what is going on in your musical life

so, uh, where can we hear this EP?

oh man i know the feeling of getting over the hangups and also the singing in the car
i got caught jamming out to "ramble tamble" once and i feel it was a turning point in my ability to ngaf what people think of my singing

https://arcpair.bandcamp.com (it's the EP)

also there is no singing on the EP

Just be careful that you don't get so comfortable with it that you hesitate to ever release anything. I've, uh, heard about that problem.

Ha, no danger of that, putting something out into the world is an integral part of what I enjoy about the whole process. In the past I could have had better quality control and been a harsher critic of myself though. I was always doing the best I could at the time, though, so it would have been a choice between releasing that or putting nothing out, in favor a theoretical time in the future when I would be able to make a better record.

Hard to say which would have been 'better', but I've always chosen to put the work out there and hope some people appreciate the progression.

critiquing yourself into silence seems like a bad way to be an artist
let it rip imo

We had a rental car for 2 months because we had a lot of trips to eastern PA we had to make (I just returned it day before yesterday ;_;) and man one of the takeaways is that if I want to start writing music with lyrics/singing again, all I need to do is drive a lot. I got so many lyric/vocal melody ideas driving that thing.

critiquing yourself into silence seems like a bad way to be an artist

Definitely, and I wasn't being completely literal; obv I do put things out.

LL, your EP is fun! Very reminiscent of some Fugazi-esque tones. Good stuff.

I've done two new song sketches in the past week that I'm actually very proud of.

One is fake Cure: https://austinato.bandcamp.com/track/untitled-74
And the other is something else I'm not quite sure yet; it's already seen one big revision: https://austinato.bandcamp.com/track/untitled-75

Thank you! I like sounding fun. I also don't get much (any) feedback, and it was generous of you to listen.

fun fact: I recently used a Rat pedal that used to belong to Fugazi.

That is also, indeed, quite fun.

My old band from the '80s and '90s (though in a new lineup) did a digital single of a couple of our new songs:

https://thenephewsandaniece.bandcamp.com/album/the-only-black-mouseketeer

Church choir gig starts up again tomorrow. I have no idea what we are singing beyond Handel's "Swell the full chorus"

i recorded something for the liam gallagher precover comp, the first song ive done in months. i just need to record an album already.

this was the last song i did: https://soundcloud.com/matthewmathieu/inheritance

tbh i was feeling myself vocally, but writing lyrics that are not traditional love songs is such a challenge

My old band from the '80s and '90s (though in a new lineup) did a digital single of a couple of our new songs:

Ha, I recently properly digitized the 1996 cassette of my old emo band. Might end up online at some point.

Thank you! I like sounding fun. I also don't get much (any) feedback, and it was generous of you to listen.

I like Arc Pair btw! Still play Grammar sometimes. Will catch up with rest of thread.

this was the last song i did: https://soundcloud.com/matthewmathieu/inheritance

tbh i was feeling myself vocally, but writing lyrics that are not traditional love songs is such a challenge

― Rob Lowe fresco bar (m bison), Sunday, September 10, 2017 3:40 AM (yesterday) Bookmark

This is a good one! I like the melody/lyrics/singing. Superfint.

thanks Sund4r! i really do appreciate every scrap of feedback and it makes me happy that you enjoy something i helped to make!

I did a cover of a friend's tune and he's very happy about it:
https://soundcloud.com/alligator-musik/everything-goes-on-vandrear-tribute

so am I :)

getting to know my way around Reaper, thrilled to find I can make music even though I have no grasp of musical theory and can hardly play an instrument

Don't Fear the Reaper?

More or less!

when i first moved to chicago 14 years ago i had a few jam sessions with some people who i found on craigslist. the jams were fun and they seemed like alright people who were enthusiastic about my guitar playing, but i pretty quickly decided it wasn't wanted to be doing musically at the time and ended up starting my own band instead. i mostly lost touch with those people, sometimes seeing them around at shows. once facebook kicked in we reconnected on there a little bit. two of the people started a new band that recorded a couple of albums and played around some. a couple of months ago they got in touch and asked if i wanted to try playing with them again. so i've been doing that and i'm playing my first show with them next week. it's pretty different stuff for me: they are synth/keys and drums and they wrote the songs before i started and they tend to be pretty dense sonically (a lot of heavy distorted moog bass) with not much space to fit guitar parts into, and the songs are ending up sounding heavier than the music i usually play, but i think it's coming together.

Good luck NA.

My rockabilly-ish project fizzled over the summer - people too busy, material not gelling, personnel shuffles. I gave bass a chance, and got reasonably proficient at it, but it isn't really for me.

As noted upthread I played drums and mandolin on a space-rock project (Age of Airships); I think the tracks came out well. But it was always meant to be a one-week pop-up project.

Lately, I am daunted by the logistical hassles of getting a full rock band going - when everybody I know has kids and houses and jobs. So I am currently trying to put together a lean, mean acoustic trio that can perform sooner and more nimbly (open mics, coffeehouses, street corners). But even three people is proving hard to manage. Sigh.

two people is hard to manage! i have practice tonight for a show in 2 weeks and i am starting to freak that we are not ready

NA i would like to go to your show -- that sounds good!

i've been waiting for a facebook event to share with people but the venue hasn't made one yet. they have it up on their calendar now though. it's going to be a weird one - we are synth/drums/guitar, one band is drums/bass/trombone, and another is mbira and cello.

that sounds awesome!! what day of the week is it?!!? don't say FRIDAY

it is ... friday (the 29th)

maybe i can head over after class

i have been told we're playing last, at like 11

perfect!! class is over at 10, i have time to get there and hang for a while

NA, that sounds cool! i won't be able make it on the 29th because i have out of state friends coming into the city to go to the revolution oktoberfest thing, but i'll be curious to hear about how it goes and hopefully catch the next one.

just released a collaborative album made up of edited guitar & synthesizer improvisations, recorded 2014 - 2017. hope y'all dig it! https://www.splicetoday.com/music/premiere-movies-john-hoegberg-amp-nicky-smith

Huh... Flappy, you magnificent bastard. I dig! I really like it!

(on second thought that seems to come off as 'huh didn't know you could do something I like' but I did not mean it that way, believe :) I really enjoy it)

aw thanks a lot! i really appreciate it :)

Not to distract from your great release, which is still playing here, but this did get me thinking:

I've made an ep once. I know I uploaded it to last.fm (different times) but it seems gone now. I totally *do not* feel like a musician. I *am* not a musician.

But should I still just sneak it out to bandcamp or whatever? Or is that a bad idea? Somehow it tickles me, and I've been trying to make some new stuff as well lately. To bandcamp or not to bandcamp? Even for a sorry ass with a dumb ep like me?

drummers be flakin'

xp Yeah put it up on Bandcamp! I'd love to hear it. They're such a great company, easily the most accommodating & supportive of artists and fans of any streaming/music service.

But you all make it sound so "pro"-like. I mean it sounds great, accommodating and supportive, but... For me it will just be uploading 30 mbs of synth shizzle and not mentioning it ever again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When I hook up my main pc again (in between houses rn) I'll jump in.

For me it will just be uploading 30 mbs of synth shizzle and not mentioning it ever again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

let's be real, this is most of what's on bandcamp, it's cool

Unfair, my bandcamp album is 49 minutes of synth burble

Guh typo it is about 40 not 49

That is reassuring. (i mean that)

xp lol

But you all make it sound so "pro"-like.
no you don't

i mean i don't

yeah we recorded Movies on a Tascam 4-track & did some minor mixing in Garageband, no outboard gear/ nothing fancy

Gotcha LL. Will set aside teh shame and just put it out there, because why not.

So the dad cover band project is inching forward. I could use some suggestions on songs to add. The criteria are basically:
- crowd pleaser but not *too* obvious
- works in an acoustic setting/doesn't need drum kit
- melodic and not too sad
- vocal harmony a plus

Here's our list so far:

America - Ventura Highway
Toto - Africa
Traveling Willburys - Handle With Care, End of the Line
Cat Stevens - On the Road to Find Out
Eagles - In the City
Seals & Croft - Summer Breeze
Jim Croce - I Got a Name
Some little river band stuff but I hate this shit and may veto it.