I don’t have a lot of experience recording or top of the line equipment, but I love music and try to do the best with what I’ve got. This was a song I came up with just jammin’ in the garage with a cassette 4-track about 4 years ago. I really liked the vibe of the idea and decided to try to make it an actual song. One of my biggest problems is I get so frustrated during the recording process that I just settle for the best of the worst. So… here it is… In the valley.
The lyrics say it all. Written and recorded a long time ago, but still just as true today.
This tune went through many variations while I was messing with different vocal ideas and lyrics but I kinda like how it turned out. The bridge vocal style was bold new ground for me – so please be kind with the comments! Had to give it a try! . Now stop reading and go rock out!
This will probably be the only song like this on this site. This is not a rock song, or pop.
The singer is my baby sister. Violins, Cello, and arrangement are my younger brother, and I am piano and engineering.
My dad asked if we could record this song, it’s one of his favorites.
I wish I could get her to do some more songs but she just got married, is finishing her degree, and had a baby 3 months ago…
Oh well…
Lace up your head kickers and pour yourself a stiff drink. We’re headin out to Drive the Nail. Agitated and aggressive hardcore with a break down that’s just fuel to the pits fire.. Bet this gets crazy live!
Okay so here is the final version.
This was a tough song to mix, as simple as it was.
Here’s why:
The Guitars, Drums and Bass where recorded as a lesson to some young musicians who were telling me that they could not make a good demo cd because they had crap gear. So I went over to their place with a mobile recording rig and used their gear to record a song.
The guitar and basses were Rogue by Squire (cheap <$100 guitars from Musicians Friend).
The drums where a cheap Tama set.
The Amp was my 25 year old Peavy 30 watt transistor amp and the mic was a radio shack $20 dynamic.
The mic pre and bass DI was a Art Tube MP ($30 mic pre)
Plugin used were freeware or stock plugs.
The results where decent enough for what is was. Until I showed it to Allen, it was just going to be a “when I get to it song” as far as vocals.
Once I recorded Allen, I had a problem. Do I re-track the parts or work with what I have? I chose to work with what I have. It made mixing very hard. None of the tracks would take EQ very well. Compression brought out strange things and getting the vocals to sit right was a chore since they were recorded with a bit higher end chain.
I probably could have re-tracked everything with better gear and spent half the time mixing.
Overall I am pretty happy with the results.
Crunchy preview of mine and Allen’s next tune.
I may retrack the guitars on this. I think this should satisfy those that wanted something with a little more grit in the music.
Recorded back in April 2003. Goes to show how long we have been doing this thing called music! Its always been a good closing song for us for a long while.
Written and recorded many years ago, but may still appeal to someone somewhere.
I wanted to write a slap happy – good feeling Americana style song and this is what came out. I call it my travel song.
Scratch track again…
Finally got back to this one today and managed to get it to a level that can float out of RAWCUTS. Not really sure what the subject matter is, cant put my finger on why it took certain directions and somehow ended up being kinda dark either. A very rare appearance of a bass track in this one. It really does help hey! Also discovered real bass’s are bastards to play – back to guitar for me!
Hey everyone! You are all somewhat familiar with me already. I am the singer that has worked with DC Wave. DC and I teamed up after he heard me play my song MY TV at a local acoustic night. I’m a songwriter not a sound engineer so it’s worked out quite well. I have enjoyed listening and also reading all the comments 🙂
This is my limited offering working with the equipment I have currently. I guess I’m looking more for feedback on the song itself. I know DC could produce this one with his magical abilities.
Anyway I have a few other songs I will be posting all without drums..sorry 🙁
It’s a pleasure to be here!!
Acoustic / Classical
Here in the USA we have a small problem with illegal immigration from Mexico to the USA. It has created many a problem for both citizens of the USA and for those immigrants that end up having their families broken up once they get caught and deported.
This piece was designed to give a musical voice to the that sorrow that can ensue for both the families of the aliens, the citizens, and there is a bit of voice given to the human traffickers that profit from it.
Acoustic guitars, classical strings, horns, and haunting operatic voices are laced through out.
I think I might redo this song with some crunchy guitars chugging along.
A rare song with me singing and my kids doing background vocals
Here come the 80s!, I was playing around one day a few months ago and came up with this little number after listening to some old 80s records I had lying around.
Well I sent it off to the music library I use for TV placements and I just learned that it is being picked up for a show on ABC Family (no idea when it will air). They think they are going to use it in a flashback scene, which means at least 20-30 seconds or more. Which means some decent money. I am waiting to hear if they are going to want vocals.
Hey, were back again with our second track..Nate and Me have been tinkering around with this one for a while and we are excited to see what the TFML audience thinks of this one….Not sure what genre this one would slot into but eager to hear what you guys think of this style and as always we know we can rely on the honest feedback of you guys. It’s a fun track and hope you guys have as much fun listening as we had writing and recording it!
The first full collaboration tune from Dave Jones and Brad Green. A hard rocking number that was some how completed in one evening, from opposite sides of the globe. Sounds it’s best – LOUD!
A Ballad?… An Ode?… End of night thoughts?… or maybe, just the Honest Truth…. Hear what you what you will.. But tFML says “it’s just bloody good, and we want more”. Whats your vote?
“An eery little number about a compartmentalising receeded individual who holds on firmly to his safe place”