Comments on: More new music – Youtube video of a brand new tune.

By: Pete Smith

Pete Smith — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:13:38 +0000

Trying to write a good song is in my opinion the best way to go, you can add all the bells and whistles you like and they can make a huge difference but the song is king, play any Bob Dylan song on an old guitar and you’ll see what I mean.

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:14:39 +0000

Why constrain what type of music? Try everything and then see how the tracks hang together…

re: Limiting the time to create music? RPM is in February. You’re a couple of months late!

By: Mike Outram

Mike Outram — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:16:38 +0000

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your kind words!

Like the idea of not worrying about the ‘definitive’ version. Now if I could just get a version!

The MMus was good in some respects. I got a lot out of the process of just getting things done and meeting deadlines. I’m not so keen on seperate modules. If I take it further I’d rather just do one big project, kind of like the thing Randy Pausch talks about in his ‘Last Lecture’ – seen it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

By: paddy

paddy — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:00:11 +0000

oh erm deciding what to do with musical ideas? some things i come up with are ideal for my band, some things get written down, some are just lost to the moment they were made. i wish it wasn’t late so i could go and make some noise on my sax!

By: paddy

paddy — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:54:28 +0000

ahhh i really like’d that first wee bit of arpeggiated melody, i’m a sucker for stuff like that. i can’t wait to here some live steve on friday! feel free to try lots of tasty new things then

By: Lee Pellington

Lee Pellington — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:31:52 +0000

Steve, have you thought about adding a small digital recorder to your set up. I’ve been using a Boss Micro Br, just turn it on press record and I’m away. Just thinking it would be a great way of capturing your performances as you could pull off a .wav on to your DAW or convert to an MP3 for audience members at your gigs.

Just thinking out loud (we have a new baby so I’ve not slept for days so could be a daft idea!).

Lee

By: John Goldsby

John Goldsby — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:09:14 +0000

Hey Steve — great video! I like the idea of putting the public beta version up for all to see and hear. Your playing is melodic, graceful and in-tune, plus you use the looperlative in a musical way. I’ve got an N95 8Gb as well, but half the time I don’t know if I am in picture or video mode.

Re: “How do you decide . . .”
I have long-term and short-term goals (the long-term goals help define the short-term). I put a time frame on a project and do what I have to do to complete the project. Everything for me has to have an inner schedule, and when I complete something, I confirm (to myself) that it is completed—and good. And then I move on.

I also have the agreement with myself that I can determine whether to re-schedule a project or trash it . . . sometimes that is also the best option.

By: Nathan Phillips

Nathan Phillips — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:58:34 +0000

Deadlines are always a good motivator for writing – although mine are generally not self-imposed. Most recently, my final project in a video class this semester is to do a music video, since that’s what my team is best at. I was told to go home and track a song to use over break, so here I am, 4 days into break, with a near-complete song that I just wrote last week. These kinds of limits give me some of the fastest turnarounds creativity-wise.

RE: deciding what to do with the next album, for me it tends to be a balance of profit (NOT money; profit in terms of how a certain decision will affect me as a musician) and enjoyment. I can’t start work on something if I feel I’ll get bored of it too quickly, so I’ve often let projects hang until I get a better grasp of what I want to do. On the other hand, as a solo guitarist, learning to sing better (my current project) will certainly further what I’m trying to do. Going balls-to-the-wall in on electronic music and turning into a techno artist – well, as interesting as that could be, I don’t think it’ll further my musical direction so much.

At the same time my goal is to not pigeonhole myself into a very strict category. I enjoy versatility, a “variations on a theme” of a musician, because I get to have fun with what I do and take it different directions without doing a complete 180 out of my style.

Granted, I don’t think we have to worry too much about you dropping the bass and going into experimental euphonium music, Steve – but definitely food for thought for less-established artists. ^_~

One last note – really loving the way the melody builds in the new tune. Keep up the great work.

By: Lee Pellington

Lee Pellington — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:46:08 +0000

Hey Steve, Happy Easter.

Like the new track, the re-born bass sounds wicked.

Give me a shout if we can help with the recording of you new stuff in any way.

All the best.
Lee

By: Steve Moyes

Steve Moyes — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:28:52 +0000

I think it largely depends on your individual personality. Some people find it easy to focus singlemindedly on one project, while others (me included) tend to flit between one thing and another. For those of us in the second category deadlines can be particularly useful. A finish to finish one project is also the starting line for the next. I love it when endings are also beginnings.

I have also set myself the goal of living to be 100 and still be playing music on my 100th birthday. That takes off some of the self-imposed pressure to get everything done now.

I really enjoyed the new tune too, Steve.