Day 276:SH-32 New

From the old comes the new.  From the new comes the even more new.

Day 264: The Beta Continues

The beta-testing continues and, while I can't really talk about what the device is, I can say that it adds warmth to things.  I'm really liking it thus far for that reason alone.  I have some other similar tools that will create a similar effect, but this one is a little more powerful than those.  And I might have found a bug or two, so I got that going for me.

Lyrics:
You got the magick in your fist, you can't believe this. 
No matter what you do, 
It's gonna happen to you.

You took the holy vow,
 all the way down town,
 Then you missed your missed, 
caught a comet Rode it all the way out of this place.  

You thought you knew what I said, 
but you turned around to found out you're dead, 
You won't remember your name.

Day 263: Alpha

Here's my feet-first attempt at trying to break the Rack Extension that I'm beta testing.  No luck making it crash.  On another track I automated every button and it all worked perfectly.  A testament to good programming.

Lyrics:
tie your shoes, get your hair ready to go.

We got a dream to live, 
no one can see or give,
We gotta compromise, 
no one can estimate or try.

tonight, we fly, never to land

We gotta live the truth, 
it will probably bother you, 
we gotta show the light, 
otherwise everyone will die.


REFRAIN 2X

Just when we thought the water was under our feet the ocean showed us it couldn't be beat.

Day 167: Inspired by the Unseen

The invasion had finally reached land.  They started on the coast and began moving inland.  Every continent at the same time.  The fly-over states were the last ones to go.  We had been hiding in our bunker for days, waiting for the explosions to begin.  When they finally did we ran outside.  Idiots.  We did the last thing you're supposed to do, but of course we wanted to see the aliens.  It turned out to be a pretty good thing that we ran out since our bunker got blown up about ten seconds after we ran out of it.  I turned and looked at my dad, helpless.

"The airport!" he said, and we both took off toward the car.  He didn't make it.  They shot him in the back.  I'd say it was a terrible way to die, but actually it was preferable to slavery and eventual consumption by the invading hordes.

We didn't believe that was what they were doing for awhile, but eventually someone stumbled on their throwaways.  A pit of body parts and half-eaten limbs.  In some cases there were heads with collars still attached to the necks.  The alien tech was so advanced that we couldn't begin to crack even their most basic design, but their collars, what seemed to be a simple radio transmission system of tracking and controls, was too advanced for us to understand.

We didn't stand a chance.

Day 163: New Electronic Post

Trying to explore something "new".  I like post rock, I like glitch, I like electro-synth, I like ambient.  Trying to make "New Electronic Post".  Maybe it's a genre that already exists under another name, if so, please let me know.

Years ago I was sleep deprived for about 36 hours and I started hearing this music in my head that was something unlike anything I'd ever experienced.  I typed a long rambling email and sent it to a few people, but it was a little out there and the ideas weren't very fully formed.  I could sense being on the cusp of something and grasping for it in the darkness.

I feel like this, and a few other recent works, might be the genre I was hearing in my head.  If nothing else, it's definitely the start of something for me.

Lyrics:
You said you're loaded for bare, You said you'd take us anywhere,
Got on my helmet and my boots, so let's go
It's not like you lied again, let's just be honest, are we even friends?
I want to take it all back, but I can't take it, no I can't take it.
When the sun shines in the spring, we'll have a moment of clarity and peace.
Your eyes will lighten and grow eager again, and we'll once more call each other friend.

Day 149: Waiting Politely

Trying to get to the point where I could upload today's track was a challenge.  It's about, surprise, people not waiting, or being unable to wait.  I'm definitely including myself in the category of impatient people.  I've been chomping at the bit to work on this piece for hours now.

Lyrics:
Please wait a minute, I'm almost done.
Just give me a chance, then you'll have one.
I don't know why you can't wait at all.
Just wait.
Waiting for the fall.

Day 137: If it is...

I would call this piece a "production experiment".  Just trying to do some things, work quickly, and come out with a decent product on the other side.  It's hit or miss.

Writing lyrics that make sense isn't really my strong point today.

Lyrics:
You will go in if it is high.
Do you want to make a bet?

Day 133: ReAnimate with Less

Another minimalist gem found while sorting thru older pieces.  Apparently it's about lies.

Was created while I was trying out my Akai MPK Mini for the first time.  A controller I still use on a very regular basis.

Lyrics:
I don't think I can tell a lie. 
I don't think I can lie.
 Can you tell I'm lying to you?

All these lies sound the same.

Day 116: Welcome to the Darkness

Inspired by Low's Songs for a Dead Pilot EP.  At least sonically.

Lyrics:
You've got to welcome them with open arms.
They control everything.
You've got to extend your hand, you don't have.
You've got to open your mouth for them.
You must wave your hands.
Welcome them with open arms.
Open Arms.
You've got to welcome them.

Day 104: Industrially Speaking

Everyone keeps secrets.  Some are big, some are small.  Sometimes you keep a secret because of an organization (an organizational secret I guess?), sometimes it's something only you know, or at least you think that (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, select, start).  This is a little bit about keeping secrets, but also about relationships.

Here I've dipped into the "everything is distorted on some level" bag of tricks.  What can I say other than I'm a sucker for it every time.

This is probably the only song you'll hear today with Sturm & Drang in the lyrics... so it's got that going for it.


Lyrics:
Come a little bit closer,
I've got something you should hear.

Look to the sky,
Now walk the steps,
Unto perfection, 
Unto the beginning of the end.

You are the wind and the rain,
You are the one who keeps me sane,
You are the breeze that blows thru me.

You are the holy ghost,
You are better than most,
You are the secret I keep closely.

Look to the sky,
Now walk the steps, 
Unto perfection,
Unto the new beginning.

Sturm and Drang and not much compasssion,
You said "You forgive me" after a fashion,
You are the only one,
Yes, you are the only one.

Crucifixes and crosses and demons,
You aren't the only one who can see them,
but we are not leaving you,
no we are not leaving you.


Look to the sky,
Now walk the steps,
Unto perfection, 
Unto the new beginning,
The beginning of the end.

Day 99: 100 Reasons Not to Despair

When I created this blog awhile back I just wanted something else to do. Since a few years ago the amount of free time I've had has diminished to literally a couple of hours a day, and that's if you're being generous with your definition of "free". In the last 100 days I've learned how much "free" time I actually have and how valuable it really is to me. In addition, I've learned a lot about production and how to use the program that was the impetus for this whole thing, Reason.

This is not the end. This only the beginning. I intend to keep going as long as I can.

Please enjoy this offering on my 100th day of music.

Day 86: Frolic with Fraluc

Way back in Q4 of 2012 this guy started putting together a really cool, free refill called the Xmas 2012 PH Community Refill and it was great.  A really eclectic mix of sounds by users all overs the world.  I've been trying to make use of it on a regular basis and this is one of those days.  Today's sounds were brought to you by Fraluc.  He's a man that makes really awesome music by knowing about cheese sandwiches.


Lyrics:
Do you have control?
Are we in this together?

Day 81: A Chance to Breathe

Today is a rare day.  A "free" day, we'll call it.  No kids, no work, no vehicle and nothing that really has to be done.  As a result I was able to do something I rarely do now... play guitar.  There are only a couple of guitar tracks on today's work, but it was refreshing to be able to put live instruments on something and not be interrupted.

This track started as an experiment trying to use only loops, but went off the rails (as many of my experiments do - FOCUS!).  The driving force behind it is definitely a few core loops, appropriately mangled.



Lyrics:

Steel yourself 'cause here it comes.

You don't have a way to live.
You don't have a cent to give.
You don't have any way to survive, but yet you thrive.

You walked thru the open door, not a single thought to where you were.
You challenged everyone before they even said a word.
You held us all in open court, your opinion was the judge.
You told us where we could all go and quickly walked away.

You told a lie, you told the truth, you tried to parse your words.
You split us up, you shut us up, you overcame each verb.
You thought you had the upperhand, but you only had a lie, but yet you thrive.

Day 79: Bits... crushed

Just a catchy little number with guitars, crazy chopped up samples, a piano from Abbey Road studios, and a 606 drum kit by Peff (distorted with my help).

Lyrics:
Don't go back to your old routine again.

Day 65: The TV Can Inspire

Someone in my house really likes "Snapped".  As a result, I've learned all the mistakes NOT to make when planning/executing a murder.  Some seem obvious (don't bury them in your backyard) others are less so.  Anyway, I have no plans to kill anyone ever, but it did inspire the following lyrics.

They charged me with murder.
25 years.
No parole.
No escape.
But I didn't do it, no I didn't do it.
I was framed.

They charged me with murder.
Behind bars.
With intent, 
No delay.
I can't see a way,
No, I can't see a way.
No return.

Day 63: Back to the People

If you missed the last post with the refill from Malcos, here's another one.  Some pretty deep lyrics.  Shout out to Malcos, Peff, and Sugarbytes for their help!

Lyrics:
Life is how I go back to the people.
If you want to have time, talk to the people.