Recently, I made a big decision, well at least for me I did. I have quite a few tunes laying around, not doing anything. By that I mean no one is listening to them. Of course there are the tunes on this website that are being heard. But mostly they’re not heard, much. So, for the past year or so, I’ve been reworking and producing new versions with the help of computers to fix vocals, add various instruments for musicians I can’t get over to my studio. You would think that a majority of musicians would love to play on tracks and have demos of their playing to share with auditions and friends. But alas, California has made that harder. The complaints I get are “it’s too much gas, dude” and “your tunes aren’t commercial enough” which are a few thoughts I get from them. The gas one is tough in California as a round trip to my place can cost upwards of $40 depending on location. Musicians are not flush with cash in my circle. Not to mention the time involved to travel.
So, I started embracing new technology, which includes lots of computer use, plugins, AI etc. I start with an existing tune I’ve written, either recently or over 40 years ago. I add words if the lyrics weren’t finished, and add music sections like a bridge etc. I use the computer to first flesh out the song before continuing. Once I have most of the pieces in place, I know my voice, which is so-so at best, works well with various plugins that fix or even change it into a different timbre. And that’s only the beginning. The original tune may have been a love ballad. But, maybe, perhaps, it would sound and fit better as a progressive tune, or rock ballad? Country Western? After fiddling around with styles, I’ll pick one and proceed. Now all this takes place with lots of computer magic. I’ve actually been using my Amiga 3000T’s for over 30 years for midi to write my songs. Now of course I still use them with added help from Windows and Linux systems. While I have to play the tunes using a keyboard first, once recorded, I can change it to any instrument. Most music today is made this way. Now, before the haters yell at me because they record the whole band live in the studio, I personally don’t have the cash or play every instrument in the world. But computers have them. There’s that. And with MIDI I can play any instrument that’s been loaded into my system. Or on the internet. Basically, the world of music is changing and making it easier for non-musicians to write music without ever knowing how to play an instrument.
Do I support this this? You bet! Creative people can be amazing at realizing new songs. And getting their artistic emotions, soul, etc out there into the world only makes this planet a better place to live. This is no way negates the years of playing I have done, the many instruments I have purchased and the bands I have played in over 40 years. For example: I can’t paint or draw very well. And yet, I have these incredible images in my mind I would love to see in the world, on a wall, in a book. Soon, that will be possible, at the moment we are seeing the beginning of that with AI.
Back to my story, with all these tunes of mine not doing anything, my new project was started to get off my butt and release them. To be heard. To be liked. To be disliked. Whatever feelings/emotions/thoughts you have about them. I prefer good thoughts etc. (laughing) but can take some criticism. Of course I will take you off the Xmas card list if you don’t like them. There’s that.
Now that I have a few tunes streaming on various platforms I am encouraged to produce more songs. A renaissance is happening within myself. I am writing more, playing more, asking other musicians to join me (which they still don’t citing the various reasons above). Also, beginning the process of downsizing my studio. Which will make it easier for me to eventually move out of California. One goal is to find a place with a plethora of good musicians. Lot’s of research to do on that. And the above needs to take place before I die. Now that I am closer to 100 years old, it only spurs me onward into places I’ve never been or traveled. Just like Ambrosia’s song “Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled”. Describing my journey to a “T”
And thus begins a long journey of tweaking, playing, changing, testing and finally getting versions of my old tunes ready for release. Check back on this blog for links of current releases.
cheers,
ceej