DEMO 2.23.2007
How could I forget this one?
DEMO 2.17.2007
This idea eventually evolved into Easy As Pi from By The Numbers. I worked on this one quite a bit, which explains the number of files below. It began in Prague in early 2007 and was finished almost three years later at The Gallery in New York City.
EASY AS PI
COME OVER HERE
MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT
FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE
SING IT LOUD AND CLEAR
YOU LEARNED THE MOVES
BUT FAILED TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS FAITH
SO NOW YOU JUST PRETEND
THAT YOU’VE BLOWN AWAY
THAT YOU’VE BLOWN AWAY
THAT YOU’VE BLOWN AWAY
THAT YOU’VE BLOWN AWAY
BUT I CAN TAKE YOU FAR FROM HERE
I WON’T MAKE YOU LOST
BUT I’LL ENGINEER
OUR ESCAPE
DEMO 2.13.2007
This one went on quite a trip. My first memory of it was on a bus somewhere in Germany. I think it was raining. I’d created the rhythm in my head using my teeth (as I tend to do), then managed to program it into ProTools a couple weeks later and add some melodies. It went through a few other iterations in Prague then was set aside for a couple years until I started working with Brian Forbes during our time in New York. The last file is where we left it in late 2009.
DEMO 2.2.2007
This one started later the same day as the last one. I’d had the chord progression in my head for a while and took the opportunity to record it. The first file is the original guitar part. The second is after I added some other things later that year.
DEMO 2.2.2007
I wrote and recorded this in our apartment in Prague, soon after I had finally picked up my guitar again after working digitally over the past few months. The first file is where things were finally left in late 2008, followed by an earlier and slower guitars-only version. I still like this song very much and very happy I came across it again. I’ve already rehearsed it a few times this week! Hopefully I can work it into a show someday. To hear it again and feel how it feels is very special indeed.
APARTMENT
DON’T GIVE UP ON ME
I’M A WRECK, YOU SEE
SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH MY HEAD
APARTMENT
DON’T CLOSE IN ON ME YET
JUST LET ME CATCH MY BREATH
BEFORE WE GET DOWN TO WORK
WITHOUT WORK
APARTMENT
TELL ME WHAT COMES NEXT
CAUSE I’M A BIT PERPLEXED
HOW I’VE MADE IT THIS FAR
APARTMENT
TELL ME WHY IM HERE
MAKE IT SO AUSTERE
SO I WILL NEVER FORGET
HOW I LIVED
APARTMENT
YOU’RE MY CLOSEST FRIEND
I HOPE YOU’LL UNDERSTAND
WHEN I BID YOU FAREWELL
DEMO 1.30.2007
This begun on the same day as the previous two and was intended to demonstrate something that had been in my head for awhile. I don’t remember working on it much though upon reflection. It isn’t particularly interesting to me now, but perhaps it will be. There’s a song in there somewhere though. Maybe I’ll serve it better someday.
DEMO 1.30.2007
This is a good example of how some of these electronic ideas evolved in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Here’s an attempt at adding acoustic guitars. The earlier version has no guitars, but an alternate synth melody that I later muted.
DEMO 1.30.2007
Here’s a groove that started in early 2007. By late 2008 it hadn’t changed very much, probably because I neglected to work on it.
DEMO 1.29.07
Looks like I started this one on the same day as the last one. My objective in listing these from when they were first created is intended to provide a better understanding of how things evolved over time. Should there be another list from when they stopped though? First things first I suppose. Here’s where I left this one in late 2008.
DEMO 1.29.07
Here’s another that began in January 2007. I remember enjoying walking while listening to this. I could certainly keep working on it. Such is the case with all of these I suppose. They were all abandoned/postponed for the sake of something new, cast off onto a hard drive somewhere. Here’s where I left this one along the way.
DEMO 1.23.07
I managed to get a little further on this one. It began in early 2007 and proceeded to where I seem to have left things almost two years later in late 2008. I don’t know where I was headed with it to be honest. I obviously enjoyed working on ideas like this though. Why else would I spend so much time on them?
DEMO 1.15.07
Here’s another electronic idea that failed to materialize. It seems like I just kept layering things but never took anything away. I guess I thought it all sounded pretty cool back in the day though. Every idea seems like the most important thing in the world when I’m working on it. Then you listen back one day and wonder how you ever thought it was worth the time.
All part of the process, right?
Frisky Kids
I recently attended a show where this band played. Really great songwriting all around. I’ve had their songs in my head all week. Please check out their music and support them. They’re great!
DEMO 1.10.07
I stopped working on this idea after the first few layers. I guess I was focusing on other ideas and forgot about it one or decided it wasn’t worth pursuing at the time. Maybe I should pick it up again someday? I feel bad that I can’t devote enough time to ideas like these. Don’t some people say how every song they write is like a different child? If that’s the case, I’ve been a very bad father.
DEMO 12.12.06 - FOUND SOUND
Here’s a series of noises I recorded around Prague in late 2006. Each noise was isolated and looped to produce the semblance of a rhythm, then layered with other noises and FX on top. It’s all a bit much for current me to be honest. Why did I spend so much time recording and editing all of it? Why do I feel compelled to organize things in such a way? It’s something in my brain.
Number 7 is a little different though - as I was walking home one night I heard a group of people singing in a tavern down the street from our apartment. It was the only time I ever saw that place open for business. I still wonder what words they are singing. I should have learned more Czech! If anyone can tell me, I would be forever grateful.
DEMO 12.8.06
More from December 2006. This was an experiment in vocal layering and reverb, drifting back and forth from major to minor. There’s also a later version from a few years later after I added a bunch of FX noises on top of the original tracks.
DEMO 12.7.06
Here’s another string arrangement. If I remember correctly, a section of this went on to become Easy As Pi, although in 5/4. I recall this being a favorite to listen to over and over again, especially near the ending. I really don’t know where it all came from. I must have had it in my head for some time and found a vehicle to take it out. I would love to collaborate with someone on this someday.
DEMO 12.6.06
Let’s get back to the demo project I started a couple years ago. This is a string arrangement from December 2006. I think I meant for this to serve as a segway between songs. Perhaps it still could be someday. I’m pretty sure this was my first attempt at composing with virtual string instruments. Nothing fancy just some looped chords I thought sounded interesting. Wouldn’t it be nice to record with a real group of classically trained musicians?
FUNDRAISER FOR THE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
Hey folks.
This week's organization is:
The Center for Neighborhoods builds healthy, sustainable, safe neighborhoods through informed and committed neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky. It achieves that goal through community engagement, education, planning, and data assessment for many different neighborhoods throughout the city.
Since its founding in 1972, the Center for Neighborhoods has cultivated grassroots leadership, partnered with neighborhoods in community planning efforts, facilitated civic dialogue, and actively participated in neighborhood-based development & improvement projects.
In addition to my donation, here's a song called 'The Sunny Side of the Street' that some of you may know. It's a song that reminds me that, as easy as it is sometimes to fall into despair, there is always hope. We must reach out to each other, and not only through these computers we use every day, but in person face-to-face.
We may travel across town or across the world and think we don't have much in common with the people we encounter. But we do! This is all one neighborhood, wherever we are. We must find new ways to bring ourselves closer together in order to understand and empathize with one another to create a better world for everyone.
The Center for Neighborhoods seeks to do just that through the work they do everyday. I hope you join me in supporting them!
THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
GRAB YOUR COAT
AND GRAB YOUR HAT
LEAVE YOUR WORRIES ON THE DOORSTEP
JUST DIRECT YOUR FEET
TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
CAN'T YOU HEAR THAT PITTER PAT
WHEN THAT HAPPY TUNE IS YOUR STEP?
LIFE CAN BE SO SWEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
I USED TO WALK IN THE SHADE
WITH MY BLUES ON PARADE
BUT NOW I'M NOT AFRAID
MY ROVER'S CROSSED OVER
IF I NEVER HAD A CENT
I'D BE RICH AS ROCKEFELLER
WITH GOLD DUST AT MY FEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
FUNDRAISER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Established in 1896, Neighborhood House was the first settlement house in Kentucky. Over 121 years later, it serves as a community center for children and families living in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, as well as other surrounding low-income neighborhoods. Poverty among the families (45%) and children (55%) that come to Neighborhood House exceeds both the national average and the rates in the poorest counties in Kentucky.
In addition to my financial contribution, here's a song called 'I Feel Alright' by Steve Earle. It's a song that makes me feel better every time I play it and serves as an uplifting reminder to stay positive. Even though it can be easy sometimes to feel somber amidst the adversity we face each day, I'm thankful for what makes us better, kinder, happier human beings. So whatever you're doing today, I hope you feel alright too.