Song of the Month Club - December

richardyot · December 2015

What is the Song of the Month Club?

It's a place where musicians come to give and receive feedback on their work. Anyone is welcome, whatever their level of ability.

The spirit of the club is to contribute: if you submit a song for others to comment on, you should also have the courtesy to listen to everyone else's contributions and give as much feedback as possible. Posting a track and not listening and commenting on others is not cool.

The purpose of feedback is to be honest. Essentially you should give your truthful impressions of the song, whether good or bad. Negative feedback, if done in the right spirit and with courtesy, is often the most useful and can help the artist to grow and improve.

All submissions are welcome, don't hesitate if you want to contribute. Instrumentals are very welcome, and songs with vocals are especially encouraged, so if you are thinking of experimenting with vocals this is a good place to get started.

richardyot · December 2015

SoundCloud account:

https://soundcloud.com/song-of-the-month-club

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Igneous1 - Chef's Omelette

https://m.soundcloud.com/formbank/chefs-omelette

crouchie - Binge (vocal Mix)

https://m.soundcloud.com/dot-echo-dot/binge-vocal-mix

LostBoy 85 - If i ever. (ACAPPELLA)

https://m.soundcloud.com/leo-b-5/if-i-ever-acappella

richardyot · December 2015

Posted the thread a bit earlier than usual this month, as I have a demo ready for my track. I'm planning to make it more experimental and soundscapey, like last month, but hopefully with a better song at the base. This version is just the most basic arrangement possible: an acoustic guitar, a couple of drum loops and my vocal, so the song in a raw state. I'm curious to see if the production will improve or ruin what I think is a reasonably good song.

Lyrics are here:

Faith lyrics

richardyot · December 2015

Also as we are now in December, and the SOTMC started last February but I had a head start and started writing a song a month last January I have spent some time listening back to the 12 songs I wrote and produced in 2015. There's actually five songs that I'm reasonably happy with. They all have some issues and could be improved upon, but I can see that in the second half of the year everything started to sound a lot better.

The biggest struggle for me has been singing, but that's definitely improving, and I think I might go back redo the vocals on some of my older songs at some point. The second biggest hurdle has been mixing, and again I can really hear the improvement I've made over the course of the year, but of course there's still work to do.

But for me this exercise has been really worthwhile, I just hope I can maintain the momentum and keep improving at the same rate next year. It's also been great watching the progress of others, and all the regular SOTMC posters have been a great inspiration.

Igneous1 · December 2015

I finished this one off just towards the end of November, but as I'd done a track for that month already, I thought I'd wait on until this months thread was posted.

So, here it is - 'Chef's Omelette', all done in the Gadget (again), for your dancing perusals.

richardyot · December 2015

@Igneous1 great track, really funky, it's good to hear you still have your groove hat on. It's very fusion-y, as if Billy Cobham and Orbital had got together to make some jazzy electronica. I think you're really starting to find the right blend of groove, repetition, and variety, so that your tracks still have lots of elements but they are anchored enough to avoid bewildering the listener. There's lots of invention in the rhythms and the music, really interesting to listen to and bears repeated listens very well, in fact rewards them with new discoveries.

[Deleted User] · December 2015

There seems to be a lot of tracks posted on new threads in the forum, I wish they'd post them in here and keep everything tidy.

richardyot · December 2015

@monzo said:

There seems to be a lot of tracks posted on new threads in the forum, I wish they'd post them in here and keep everything tidy.

Not everyone necessarily wants to post their tracks here, for starters it comes with the commitment of being expected to listen to and comment on other people's work.

[Deleted User] · December 2015

@richardyot said:

@monzo said:

There seems to be a lot of tracks posted on new threads in the forum, I wish they'd post them in here and keep everything tidy.

Not everyone necessarily wants to post their tracks here, for starters it comes with the commitment of being expected to listen to and comment on other people's work.

Yeah but they're inviting comments on the tracks they're posting. I dunno, just seems a bit messy and forces me to scroll around. Maybe the Forum could do with a dedicated 'share your tracks' page as well.

richardyot · December 2015

@monzo said:

Yeah but they're inviting comments on the tracks they're posting. I dunno, just seems a bit messy and forces me to scroll around. Maybe the Forum could do with a dedicated 'share your tracks' page as well.

There already is a sub-forum, called "creations" for sharing tracks, it's just that the forum view defaults to displaying all of the posts from all the sub-forums together.

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@monzo said:
I dunno, just seems a bit messy and forces me to scroll around.

DOWN WITH THIS KIND OF THING!

More seriously, I can see that some folks a) may not know about SOTMC or b) don't want to 'take part' or c) want the perhaps higher profile of posting alone. I'm sure there are also lots of forum folks who glide right by the monthly SOTMC post, which is absolutely fine. As long as it doesn't become perceived as some sort of clique or cabal (and thus is off-putting to new folks).

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@richardyot said:

Also as we are now in December, and the SOTMC started last February but I had a head start and started writing a song a month last January I have spent some time listening back to the 12 songs I wrote and produced in 2015. There's actually five songs that I'm reasonably happy with. They all have some issues and could be improved upon, but I can see that in the second half of the year everything started to sound a lot better.

The biggest struggle for me has been singing, but that's definitely improving, and I think I might go back redo the vocals on some of my older songs at some point. The second biggest hurdle has been mixing, and again I can really hear the improvement I've made over the course of the year, but of course there's still work to do.

But for me this exercise has been really worthwhile, I just hope I can maintain the momentum and keep improving at the same rate next year. It's also been great watching the progress of others, and all the regular SOTMC posters have been a great inspiration.

It's been almost hard at times to *keep up*, not with the listerning and the commenting, that's the interesting part, but with the feeling that the month is running out and not a child in the house has been washed etc. However, I'm pretty sure that -with the time gone by as it always does- I have put together some things *because* of SOTMC that wouldn't have ever seen the light of day without it.

Part of me wants to take this next period and go back and, month by month, replicate the previous songs (well, most, not all), but focus only on quality/improvement etc. But then I can't help but wonder what would remain forever unwritten.

I have learned a whole lot on a number of fronts AND realized how much more room for improvement there still is (a positive). More than anything else, I have mostly enjoyed the purpose and the process. Won't last forever (this too shall pass etc), but happy to be amongst it and y'all (ha!) while it does...

eustressor · December 2015

The first rule of SOTMC is "keep up or gedouddahere!" No, seriously, I might have a song to share but, working on other songs and learning how to mix/master better, more often than not I fall embarrassingly behind and can't keep up. So sometimes I opt out and just toss out a Creation in the general forum, and comment here and there on other similarly posted Creations.

But 2nd rule of SOTMC is "thank god it's here!" because I've heard a lot of great music and watched others grow, and took some helpful feedback to heart myself. Kudos to keeping' it real founder @richardyot and tireless champion @JohnnyGoodyear for creating and maintaining this growing, admirable shared environment for any and all to join. But as a rule, I try not to post unless I feel like I'll be able to keep up and participate suitably that month.

Or if I want to pour fuel on the "positive critiques are people, too!" fire (sorry 'bout that bit of derailment ...)

@JohnnyGoodyear - "But then I can't help but wonder what would remain forever unwritten," brought to mind the jubilant refrain from Narnia's "The Last Battle" - FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN!

[Deleted User] · December 2015

It's a great motivator for me, only disappointment is I usually only get around 50% on my tracks of the feedback I give out.

Bluepunk · December 2015

@richardyot said:

Posted the thread a bit earlier than usual this month, as I have a demo ready for my track. I'm planning to make it more experimental and soundscapey, like last month, but hopefully with a better song at the base. This version is just the most basic arrangement possible: an acoustic guitar, a couple of drum loops and my vocal, so the song in a raw state. I'm curious to see if the production will improve or ruin what I think is a reasonably good song.

Lyrics are here:

Faith lyrics

It is a good song @richardyot & I will be interested to hear your completed version. For me, my raw demo to a finished song always ends up different in sound & feel. I look forward to its release to see where the journey took you.

Bluepunk · December 2015

@Igneous1 Groovy man, groovy. A track that's got your stamp & style proudly displayed all over it. I agree that you have to listen a few times to pick up on all the sounds that make your song what it is. I love the organ & bassy part towards the end which added more gorgeous textures to your hip swinger. Well, that's what I was doing whilst listening! (Not a pretty sight).

The rhythm section hold it all together nice & tightly enabling the other instruments to play freely & display their wares. I enjoyed your tune & yet another SOTMC entry that has made me feel good. Very good. Thanks.

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@eustressor said:

@JohnnyGoodyear - "But then I can't help but wonder what would remain forever unwritten," brought to mind the jubilant refrain from Narnia's "The Last Battle" - FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN!

Never up never in?

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@monzo said:

It's a great motivator for me, only disappointment is I usually only get around 50% on my tracks of the feedback I give out.

Image: https://forum.audiob.us/uploads/editor/6p/ukannkfo6k8w.png

Igneous1 · December 2015

@richardyot, thanks very much for really giving the track a listen and your comments on the improvements you can hear,ditto @Bluepunk.

I feel I'm just starting to get my head around how to make Gadget work for me, I still find the lack of per instrument Eq and compression limiting at times, but it's automation capabilities make up for this. There really is a whole lot you can do with the automation.

Will · December 2015

@richardyot said:
Posted the thread a bit earlier than usual this month, as I have a demo ready for my track. I'm planning to make it more experimental and soundscapey, like last month, but hopefully with a better song at the base. This version is just the most basic arrangement possible: an acoustic guitar, a couple of drum loops and my vocal, so the song in a raw state. I'm curious to see if the production will improve or ruin what I think is a reasonably good song.

I love this song. I agree that it'll be an interesting challenge to flesh it out without stomping out the good. Think it's a strong enough song though that you'll have plenty of options.

Did you record this in Auria?

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@Igneous1 said:

I finished this one off just towards the end of November, but as I'd done a track for that month already, I thought I'd wait on until this months thread was posted.

So, here it is - 'Chef's Omelette', all done in the Gadget (again), for your dancing perusals.

Lots of things going on here. All good. A little gospel, a little French funk, a lot of head bobbing. I like the varying lengths of notes per instrument, really helps, beyond the riff/beat, to sauce things up. Very smooth kitchen you've got running here....

richardyot · December 2015

@syrupcore said:

I love this song. I agree that it'll be an interesting challenge to flesh it out without stomping out the good. Think it's a strong enough song though that you'll have plenty of options.

Did you record this in Auria?

Thanks - yes it was recorded in Auria. I used a condenser mic a foot away from the guitar's soundhole for the acoustic. I think the mix sounds a bit boxy but I haven't quite managed to record and mix my acoustic guitar in a way that I'm happy with yet.

LostBoy85 · December 2015

@richardyot ooooh...this is gonna be a good one mate! You sing it nicely as it is (so don't go bonkers with effects on it ok?:) And it's a challenging one to sing as it lifts and lifts...and lifts:) Nice lyrics! Can't wait to see what you do with it man.

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

@richardyot said:

Posted the thread a bit earlier than usual this month, as I have a demo ready for my track. I'm planning to make it more experimental and soundscapey, like last month, but hopefully with a better song at the base. This version is just the most basic arrangement possible: an acoustic guitar, a couple of drum loops and my vocal, so the song in a raw state. I'm curious to see if the production will improve or ruin what I think is a reasonably good song.

Lyrics are here:

Faith lyrics

I know it's an article of faith (ha!) that sometimes demos are beloved more than the full studio version, look at the success of the 'Unplugged' series after all, but I think there is a kernel of feeling here that you must work hard (not too hard! Arghhh) on to keep. I think the 'stripped down' nature of this fits the material/words/sentiment very precisely.

I understand (believe me) the desire/need to add a lot of flavors into the literal and metaphorical mix to support and dress up the voice, but I think a measure of your own progress here will lead you to being prepared to push the vocals further to the front, not just in the mix, but by way of leaving them to fend for themselves, be less adorned etc.

All your own call of course. I do think you get a bit plaintive at the end of some of your 'response' lines, with a tendency to go note-up, whereas there are places in this song that I think a more resigned, world-weary going down might be more powerful, but, as ever, that's just my tuppence.

Finally, for now, all of this positivity is not made any easier by the fact that you drop this on December first, as though an interim postcard from the summit while some of us are still damp in the tent and at a loss for socks. Git.

LostBoy85 · December 2015

@Igneous1 Another nice track mate! I really liked the bass and also the organ.Good job dude:)

richardyot · December 2015

Thanks for the feedback. @JohnnyGoodyear I might tweak the melody in parts because I am struggling with the high notes anyway, so I might use them more sparingly. The middle section for example could be sung lower. And I will try and keep the FX off the vocals, I'm getting better at this anyway.

If the soundcscapey experiment fails I can always record a more polished version of the acoustic route.

JohnnyGoodyear · December 2015

richardyot Or both Captain. Album version and live acoustic set etc.

rkmonkey · December 2015

@richardyot said:

Posted the thread a bit earlier than usual this month, as I have a demo ready for my track. I'm planning to make it more experimental and soundscapey, like last month, but hopefully with a better song at the base. This version is just the most basic arrangement possible: an acoustic guitar, a couple of drum loops and my vocal, so the song in a raw state. I'm curious to see if the production will improve or ruin what I think is a reasonably good song.

Lyrics are here:

Faith lyrics

I am a big fan of demo versions. This could be one from the 60s or 70s. Timeless sound in a way. Not sure it needs much. Great first of the month entry.

rkmonkey · December 2015

@Igneous1 said:

I finished this one off just towards the end of November, but as I'd done a track for that month already, I thought I'd wait on until this months thread was posted.

So, here it is - 'Chef's Omelette', all done in the Gadget (again), for your dancing perusals.

Cool tune. All parts work well. Great mix.

crouchie · December 2015

Hello there. Great forum but I'm an absolute newby. Please can you tell me how I post a song to the group? Do I just put a link in a post to my song on Soundcloud? Sorry to be so slow...

richardyot · December 2015

@crouchie said:

Hello there. Great forum but I'm an absolute newby. Please can you tell me how I post a song to the group? Do I just put a link in a post to my song on Soundcloud? Sorry to be so slow...

That's right, just post the Soundcloud link, it will automagically display as a playable link.

Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.

Song of the Month Club - December

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