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Time for a new challenge!
 
This challenge is all about two things for this challenge.... dun dun dun....
 
Juxtaposition and wait for it.... Tension...
 
and relax...
 
Can you build tension into lyrics? Absolutely.
 
It's an interesting challenge. A challenging (if less glamorous) challenge.
 
There are no restrictions on style, genre or other techniques.
 
I look forwards to reading the results (and/or hearing if you want to post a 1&1)

Hi Gang
 
I don’t know if any of you are aware of the ongoing issues around Sick Boi, the title track from Ren’s album of the same name.
 
The song has been removed from YouTube and all other outlets. I mention YouTube specifically as I believe that that was where it all started.
 
This is well worth watching and is useful for anyone using 3rd party samples.
 
 
I think this is pretty well explained, though a few points did spring to mind around the original music owner and around what happens now in reaction to what Ren brings up at the end.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Cheers
 
John

Hey gang
 
How do you deal with stage fright or nerves before a performance?
 
Getting up on stage can be as nerve-wracking as it is thrilling, no matter how seasoned a performer you are. Today, I want to open up a discussion on a topic that I believe many of us have wrestled with at one point or another: stage fright.
 
How do you handle the butterflies before stepping into the spotlight? Do you have any rituals or routines that help calm your nerves? Maybe there's a particular song you listen to, a pep talk you give yourself, or even specific breathing exercises that prepare you mentally and physically.
 
Whether you've found a foolproof method to soothe your nerves or are still experimenting with different techniques, your insights could greatly benefit others in our community who might be struggling with the same issue.
 
Share your experiences and tips on how you transform those pre-performance jitters into an electrifying presence on stage. Looking forward to learning from all of you how to turn anxiety into energy!
 
Cheers
 
John

Got any tips on how to structure your analysis of a song? Obviously there are elements such as genre, chord structure, instrumentation, melody, counter melody etc, but how do you structure your listening to capture all of these things? Do you take it one thing at a time, work until you've got it nailed, then move on to the next thing?  Or is there a better way?
 
Biggest problem for me is actually not being distracted by how good the song is, getting to the end and realize I made no notes at all. 
 
I used to work with a pianist on a regular basis, who could listen to a track once, then play it pretty much note perfect. He made enough notes to half-fill a regular sized square post-it note, and he'd stick it to the piano's music stand.  If it was condensing a band down to a piano arrangement, he could still do it with a single listen.

Hey
 
As ever, an interesting interview by Rick Beato with American music critic and historian Ted Gioia.
 
 
Interesting. Any thoughts?
 
cheers
 
John
 

Hey gang
 
I thought it would be a bit of fun to post up old pics… namely, photos of you, aged 20! Are you game?
 
So here I am in 1987, rehearsing with my band, The Outside Edge…
 

 
That’s me on the guitar.
 
Cheers
 
John

Hey gang
 
 I know a lot of people have had a lot of extra time on their hands. At the same time I am aware of a lot who sit in perpetual boredom, who have largely wasted their time.
 
What about you? Did you add to your skills? Add to your song or composition collection? Did lockdown light a fuse under your ass?
 
Cheers
 
John

Lemme start with a few that I use
 
 
CAKEWALK BY BANDLAB : https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
 
I've alread created a topic on this on this very board. I've used many DAWs before Cakewalk but after switching to Windows, this has been my constant and only choice. Not that there aren't great alternatives, but for a free software - it's the most robust, full fledged DAW you can get! I was particularly impressed by how good the virtual instruments are on this. If you haven't tried Cakewalk yet, you totally should. And if you're an old SONAR user who wants to share some thoughts, feel free to do so here : https://forums.songstuff.com/topic/55230-any-cakewalk-users-here-i-just-started-using-it/
 
 
Spitfire LABS : https://labs.spitfireaudio.com
 
Spitfire Audio has been a godsend for virtual instruments and sample libraries for many years now. So when LABS was first announced as an unending FREE series of instruments and sounds, I was very quick to latch on. I've used it for a couple years now including on my previous single "Fading Colours". I recorded this in my old room last year during lockdown. The piano and strings used for final part of the song was from LABS. Fading Colours :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDGy3X4tT-0
 
 
 
Wider : https://polyversemusic.com/products/wider/
 
I used to do all kinds of things to work with the spatial width on my tracks. Some worked well, some would bring about phase issues on which I'd spend a lot of time investigating. Sometimes I'd end up rolling things back to the way I started. That is until recently when I discovered Wider and it's such a hassle free, straight up piece of software. It handles phase really well unless you crank things up too much but more than anything, it's quick to turn on or off while I'm trying to bring some life into my sounds when needed. You should totally have it handy.
 

 
 

 

Hi Gang
 
Thought I would ask a few basic questions about how you feel about indie music.
 
Please take part!
 
As well as voting, please feel free to add comments.
 
Cheers
 
John

Unlike other challenges where you might have artistic motivations, the mindset for this challenge is to write, infectious, attention grabbing, addictive songs that are ideal potential hits. Like the modern industry we encourage collaborations. In this case limit to your team should be 5 people. If you prefer working alone, please take part as an individual.
 
The challenge will be in several stages:
 
Lyrics writing & Melody writing
Recording and Production
Marketing and Promotion

You can grow your team as the challenge progresses. Although you do not need collaborators, this is an ideal time to experiment.
 
For all this is a challenge it is also a great learning opportunity.

Songstuff will do what it can to support you, including giving each team a “budget” for Songstuff adverts (on and off our boards - on Songstuff, Songstuff UK) which means our staff promote your music in a number of places including several twitter accounts, playlists on Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube etc. A pretty good incentive! Using all means, we can put your final music in front of hundreds of thousands of people... IF we accept your song submission.
 
To be accepted, your song  must be commercial and of a good and appropriate quality for your target genre. We will not promote any song that is of a poor quality.

Hello all, here's one I just finished and thought I would share. The lyrics are below. 
Thanks,
Moptop
No Walls Between Us
Words and music by
Dominick B. Giarraputo
Copyright © 2019
 
Verse 1
No walls between us
Will you be here all the time
No walls between us
Will you always be mine
 
Chorus 1
Gazing in each others eyes
Sharing our hopes and dreams
Trying to figure out
What does all this mean
 
Verse 2
No secrets between us
Baby that’s what you said
No secrets between us
As we’re lying in bed
 
Chorus 2
Gazing in each others eyes
Sharing our hopes and dreams
Trying to figure out
Is this as real as it seems
 
Lead Break:
 
Chorus 2
Gazing in each others eyes
Sharing our hopes and dreams
Trying to figure out
Is this as real as it seems
 
Verse 3
No walls between us
Will you be here all the time
No walls between us
Will you always be mine
 
Chorus 1
Gazing in each others eyes
Sharing our hopes and dreams
Trying to figure out
What does all this mean
 
No walls between us
Repeat three times and fade out
 

Feel like hitting the Outback on this magnificent Sunday? How about doing so while reminiscing about 1987 and a certain brilliant Australian band? MIDNIGHT OIL sure crafted a timeless tune with this one and a heavy take on it was more than inevitable :). Enjoy! \m/ \m/ If you’d like to check out more of our work, you can find us here:   – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1X-DRvU7oYlsGeGYj0fdg   – Official Website: https://www.anahataofficial.com/   – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anahataband/   – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anahataofficial/   – Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anahataofficial/   VIDEO:

Hope you like it guys.
 
 
Lyrics and performing by omar khalifah ,music ,mixing and production by iv4q9 (Arturo Evening ) 

New Day Has Just Been Born
 
turn off your lamp
don't you see 
the lamp of god is lighting everything
pick up your guitar 
don't you hear 
the sun has just started singing 
 
start to play 
then I will sing 
forget about yesterday bruises 
let's paralyze the past cries 
and explode today chortles 
 
cause new day has just been born
cause new day has just been born
cause new day has just been born
has just been born 
 
slam the pain door 
don't you know 
the scars have just been gone 
leave the past trials
don't you feel 
they all have faded and disappeared 
 
start to play 
then I will sing 
forget about yesterday bruises 
let's paralyze the past cries 
and explode today chortles 
 
cause new day has just been born
cause new day has just been born
cause new day has just been born
has just been born 
 
let's freeze the time 
cause the day before wrote his last will
another day another chance 
on my window the sun still fall 
so the hope still grow
 
Start to play 
then I will sing 
forget about yesterday bruises 
let's paralyze the past cries 
and explode today chortles .
 

Hey y'all, so I'm attempting to form another two-piece band again, this time with a different style and approach to the whole bass and drums only thing. Here's one of the finished songs I've come up with:
 
 
 

Here is one I wrote and rewrote called Staying Power. I wrote the lyrics and Brent Edens wrote the melody.The very talented Maddison Shea sang it for me.
 
 

Hello all,
 
A collaboration with fellow SongStuff member Patty Lakamp.  Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks
Dominick/Moptop
 
 
 
 
Walk Along This River
Words and Music by 
Lakamp/Giarraputo © copyright 2019
V1 
A few months in, we’re rollin’
Not yet sure what’s in store
Half afraid, half in love
We’ve both been here before
V2 
Will this work or won’t it?
Alert to every sign
Eyes wide open, hearts on watch
This time we need to get it right
Ch 
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
The trail is wide and sunny where we are
Destination nowhere, destination us
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
V3 
Hungry hearts are in a hurry 
Craving what’s on the other side
But you and I can take it slow
Arrive when we arrive
Ch 
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
The trail is wide and sunny where we are
Destination nowhere, destination us
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
Br 
The day may come we might want to explore
The wonders waiting on that distant shore
Our hearts will tell us where and when
So we’ll stay right here till then
Ch
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
The trail is wide and sunny where we are
Destination nowhere, destination us
Let’s walk along this river
No need to rush across
Out: last two lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Donkey Kong
Just1L ©2016
 
Track 2 from my self titled EP Just1L. Not only is this my favorite track, but it’s also my favorite video game as well. While the lyrics may not appear to make sense on the surface there’s a story behind each line, verse and chorus. When I started working on this tune I was thinking of how people normally hear music (i.e. working, driving, at a bar, etc…). Since the vast majority never know the lyrics of a song until they’ve heard it many times I was concentrating on sections that would stand out while listening. Key phrases and musical moments. Enjoy and feel free to download, share, like and if you’re feeling super spunky, head on over to www.just1L.com and join my mailing list to keep up to date on my next set of songs. Enjoy! - Just1L
https://soundcloud.com/just-1l/02-donkey-kong-master
 
I never did care for what you said.
It didn't even make much sense.
Trick all the dreamers.
Make 'em believers.
Then you let it go to your head.
 
When you're high do people stare?
And if so, do you even care?
 
Did'ja read too much of everything,
And turn your mind to dust?
The rumors, the trollers,
Agenda promoters.
You never know who to trust.
 
When you're high, do people stare?
And if so, do you even care?
Donkey Kong's got Mario on a string.
He's gonna need to pass him.
To beat the game.
 
Sometimes the eyes that gaze from a stranger.
Can't see past the nose.
No need to fear the jeers from a neighbor
They'll never make you feel at home.
Could you be, should you be,
Do you even wanna be,
Do you even wanna be loved?
Then don't forget the words of a mother:
"If you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all."
 
When you're high, do people stare?
And if so, do you even care?
Donkey Kong's got another trick up his sleeve.
Well...
When you're high, let 'em stare.
When you're low, let 'em stare.
I don't care.

A new release of ours that is streaming and for sale.
 
Tim Dobson -Sax,
George Wood -Keys,
JeanLbass Toudou -Bass,
Christine Linge -Vocals/Melody/Acoustic Engineering ,
Elvis Garagic - Producer/Mix/Mastering
James Tanner-Lyric
 
Bouquets and Goodbyes

Dreams leave her
feeling unfulfilled.
They lie and,
she believes.
 
Sometimes she
feels cheated.
Giving out love she
never receives
 
She can't help herself
She's loves to love,
and longs for it back
 
Bouquets are all she gets
Bouquets and goodbyes
Flowers that have thorns
from men come and gone
Bouquets and goodbyes
Bouquets and goodbyes
Bouquets and goodbyes
 
She still hopes
someone is out there
Someone who
will love her too
 
This can't go
on forever.
No doubts allowed,
to make that true
 
She can't help herself
She's loves to love,
and longs for it back
 
Bouquets are all she gets
Bouquets and goodbyes
Flowers that have thorns
from men come and gone
Bouquets and goodbyes
Bouquets and goodbyes
Bouquets and goodbyes
Bouquets and goodbyes
 
She just knows her futures there
Beyond bouquets and goodbyes

© L. James Tanner
 
 
 
 

Hi everybody!!

This is a very nice pop song (and my first!!!) that I had the luck to build up with the great and charming producer Johan, aka Jellycot. He came into Songstuff asking for collaborations, and I joined!
 
He sent me a super cool "Happy track" he had around, and told me to try to write some melody and lyrics over it, asking me if I could please, in addition write some part in Japanese. Of course I accepted the challenge (it was not easy at all for me writing a song in Japanese... and probably not all the grammar is perfect haha).
 
I want to point out that, in this track, it was the first time for me listening to somebody singing my lyrics and it was one of the most amazing moments in my short music life. He is a really great singer with a very sweet voice, and his talent and knowledge in music production is noticeable if you check the quality of the track, and the great job he did assembling our voices together, and melting them with the music.

I'm so glad I had the chance to work with him (and still we have some WIP!!) and to become his musical buddy.

I hope you enjoy this kind of J-Pop tune!!　
 
PD: For the ones that don't know, Sakura Rain is the moment at the end of the cherry blossom season, when the petals of the flowers start falling like white rain from the trees, so it looks like it's snowing in pinkish color!
 
 
Track: Jellycot.
Vocals: Jellycot and Michan.
Lyrics: Michan and Jellycot.

 

 
 
 
 
 

I’ve done a solo classical guitar version of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. 
 
<br style="background-color:#f9f9f9;color:#666666;font-size:14.6667px;text-align:left;">click here to listen

Hi folks
Here's an original song that 3 of us wrote - it is an online band that I am part of and we are all very much fans of Beatles, Kinks etc so you will hear influences for sure. I am playing keys and lead vocals.
All the way to everything

Written and performed by The Forum Monkeys

https://soundcloud.com/forummonkeys/all-the-way-to-everything

I met my co-writer on Facebook. We've done two songs via the internet as I live in the States and he lives in Wales. I didn't have a good melody for my lyrics and he created this awesome guitar lick and sang it. Funny thing to note is that he sang the word silver instead of SLiver but you'll get the gist of the song. Her is SLiver of a moon hope you like it:
 

Pheledelphia based singer-songwriter Maggie Pope is that rare gem of a singer who is entirely captivating. Her voice mesmerises and caresses away the aches of the day, complimenting her lyrics as they smooth a furrowed brow, while her guitar playing dances in the sunshine of a fresh spring morning. Relaxing, yes, but there’s something refreshing about the simplicity of her sound.
 

 
Evocative of Alison Krauss, Eva Cassidy, or even Sandy Denny, Maggie’s songs are sure to be well received. 
 
Recorded in one night at her home, her debut E.P. “June Tapes” is due in February 2019, with the first single released in September 2018. June Tapes was mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer and mixing engineer, Shani Gandhi.