A few days ago, me and Christian recorded the forth and tentative final recording of our first song. Although he seems quite satisfied with it, I am not. The reason he is satisfied with it is because I hit all the notes properly. The reason I am unsatisfied with it is because I know I can sing it better but for some reason I am unable to. I know my voice is better than that recording (but Christian doesn't), so, logically I would want the recording to be the best possible. The strange thing is that on my way home after recording on Monday, I sang it much better in my car, just to prove to myself that I could sing it better.
Also, while we were not recording for these past few months, and unbeknownst to me, Christian had recorded multiple tracks with the differing instrumental parts. We now have a near complete song. All it is missing (aside from my more awesome voice) is the intro and the guitar solo.
We also have another song to work on as well. I just need to find the right words and melody for it.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
[_] 1 (Square One)
So last night I went to meet a guy who was interested in recruiting a vocalist for his band. I wouldn't quite say it was a disaster, but it didn't go as well as I would have liked. He sang three of the songs so I could get a feel for the music style. Although he was very adamant about it not being Blues Rock, it sounded like Blues Rock to me. The singing parts were very monotone sounding, and he also made it clear that there were no fancy intro's or guitar solo's in any of the songs. Unfortunately, intro's and solo's are two things that I really like to have in a song. I think a good intro sets the mood. He also said that I wasn't singing loud enough, which was interesting because I always thought I sang too loud, but it was hard to sing that style the way I'm comfortable with. I don't think I sang it bad, I just didn't have the right voice for that particular style.
So after semi faking interest in their project, I realized that if I sincerely don't have much interest in their band I would only be doing them more harm than good by pretending to have interest. So that's what I told the guy. I told him I was sorry to have wasted his time but that I couldn't pretend to have interest when in reality I had none.
So it's back to where I was before. But I am still going to meet Christian tomorrow to work on our song, so that's a good thing.
Here is the part where I look into the future and say that someday it will all work out, but not entirely believe it. It's so easy to say that things will work out in the future, but believing it is something entirely different.
So after semi faking interest in their project, I realized that if I sincerely don't have much interest in their band I would only be doing them more harm than good by pretending to have interest. So that's what I told the guy. I told him I was sorry to have wasted his time but that I couldn't pretend to have interest when in reality I had none.
So it's back to where I was before. But I am still going to meet Christian tomorrow to work on our song, so that's a good thing.
Here is the part where I look into the future and say that someday it will all work out, but not entirely believe it. It's so easy to say that things will work out in the future, but believing it is something entirely different.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Good Lead... Maybe
Despite having made contact with Christian regarding another recording session, I decided to pursue other alternatives as well as the studio time. The other day, I put an ad up on craigslist stating that I was a singer looking to join or start a band. Not five minutes after posting my ad, I got a call from a guy who was looking to diversify his band with a new lead vocalist. The music style is not as hard rock as I was originally looking for, but it is still a style I can sing.
I nailed him down for a time to meet up, so that it wouldn't end up like the last lead and come to nothing. He also informed me that they had already had a couple other "singers" try out for the part but they were no good. That kind of makes me a little nervous, but I just have to remain confident that the other singers really were terrible and I will do much better. I am meeting him and possibly his band later tonight. Wish me luck, and I will let all my fans...
...know how it went.
I nailed him down for a time to meet up, so that it wouldn't end up like the last lead and come to nothing. He also informed me that they had already had a couple other "singers" try out for the part but they were no good. That kind of makes me a little nervous, but I just have to remain confident that the other singers really were terrible and I will do much better. I am meeting him and possibly his band later tonight. Wish me luck, and I will let all my fans...
...know how it went.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Where to Go Next
So as for the lead I had from the other "motivated" guy near me who was trying to start a band, it appears as if he has lost interest. Correspondence has ceased and it has been about 2 months since I first made contact with him. It appears all hope for this lead is now almost completely gone. That is sad....
I have however, managed to connect with Christian, my former collaborator, and we are planning on working on our song again next week. This has rekindled my faith in humanity, and I will now burst out in song! OK, so I can't quite burst out into song yet, my voice is still on its way back after going on vacation for about a week because of a cold. I joked with people that I had caught the Swine Flu, but in reality, if it was indeed the swine flu, I recommend it above the seasonal flu.
Anyway, enough about the Swine Flu, this is not a medical journal.
So to all my devoted fans (joke) I bid adieu and farewell, until we next meet... I can joke like this because I don't think I have many regular readers (only Mi), so nobody will think less of me for taking the level of seriousness down a bit.
So until next time, keep up the fanaticism!
I have however, managed to connect with Christian, my former collaborator, and we are planning on working on our song again next week. This has rekindled my faith in humanity, and I will now burst out in song! OK, so I can't quite burst out into song yet, my voice is still on its way back after going on vacation for about a week because of a cold. I joked with people that I had caught the Swine Flu, but in reality, if it was indeed the swine flu, I recommend it above the seasonal flu.
Anyway, enough about the Swine Flu, this is not a medical journal.
So to all my devoted fans (joke) I bid adieu and farewell, until we next meet... I can joke like this because I don't think I have many regular readers (only Mi), so nobody will think less of me for taking the level of seriousness down a bit.
So until next time, keep up the fanaticism!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Slow Progress
So my previous post left me feeling rather like giving up on the whole project and forgetting all about it. In all reality I knew then that I wouldn't give up because, after all, singing in a band is one of my aspirations and I can never stop trying. So I have been corresponding with this other potential musician who claims to be very motivated about starting a band. Unfortunately we only are able to send one email a week because of his schedule right now, so things are going slow as always.
We also apparently have a full band, as a good drummer has finally been located (to my knowledge). I can't remember what I posted last time or if I said anything about the two guys I know who play instruments and are interested, but so far we have 2 ½ vocalists, 2 guitarists, 1 bassist, and 1 drummer. Perhaps later we shall find someone for keys as well but for now we'll stick with what we have.
And as usual, I like to end my posts on a hopeful tone. So here goes: Hopefully we will begin corresponding more often and hopefully we can get this show on the road soon.
Oh, and I can't call myself The Scientist anymore because that name has been taken for like, 3 1/2 decades already Some guy took it from me before I was even born!!
We also apparently have a full band, as a good drummer has finally been located (to my knowledge). I can't remember what I posted last time or if I said anything about the two guys I know who play instruments and are interested, but so far we have 2 ½ vocalists, 2 guitarists, 1 bassist, and 1 drummer. Perhaps later we shall find someone for keys as well but for now we'll stick with what we have.
And as usual, I like to end my posts on a hopeful tone. So here goes: Hopefully we will begin corresponding more often and hopefully we can get this show on the road soon.
Oh, and I can't call myself The Scientist anymore because that name has been taken for like, 3 1/2 decades already Some guy took it from me before I was even born!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Roadblocks... or No Road Altogether?
So my chief musician, Christian, has begun college for the fall semester. Normally this would be a good thing; however, it means that he now has no time to work with me on our music. I unfortunately had to pull out of school for the semester due to financial restrictions.
At first, this left me at a complete standstill, unable to practice songs, and unable to record further progress. I also have issues with the computer I use for my writing (the computer I use for the internet is not mine) so that further restricts progress. Then I got the idea to put an ad on the internet that briefly described my vocal talents and also the music style I preferred. I also responded to an ad posted by a guy who was hoping to start up a band right near me.
I got a call the other night regarding my response to the ad. The guy was very interested and also motivated. He was eager to meet up and discuss different issues, but there was one drawback: his phone was not working. It still isn't. So as of right now, I'm still at a standstill.
I also got one response to my ad, so I quickly responded back. So far I have gotten no follow up and it has been 4½ days.
Should starting a band really be this hard? Why does it seem to be that I am the only one who has the motivation, but nothing ever comes of it?
Is this where I'm supposed to quit?
At first, this left me at a complete standstill, unable to practice songs, and unable to record further progress. I also have issues with the computer I use for my writing (the computer I use for the internet is not mine) so that further restricts progress. Then I got the idea to put an ad on the internet that briefly described my vocal talents and also the music style I preferred. I also responded to an ad posted by a guy who was hoping to start up a band right near me.
I got a call the other night regarding my response to the ad. The guy was very interested and also motivated. He was eager to meet up and discuss different issues, but there was one drawback: his phone was not working. It still isn't. So as of right now, I'm still at a standstill.
I also got one response to my ad, so I quickly responded back. So far I have gotten no follow up and it has been 4½ days.
Should starting a band really be this hard? Why does it seem to be that I am the only one who has the motivation, but nothing ever comes of it?
Is this where I'm supposed to quit?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Where I Come From Lyrically
I often have people criticize me for always being so cynical when it comes to relationships. Little do they know that this cynicism can be one of the most powerful driving forces behind my song writing processes.
Last fall I became friends with a girl I met in college. We had two classes together and right off the bat we got along great. We talked all the time, and we seemed to have a good understanding of each other. Eventually we got to the point where we would walk out of the school together when our classes were done and just talk about whatever came to mind.
As the semester began to dwindle I had the very conflicting job of deciding whether to let this friendship dissolve into nothing (there was no guarantee that we would ever see each other afterward) or to gather up the courage to ask her to hang out sometime.
Over the years I have read up on how to build relationships, the does and don'ts, ins and outs, rights and wrongs. This lead me to believe that simply asking her to hang out casually over the winter break was the best option, even though officially "going out" would have been nicer in my opinion. One day after class I approached her in the parking lot and stated my question. It was simple. "I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime, you know, just... do whatever?"
This was the part where I was pretty sure she would say "no" or something less kind. Instead, she looked me in the eyes, smiled, and said "sure!" We briefly chatted about when would be the best time and then went our separate ways.
A couple weeks later we went out to see a movie together. She picked what one, and I agreed because I was nice.
The semester ended a week later and we talked on the phone about hanging out again sometime, we just didn't know when. She was going down to Florida with a friend for a week and when she got back we were going to see about getting together. The night before she left for sunny Florida I gave her a call to wish her a happy and safe time. She said she would take me with her if she could, which I was not expecting her to say, but thought it was cool nonetheless.
So off she went to Florida with her friend. When she returned a week later, she didn't call me, nor did she answer when I called her. I thought, "Oh well, she's probably tired from her trip and is resting or something." I tried calling a couple times on later days, most calls went unanswered. When I did get ahold of her, she sounded rather distant, and not near as cheerful as she had been before her trip. This wasn't making any sense to me. I asked her if everything was OK and she said "we" were fine, which didn't sound very reasuring to me. Once again I asked if she could hang out at all, and she informed me that her parents didn't want us to hang out anymore. This was, of course, a big disappointment to me, but I took it and just assumed (foolishly of course) that her parents really didn't want us to hang out and she was just as disappointed as I was. I still felt rather distant from her though and eventually asked her "if your parents were ok with it, would you still even want to hang out?" To which she replied "well they're not, so we can't" This did not satisfy me and I was determined at this point to find out what went wrong. I didn't think we would ever be the same again, but I hoped we could be. I sent her a message over the internet:
Josiah A. Teal 24 January at 09:09
Last fall I became friends with a girl I met in college. We had two classes together and right off the bat we got along great. We talked all the time, and we seemed to have a good understanding of each other. Eventually we got to the point where we would walk out of the school together when our classes were done and just talk about whatever came to mind.
As the semester began to dwindle I had the very conflicting job of deciding whether to let this friendship dissolve into nothing (there was no guarantee that we would ever see each other afterward) or to gather up the courage to ask her to hang out sometime.
Over the years I have read up on how to build relationships, the does and don'ts, ins and outs, rights and wrongs. This lead me to believe that simply asking her to hang out casually over the winter break was the best option, even though officially "going out" would have been nicer in my opinion. One day after class I approached her in the parking lot and stated my question. It was simple. "I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime, you know, just... do whatever?"
This was the part where I was pretty sure she would say "no" or something less kind. Instead, she looked me in the eyes, smiled, and said "sure!" We briefly chatted about when would be the best time and then went our separate ways.
A couple weeks later we went out to see a movie together. She picked what one, and I agreed because I was nice.
The semester ended a week later and we talked on the phone about hanging out again sometime, we just didn't know when. She was going down to Florida with a friend for a week and when she got back we were going to see about getting together. The night before she left for sunny Florida I gave her a call to wish her a happy and safe time. She said she would take me with her if she could, which I was not expecting her to say, but thought it was cool nonetheless.
So off she went to Florida with her friend. When she returned a week later, she didn't call me, nor did she answer when I called her. I thought, "Oh well, she's probably tired from her trip and is resting or something." I tried calling a couple times on later days, most calls went unanswered. When I did get ahold of her, she sounded rather distant, and not near as cheerful as she had been before her trip. This wasn't making any sense to me. I asked her if everything was OK and she said "we" were fine, which didn't sound very reasuring to me. Once again I asked if she could hang out at all, and she informed me that her parents didn't want us to hang out anymore. This was, of course, a big disappointment to me, but I took it and just assumed (foolishly of course) that her parents really didn't want us to hang out and she was just as disappointed as I was. I still felt rather distant from her though and eventually asked her "if your parents were ok with it, would you still even want to hang out?" To which she replied "well they're not, so we can't" This did not satisfy me and I was determined at this point to find out what went wrong. I didn't think we would ever be the same again, but I hoped we could be. I sent her a message over the internet:
Josiah A. Teal 24 January at 09:09
Hey, I had something planned out to write to you, but I forgot what it was... I guess I'm just having a hard time trying to understand what happened here. It seems that it might be a little more than just what your parents say, but I can't know for sure. Are you afraid of something? I am sorry if that is the case... I was only trying to be your friend. If you want to be completely honest... or I will be completely honest... I do like you, but I was more than willing to be just friends because I believe you're worth it, it's that simple for me. I thought you were a lot different from anybody else I ever met and I just wanted to get to know you better. I don't want you to get hurt or anything... but at the same time I think I'm being hurt right now because I don't know what's going on... so it's kind of important to me. I don't know if I can go through this again. You don't have to reply right a way, take your time.
Sorry to dump this in your lap right now :/ I don't mean to be a pain, I'm just in need of some clarification that's all.
Her response was rather disappointing and almost rude:
However, yes, it is more than that. When I say I've have a lot going on I mean: one of my good friends mom just passed away, my best friend's parents are getting divorced, my best guy friend has just decided to tell me he has feelings for me but he is a good friend of my ex, who i am still in love with... So I am trying to deal with all that. Plus school, preparing my horse for a national show, and my dance lessons.
I know what it feels like to like someone who doesn't feel the same. It's not fun and it's really hard to just be friends with that person without wishing it was more and ending up hurt.
I also know what its like to feel so completely right with someone. To be over the moon, loopedy loop, overwhelmingly inlove with someone and be loved back. Yes, I got my heart broken in the end, but to me, It was worth it. If it was that great with the "wrong" person, think how amazing it will be when i find the "right" one. And the pain will go away. No, I haven't quite gotten to that point yet. It still hurts like hell. But ya just gotta keep moving and staying positive. Don't let the pain of whatevers happened in the past hold you back. Let go and be happy for the good memories.
I hope you understand now.
At this point I could have let my inellectual debater side kick in and rip her response to shreds, but even feeling like I did, I kept it civilized:
Sorry to dump this in your lap right now :/ I don't mean to be a pain, I'm just in need of some clarification that's all.
Her response was rather disappointing and almost rude:
Girl Lastname 24 January at 12:13
How much more clear can i be? I can't hang out with you! My parents will not let me. How hard is that to understand?However, yes, it is more than that. When I say I've have a lot going on I mean: one of my good friends mom just passed away, my best friend's parents are getting divorced, my best guy friend has just decided to tell me he has feelings for me but he is a good friend of my ex, who i am still in love with... So I am trying to deal with all that. Plus school, preparing my horse for a national show, and my dance lessons.
I know what it feels like to like someone who doesn't feel the same. It's not fun and it's really hard to just be friends with that person without wishing it was more and ending up hurt.
I also know what its like to feel so completely right with someone. To be over the moon, loopedy loop, overwhelmingly inlove with someone and be loved back. Yes, I got my heart broken in the end, but to me, It was worth it. If it was that great with the "wrong" person, think how amazing it will be when i find the "right" one. And the pain will go away. No, I haven't quite gotten to that point yet. It still hurts like hell. But ya just gotta keep moving and staying positive. Don't let the pain of whatevers happened in the past hold you back. Let go and be happy for the good memories.
I hope you understand now.
At this point I could have let my inellectual debater side kick in and rip her response to shreds, but even feeling like I did, I kept it civilized:
Josiah A. Teal 24 January at 18:03
K, I think that clears it up a little. Sorry again :(
So if anybody ever thinks I am too hard on myself, and I need to loosen up and put myself out there, all they need to do is read this story. And this isn't the only time something like this has happened to me, but it is the most well documented.
This little true story will give you an idea of where my lyrics come from. I will strive to include some more goodspirited lyrics in some songs, but I can't make any promises, especially with other things going on right now.
Anyway, I don't mean to be depressing, but I am feeling depressed so that's what I wrote.
So if anybody ever thinks I am too hard on myself, and I need to loosen up and put myself out there, all they need to do is read this story. And this isn't the only time something like this has happened to me, but it is the most well documented.
This little true story will give you an idea of where my lyrics come from. I will strive to include some more goodspirited lyrics in some songs, but I can't make any promises, especially with other things going on right now.
Anyway, I don't mean to be depressing, but I am feeling depressed so that's what I wrote.
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