Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Guitar
Today I added some guitar on three songs. One is a shoegazer-type sound, one is a little like Cocteau Twins or Andy Summers (distortion and chorus), and one is more like the way the guitar sounds on Prince's early records, very clean and funky. I like the results, its nice to have an analog instrument in there, and I love the sound of guitar best of all instruments. I also made some drums sound in a way reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine's first record.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Man Versus Statue
I was never one for art criticism but lately I have realized its a form of art in itself, so I am more interested in it. I mean, there is no "truth" to criticism, its just feeling, but without it there would be no "art", just productivity.
Anyway, lately I have been really into dark films like those of Ingmar Bergman or The Exorcist, and kind of wanting the album I am making to have that kind of feeling, but with all these funky beats they don't sound like that so I just tried taking the beats right out, with interesting results. I mean, I like to think records can have that kind of impact on somebody, but maybe pop music just isn't capable of that? Orchestral music is that kind of power but obviously I don't have one at my disposal unless I used midi sounds. Maybe I'm just being unconfident in my abilities. I mostly just want to be true to myself. I always admired Closer by Joy Division, it really seems like the heart of darkness so to speak, but its not something I would listen to for pleasure. I guess I listen to it to feel my own feelings more directly, as in resonance, but I have to be carefull because music like that can be infecting and really darken my entire outlook on life.
Anyway, lately I have been really into dark films like those of Ingmar Bergman or The Exorcist, and kind of wanting the album I am making to have that kind of feeling, but with all these funky beats they don't sound like that so I just tried taking the beats right out, with interesting results. I mean, I like to think records can have that kind of impact on somebody, but maybe pop music just isn't capable of that? Orchestral music is that kind of power but obviously I don't have one at my disposal unless I used midi sounds. Maybe I'm just being unconfident in my abilities. I mostly just want to be true to myself. I always admired Closer by Joy Division, it really seems like the heart of darkness so to speak, but its not something I would listen to for pleasure. I guess I listen to it to feel my own feelings more directly, as in resonance, but I have to be carefull because music like that can be infecting and really darken my entire outlook on life.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My New album tenatively called "Hop"
Hello, I am Latham Green and this is my blog about my recordings. Right now I am working on a new record tenatively called Hop.
I have decided to make this a funky album, and I have been listening to a lot of Prince and James Brown to prepare for this, but like Prince I would prefer to make the album be not just funk but a hybrid of rock and funk and whatever else I feel like mixing in. I find it is always best to mix musical genres together rather than try to be a purist.
I have been using midi programming and midi software instruments so far but I have been unpleased with the results because it sounds thin and small, but I can write better music with midi, with less playing errors than I would make if I tried to play and I don't really have time to memorize complicated parts (I can't sight-read music) so the midi is good on that aspect. I have been experimenting with different mastering schemes to try to make the instruments sound fuller, bassier and more analog. I wish I could just afford to pay session musicians, that would be excellent.
I have noticed that Prince often makes pretty sparse pop spongs: just a drum machine, some synth sounds, and the bass is often in the background. For example, "When Doves Cry" has no bass at all and is almost just drums and acapella, but its so funky and psychadelic and passionate. When Prince sings about sex its sexy, if I tried to sing about sex it would just be dirty.
I may try adding some real instruments to the tracks to lend some timbre, like "At the End of the Day", although I often think I could re-recourd the guitar on that one.
I have decided to make this a funky album, and I have been listening to a lot of Prince and James Brown to prepare for this, but like Prince I would prefer to make the album be not just funk but a hybrid of rock and funk and whatever else I feel like mixing in. I find it is always best to mix musical genres together rather than try to be a purist.
I have been using midi programming and midi software instruments so far but I have been unpleased with the results because it sounds thin and small, but I can write better music with midi, with less playing errors than I would make if I tried to play and I don't really have time to memorize complicated parts (I can't sight-read music) so the midi is good on that aspect. I have been experimenting with different mastering schemes to try to make the instruments sound fuller, bassier and more analog. I wish I could just afford to pay session musicians, that would be excellent.
I have noticed that Prince often makes pretty sparse pop spongs: just a drum machine, some synth sounds, and the bass is often in the background. For example, "When Doves Cry" has no bass at all and is almost just drums and acapella, but its so funky and psychadelic and passionate. When Prince sings about sex its sexy, if I tried to sing about sex it would just be dirty.
I may try adding some real instruments to the tracks to lend some timbre, like "At the End of the Day", although I often think I could re-recourd the guitar on that one.
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