Song Of The Month Club - July 2024

DavidEnglish

@BillS said:
This month, I listened through to your piece once, but then played it through again, adding a bit of Mark Knopfler type sparse lead guitar over the top (along the lines of the intro to ‘Local Hero’) It was a very enjoyable experience - your track leaves lots of room for such improvisation, and whilst it clearly isn’t the intention of the track, adding guitar lines work really well in my opinion (if used with restraint).

That is interesting. I never thought to try that myself, though I do try to leave as much room in the music as possible.

DavidEnglish

@yellow_eyez said:
I wanted to ask when you say two keyboards improvised, you mean you record both simultaneously ?? Calm and soothing. What mode do you prefer when improvising?

The two keyboards are recorded simultaneously. I tend to use one keyboard for the left hand and the other keyboard for the right hand. Both are set to MIDI channel 1, so it's like having one big keyboard. I think it's mostly to keep my hands from bumping into each other. Sometimes I'll finish up a song on just one of the keyboards.

The keyboards are stacked vertically, much like a Hammond organ or church organ. They're an old Yamaha EX5 and Korg Triton Pro that I'm using now strictly as MIDI keyboards.

DavidEnglish

@richardyot
Really like the stereo-echo effect here, in part because it echoes the “where were you” lyrics. The vocals and background instruments are especially strong with this one.

@BillS
You have an unusual talent for telling a compelling story with your songs. They’re almost mini-movies where you provide the script and accompanying music, and we fill in the images with our imagination. This newer version works especially well, because the openness of the piano, strings, and voice allows us to concentrate on the words and tone of the story.

@jo92346
Now that is different and fun. It’s surprisingly polished, especially the fiddle in the background. Being an old timer who attended multiple performances by Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and Doc Watson, I think you’ve captured the feel of traditional bluegrass. The tune itself is catchy, too.

@unlink
Interesting right from the start with its clangey, atmospheric opening. The piano adds in an element of uncertainty. The synth adds some body to the now simmering stew. And it builds from there with a series of musical flourishes. Nicely done.

yellow_eyez

I don’t want to go without submission for this month so I’ll go into my back catalog

This is my metal work :

this piece is called “imaginary friends”

richardyot

@yellow_eyez said:
I don’t want to go without submission for this month so I’ll go into my back catalog

This is my metal work :

this piece is called “imaginary friends”

This one is like a cross between metal and punk to my ears, I think it's because the vocal delivery (which I'm a fan of) is done in the kind of style that you would expect in an alternative band rather than a metal one. Good stuff, and great guitar playing too.

yellow_eyez

@richardyot said:

@yellow_eyez said:
I don’t want to go without submission for this month so I’ll go into my back catalog

This is my metal work :

this piece is called “imaginary friends”

This one is like a cross between metal and punk to my ears, I think it's because the vocal delivery (which I'm a fan of) is done in the kind of style that you would expect in an alternative band rather than a metal one. Good stuff, and great guitar playing too.

Thanks a lot Richard

You’re spot on, the singer is more of hardcore/screamo-rapper from an alternative/hardcore background rather than a metal “singer” from a metal background, but he did a great job I think too considering he had to do full on metal…. thanks very much for the compliment and listening again man

squeals

Hey guys.

Been kinda missing in action the last few weeks. Family member took very ill but is on the mend. my spare time was a little more limited but things levelling out now.

Thought I’d make the song of the month with my nearly done tune. Truthfully, my heads melted with this. I have zero objectivity on this because I’ve not been able to approach music making in anything resembling consistency.

Anyway…Carabou released all the stems for his last single, I think 42 maybe. I think I used 6. If that. Vocals, clap, risers, pizz strings.

I slowed it a bit, I thought I’d make a sad banger, but the melody is soo bloody cheery that I had to lean into the upbeatness of it and get right out my comfort zone. Broke my heart? Don’t seam so happy about it!!!

https://on.soundcloud.com/DCU9zVWpbd2b45Jm8

Don’t know what happened at the end. Imagine it ends when it should 🤣

GeoTony

Great work by all of you… @richardyot , @BillS , @DavidEnglish , @jo92346 , @unlink and @yellow_eyez (couldn’t find @squeals) in July 🙏
Really enjoyed Bill’s track, especially the first version although I preferred the vocals on the second 🤨
@jo92346 , your track just made me smile all the way through!
@yellow_eyez , not really my cup of tea but for some reason I really enjoyed it 👍
Think that’s if for July now… bugger it’s nearly September 😊

BillS

@GeoTony said:
Great work by all of you… @richardyot , @BillS , @DavidEnglish , @jo92346 , @unlink and @yellow_eyez (couldn’t find @squeals) in July 🙏
Really enjoyed Bill’s track, especially the first version although I preferred the vocals on the second 🤨
@jo92346 , your track just made me smile all the way through!
@yellow_eyez , not really my cup of tea but for some reason I really enjoyed it 👍
Think that’s if for July now… bugger it’s nearly September 😊

Cheers Tony - that original version is one of my greatest hits 😂😂 much appreciate the listen