There is a lot of instrumental composition work going on at the moment. As well as looking for some fellow multi-instrumentalists for a new project to take out live and in studio. Something I’ve been wanting to try for years.
So I bought the tiny M-Audio 32 ‘mini’ midi keyboard to link up to pro tools. It looked bigger on ‘Amazon!’ My large hands don’t feel the same as playing weighted keys on my electric piano. But… we work with what we have.
New tune! Limestone Century is an essentially funky ‘Bog Woppit’ track from my 2016 forthcoming solo album. I adventure new paths using Pro Tools SE instead of Fostex multi trackers. I’ve put off using it for a while now as dislike reading instructions (So I watched Youtube videos to get me started) Back in my early 20’s I was the reel to reel tape user. Then to 4 track cassette tape. Moving into digital multi trackers. Always a musician and composer (I’m not a sound engineer and wiz at the tech) But I’m slowly learning. Pro tools crashes, pops. But on the whole I’ll persevere. It made music making very easy. (I’ll save up for the ‘Full Monty’ after California next year) It does take the challenge out of my making it up as I go along. I can tolerate for this album I’m sure 😉
I bought the tiniest midi keyboard for my massive hands. More for recording synth parts for meditation music. The principled self that records everything live with real instruments still gets to do that in part. Fully in our Rock band ‘Subway Circus’ yes I’m having a bit of fun playing with loops and like.
Inhaling my himalayan salt pipe is helping lung recover after that darn nasty lurgy last month.
What’s it about? I suppose a ‘header’ : Purification, making peace, music. 2016 started off poorly. It’s time to make things alright again.
Once upon a parallel line
The Quintessence of Frequency in an Idyllic Blue Sky
the Sound of the Hedonist:
Levitate in the Limestone century
The haven’t not decided
The world collapsed inside
Retired and fired up upon too young
Razor wires and battle cries
Idyllic blue sky
Make your peace with makers
And follow lycanthrope a
Panic button
The sound of a heaven rip
Divination walker of the mountains and the underpass
Considering it was a late and indulgent one last night. Drumming then the adrenaline rush, sweating gush has cleansed and energised my torso and beyond. After a soak in the tub the morning after and softer fingers. I cracked on with an acoustic workout. See videos below. Good things. Good work.
As the dark afternoons and days fill me with a certain sadness. Hibernation, although it would be easy to slip away. Is a procrastination. But It is nesting and writing time. I’m in rehearsals for live solo work, as well as with Subway Circus http://subwaycircus.com/ being the resident drummer. So Jim Jams on as soon as the dark hits. Being true to oneself and playing the music I love is the sparkles in the flames of my life.
I wrote this late last year while going through a pretty bad time mentally and emotionally. What do us songwriters do? We write, we exorcise the demons. Therapy.
The flat line of silence is unbecoming. Have you ever had a dream where you are performing an amazing song? The shadows watch from the sidelines. I still don’t wish to make amends with the past. Those shadows still watch in the waking world. I bang the drum, a different rhythm than I’m used to. The keyboard player was filming the birth of this baby during his performance. It was organ like and organic with an acoustic guitar. Others were present too, ghosts and vocals. But it’s all just a blur. Flowed on a different plane. Who that keyboard play is, was lost when I awoke. I cannot remember the rhythm. Maybe a soundtrack to a movie about finding yourself. The discovery and elation of travelling the right road. The subconscious is a magic maker. Tap into it and explore a whole new universe. The sign at my crossroads was a mirror on the wall. Oh the reflections…
I recall the old days of listening back to that days recording efforts. Stoned. Hearing new things, frequencies. Like a golden glow coated the track. Staying up all night analysing lyrics about want, obsession. The whisky and vodka relaxed inspired takes. Chain smoking Marlboro Reds. All night sessions are great when you are young. The body handles it better. Does sobriety bother me now? Clear heads help one enjoy the mornings. The escape, the thrill is the music. Drugs and booze just numbed it eventually. Fun though. Nothing to prove, or ‘brag’ about. The dark times are but a memory. The recovery spanned a decade.
I’m sitting here with a cup of tea getting rather excited about our next session. Ive just been sent a bunch of new ideas. Basslines sent via dropbox. Then the guitar and drums and lyrics come. What came first? The chicken or the egg? There are no rules. There is the energy that channels through you. There is the true connection between musician and instrument. The vortex of creativity that sucks you inside, into bliss. When I look upon you from the stage. I read your eyes, your moves. I feel your energy. Then I get lost in the vibrations of sound. The adrenalin truly is the natural drug of choice. What does it for you?
The last jigsaw piece, A committed vocalist, will slot in pretty soon. I did manage to phone Dave our Bass player in my coat pocket yesterday. He text me asking what the underwater sounds answer machine message was? Womb and heartbeats! The second person of the day to get my pocket stalking.
I spent last year writing and recording meditation music, then a solo album. In between rehearsing and writing Subway Circus ditties. That will be unearthed. From new age, to folk/pop to rock music keep things nicely varied. Evolution and challenges for a musician. Is the popping candy of sweetness.
Earth Tree Healing 