Filling Time...

Not much new on the music front here. Just got in the new issue of Paste. I love the sampler discs that come with, because I've even managed to become lame about buying music, let alone writing any. Check it out for the interesting skinny on independent music and film.

I also got a CD in the mail from an old friend. We met my freshman year in college out in Springfield, OH. He has/had an acoustic thing going with a buddy and sent me a copy of the album they put together a while back. It was really cool to hear what Pete has been up to. I credit him for much of my interest in guitar, singing and songwriting. We spent many a night with his guitar and friends singing in the dorms.

One thing we did a lot was this improv sort of thing where we'd play a tune on the guitar and go around the room with everyone making up a verse to the song as we went. Not exactly grammy material, but looking back it was a ton of fun and great practice at getting lyrics out. I haven't thought of those days in years, but getting back in touch with Pete has reminded me of many times past.

I need to do more of that.

Thanks, Pete. Again.

Tags: Music, Recording, Open Source, Singer, Songwriter, Acoustic, Guitar, Independent

Discovery: Online Help for Songwriters... Maybe

In my new-found/re-found/un-found search for songwriting skills, techniques and other things to keep my own Muse (see On Wrestling the Muse below) from completely clobbering me, I came across this site:

The Muse's Muse

The site has many articles and other resources for learning more about the craft of songwriting, along with music biz oand other stuff. What I like about it is that it contains many different viewpoints in the form of many contributors, it seems to cover a pretty broad pool of information to pull from, and best of all... some of it is actually actionable! Thank you Muse's Musers for not simply providing more vague examples of what made the other writer so successful (we 'emerging artists' often have fragile enough egoes, thank you very much!) that have no applications in my life whatsoever.

Some minor dislikes may turn out to be that the perspective isn't as varied as it may seem. I have not been through nearly all that the site has to offer, still I feel like I'm getting a "type" vibe from the material there. It may be nothing, just like the site may not be for everyone. Still, worth checking out!

As a footnote: I also stumbled on this online rhyming dictionary by an outfit called WriteExpress:

Free Online Rhyming Dictionary (Yes, a catchier title might help!)

I've never used one myself, but it seems to be a popular recommendation as a must-have in the songwriter's toolbox, so I guess I should give it a shot. Let me know if you have any experience with it, alternatives or simply believe this is all pure bunk!

Tags: Music, Recording, Open Source, Singer, Songwriter, Acoustic, Guitar, Independent

On Wrestling the Muse: Songwriting, Process and Study

I confess. The real reason behind the title of this little spot on the web is that I haven't written anything in years. Nothing I'd show, anyway. The one possible exception to that is the previous post of the lyrics to Scream, though that is really a work in progress. The music has not been finalized and I may still tweak the words a bit. Like the title, the post was really more a primal need to get it out than a favorable self-review. That, and I've decided to expose more of the process behind what I do, study it myself and see what more I can learn about the craft of songwriting.

There. I said it. Songwriting is a craft. I've always been one of those (read: poor unfortunates) that is periodically clobbered over the head by the Muse and have to write to get her off me. This 'process' has always been anything but. My Muse is a female professional wrestler who has just come back into the ring with a chair from the audience and is bludgeoning me incessantly with it (in my head, this visual is directed by Quentin Tarantino, to make matters even worse). My songwriting is me flailing my arms frantically at the referee to please make her stop. It's always a humbling experience. Sometimes painful.

So if I ever expect to get up off the mat, I had better start learning more about this craft. The word craft implies control. That would be a novel thing for me and music. Control. No, I don't want it to become forced, formulaic and stiff. I'm just looking to get in better shape so I don't have to have the ref step in. That way, when that ol' Muse comes charging into the ring with her latest foregin object, I have some skill at wrestling her to the mat myself. Maybe even get a little less bloody in the process. Save some pride? Who knows?

So, it's off to the Songwriter's Virtual Gym. I'll be sure to post any good exercises and techniques I find that seem to help. If any do. Meanwhile, give a holler if you see that mean old Muse sneaking up on me, would ya? I'd appreciate it.

Tags: Music, Recording, Open Source, Singer, Songwriter, Acoustic, Guitar, Independent

New Song Lyrics, Working Title 'Scream'

Not ready to share the full story here. Suffice it to say it's been a challenging New Year's season.

This is called Scream.

- - - - - - - - - -

Scream
I see you lying there, a husk of a man
I know you’re lying here, an elaborate sham
Quaking heart and shaking hands

Now there’s flashing lights, what have you done
Cries split the night, is that his son
Out of mind gets out of hand

Chorus
What’s the first thing you remember
Was it as bad as they say
What’s the last thing you remember
Before they took you away

You can’t numb yourself, it cuts too deep
You can’t hide your eyes in your liquid sleep
There’s no happy ever after

You can’t run and hide, the ghost is you
You can’t turn inside out, he’s in there too
I’ve got a few of my own

Bridge
Dead to the bone
Numb to the core
Do you even know me anymore
C’mon scream
Scream

Will I shed a tear when the screaming stops
Can you even hear should I turn it up
The promise you made to another

She’s watching me, can she see you too
That look in her eye, is it for me or you
Am I the keeper of my brother

- - - - - - - - - -

Enough said.

Tags: Music, Recording, Open Source, Singer, Songwriter, Acoustic, Guitar, Independent, Lyrics