Love Song? You Bet!

So I'm known for my angry, confrontational, "you-don't-love-me," "you-are-a-jerk" original songs. People who know me personally are often shocked I write so many of these songs because I am very happy, well-adjusted, and cheerful.

I have performed and recorded covers of many love songs, but I've never written one. Frankly, I have tried REALLY hard to write a love song, but never could get words to work out the way I liked. That changed a few months ago...NOT because I am dating someone I love!

I've never had to deliver a song on a topic before, but a last semester class required I do just that. Plus, I was assigned a co-writer, Justin Jensen. Musically, our styles complimented each other and we were able to knock out a beautiful love song, "The Moment," which just landed on iTunes today. It's a duet and features Justin on voice and piano.

My next point. I learned I could write on demand with the right co-writer.  This is liberating because I have overcome the "I-can-only-write-songs-about-what-I'm-feeling-right-now" writer's block.

So who knows? Now that I've made this break-through, it may even spill over into my cover art, which has never shown me smiling on the four albums and two singles I have released thus far. Maybe you'll see a demure grin on the next cover!  Maybe!

Recording and Mixing the Next Single

Today Erik and I finished mixing the newest single. I'm still holding back on the name...it's a good one! 

I already revealed I co-wrote it with Justin Jensen, my new songwriting partner, and that Justin plays piano and sings with me on the track in this original duet.

The recording was a story in itself and it's a miracle it even came about!

Several months ago on the Monday before Justin had an early morning wake-up call for a trip to Africa, he made time to record! We originally were supposed to record the Saturday before, but a family member was in the emergency room. It is completely acceptable (and advisable) to cancel recording sessions when this happens! But fortunately, he made it to record on the following Monday! 

At times it seemed as if it just wasn't going to come off then as if knowing we only had a few more minutes, it came together.  

After Justin and his wife got back from Africa, we touched base to figure out how to collaborate from a distance.  Stay tuned for more songs written with Justin...there is one on the upcoming Christmas album, sweet stuff!

The mixing came together very quickly, which was a nice surprise! Unfortunately, a tube in our Pro VLA II compressor went bad, so we had to use just our UREI LA-12 compressor instead of both. So we had to adjust, but it all worked out in the end!

More tomorrow!

Radio Jingle and Virtual Instruments

Today Erik and I orchestrated and produced a radio jingle!

The tune was basically written as were the lyrics, though we did change both slightly.  We were given carte blanche!

First, we recorded a simple piano part, then a syncopated bass line. We did this on a small MIDI controller. Then we pulled out EZ Drummer and that's when the jingle really started shaping up!

We got EZ Drummer as part of a deal through Sweetwater last November and haven't ever used it--we've always had the "real deal" drum tracks for songs. But we didn't have the luxury or the time to have a drummer get all miced and play the track for us. (Erik is actually a drummer, but we were in a time crunch.)

I am so pleased with how "easy" EZ Drummer is to use! I plan to find more opportunities to use it in the future on other projects.

Now, don't get too worked up. I still prefer having a drummer lay down "human" tracks. There is no substitute for developed talent in human skill, ideas, and feeling. But for this situation, EZ Drummer was a life saver!

After the drum tracks were finished, we automated the sustains on the piano track. Then we changed the piano patch to a guitar patch.

Next we recorded my vocals. We did a few different kinds of jingles (the entire jingle, just the phone number, etc.) to give the company options for the commercial.

Then we added reverb, compression, then mastering compression (hello, sound wars!) and bounced the tracks.

Not a bad day's work in three hours, eh?

Stay tuned for more sound and recording adventures!

"My World" is finally on iTunes AND the Next Single...

What a great surprise to hear my new single, "My World," playing again on Y105 in Iowa this morning! And the long version is finally up on iTunes...just took a bit longer than expected!

Between co-hosting the morning show on Y105, arranging for recording sessions in August, pitching to do a charity gig, operating the board for radio remotes, Erik and I mixed a new single today.  

Now this song has a story!  I don't want to give away too many details, but it is the first non-angry/hurt song I've ever written.  I co-wrote it with my new songwriting partner, Justin Jensen, who plays piano and sings on the recording (okay, so I CAN tell you it is a duet).  

More details tomorrow!