Looking to the Future

"Never And Forever" has been my easiest album to make so far.  I really could have finished it earlier this year if I hadn't taken a few months off this summer.  Part of the reason that this album came so quickly (besides the fact that it only has 8 tracks) is because most of the songs were already written before i went to record it.  In fact, with each album there are a certain number of tracks that are written well before the recording process begins.

As I approaching the end of the recording process this time around, things are a bit different.  There are no songs that are waiting in the wings to be recorded for the next project.  Looking forward to the next project I realize that I've got nothing.  Sure there's a few lyrical ideas I've had floating around, lots of brief musical outlines that could become songs, but nothing that approaches a complete song in any way.  I'd say this excites me more than worries me.  I look forward to entering a period of focusing on purely writing music again.  I feel like I've grown and changed as a songwriter and I'm curious and enthusiastic about what sort of songs I can come up with.

"Never And Forever" had a certain tone, a certain feel, and it told a certain story in a concise way.  Part of the reason it was such a short album was to keep that sense of continuity.  It stands as a great piece of work (in my opinion of course) but I don't think it represents what lies ahead.  I'd really like to do something a little more upbeat and positive.  My songs always seem to lean towards the bittersweet.  I'd like to do a little more of the sweet (without completely abandoning the bitter).  Something fun (without being cheesy).  In the end, who knows how it will actually turn out?  But these are my thoughts right now as I anticipate having a completely blank slate to work with.

Of course right now I just need to finish the task at hand.

Album Update

I've been getting a lot of work done this week.  "Never And Forever" the album, is almost a reality.  Here is a quick rundown of what is done and what is left to do.  I made some substantial progress on track #6, "Anything At All".  I fixed some issues with the mix, recorded vocals for the ending of the song and now it's pretty much finished.  I also did some EXTREMELY minor tweaks to the mix of the first 3 tracks.  These were small things that I've been meaning to do for a while.

All that remains to completely finish this album:

• Track 4 - "You Can Never Go Home"
• just needs some minor improvements to the mix.  This should't take long
• Track 5 - "Save My Soul"
• this is pretty much done but  could use one more instrument/part/sound to round it out.
• Track 6 - "Anything At All"
• As I mentioned, I just about am finished with this one.  All that remains is to listen to the mix a few more times and make sure it's really done.
• Track 7 - "This Time"
• This song needs a few more sounds, a guitar solo and some final mixing and testing.
• Track 8 - "Time Takes Time"
• Need to record vocals, maybe add some more sounds or instruments...maybe not, we'll see.

At a total of 8 tracks, that's all there is left to do.  That may sound like a lot of things but really this album is over 90% done.  I really can't wait to get it finished as it feels like a major step forward for me.

A Change of Seasons

There is no getting around it.  Summer is over.  The leaves are shriveling.  The grass is browning.  The air is crisping.  Daylight hours are waning.  Outdoor fun is now at a premium.

There are so very many things about the summertime that do not lend themselves to recording music indoors for hours on end.  Family trips, hiking mountains, exploring caves, watching baseball games, and just general merriment are all things that kept me away from my music for the past several months.  And with this annual change in weather comes a change of priorities.  I am reenergized and excited to spend some time with music again.

Upon sitting down and taking stock of where I'm at, I've noticed that I really am QUITE close to finishing a major project.  "Never and Forever" my most recent collection of songs is sitting on the cusp of completion.  So VERY close to being done.

I'm looking forward to finishing it soon and moving on to new projects.  It may be getting cold outside, but I'll have plenty to do in the warmth of my humble recording studio.  Stay tuned.