john

Although I am the only other person posting I did wonder if you meant my track! I completely get the too fast observation and agree… it’s maybe about 6-8bpm too fast, although if you get much more than 12 it struggles rhythmically, I think. There’s a few errors, but mostly I think it’s being out of practice! The description that threw me was “reminds me a lot of Thom Yorke”. A very flattering comparison, but one I don’t see… though I never get my own vocal comparisons… I think it’s because I hear my voice in the unique way all singers do, with the tones that come via the jaw bone added to the mix. I don’t know what is Thom Yorke-ish about it. I should say I have had that comparison maybe 3 times before, about other songs. I didn’t see the comparison then either! Lol I like that fast chord section too. As you said the whole thing needs tamed to properly work. I think the baseline I have in mind will really help set it off. I hope to start with proper recordings of some songs this week. Can’t wait!

Here… it’s a lovely song. In general I love what you’ve done with it. I like the idea of the simple vocal treatment going to the expanded vocal sections. I kind of heard the here, here sections a bit like there could have been spin-off noises, like brief fire flies… nothing too detracting from the vocal though. Mostly I think you got that balance right though at a couple of points I thought it walked right up to the edge of overwhelming the vocal for the briefest of seconds. It is really nice without percussion, though I would have liked to hear a comparison mix with a simple, round tone bass line, a bit like walk on the wild side, coming in around 1:22. All in all there is nothing I don’t like and a whole lot I do. For all I know you considered my suggestions or tried similar and discounted them. If it stayed exactly as it is I would still be a very happy listener. The combination of the pair of you really seems to work very nicely…. I can’t wait to hear more!

No one played it yet? Come on guys… hit that little play button!

I have to admit we are spoiled for beautiful roads, scenic views. I am in the central belt of Scotland, an area of lowlands between the highlands and Southern Uplands, but as soon as you are out the city it gets pretty scenic. This is a video compiled from the North Coast 500 and Isle of Skye. Less big mountains but still beautiful:

I hope to record an update for last week’s track tomorrow… Here’s another track recorded on my phone, Elemental. Missing a last verse and chorus repeat.

Indeed it is the loss of this aspect of riding a bike I find most difficult to endure.

Migraine wiped out most of my Friday, and 3 other days this week. I do have something to post. In fact somethings… I have an evolution of last week’s and another song. I’ll need to post when I wake up as one still has to be recorded!

When I think of producing someone else I wasn’t thinking of me recording a cover song. I was thinking of me being the producer of their song, as in old school producer. I have recorded 3 cover versions in my life (except for pastiches for learning production techniques), and released none of them.

Great song. I may well be back and forth posting, or almost posting! I have a broad taste in music and think it near impossible to reduce all that wonderful music down to just one song. I will have a think.

Hey there Zack! Good to have you with us! Newer isn’t always better. At least not in all circumstances Forums have loads of benefits over other, newer, social media platforms when it comes to making music. Other platforms are excellent for general socialising, but forums are brilliant when it comes to social niches, hobbies, interests and the arts…. But I am biased! Great to know how you got here!

I remember many a journey having to warm soaked bike gloves on my engine when we stopped at red lights and aching knees that had borne the brunt of cold icy rain and hail for a long distance. That was very common in the days when my bike was my only form of transport. When I find myself nostalgic for even runs that were cold and soaking, I know I need a break! Ah but those long summer runs… there’s something supremely special about those. Alone or with others, a different experience, but each special in it’s own way.

Unfortunately the list of post Covid complications people can have is pretty long. I have several myself and so does my wife. Sadly my vocal issues appear to be pretty far down the pecking order for investigation. That said, I think some of my issues are just lack of practice post Covid. So at least for now some vocal tlc along with simple daily vocal exercises will hopefully bring back strength. Lung wise, My breath control was never a problem pre Covid. I played the bagpipes as a teenager and didgeridoo in my 30’s, so my lung capacity bordered on freakish. So this is new ground.

Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, has acquired Bandcamp. Bandcamp will remain a standalone platform, under the leadership of Epic Games co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond. In a statement today (2nd March, 2022), by Ethan Diamond on the Bandcamp website, the news was announced by the digital music retail and media platform. “Bandcamp will keep operating as a standalone marketplace and music community, and I will continue to lead our team” “The products and services you depend on aren’t going anywhere, we’ll continue to build Bandcamp around our artists-first revenue model (where artists net an average of 82% of every sale), you’ll still have the same control over how you offer your music, Bandcamp Fridays will continue as planned, and the Daily will keep highlighting the diverse, amazing music on the site. However, behind the scenes we’re working with Epic to expand internationally and push development forward across Bandcamp, from basics like our album pages, mobile apps, merch tools, payment system, and search and discovery features, to newer initiatives like our vinyl pressing and live streaming services.” An announcement about the acquisition was made by Epic Games on its own website, stating that: “fair and open platforms are critical to the future of the creator economy.” The announcement continues: “Epic and Bandcamp share a mission of building the most artist friendly platform that enables creators to keep the majority of their hard-earned money. Bandcamp will play an important role in Epic’s vision to build out a creator marketplace ecosystem for content, technology, games, art, music and more.” Fortnite has dipped it’s toe into the music world over recent years. It has hosted concerts by Ariana Grand, Travis Scott, Dominic Fike, J Balvin and others within the Fortnite virtual world. Last year, Radiohead released an online exhibition as part of their Kid A Mnesia reissue. Epic Games helped to create the “upside-down digital/analog universe” alongside NameTheMachine, and Arbitrarily Good Productions.

I use pineapple juice before and after a session, and warm saltwater gargles if I have an already irritated throat. When I am singing, I tend to use plain, room temperature water.

A post covid reality in two ways. Some days my mouth and throat can suddenly become parched dry… which unfortunately brings on vocal strain very easily. I recorded this after a few other songs so I was already pushing it. I might have run out of breath too, my capacity was definitely reduced after covid, but I might also have rolled back my projection to protect my vocal cords. Just a little over a year ago I would have had no problems at all. I need to avoid straining my voice and then rebuild my singing voice (I recorded a few weeks worth of NMF songs last week so I could give my voice that break.).

time to blow away the winter cobwebs. I wish I could join you!

Congratulations on another brilliant song release Mahesh!

Consistency is ever the key to momentum.

Still making progress with your music?

Hey hey, how’re you doing?

I always liked the Honda 4004 four, the CB400F. Kind of similar to the Kawasaki Z650 B1 I had. Similar lines. Quite different in power. Neither bike handled great. My brother-in-law runs a bike business. He focuses on classics now. Loads of old Brit bikes often mint condition, but also classics of any pedigree. I have thought about getting a trike but they can be pretty expensive.

You are very welcome. I love to see hard work pay off. @Peggy Wotchafink?

Brass is such a mood setter! What is that instrument you are using panned hard left in the verse? I love the dissonance it provides. It sounds like an electric piano, but it could be bass guitar chords or something completely different for all that. Overall it’s not what I expected from the first snapshot you provided, but It’s not disappointment, just your mind fills in blanks. Sometimes the blank guesses prove accurate, other times they prove to be wildly wrong. The synth section fits more within the broader context now. It’s. Nice hearing it evolve.

An interesting challenge! Many moons ago, circa 1987, I wrote a song about the moment before orgasm, when it hasn’t happened yet, but it can’t be stopped now if you tried… it’s happening! It was cunningly titled “Almost There”. I used a post orgasmic musical plateau as a new theme. It was an interesting exploration. I’m really looking forward to see how you interpret it musically!

Welcome to Songstuff! Loving the videos! I feel a playlist addition coming on!