Song of the Month Club - January 2016

LostBoy85

@aaronpc hey man,welcome to the club.Lots of nice flavours in your track.The mix sounded good mate.I really liked all the flutey whistle thingys..? Yeah,not much else to offer I'm afraid other than I enjoyed it.Nice one!

theconnactic

Can I submit another? Here's one that I started earlier tonight in my Mac and just finished on Auria Pro:

Have a nice week everyone,
Dimitri.

richardyot

I've updated the front page and the SoundCloud stream.

richardyot

@theconnactic for me this latest one doesn't quite excite as much as your earlier entry, which I thought was very creative, effective, and exciting - I really liked the blend of guitar and EDM, it sounded fresh and original.

This one sounds a bit more like a jam, where you're showcasing your guitar playing. Listening to this kind of thing doesn't really excite me, no matter how good the playing is. However the break at 1.45 with the oriental sounding section is excellent - in my opinion this part could be fleshed out to a whole track and could be really cool, and much more interesting to listen to than the virtuoso playing for me. Technical skill, no matter how dazzling, doesn't do anything for me as a listener, but original ideas and cool sounds I haven't heard before are things I love to hear.

Bluepunk

@richardyot said:
@Bluepunk love that bass line, and love the tone that you got out of iFretless as well, sounds just like a real bass but it presumably doesn't give you blisters when you play it

Also the playing is really tight, you sound like a really well-rehearsed 3 piece band, very solid rhythmically. Vocals are also very good in a sneering John Lyndon way. Nice touch to get your wife to sing the chorus as well.

There is a definite sense of steady improvement in your songs in the last 3-4 months, keep at it because I'm really curious to see where this journey takes you. Initially it was your drumming that stood out, but now it's that bass riff and the song structure that are the highlights.

Thank you very much & I'm glad you liked that bass line. Haha, yep, no finger blisters, only a few on the brain! It's the first thing that I've played so far that I thought, yeah, I'm pretty happy with that. I put iFretless bass through two of my Christmas presents vouchers, Amplitudes Ampeg Bass amp & then slammed my foot down on that Big Pig stomp box.

I'm still pinching myself that for someone who couldn't play a note 7/8 months ago, these apps (& the help you all give) allow me to get some sort of music down. A tight 3 piece band.............ooh, I'll take that thanks.

Jocphone

@Bluepunk said:

@richardyot said:
@Bluepunk love that bass line, and love the tone that you got out of iFretless as well, sounds just like a real bass but it presumably doesn't give you blisters when you play it

Also the playing is really tight, you sound like a really well-rehearsed 3 piece band, very solid rhythmically. Vocals are also very good in a sneering John Lyndon way. Nice touch to get your wife to sing the chorus as well.

There is a definite sense of steady improvement in your songs in the last 3-4 months, keep at it because I'm really curious to see where this journey takes you. Initially it was your drumming that stood out, but now it's that bass riff and the song structure that are the highlights.

Thank you very much & I'm glad you liked that bass line. Haha, yep, no finger blisters, only a few on the brain! It's the first thing that I've played so far that I thought, yeah, I'm pretty happy with that. I put iFretless bass through two of my Christmas presents vouchers, Amplitudes Ampeg Bass amp & then slammed my foot down on that Big Pig stomp box.

I'm still pinching myself that for someone who couldn't play a note 7/8 months ago, these apps (& the help you all give) allow me to get some sort of music down. A tight 3 piece band.............ooh, I'll take that thanks.

Careful Bluey, you will land yourself in an Apple Ad talking like that

Bluepunk

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@Bluepunk said:
Happy & peaceful 2016 to you all. This is quite possibly the closest to a love song that I will ever make! It's dedicated to Mrs Bluepunk who had a crap 2015. Mental health issues resulting in some stays in hospital under the dreaded "sectioning orders". I mention this otherwise you wouldn't have a clue what the words are on about. She lives her artist life right on the very, very edge & sometimes falls off. I have even tried a very basic solo for the first time in her honour....yikes!
This months songs have all been wonderful so far. Sorry to have broken that run!
Apps played: Guitarism, ifretless bass, Cubasis, ipad internal mic.

Well. Steve Cook on lead then. Careful, this way there be dragons etc.

Overall a good song. It feels a bit betwixt and between, but then that's as much to do with the listener and what they add on/overlay. All the technical bits are good. Words good. Singing efficient and good, and -Lord knows- I know getting to that point is 90% of the battle, but this material is good enough that part of me wants the other ten per cent. This is WAY more than a first draft, but it is (feels) like a good safe version. Accomplished, job done etc. BUT (of course) there's more room still etc.

Love that the Missus actually delivers the message.

90%? I think you're being very generous so thank you. I'm more 60% cos it started out as a trial for a dark, dance type track! It didn't sound moody enough for the subject matter so reverted to good old Guitarism & iFrettless. I know what you mean about that "safe" thing. It's still the confidence aspect of putting yourself out there & hopefully that "fright" of pressing the upload button will gradually diminish.

On another subject.........ooh, have you got a London Punk storm coming your way or what?
My favourite band of the moment "Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes" (saw them last year) are heading out your way in March. They are playing at something called SWSX in Austin. Got a newsletter from them this morning. Time to pull out those old bondage trousers again!

Bluepunk

@rickwaugh said:
@Bluepunk, great tune. Channeling the Ramones, which is not a bad thing at all. Solo was right on. Nice tight mix, everything in its place, everything fit the style very well.

Thanks kind sir. That iffy solo was tricky on the pads of Guitarism but I slung the iPad low on my thigh, pretended to be a mixture of Jones/Duffy/Slash & Grohl & went for it. Nothing like any of them but I felt I had to get into character! It'll do as a first attempt. Cheers again.

Bluepunk

@Jocphone said:

@Bluepunk said:

@richardyot said:
@Bluepunk love that bass line, and love the tone that you got out of iFretless as well, sounds just like a real bass but it presumably doesn't give you blisters when you play it

Also the playing is really tight, you sound like a really well-rehearsed 3 piece band, very solid rhythmically. Vocals are also very good in a sneering John Lyndon way. Nice touch to get your wife to sing the chorus as well.

There is a definite sense of steady improvement in your songs in the last 3-4 months, keep at it because I'm really curious to see where this journey takes you. Initially it was your drumming that stood out, but now it's that bass riff and the song structure that are the highlights.

Thank you very much & I'm glad you liked that bass line. Haha, yep, no finger blisters, only a few on the brain! It's the first thing that I've played so far that I thought, yeah, I'm pretty happy with that. I put iFretless bass through two of my Christmas presents vouchers, Amplitudes Ampeg Bass amp & then slammed my foot down on that Big Pig stomp box.

I'm still pinching myself that for someone who couldn't play a note 7/8 months ago, these apps (& the help you all give) allow me to get some sort of music down. A tight 3 piece band.............ooh, I'll take that thanks.

Careful Bluey, you will land yourself in an Apple Ad talking like that

Haha.....I wish! How's the vocal experiments coming on? Any joy? (I won't forget )

Bluepunk

@LostBoy85 said:
@Bluepunk hey dude,firstly I'm gonna give you a bollocking for putting yourself down when you posted the track!! Bad Kevin!! You have come along leaps and bounds in a short few months and are a massive part of this ere clubaah! I've not heard a bad track from you yet and this one is really good.The vocal level is spot on to my ears (which uv struggled with in the past,so good job!) Question? Is that your wife on the chorus or are you putting on a voice? I honestly thought it was the latter. Well done for pushing yourself with the music (especially the solo) and I've always felt that it's more rewarding as a songwriter to write about "real" stuff happening around you which your obviously tackling here.Does your wife like it? She should.Well done mate!

Haha...... Clubaah! I've got to stop this back slang vocal style I've fallen into. It's like I'm back in the school playground again! Thank you for all your positive comments. From a craftsman like yourself, that's a real Brucie Bonus. Yep, that's her on the chorus. I had a 10 minute window while visiting to get her words recorded. I would have liked a higher version as well but considering I wasn't supposed to take the iPad into the place, it had to do. Does she like it? Well, when I played her the finished article last night, she was more concerned about why I chose "that" pic! Could've picked a better one, she said. Oh & I thought I was doing her a favour!

Matt_Fletcher_2000

Hello... I have much catching up to do!

Here's something for this month... It actually started with the midi from the sketch ('Adventure') that I put up at the start of the month. But it's turned out very different.

Everything done in Gadget (mostly Kiev and some Kingston) with the spoken word stuff done using the voice synth in Korg iDS-10. Then various things done in Auria (including some wow and some masterrecord)...

Feedback much appreciated. I'll get through mine before the end of the month as always.

Jocphone

@Bluepunk said:
Haha.....I wish! How's the vocal experiments coming on? Any joy? (I won't forget )

Hmph! shoulda kept my mouth shut..

Ha ha no, I have made some progress. Not ready to share yet.Want to get it at least a little musical sounding

theconnactic

@richardyot, thank you very much for the review. Curiously, that synth breakdown was the one of the few improvised parts of this new song - other being the solo at 1'. Glad you liked it!

Bluepunk

@ecamburn The first 30 secs reminded me of a deviant Ice Cream Van chime. Excellent. A 99 cone with Flake & strawberry sauce anyone? A solid, immovable bass drum beat with the "dededah" riff above it, supplies the foundations for you to do your lovely lead stuff. They all sound very well played & mixed. I like the change in the bass rhythm at 2.10 & again at 3.25. That was excitingly different & gave an interesting change of attack.

Maybe with the hat hits you could add some open hats every now & then, to give them a different texture & feel. A very danceable tune that you've created & the ending is really good. A great start sir.

ecamburn

@Bluepunk

Here's hoping that 2016 is a much better year for the missus than 2015 was.

I dig the guitar work in this piece. Straightforward, to the point. Got the job done. I really like the main riff too. The song had a great energy to it, and the guitar parts had this nice controlled aggression. The was voice more laid back and understated than to the guitar. This was noticeable but not distracting. Nice one

Thanks for listening and commenting on my tune @richardyot, @JohnnyGoodyear , @rickwaugh , @theconnactic & @Bluepunk

Bluepunk

@ecamburn Thank you very much. Appreciate your message & review. Yep, you got it right on there......No frills! I don't think the song needed it & also........I can't do the frills yet!
I forgot to ask when commenting, what did you use to get that ice cream chime sound please? I've got a riff in my head & those chimes, or similar, could fit around it. Cheers again.

ecamburn

@Bluepunk said:
@ecamburn I forgot to ask when commenting, what did you use to get that ice cream >chime sound please? I've got a riff in my head & those chimes, or similar, could fit around >it. Cheers again.

I'm pretty sure it was the "hang" patch in thumbjam. I can't remember how I originally sequenced it to be honest. That intro part was constructed through a lot of microediting of audio which was then resequenced by playing back edited audio loops live. The way that part ended up sounding may be partly a result of all that slicing and dicing.

HTH

theconnactic

@Matt_Fletcher_2000, loved the subtle dynamics and the bass riff. Nice track, real good listening.

theconnactic

@Bluepunk, really good rock song! Liked it a lot! Enjoyed that dirty guitar sound. Way to go!

Bluepunk

@ecamburn said:

@Bluepunk said:
@ecamburn I forgot to ask when commenting, what did you use to get that ice cream >chime sound please? I've got a riff in my head & those chimes, or similar, could fit around >it. Cheers again.

I'm pretty sure it was the "hang" patch in thumbjam. I can't remember how I originally sequenced it to be honest. That intro part was constructed through a lot of microediting of audio which was then resequenced by playing back edited audio loops live. The way that part ended up sounding may be partly a result of all that slicing and dicing.

HTH

Thanks for explaining. You did a great job getting that noise & tone. Cheers again.

Bluepunk

@theconnactic said:
@Bluepunk, really good rock song! Liked it a lot! Enjoyed that dirty guitar sound. Way to go!

Ah thanks. Mind, I've just listened to your second track, Treta. Now that's what I call fabulous guitaring. I love that riff right at the end. As Richard said, there's some parts within your song that are strong enough have a whole tune based around them. You've obviously got those creative juices flowing through your veins at the moment. Look forward to your next offering.

theconnactic

@Bluepunk, you're indeed a good listener! Glad to know you that you liked the subtleties of the mix, such as the soloed guitar riff at the end, which was one of my favourite details of this song btw. Thank you very much indeed!

LostBoy85

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 hey dude,I much preferred this track to the previous.I love the melody at 1.20ish and the sample.It really reminds me of linkin parks album "a thousand suns" which I played to death.Great stuff!

LostBoy85

@ecamburn very nice track man! I loved the first minute most.That transition into the beat was really nice.I love the hang instrument it just sounds great.Very pro sounding track.Nice job!

ecamburn

@LostBoy85 I enjoyed the tune. Nice and mellow and nice groove. I thought your vocals were great. Great dynamics, nice bends, great "blue notes". I thought everything sounded great intonation wise. Intonation maybe gets a hair shaky around the 3:00 minute mark but nothing major. Love you you can add a little grit to your voice for emphasis.

richardyot

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 I didn't know that the vocoder in iDS10 could do this kind of dark and menacing voice, I'll have to check it out.

Anyway the intro of this track works well for me, I like the choir/vocal sounds that come in at the start, and then the spoken word sets a very dark mood. Once it gets going it's all very gritty, the melodic motif has quite an edge to it and the whole listening experience is quite uncomfortable but that's obviously the vibe that you were going for.

In terms of mix and production it's all good. The dynamics also work well with the track ebbing and flowing - it might have been nice to have a breakdown with something a little prettier to please the middle-of-the-road types like me

Matt_Fletcher_2000

@richardyot said:
@Matt_Fletcher_2000 I didn't know that the vocoder in iDS10 could do this kind of dark and menacing voice, I'll have to check it out.

Anyway the intro of this track works well for me, I like the choir/vocal sounds that come in at the start, and then the spoken word sets a very dark mood. Once it gets going it's all very gritty, the melodic motif has quite an edge to it and the whole listening experience is quite uncomfortable but that's obviously the vibe that you were going for.

In terms of mix and production it's all good. The dynamics also work well with the track ebbing and flowing - it might have been nice to have a breakdown with something a little prettier to please the middle-of-the-road types like me

Thanks Richard...and @LostBoy85, @theconnactic . It's a weird track to be honest. I'm not sure I really like it... I wrote it while feeling in a pretty dark, miserable mood - thus the words, the sound of the voice and the overall vibe. I think I need to not hear it for about a month and then it might sound ok .

Feeling a bit disillusioned with the whole thing right now. I think the next track I make needs to be faster and more funky. I made a string of those downtempo brooding ones and i'm getting a little jaded with them. Need to make something different now I think! Back to some drum and bass probably.

By the way - have been listening to this months tracks - i'm about half way through listening to them and will come back with feedback...

theconnactic

@High5denied, lovely song! Very good indeed (listening again), your Peaceful Chaos!

Bluepunk

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 What I like about this track is you've managed to translate your mood into your music. Maybe when you do listen to it again in a few weeks it will feel different but it's great therapy to get "all the crap" out through your music at that time. It comes through in that dark voice thing & the tone, vibe that it creates. I like your other track "Adventure" as well, like I've said, & maybe you could be revisit it later on.
I've enjoyed listening to your last few months journey into the slower, more moody type of stuff & now looking forward to you letting rip again into some faster, dancier music.

rkmonkey

@crouchie said:
Sorry, having a bit of a mare but didn't want to miss out so I'm putting on something I did last year that makes me smile. V basic, all using stock sounds from Gadget, not really mixed and the a spoken vocal. Uses a sample from Truth Is Out Of Style by MC 900ft Jesus from back in the 90s. Promise will do some comments in the very near future.

Great clever tune. Totally engaged. Vocals seem low in the beginning. Love it.