One thing I’ve found is that the more music I create in different aspects of the business, the more I have to learn to keep the rights to what I’ve done. Music is so prevalent in society and it’s so hard to get heard above the noise that many a musician will do things to be heard. But when you’re doing music for a specific purpose where it’s going to be licensed and used it’s a given that it should be paid for. However, one still needs to protect themselves in the process.
Yes, there are people making a living doing music.
The insanity is the amount of work that goes into the creation of the music. Then there’s the skill for the production, the mixing, the mastering ect… It involves a team of people to get it right. Today was such a day for me. Filled with creating music and production. Fortunately I’ve developed a skill for several aspects of it, and people who work with me or that I’ve worked with hold my abilities in high regard. It’s a great feeling.
First off it was a mix for one of my new songs. I’m having to steal my own time to get this song mixed and I’m taking my time to get it right, much like I did for Hero Unexpected. It makes a difference. The more people I meet who do award winning work, the more I find out that they take their time to get it right, to think it thru. I also find that they allow things to go with the flow.
Then it was a songwriting session with Heather Bradley. The joy of writing with her is that we have a great flow. Once we get and idea roughed out she’s willing to rework the idea without being defensive as I am with her as well. The song came together quite quick. The story is a love story from afar, and the even better is that it has two hooks in it. The guitar part spilled right out. Though we did have to work thru the chords of the chords a bunch of times to make sure they had the right vibe for the words. Keeping it simple, but making some shifts to allow for the interest to pique. Even better is that it has an avenue to go somewhere on TV upon completion.
Following the songwriting came a production session with Nina Grenningloh. A voice over artist that is a friend of mine. We’re doing some mutually beneficial work for each other. And I agreed to help her with the editing of her reel. It turned out great. Which is awesome.
Of course the end of the day saw me hired to create a new version of a song that will be shopped to someone you’ve likely heard of (no, not me, I wouldn’t shop a song to myself, ha ha ha). Additionally, I’ve been asked to do another co-write with Heather for another artist going into the studio. It was a day of work and offers. Not a bad thing.
Lets get on to the song…
Shred is apparently not dead. At least don’t tell Steve. With influences that range from great songwriters to the masters of shred its pretty obvious that he’s combining the two. I like the funky nature of what he’s got going on. This particular song is highly upbeat and is kinda how I felt going thru the day without much of a break.
I will say that Steve has another song the I like that much more rootsy and quirky. Unfortunately it’s not yet available on the usual sites to make your purchase.
Skidding guitars, pounding drums, a funky vocal, and a bass that tags along. It’s a combo that you don’t hear much in this current musical environment. Why? I’m not sure. It’s fun party music and that’s a good thing.