musicthom

Thank you dont let a simple thing like not having a bass amp put you off my friend sounds like you have a method of working that works for you

Recording a new song is always a exiting if not scary process at times, I may have an idea of how my track should sound but many factors can change the whole project. This is my experiences in recording and all the prep work that goes before hand 　 The song writing More than often I will have some sort of riff that I have been working on for a while or in some cases, I may have a riff that I have just came across Working on the structure is really important to me once I think I have it right I start to write the " all important " first line, for me this hooks me into the song, although the melody is there that first feeling when a lyric appears will shape the direction of the song Stage 2 I generally put it up on the lyric board; this is one of the most valuable tools I have come to use Looking at all the feedback gives me a good indication of how the song is Sometimes if something is just a little off will be pointed out Some of the time my desire to finish a song can cloud my judgment on some parts of the song Obtaining some feedback from other musicians/ lyricists really can make you look honestly at your work Assuming I am happy with the song I now set about making a basic demo to let the others in the band hear the song Stage 3 By now I should know the song well and we begin a journey, the rest of the band will put their own mark on it ken has many years of drumming experience and has some little gems to add Neil with his mix of blues and rock style adds a bit of bite to the track .This is where we start playing the song in a practice room till we have it as best we can Stage 4 Introduction to the set! this I feel is where the song will evolve as we get better at playing it, more and more we seem to add some of our personality to the song By this time the band should know the track well And our last prep for us, we go into the practice room and check it out for anything that may need to be altered but more than often the track is good to go And that is how we prepare a song in readiness to record

I think that like a lot of industries there are some who seem to benifit more than others, just like the artists who don't write their own material as you say concert revenue and of course endorsements/sponsor deals is where the real money is they way it is looked at in my opinion is that the record company's only see a song as a product its how they market it that brings them the money

Try this one this young lady played along side us at a gig and for her young age the attitude towards what she is trying to do in music is fab

Very acurate if you ask me, with some recent experience in this indeed it is difficult to get played on all well known stations it is worth while building some sort of relationship with local presenters gets some airplay one thing i did find, although my music is not the sort to be played on a folk station we modified some in an acoustic set and the reward was a live set on a local based station so it pays to try out new ways

Fair point MP

wow what a question to ask on a sunday but i will give it a go I think you firstly need to be honest in your writing, I write from personal experiences because thats a subject i know best i try not to impress with phrases i dont understand " I" as the writer need to have a clear understanding of what i am writing , the melody can be a bit tricky i allways feel whats right, I would rather leave a song unfinished than add a chord thats maby just not right, to get the song done listening to others like band members or you guys is really worth while, taking a piece and posting it on boards such as this is invaluable i know through experience it can make you look at your song in a different way when i first came on here and posting lyrics i had problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation and it has improved i have a better understanding of not mixing context in songs one song was all about me then in the chorus it bacame all about us someone pionted this out and i changed the song to include the listner in all the song and it's one that geos down well when played at gigs Practice for me keeps me thinking not every song makes the grade and i need to remember that not everything i write is brilliant I allways keep my feet on the ground and remember this is a gift and not a power to be abused

Thats a bad cough you have there and i use a mini micro br 4 track its compleatly portable so there na na na nana

Often...... too often for my liking i allways write down everything now, or as john tought me get it taped imediatly but mind you i dont allways have my 4 track with me when i am digging a big hole to plant trees

You know sometimes this world for me can be a very daunting place, in the past I have had my fair share of troubles but then again haven't we all On a daily basis I deal with whatever I come across in whatever way I can and that is ok Tonight this being Saturday I was invited along to Mr Kincaid's pre 40, 40th birthday party and sure he asked me to play a few song The only regret is my partner wasn't there to share it with me , I love you honey you are an inspiration to me With it being a family party I done some of my more mellow songs I must admit I found it a little scary, being so close to an audience but I did my best and it was good I really enjoyed my night Soapy being soapy dos not do things by half we set up with the KL banner and a bar stool or 2 some nice lighting I even done a cover of Paulo Nutini's Candy and although to be fair I missed a few lines it was worth doing Patrick Bullen and Vivian Scotson did a great set with some of my fav songs such as the lights go out , set in stone and a wonderful cover of Sweet child of mine you really have to check them out at Uisge Beatha in woodlands rd Friday 2nd October Patrick has a special talent in his guitar playing and a vocal that anyone would be proud to posses Vivian has a fantastic range and at some point can move you to tears with her soft emotional voice, just do not let Patrick tell jokes And to be honest they both work well together I also met Tiily who is on my friends list on my space what a truly interesting person we chatted as if we had known each other for ages; it was so nice to meet her Happy birthday Soaps I am glad I have you as a friend and Susan you are just a hunni loves ya loads And that is what life is all about family friends and enjoying life I really don't know how as I remember the days when a party sing along was the wild side of life or ten guitars oh but not at soapy's party no that wont do at all Mr kl and his friend went up and did a medley of Portland bill into rainbow (yes the Zippy George and Bungle one ) and to top it of a fantastic rendition of am the king of the swingers although soapy's timing was well out it was a different concept to party sing along well done guys We have a few new dates up on the site for your viewing We are indeed well chuffed to be a late entry into the Tarbert Music Festival and it was by pure chance that a band pulled out don't know who they were but we thank you And with that I will leave you with this thought We are blessed for the simple reason it's not what we know! but who we know as our friends They are really hard to come by but I am indeed blessed Ps. If you haven't seen a friend in a while why not give them a wee call and catch up 　 Be Good Thomas x

It's sad news indeed but on the brighter side he gave loads of joy to us as well as a damn good guitar

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? yes What instruments? Guitar When did you start playing? Just a little over 2 years ago Did you teach yourself? yes 2. Are you in a band or bands? yes What is the name of the band? Strangetouch What do you play? Guitar / vocals What other instruments are in the band? Guitar at the moment seeking others Do you have a band website? yes www.myspace.com/strangetouch 3. Do you write songs? yes Do you write lyrics, music or both? both Do you have a writing partner? no 4. Do you record your music? yes Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? not really but i use a micro br just to get stuff down Do you use a recording studio? yes Do you have music available on the web? if so where? yes My space / reverbnation 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? --promotion 6. Are you a tech head? no 7. What country do you live in? scotland 8. What are your ambitions? - to get better at what i do and enjoy it 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? paint What are your pastimes? hill walking 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? i allready do its the best site for songwriters i have found i dont get on as much but still get in now and again

A new my space i created for my solo project Solo Project

Jugglers, Actors, musicians of every conceivable gandre and all on or around the Glasgow subway that was the order of the day yesterday we played a little jam session with Patrick Bullen, Vivian Scotson, Mary K Burke and Rachel Dawick some nice tunes played songs like, Set in stone by Patrick and Vivian to a cover of James sit down …………..even a wee rendition of the Police's Roxanne so good fun had by all and some new friends made too........................................ oh and yes MR KL himself was in on the act you can see him in one of our pics Although it has been quiet over the last few weeks, wed night, we are playing Bar Bliss in Kirkintilloch, so if you are not watching the footie then come along For you all tomorrow is a bank hol but unfortunately, I have to go to work, as we do not get this one boooooooooooo Would you believe it we sent 2 of our Ep's off to foreign parts one went to India and the other went to new York oh how cosmopolitan are we lol and I must say that our song count went through the roof the week after KL 4 it seems to have settled to an average of 45 plays a day now that’s not bad eh ? Our new bass player and fingers crossed he remains in the band as we don't seem to have much success with them lately has been working hard and should be ready to gig with us soon although we still seem to be finding it hard to get a drummer and as you know the bass is being played by David Blane I thought it may be a good idea to suspend him in a glass box above the stage but keep it quiet for now, I haven’t told him yet ! ! ! So this got me thinking which in all fairness is not a safe thing for me to do at the best of times There must be loads of unknown musicians out there with names the same as well known musicians so get your thinking caps on and lets se if we can list them I will start you off with John Taylor who incidentally is a great Glasgow singer songwriter with a great voice who shared his name with John Taylor from Duran Duran for now i wish you a happy sunday and enjoy your bank hol tommorow and spare a wee thought for me working Be good se ya all next week Thomas x

Cheers i must admit i was really pleased with it after a few pointers from the guys

Just a wee update on this i ended up doing all the design myself and here is what i came up with

you see me standing with knowledge and wisdom what can i say but it will be ok I've seen it, heard it, experience is showing follow me now I will light your way Chorus hey hey send my guide follow follow overide pass the fear make it fade away learning, yearning not even knowing feel your stenght as you move away build up emotions, till somthing happens make your move can't stay still in the day Chorus hey hey send my guide follow follow overide pass the fear make it fade away running, it's gaining you took your chances pushing and pulling I walk in your way everything's calm why can't i see you yes i bieleve it was all in my head Chorus hey hey send my guide follow follow overide pass the fear make it fade away © Thomas mccallum april 2009 All rights reserved

Cheers MP

you see me standing with knowledge and wisdom what can i say but it will be ok I've seen it, heard it, experience is showing follow me now I will light your way Chorus hey hey send my guide follow follow overide pass the fear make it fade away learning, yearning not even knowing feel your stenght as you move away build up emotions, till somthing happens make your move can't stay still in this day Chorus hey hey send my guide follow follow overide pass the fear make it fade away To be continued...............................................

Well to be honest john no it wasnt all it cost us was the studio hire as a friend of mine's son made it as part of his course on editing and a mighty fine job he did

We did indeed you can see it very soon i am just uploading it to youtube as we speak watch this space >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

just some footage of us making our first video althoug we still havn't seen the final article this is what we took on our wee stills camera

I am gonna write this as i understand it intro - section that leads into main song Verse- story section Chorus - the hook section bridge -section that leads you to the next part ie from verse to chorus outro - leads to the end of the song and thats how simple i look at it