borjacobs

Thanks a lot for everyone's input. I think it gave me a clearer view of my whole situation. Writing/music is not a necessity for me. I don't have to live of of it or something. I need to try and get back to the point where I felt that music was fun, and I liked to do it, instead of forcing myself because I have to. I will definitely take all your tips into consideration, and try some stuff out. Maybe the FAWM will be something for me. I friend of mine also gave me a reader with something similar in it. It is a 'writing a record in 30 days kinda contest'. But that one is individual. Thanks a lot! When I'm making progress you guys will definitely read it somewhere up on this website.

I also want to add that I know exactly what it is that I like in the songs from the other artists and what my song lacks. But I can't do it for some reason. I also co-wrote some songs with other bands and friends and that was really easy for me. They had an idea, they had the lyrics, and I knew what I could do to make some parts 'better' that they were unsure of. (I have to say that not everything was my cup of thea and that I would have changed a lot more if it was my own song, but that is just taste.

I've read a lot of posts on this website for the last few weeks but nothing really seems to help me with my problem. I've been playing music for the last 13 years (I'm 26 now) and since I was 16 I've played in several bands. All those bands broke up eventually. Since the age of 17/18 I just wanted to go and try and do the whole music thing for real. I've been fighting myself through several bands / shows, etc. But I always ended up being the only one that really wanted it, like there was no way back. The rest just liked to have fun, and only put 50 % of their time in it. Maybe I scared them with my willingness to give everything up just to do the music thing, but I just wanted it so bad. There is really nothing else that I can do. I also noticed that it is extremely hard to do it here in the Netherlands. Everyone is so 'radio minded' over here. If you don't have a song on the national radio, or have a coverband your destined to play 50 dollar shows in bars for the rest of your life. At least thats how it feels like. (I was even that desperate that I started writing songs purely aimed for the radio, No succes of course) I'm trying to fight my way through for the last 10 years but without any succes. Now I don't have a band at the moment. Now to the point: With these bands I was always part of the writing process. I can come up with several parts a day, that I'm happy with. But thats my problem. Now that I'm alone I want to write songs for myself but I can only come up with parts. It drives me crazy. Sometimes just an intro, Other times if I'm lucky a chorus with some vocal melody, etc. But they all don't fit together. And in the end when I'm listening to bands I like I can't help but to compare them to my own material. That's when I think my material isn't as good as theirs. And I delete it, or save it on my harddisk. This is going on for 3 years now, but I just want to play songs I like, but I just can't seem to finish one that I like. I also provide vocals for these tracks. I took singing lessons, and people say my voice suits the kind of style I play. But when I'm happy with a instrumental, and I'm trying to write vocals for it I always end up unhappy, because I think they are not up par with the bands I like. Sometimes I think to myself. Why can't I release or be part of such a band of dedicated people (We're not talking U2 hear or something. As my writing goes I'm into pop (punk) rock alternative stuff, lots of American bands. (I'm also listening to softer and harder stuff but I think that summed it up quite nicely.) I would be happy If I only released one thing. I just can't seem to get out of this 'block' Have some of you experienced something similar, or have any tips for me. If I keep going on like this I won't have anything released in 10 years from now. Thanks a lot!

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? What instruments? Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, Vocals When did you start playing? Started guitar at age 13. Gradually started picking up drums, keys and vocals in the years after Did you teach yourself? Got about 10 drum / bass lessons. For the rest I'm completely self-taught 2. Are you in a band or bands? What is the name of the band? Currently looking for one! Played in bands from age 16 till about 2 years ago. 3. Do you write songs? I write songs, but have a hard time finishing anything. Tips and help would definitely be welcome! Do you write lyrics, music or both? Both but mostly music. Lyrics are a tough thing for me. Do you have a writing partner? No but would love to have one. 4. Do you record your music? Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? Have a home studio. Yamaha NS-10s / Motu Audio Express Interface / Golden Age 73 Preamp, Alesis D4 midi module. And some mics / guitars, a keyboard, and a drumkit. Do you have music available on the web? if so where? Working on it! The old stuff doesn't represent who I am as a musician right now. But you can check out my http://www.soundcloud.com/borjacobs 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Not in de business but I'm a live sound engineer. 6. Are you a tech head? Totally! 7. What country do you live in? Netherlands 8. What are your ambitions? Becoming a fulltime studio engineer/producer or a fulltime musician 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? Not really, musica is all I know. 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? Improving my arrangement skills, and lyrical skills. I have such a hard time in the last to years to finish a song, and to look objective to my own stuff. I hardly finish anything cause I think it's not where It should be and I have a hard time fitting parts together (transitions, etc.)