February Really Did Disappear

The RPM Challenge is all over. The last step is to mail the cd into RPM headquarters on Monday and let the cash roll in.

I've said it in previous posts, but it's been a really amazing experience. I learned a lot over the course of the month about myself, about what my music sounds like when I stop trying to shoe-horn it into particular styles, about the recording and engineering process...

I've been out of a band for literally years and I'd been unsure if I'd ever do anything substantial after my last band, The Trust, did our demo. I'm glad I have something more. I did write the majority of the music (not to understate the contributions of the other members), but this is 100% me, completely free to explore what I can possibly produce. I feel I was able to tap that musical core and produce the most honest, authentic music I've ever done.

Big thanks to everyone who's pushed me along.

While you're at it, go check out T.J. and Sarah's RPM Challenge album. It's awesome, and humbles me greatly. "Phantom Vibrations" wrecks me.

(So Too Does February Disappear)

It's out. Come and get it.

I know RapidShare sucks, but I have no other spot to put it at the moment. In any case, it's available.

I'm super excited to have it all done. Like, DONE done. The tracks all came out really well considering my spartan recording setup and the timeframe it was all completed in. 23 Days. Holy Crap.

EDIT: Moved the file to MediaFire.com

Wrapping up

Last night, in a fit of unhappiness with how it fit the project as a whole, I rewrote and restructured the lyrics of "Oracle of Everything." While it's a bit creepier now, it's a stronger fit for the album, and makes a great last track.

I've also been remixing all the tracks to get all the songs consistent in their volume peaks and also to ensure that vocals are all up enough in the mix. when i was starting out the recording process, i was unhappy with the performances, so i was burying the vocals in the mix. I'm a bit happier with them now, overall (well, some songs more than others), but it's sounding great IMO. it's a much better production than I've ever done. I wish I had a large diaphragm mic that I could have used for vocals, but eq has helped over come the shortcomings of my equipment (thanks Waves!).

I should have the tracks up early this week. I could keep working these songs forever, but I'm going to kick this out the door. Stay tuned.

My Apologies Redux

Unhappy with the re-recorded vocals, I backed off and took a different approach. the song is WAAAAAAAYYYYYY different in tone and overall feel and I had to re-write the chorus completely. Also, I ditched the drums and added a sparse, more lo-fi electronic beat. There's not much there. just enough to keep the song moving. It really feels like a whole different song and I'm totally in love with it.

Can't wait to get some feedback on it. In the meantime, here's a sample.

I've also been re-mixing the tracks. that's going to be going on until the last second, i'm sure.

Wrapping Up

I do believe that I could kick this one out the door in a few days. With my time coming up short as the month ends - and let's not mention the creative fatigue I've been having - I think I may call it a wrap on recording. Despite my intention to do just one more, I don't think I have it in me. i have 8 tracks now, including the two interludes and it pushed me just over the 35 minute mark.

I finished the vocals from the last track, "My Apologies," today. Yesterday I laid down the vocals and they were TERRIBLE when I listened to it today. pitchy and off time; I couldn't get it together. it was so bad I started to mess with an auto-tuning plugin to compensate (and that did not turn out well). On a whim, i tried one more take today, and it all came together. still not perfect, but i'll take it. I'm sure at this point, I'm going to notice and care more than anyone else.

I've been going through some of the recordings and redoing all the leveling, panning and general mastering, and things are sounding bigger. I'm starting to learn how to create a bigger sounding sound space, which is helping to make the tracks pop. I've also been begrudgingly bringing the vocals up in the mix more.

All in all, I'm very very happy with this project.

My Apologies

I'm about to close the book on the last track I think I'll be able to squeeze out before the deadline. my week's fairly busy and next week, i'll need to finalize mixes. Looks like it's all down hill from here.

However, I still have to finish the god forsaken vocals on this track. they don't appear that hard, but I just can't stay on pitch... i mean, more than normal. I have a fairly good take right now that was patched together from multiple takes, but i think i'll probably try to do a retake tomorrow if I get a chance.

I was going to only have the one acoustic guitar track, but i added a backing track of a little electric guitar and it really sells the mix. adds a lot of immediacy to it. Also, the lyrics of this one came together for the most part. not my favorite lyrics ever, but I have some sharp lines (love the bridge and how it works the end). I think this'll be the final track on the mix. it sums up a lot of what I''ve been writing about on the other songs.

Seems the album was more concept driven, if only thematically, than previously thought.

can't wait to have it all "finished."

Verses

damnit. Stupid verses. Why must they be so... necessary.

I have the 2nd part of each line, but can't seem to decide on what I want for the first part. The song is gutwrenching, though. The kind of song I'm afraid to let people listen to, it's so brutally personal.