studio journal

new record.

2006-07-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

work on "kindred spirits" has stopped. my playing style has changed pretty dynamically, and though i had a lot of material ready to record for kindred spirits, i just lost the dream.

anyways, i've recorded two full songs and have two unfinished ones so far. the style is basically slow climactic rock kind of like a mix between explosions in the sky, godspeed you black emperor, and mewithoutYou. however, there is hardly any percussion in the mix (i'm still learning to keep ime on my electric drums).

i've been feeling very discouraged about music in the past year or so. i've never had so many records fall through... first it was my life is the stew in the pot of my façade, then kindread spirits... i'm hoping this one doesn't bite the dust too.

half-thru May update.

2006-05-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

(cover art for the upcoming record)

hello to everyone. just wanted to post something here because it's been a while since i did. seems like i quit writing music w/ guitar for a few weeks there. in fact, i just about put the thing down for a week or so. however, i'm getting back to it.

last week i showed some of you what i'd worked on during the month of march (seeming to have always been a brilliant month every year in my music-writing experience), and pretty much everyone thought it was good, so i guess you could say i'm jumpstarted again.

since playing some sessions with nathan and preston, i've picked up a few different styles and methods to strumming and picking--these you will hear in teh new stuff i'm currently writing. i've been working on a song particularly in the past few days and i need to finish two or three more right now.

it's looking like i'll get a laptop in a few weeks, like two or three, so i'll be ready to do some live recording (my method, since i don't have an acoustic/electric) pretty soon. i've found that my mom's newly purchased storage shed has brilliant acoustics. i may record it in there.

so, until next time... be sure that i'm workin.

the headlines - kindred spirits

2006-03-22T15:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I’ve pretty much made a decision on the direction I want to take with the next record. I came up with the theme and wrote the first song last night. I recorded the song today. The record will be called “Kindred Spirits” and each song will be written to and named after dear people in my life. So far I have one for Abigail (my sister), and for Jenny Rhinesmith. Be excited, I’ll update with each new song recorded. These songs may or may not be available online, but I’ll make sure to notify you here if they are available.

headlines.

2006-03-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

Announcing "HEADLINES", my new project for npecrecordings. Last summer I attempted to launch a project called "My Dream Orchestra", and it fell through. I got too busy and I don't think people took me seriously enough.

I am acquiring a few guitarists and a drummer (accompanied by my keyboard as well) to do most of the music. I've already begun writing a few rhythms and leads on guitar and piano, all I need to do is get more musicians.

I want the project to be called "HEADLINES", though this name has already changed twice and I can't guarantee it won't change again. I'm real restless with names.

So be excited. The only way we'll be able to record is at the Grounds or at my church, so don't expect a record until this summer, we'll need a heck of a lot of time to record this stuff.

Feb 28 preview

2006-02-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

here's some work I did today. click here for the mp3. I recorded the guitar and vocals with a microphone and amp. With a lot of tuning, it came out like this--it's not professional, but I think it's decent enough to make a whole CD out of. I feel fine with the lo-fi emo music sound. I just hope it will sound good when I introduce keyboards and percussion. Oh well, we'll see in the future. For right now, I'm really excited that I was at least able to do this much.

post one.

2006-02-28T12:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my studio journal or "music blog". Here will be posted updates about what I'm recording and even samples for you to listen to.