Time for Demos

Really excited to start recording some demos.  In the past, it has always been “fit as much as you can into this tiny time frame because we only have enough money for four hours of studio time.”  Now, with home recording, time isn’t as much of an issue, which is great.  I currently have 12 songs I am interested in recording (I believe 3 of those are current works-in-process).

I’ve had this idea for a song in my head (it is actually a re-recording of a song I had recorded with Pudding & Fruit back in 1994).  I always thought it could use a better, more energetic recording – some additional sounds, distortion, etc.  So, I plan to re-record the song.  Lately, I’ve been playing the song clean on my acoustic guitar and am really liking it.  It hit me.  With home recording, I can go ahead and record different versions of the songs because I’m not as pressed for time.  I can record an electric version, as well as an acoustic version of the songs.  If I’m debating between taking a song in a couple different directions, I can go ahead and take the time to do both – I don’t have to decide before the recording.  I don’t know why that lightbulb didn’t go off before.

With Pudding & Fruit, my regret is the speed with which we recorded.  In hindsight, I wish we would’ve maybe done some home recording demos or something and really worked on the songs.  Maybe do a song or two at a time but make them really good instead of being satisfied that this version only had 5 mistakes or shrugging because only a handful of people will probably know I mispronounced that word (I cringed when I heard myself say Gee-ya instead of Hee-la in regards to the Giant Gila Monster in the song “Sci Fi Movie” but didn’t think it was worth the time to overdub it).  I understand we were young, and, for all we knew, each time we recorded could’ve been the last time cuz who knows if we would ever scrape enough money together for another session.  I am proud of the CD we made, but I think limiting the songs (we did 15 in total) would have been a good idea and really worked on making them great.  There’s not a song on there that I don’t like.  Still, maybe we should’ve knocked it down to 8 – 10 songs and made it really solid (could’ve kept the other songs in reserve).

I don’t know.  I’m just really excited to go through the process again and making sure I’m satisfied with the end product.  No need to rush….

Name Change?

Every once in a while, I wonder if I should change the band name.  I have my days where I’m just not too sure about it.  I was originally going to do the project under Musicians Anonymous Cleveland (I thought that would work since I figured it may be a revolving door of musicians).  I put Cleveland on it just because I figured someone else was already using the name somewhere (although I couldn’t find anything on Google or iTunes).  And, if people liked the idea, they could put their own city name at the end – and we could be different chapters.  Any thoughts?  Or, maybe an unspoken third option?

Here’s an idea for the Musicians Anonymous logo:

Musicians Anonymous Cleveland

Positive Weekend

Songwriting Inspiration

This is kind of how it works with me.  I get inspired in bunches.  It’s pretty easy when all the songs you write sound pretty much the same.

This weekend has seen a good basis for three new songs. 

I have the subject matter for one song.  I just need to decide on the actual lyrics to go into it.  The music itself is something I’ve been playing here and there for quite a long time but never found a home for it.  The basics are there.  Once I get the lyrics written, I’ll see if anything needs tweaking.

Another song is a variation on a song I have already written.  I do not have the subject matter yet, and I think the way I was playing one of the guitar parts kind of reminded me of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun.” 

The last song is another one that I do not yet have any subject matter set in stone.  The song, I think, has a really good groove and is my favorite of the three.  It sounds like something I would write, but it also sounds different to me at the same time. 

I’m really excited to get these things nailed down.  I may need to demo the guitars and listen to them repeatedly at work to see if any lyrics come to me.

Recordings

Nothing is planned, but I really want to get the core of a few songs recorded…some really good recordings (hopefully my friend Josh is still up for doing something – if so, I will record some guitar demos and send over to you).  I think the plan may be to get the basics recorded (guitar, drums, and possibly vocals).  I think the bass playing will be a revolving door, so I may have the guitar and drums done and then add in the bass at a later time. 

As blogged a few times, I have a song called “Polyester” recorded.  Since finishing it, I have been thinking of ways to improve it, so I think that’s one of the songs I want to record.  I’m hoping to also get a song called “Where We Fell” completed – if I can get a solid recording of drums/guitar/vocals, I can hopefully send that off because a bass part that I really like has already been written (I hope Dave B remembers it cuz it’s been awhile since I started to try to get that recorded).

I will need to determine which other songs I would like to get recorded.  Deciding between putting out an EP or trying to do a full-length album.  Or, in this day and age, I’m thinking that I may do a song or two at a time and make it available digitally, which may eventually be a full-length CD or (hopefully) something on vinyl.  So many possibilities for the DIY musician these days.  Based on timing and not always being available these days, would it be best to take the time and try to record a couple songs?  Or, would it be best to try to bust out five or six songs to have waiting for a bass player to add his/her touch?

Shows

Nothing planned at this time.  Would really like to do another show, especially with a band.  May start looking at getting on a bill somewhere.  I would love to leach on to someone’s show and not have to worry about being the organizer the next time.  May start looking into Happy Dog and/or Beachland Tavern.  I don’t know if The Garage regularly does shows, but I just saw the Restless Habs play there on Friday Night (Feb 10), and the sound was great.

I doubt anything would happen, but I’m probably traveling to Nashville on business at the end of March.  I thought it would be cool if I was able to set up a show on one of those nights.  I’ve never played out of state (in fact, I think I’ve only played out of Cleveland twice).  Anyone familiar with the Nashville area and know of any places that would be kind to a solo acoustic show?

The End

Thanks for reading.  I haven’t been very active since the January show.  I think this weekend was the first time I’ve really picked up the guitar since then.  As always, feel free to like Toasters in Love on Facebook.