MonoStone
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Posts posted by MonoStone
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Has anyone started this here before?
An old radio show thing, I guess everyone knows how it goes? It's something I've thought about before, but really not easy... and it's a good way to be nosey and find out what makes people here tick musically...
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Simple idea/rules -
You know you're about to be stranded on a desert island, there's no way off the island ... no hope of rescue... there's also no tv, radio or tinternet (it's a desert island!)...but plenty of fresh food and water naturally on the island, so it's gonna be a long life there.
Before you're stranded you have time to grab a wind-up music player, and choose 10 albums... and that will be the only music you'll ever hear again.
So you'd better choose wisely (And you can't choose Various Artists Compilations! That's cheating!).
........ if anyone wants to play along then??? (oh and I think it'd be good to post links to songs on youtube or whatever if available and if not against Songstuff rules).
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PS. I'm not posting my own yet, because it'll take me ages to really think about it, and I'll feel really stupid if I'm the only one joining in!!
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I see....
It would also be correct the way the other person suggested.
It depends on what tone you want. The way you have it currently isn't really how the average person speaks English...but it is fine and I think feels more poetic. It would definitely sound too old or flowery if you're writing a pop song for a new boy band...... I don't know enough about your song to say whether your choice of words is good or bad.
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Are you asking about the English? It reads fine to me.
.... assuming you want the lines to mean what they say.... they seem clear enough.
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David, I'm really happy that you can hear some of his influence in my stuff. I listen to him more than anyone so I suppose it leaks in, though I'm surprised it comes through.
I recommend all his work, and there's a lot from his first album in 1967 to his death 4 years ago... but if you like this one try the 'One World' and 'Solid Air' albums. He was ahead of his time for sure.
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John Martyn, the master... my favourite singer. I can't think of anyone else who put so much emotion in and still sounded so melodic. Singing from the depths of the soul. Raw soul. A great singer has to move you.... you can't learn this stuff.
Not many words in this... it doesn't matter, the words hardly matter .... true genius, sadly missed.
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That might be an idea. Leave it with me and we can see what could be arranged. We are planning on some production video tutorials that should help.
Regarding phrasing and delivery, that is a performance issue. Cover bands do it all the time albeit with previously worked out phrasing.
There are however guidelines that help you write in a way that makes it easier to add melody to at a later point and tips to help you do it... Hence some workshops could be a good idea.
Thanks John, I'll look forward to hearing more about production stuff.
Re the other stuff... probably didn't explain well enough what I meant. And probably shouldn't try too hard to again or this will drag on... but I was talking about music and lyrics working together, affecting each other. Wasn't thinking about performance issues at all, purely about writing. I'll shut up now. Damn I'm rubbish at articulating. Maybe I do stuff a weird way... not that I want to change it how I do stuff... I like things that way
Dek
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I'd be more interested in a production/mastering workshop... I wish my tracks sounded more crisp and finished...I mean really finished and professional. I'll get there eventually bit by bit, but if there was a workshop to help me get there I'd be interested. Or maybe there are too many factors to consider......it's just really bugging me lately. Maybe there are at least some tricks and tips that could be covered?
Re songwriting/lyric writing (what I read here interests me) - separate lyric writing without actual or imagined music always baffles me (and to imagine then convey it you have to be able to play it or have a real gift for composing). I think unless you have a musical partner then it's really hard... half the battle is in the phrasing and the delivery, the melody and the emotion....If you're writing as part of making the music (e.g. working out the chords, melody and words) then words come out very differently, often seeming very simple or odd when viewed outside the music, but sounding better for that as part of the whole. I agree with Hobosage that to write a song people should try to learn a few chords, it's how most of the great rock/pop writers started... pick up a guitar or get a keyboard, learn some basic chords, and start to just jam it out....
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I don't know what you'd call it... It's kind of choral hip hop chant ... It's different... Interesting.
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Let's hear something?
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If this is hobby stage (as it is for many of us here) then any of the designs so far look ok. The second one looks by far the cleanest and most interesting...the third needs work on the text (fonts and colour). If you prefer the third image then maybe try using the text from the second.
But if you plan to release this to the public, then I think you should spend longer on the text. In my opinion the way you write your name and the title, is more important than what background you use. Use design/fonts which are not only unique but also give the impression you want to give.
For the background - Personally I'd suggest you try being more inventive... if you can draw at all, maybe doodle some castles in a surreal way. Or if you have a chess board, take a macro photo of the castle/s (maybe knock one over) then perhaps edit to photo.... Or do something totally abstract but interesting, and let the text be the focus (you don't HAVE to have a castle anywhere on it).
In your reply to 'what kind of music' you seemed unsure...like you're planning the cover before you make the music? Maybe do it the other way round?
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What kind of music do you make? Specifically on this EP.
I think what you have could use a little work... and art is my profession... but I don't know what the cover needs to convey, so it's hard to advise....
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Hello Songstuff friends,
I'm posting to recommend a photographer friend, Coley Presswood. He's a young street photographer in L.A. and aside from taking street photos purely for his own art and enjoyment, he's done a few photo shoots ... he's done a few for some minor 'celebs/models' but purely through being a nice guy and meeting people around Venice Beach rather than by being a big shot commercial photographer. He doesn't even advertise apart from having a website to show his personal work... he's very into the art rather than the business.
He's hugely talented, and needs a break. He loves art, including music, and he would love to do shoots for upcoming music artists (or of course established ones). Personally I love his work, and he's a really good person...so I want to recommend him here. John said that would be ok.
He's not free by the way, but not looking for big bucks...nothing like a typical commercial photographer anyway....just something for his time... if you need photo's and you're in or near L.A. I recommend him. He has a unique skill of capturing the beauty and soul from people, take a look and hopefully you will see what I mean.
Here's his work
If you want to talk to him I'll be happy to speak to him and pass you on, or otherwise there is a contact form on his site. If you want me to find out more info, rough costs etc, I'll be happy to help.
Thanks for looking,
Dek
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I don't know if it can make money...who knows... but I think it's a fantastic song, love the sound and mood of it...great voice and arrangement. Matter of taste... works for me, but that's just me.
Had a listen to your other stuff on SoundCloud too... really cool stuff. Personally, I'd buy an EP by you.
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...here's The Master!
That's live.... One man with an incredible voice, one accoustic guitar, one cheap drum machine, and a tape delay (or a 'looper' as you call it... no doubt HoboSage's suggested device will do the same but better (since JM's is just doing a long delay))...plus some effects pedals/Volume pedal....
Don't need much! But a lot of talent...hard work...and a good dose of luck, to get signed.
Good luck. Post some stuff in the song critique section when you have it...I'd love to hear.
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Hey Dan,
I had a quick look. I have some opinions/experience personally and I'm interested to help.... but I wanted to quickly scan the questions first (which I couldn't do in its present form). Maybe if you post a preview of the type of questions in there...
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In the words of Noel Gallagher: "f*cking write your own songs".
Marc Bolan might have said the same to Noel
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Thank you ,
I think I might actually go with the Computer then.
I once tried audacity but I think my soundcard didn't play the part. But I had my guitar amp plugt straight into my Computer. That's why I was hoping I could use this Thing because I got it for free.
But do you have any suggestions on an external soundcard ?
I have a tascam US-122 external sound card. Plug in to your comp with USB and you're up and running. 2 xlr's. 4 jacks. Phantom power. No doubt there are newer and better around now, but same idea. Low cost too.
Or when I want a more old school approach with faders and recording outside the comp, I have a boss br900 digital recorder, easily plugged in to the computer via USB. So I can record tracks diredctly on it and just use USB to transfer. Again with xlr's, phantom power, and jacks, plus on board effects.
I'm on a budget and my stuff is old, there's better ways for sure. But you need to have some connection to the comp, the external card is super simple and pretty cheap.
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I'm in an honest mood..........
I write songs for myself first. I enjoy doing it. I sometimes enjoy listening to them too (if I think they're any good...if not I bin them), even if no one else enjoys them. I like what I like. If I don't like my own stuff...I might as well not bother because my door isn't being battered down by admirers.
I hope just a few people will appreciate the rough songs I put on here or wherever, to some degree.
What to do with my music beyond that - Possibilities/goals (however unlikely) - When I get something finished to a decent standard, I'll put it out there online. I hope that maybe a hand full of strangers might one day really enjoy a song I've made (whether performed by me or someone else), and listen to it purely for the pleasure of it or because it speaks to them in some way. And I mean really enjoy it, not just stick it on in the background...put headphones on and LOVE it (I can't have a goal of someone maybe thinking my song is ok but disposable). That's quite a goal. We all need a goal...even unlikely dreams.
I'm way too old to trade on being cutting edge, current, cool, handsome or sexy. I'm not talented enough to trade on being the muso's favourite vocal acrobat or guitar genius. Not got a lot going for me really....hmmmm...what the hell am I doin makin music...what's the point!!??
Oh and my ultimate goal is to get stupidy rich from making music and spend my days in a custom made studio in the converted underground chambers of my own renovated castle. It's not much to ask. Just kidding (I'm not).
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Jeff Buckley - Lover you should've come over.
The words, the performance, pure unhinged emotion. I don't wish I'd written it it's his song and couldn't be mine, but I'd like to be able to turn emotion into something so powerful and beautiful without holding back at all.
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Desert Island Discs
in Musician's Lounge
Posted · Edited by MonoStone
Phew... I'm not on my own.
I had to really think hard about this, ten isn't enough!! I've already swapped some out... the Sex Pistols had a fight with the Grateful Dead, and Nick Drake booted the Stone Roses off... and how can I only take one John Martyn album!? (and again... now Daevid Allen had to go... can't be stranded without Hunky Dory.. -
1. John Martyn - One world
2. Cocteau Twins - Treasure
3. Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left
4. David Bowie - Hunky Dory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G10Co3HB8kc
5. Jeff Buckley - Grace
6. The Knife - Silent Shout (the live album...though the included DVD would be useless)
7. David Sylvian - Everything And Nothing (ok it's a comp of his but it's the one I'd take)
8. The Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols
9. Stan Getz & João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwrdu_HLfA4
10. Genesis - Foxtrot