotions.

Prime Suspect has been a real surprise. I watched a little of number six while visiting my lady. Very well written and acted, so I found number two on Virgin On Demand. We watched all four hours in a row and I loved it. So having watched one and three, I’m convinced. What a great show. Helen Mirren is a goddess. Might write more about that later.

Right now though, I’m waiting for some horror films to come in the post along with Chris Nolan’s first film, Following. I loved Inception and Memento, and have a lot of affection for The Prestige and Insomnia. Batman Begins isn’t bad and The Dark Knight’s just pompous nonsense. But that’s for another day.

So, expect some reviews of them. Soon as I get it, The Last House on the Left will be subject of my attentions.

Also, throat willing, I’ll record myself playing the looper tomorrow. Bye!


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Categories : About me, About music, Films, JM4, Songwriting

Items of noise

15 09 2010

I’m not sure if I’ve ever been a gear snob, but I do like gadgets and toys, even though I’m not exactly discerning in terms of quality.

All my pedals are by Boss, except for my Tremelo pedal, which is a cheap Behringer knock-off of a Boss (cost £19 – awesome pedal, actually and a good way to try the effect out). They sound good, they work well with my guitars and I know how to get the sounds I want out of them.

The addition of the Line 6 JM4 Looper to the family has been a lot of fun. With my Fender Champ 600 hooked up, the Boss OD3 on at 9 o’clock with the level up at 12, the DD3 and my Fender Highway One Telecaster (with Tonerider Vintage Plus pick ups for extra twang), I can do all sorts of sonic conjuring and silliness.

If I was only a better player. Anyway, I’m going to finish the songs I started the last couple of weeks – one’s a weird country pop song and the other’s a bit more intense. And since Douglas opened my eyes to the wonder of 1/2 speed recording… well, I can see myself using that next.

I was playing with the looper last night. I created the drum loop for The Dark Sea on Nuendo then promptly realised it was double the length I wanted it to be. Uh. But, even with that it sounded awesome. It’s back to being a potential high-point of my looper set. Show Me The Way sounds great too – all swooning guitars and hand-claps. I just need to spend an hour playing the set beginning to end. And maybe writing the verse lyrics to My Lying Heart. Maybe.

Work has been challenging though, as if to compensate for the other fun I’ve been having. I’ve been loving the looper, enjoying playing the old SNES Shadowrun (it’s amazing how much of the plot of that game is in The Matrix) and watching classic British TV like Yes, Minister and Prime Suspect. I’ve been despondent at the short-sightedness of many people making serious announcements. Seriously, if you say something stupid now, you need to live with it for a very long time.

Thank god everyone think they’re full of shit already, otherwise we’d be in trouble.


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Categories : About music, JM4

The perils of pace

1 09 2010

I’ve written about my love of my JM4 looper a few times now. Using it, I’ve come up with a few new song ideas, but it’s made me change some old songs around.

I was playing Show me the way (which you can find on Misguided souls – look at the music page) on Monday. I was trying to build a rhythm loop with hand claps and breaths (sounds creepy to explain it and probably creepier to listen to) and, I’ll be honest, I messed it up. The tempo was too slow and, by the time I’d put down the two layered guitar parts that run through the song, it was too late to go back.

So, I started the song and it was amazing how different it felt. The recorded version isn’t the fastest (it is, after all, mid-tempo pop-rock), but there was a weird tenderness that came out when I couldn’t put any real force into it.

This is a danger though, since it can tempt you to perform every song in this stripped back, confessional way. And it gets tiring, same as all the people performing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah in the style of Jeff Buckley (stop, stop, please just stop).

In the meantime, I have figured out that creating a rhythm loop from the guitar has its own issues. On one of the new songs, Crawl, that sound adds something to the song, but on The dark sea is makes it sound too harsh. So, I need to programme some drum loops. But, of course, my music computer is now sulking and switching itself off.

But, I’ve been talking about this stuff a lot and there’s not much to show for it. That will change. I’ll be using my little Line 6 Backtrack (I have a lot of Line 6 stuff, including a Pod I don’t use anymore) to record some rough demos of the songs, then I’ll post some mp3s here for your pleasure/horror.


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Categories : About music, JM4, Songwriting

Elitist truths

12 08 2010

Often I look at the music I like, or the TV shows I watch or even the films I champion. I like the obscure, the unusual and the things that don’t really fit in the mainstream. This was something I took pride in.

But pride has a weird habit of becoming a chip on your shoulder. Suddenly anyone disagreeing is the stupidest, most ignorant and conformist fool out there. And really, they’re not.

Most people don’t want to think too deeply. There’s too much horror to deal with in everyday existence to waste time brooding on the subtext of The Wire. Or, for that matter, seeking it out when it’s not widely available or with lots of populist opinion behind it.

An acquaintance posted on Facebook recently that he couldn’t believe others dismissed the participants of his open mic night without ever having been. Ignoring the angry debate that sprouted up, there’s a question here. I think about it a lot on my job: why should anyone care?

I know it might be the biggest part of your life. I know it may be your major passion. It might be something that many people love too. But music, for most people, is a nice accompaniment not a way of life. They don’t want to search out good music. They don’t want anyone to challenge them.

You can’t force people to give things a chance, or be annoyed when they won’t. All you can do is be respectful and try and give them a reason to change their mind.

And, if they don’t, leave it. Why waste time trying to convince someone who doesn’t want to listen when you could spend time on someone who does?

Also, looper related fun is coming along well. I think another two weeks and I’ll be ready to try it live. I can’t quite get A Dark Art down, but it’s the trickiest in terms of swapping inputs and loops… I’ll get there.


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Categories : About music

Looper

2 08 2010

Lots of dials, an LED, knobs, a big turn-wheel, inputs, outputs and four footswitches that make a satisfying clunk when depressed. Sometimes they trigger drum sounds, or the rhythmic snap of a muted guitar.

Continued presses at timed intervals build layers of sound limited by dexterity and harmonic knowledge (and taste, naturally). With an awkward use of toes to change input device, voices combine and coalesce into enthusiastic but occasionally ill-matched harmony. Simple things become sumptuous or scabrous depending on the need.

Eventually there’s a drum beat slamming forwards, a chopping guitar slashing out rudimentary rhythms, a snaking guitar figure sinuous against the beat, a high pitched delayed wail that summons memories of Marr while being much more crude, and then the vocals. “I disappear without a trace” they chirp the first time round. They repeat, but with an additional layer in harmony, slightly above. “I disappear without a trace.”

I stamp my right foot, since I’ve always found it difficult to stand still when I’m making music. Pitch to the side and, as the loop repeats for the fifth or sixth time, I go “woo!” This is a good moment. There’s something when you make music with other people and it’s all in place, and the parts add something to each other that wouldn’t be there. It’s a thrilling moment where you don’t need to talk afterwards. In fact, to break the silence would diminish the sensation.

There’s nothing better than that. I missed it. And my little looper’s given it back to me. Standing in my old bedroom in my mum’s house (I felt too guilty for disturbing my neighbour upstairs), with all those things around me from when I started learning guitar, it was an odd moment. The old heat from a converted attic bedroom, the view of the trees outside my window and the weird comfort of just being there.

You go in a circle, you’ll end up back where you started. But that sort of makes sense to me right now.


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Categories : About me, About music, Songwriting

Everything must go

23 07 2010

Buying a new laptop, computer or phone is a great opportunity. You need to move files, so the process of choosing what’s essential and what’s not begins.

Old photos that remind you of good things stay, less positive ones… well, ‘shift+del’ becomes your friend. You remove phone numbers of old acquaintances and the ones you really like (in my case, about eight of them) gain new prestige. Well they would, because there’s no one else there.

I got a new phone the other week. It does incredible things and perhaps knows me a little too well. It already knows where I work and can track me with GPS. Is that really safe? But, best of all is when I started putting music on it. It’s not as comfortable for me as my Zen was yet, but I’m getting there. It sounds great, takes normal headphones and requires nothing more than Windows explorer to shift files.

And what I’ve been listening to? Well, it started with the Finn Brothers, swung past Peter Gabriel’s So… (badly aged, bar the singles, which isn’t so bad since that’s over half of the album) and has now landed on the Manic Street Preachers.

Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : About music, Bands

Was thinking

20 07 2010

The plan is almost ready. I just need to figure it out in detail and put it into practice. I’ve been asked to play a gig in Edinburgh at a future date to be confirmed, and in the next week or two I’ll be practicing to get ready.

I’m really proud of what I’ve been writing since Threethirteen sputtered to an end. It’s the best material I’ve ever done and, let’s be honest, better for not having someone clattering a set of bins down the stairs and calling it percussion.

I’m eight tracks into compiling my next album. I have enough songs for my preferred length (10, as usual), but I want the last couple to feel really cohesive. Which means re-recording Ride (love its 80s rock vibe, but it’s not really blending in amongst the country-soul vibe) or jettisoning it. We’ll see. Most of the other songs just need added to (some 12-string here, some harmonies there), while I need to finish writing the four or five ideas I have and then choose my final tracklist.

Somewhere in there, I’ll work out how to really make my solo performances different and interesting.

Also, Christopher Nolan’s Inception: after the disappointing and moronic The Dark Knight, this is his best film since Memento and probably his finest overall. I’ve seen all of his films, bar Following, in the cinema. If you haven’t seen it, go and do so. It’s smart, well put together, exciting, funny at times, and free of the bloat that afflicts most movies.

Yes, it’s long. Yes, it’s very dense. Yes, it’s undoubtedly in love with its own intelligence. But when a writer-director (hey, let’s even call him an auteur) is so willing to challenge himself and his audience, who cares? It’s visually stunning, brilliantly written and acted, and the pacing is absolutely perfect.

I heart Chris Nolan. But The Dark Knight was still bollocks.


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Categories : About music, Films

(Almost) sold an amp

15 07 2010

Thrilling, I know. In other news, I’ve rekindled my love for The Finn Brothers’ Everyone is Here. When I bought it years ago, I was so excited after Neil Finn’s live DVD and I put it in the CD player and…

Oh. Well. What?

It wasn’t that it wasn’t good, it was… unassuming. The opening was understated and tasteful. The guitar playing was immaculate and complimentary. The signing and harmonising was subtle and seductive. But.. well, I had expected more.

Maybe on the fourth listen, it all clicked. This album worms its way into your head and your heart. At first it’s a little melodic hook, then it’s a lyric, then you find yourself completely absorbed into the little subtleties of each song. It’s one of the best albums ever made, by one of the greatest singer-songwriters to grace this planet, working with the only man who can make his voice sound even more angelic with sweet harmonies.

finn[1]

There was an awful lot going on in my life at that point. Like Sophia’s People are like seasons, I think that’s why I love it so much. It soundtracks a part of my life that would have felt incomplete without it now I look back.

And we’re staring at each other
Like the banks of a river
And we can’t get any closer
But we form a life between us

Anyway, here’s one of their songs, not from that album, but from their incredibly fine Finn album.

I think I’ll write about Neil’s insanely talented son, Liam, next time. Seeing him sort of changed how I thought about music.


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So, another song

6 07 2010

Douglas was kind enough to come around and play some guitar for me. But it wasn’t without its stresses, probably because I didn’t send him the song in advance, but at least we got there in the end.

The song’s called Sunrise or Sunset and it’d been in my head for at least a couple of years before I finally gave it life during FAWM. The lyrics weren’t completed (and I’m considering rewriting the second verse still) and this is me finally getting down to it.

What’s been great though is adding all the little bits and pieces: 12-string jangling, synthesiser bubbling underneath and now Douglas’ lovely guitar part. And a few harmonies. My thoughts on harmonies can be found elsewhere in this blog.

During this process, I’ve also introduced Doug to The Gaslight Anthem. If you haven’t heard them, do it now. Your life will be immeasurably improved by listening to The ‘59 Sound at full volume as you drive around and sing along “every soul man’s song is a night I’d like to spend with you, twisting the night away.”

Anyway, I digress: it’s been great working through the song and I’ve a few more I need to polish up. This is due to recording at insane pace during FAWM’s 28 days, which while very productive, does miss quality checking somewhat. A few of the songs just need a little bit of depth and breadth, but others are fine where they are.

Jamie’s coming round this weekend hopefully to do some bass work and start the process of re-recording the Threethirteen songs. I’m going to start with Bound to Fail and think about what other ones would benefit.

Also, once financial shortages are dealt with, a Line 6 JM4 will be my new toy. And then the gigs. Maybe.

Watching: The Shield. I just finished season five and that was one special show. Shame on those who watch CSI and not this.

Listening: The Gaslight Anthem’s American Slang

Wishing: For more days off from work.


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Categories : About music, Bands, Songwriting

Spinning

20 06 2010

Graham, the prospective drummer, got in touch to ask what was going on with rehearsals. He’s a decent guy, so I didn’t want to mess him around. I told him what had happened, as best I understand it, and have started the process of looking for a bassist and keyboard player. I’m still going to do the solo thing though.

I’ve been listening to The Gaslight Anthem’s American Slang pretty constantly since I got it. It’s not as good as The ‘59 Sound, which would have been a big ask, but it is excellent. Not so much reference to other songs this time but it’s still that straightforward, emotional rock vibe, but free of showiness. And the lyrics to Old Haunts are amazing. He’s a poet is Brian Fallon.

Finally started recording my final demo of Sunrise or Sunset. My demo for the FAWM challenge was ok, but the lyrics were somewhat rushed. I’ve re-written them now, so they actually make sense, but I may tweak them a little more. The sound’s broadly in line with the other stuff I’ve done: a much more ‘rock’ vibe than ‘Misguided souls’ is.

Just put the guitar down tonight and will add acoustics, maybe a 12-string and will try and tempt my old guitarist, Douglas, to add some country soul licks if I can’t come up with anything interesting.

I’ve been coming up with lots of other little ideas, which I try and develop over the summer. Then I should be near ten songs for the next album.


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Categories : About music

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