As I embark on another year I feel energized and excited. This month took me the entire month to write. I'm not handing my homework in at the last second because I've been slacking. The song started as a concept. I thought about the notion that if the end is nigh this would be the most exciting time to do your existing. The signs of our times made a strong argument that we might be. With Katrina, modern politics, alleged alien visits, technology, 9/11, the recession, wars on multiple fronts and the recent tragedy in Haiti our generation has already seen more than our great-grandparents could have imagined.
I then began work on the instrumental aspect of the song. I didn't begin working on the lyrics until the song worked beginning to end as a solo guitar piece. This is a departure from my normal approach. I usually allow words and melodies to change the guitar part and the arrangement. It wasn't a conscious decision to do that at first. After I had it worked out musically I then decided it was to strong to get changed by the lyrics.
I recorded the song's guitar and then used the recording to write my words. I recorded the vocals as I finished writing each section. I had a decent version to build on from that and began working on some overdubs. I then started playing the song live to get more comfortable with it. It began to flow better the more I played it. Kate commented that what I played in the living room sounded better than the recording. On the last day of the month I decided to scratch the recording I had and try to capture the song the way it had progressed. The re-recording went very quickly and I got my overdubs in, a clean recording and some help from Kate. 2010. Sounds like the future.
Contact
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Calendar Project 2010
This project has been one of the most fulfilling artistic experiences of my life. I love doing it and I love looking back. It's been a journal documenting my place in life as it has continually changed. I can listen as my perspective, children and musicianship grow. It started as a new years resolution to write more songs but has grown into a conviction to keep writing even as life has become more demanding. Many people put their guitars down when kids, work, bills and all of the responsibilities of adult hood take over. I don't want that to happen to me.
I feared last year that I was keeping the project going only because I didn't want to "end my streak." This is not a good enough reason to write a song. I want to feel inspired. I need to feel compelled to pick up my instrument and hammer out ideas until the song is born. I have to feel restless until the song is finished. You can tell what months are phoned in for the sake of keeping it going. I won't do that this year. I've decided to keep the project going, but not because of a streak. I am doing it this year because I made a promise to myself to not get to busy for music. I'm going to make time every month to pick up the guitar and express myself. It's a renewed resolution to write more songs. As I get older I have more to say but less time to say it.
I want to make this years Calendar Project a commitment to myself to be a better song writer, a better singer, a better guitar player and hopefully a better dad through the process. This has been a great release for me and I'm excited to see where this year will take me. Thanks to all those who listen. I hope you enjoy the journey.
I feared last year that I was keeping the project going only because I didn't want to "end my streak." This is not a good enough reason to write a song. I want to feel inspired. I need to feel compelled to pick up my instrument and hammer out ideas until the song is born. I have to feel restless until the song is finished. You can tell what months are phoned in for the sake of keeping it going. I won't do that this year. I've decided to keep the project going, but not because of a streak. I am doing it this year because I made a promise to myself to not get to busy for music. I'm going to make time every month to pick up the guitar and express myself. It's a renewed resolution to write more songs. As I get older I have more to say but less time to say it.
I want to make this years Calendar Project a commitment to myself to be a better song writer, a better singer, a better guitar player and hopefully a better dad through the process. This has been a great release for me and I'm excited to see where this year will take me. Thanks to all those who listen. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Rolling Rock
Another year complete. I have to say I am very proud of this year. Collaboration made it a better project. I'm grateful for the friends and family that contributed to 2009. Between Route 9 and this years Calendar Project I have had allot of influence from other musicians this year. I have been reminded to keep my cup empty and allow their influence to make the music better.
This months song is as collaborative as it gets. Erik worked diligently on the music, words and arrangement. He helped shape this into a Route 9 song. We drink Rolling Rock religiously and now we have an anthem. I believe this tune is gonna knock 'em out when we're playing in bars.
It was a great year and I think capping it off with Erik was the perfect finish. I'm excited about the future of Route 9. I'm stoked about the future of the Calendar Project. I'm excited about the future in general.
See you in 2010!
Happy New Year!!!
Rolling Rock
Route 9
This months song is as collaborative as it gets. Erik worked diligently on the music, words and arrangement. He helped shape this into a Route 9 song. We drink Rolling Rock religiously and now we have an anthem. I believe this tune is gonna knock 'em out when we're playing in bars.
It was a great year and I think capping it off with Erik was the perfect finish. I'm excited about the future of Route 9. I'm stoked about the future of the Calendar Project. I'm excited about the future in general.
See you in 2010!
Happy New Year!!!
Rolling Rock
Route 9
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Best Said Is Nothing
I felt a ton of pressure this month because I like my other November songs. I have set a precedent of a ballad with a religious subtext. "Om" and "Fingerprints" set the bar. I decided to bring in Bluesman Jay to help me with this one. I figured who better to help with my quasi-religious tune then my only reverend friend. Also Jay just finished up an entire album of gospel and spiritual songs so he was already in the zone.
I had done a demo of a riff a few weeks prior that I thought might be the basis of a November tune. Jay and I got together and reworked the riff and created the arrangement. After stealing a pizza we called it a night.
This song gave me a real hard time lyrically and melodically. Their was no obvious melody which posed a problem for the vocals and the scrapped guitar solos alike. The twelve string gave a really lush sound and Jay filled that out with the string arrangement. He achieved the strings by using both his keyboard and a midi-guitar that he rigged up for the cello lines. When we couldn't get the guitar solos right we figured that sometimes the best said is nothing. Pretty funny taking away the bluesman's guitar and making him do orchestral arrangements though.
We just had the kids baptized @ the end of last month so the time for this song was right. November was mad for thankfulness. It's really not hard to remember.
The Best Said Is Nothing
Craig: Guitar, Vox
Bluesman Jay: Strings(Keyboard, MIDI-Guitar)
I had done a demo of a riff a few weeks prior that I thought might be the basis of a November tune. Jay and I got together and reworked the riff and created the arrangement. After stealing a pizza we called it a night.
This song gave me a real hard time lyrically and melodically. Their was no obvious melody which posed a problem for the vocals and the scrapped guitar solos alike. The twelve string gave a really lush sound and Jay filled that out with the string arrangement. He achieved the strings by using both his keyboard and a midi-guitar that he rigged up for the cello lines. When we couldn't get the guitar solos right we figured that sometimes the best said is nothing. Pretty funny taking away the bluesman's guitar and making him do orchestral arrangements though.
We just had the kids baptized @ the end of last month so the time for this song was right. November was mad for thankfulness. It's really not hard to remember.
The Best Said Is Nothing
Craig: Guitar, Vox
Bluesman Jay: Strings(Keyboard, MIDI-Guitar)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Maybe It's Maybelline
This song is fiction. I was playing bass @ the barbershop one morning and I started working around this progression. I sang some words and happened across her name. Maybe I was thinking of the makeup. Maybe I was thinking about the Chuck Berry song. No matter what I was thinking I knew that was her name as soon as I uttered it. When the time came for me to actually sit down and write the song I @ least had her name.
It got closer to the end of the month and I knew I had to sit down and hammer this one out. I recorded the guitar and felt that it was very spirited so that became the arrangement. That gave me the framework I needed to write words. I knew needed three trips through the progression and a solo.
I started to see the three verse/chorus pattern as 3 acts to a play. The first verse had loosely given me the setting. This dude was either perpetually abusive or maybe things just got out of hand once. Either way he lost her and she was now with somebody that's probably awesome and treats her like gold.
To continue the story I used a muse, Ms. November 2009. Kelley Thompson's age and measurements where used for imagery. This established that Maybelline is young and hot. He really blew it. He's older than she is, I picture him in his early 40's, and the chance that he'll ever get a girl like this again is slim. She made him feel young and I get the feeling he really loved her.
In the final act I think we see that his actions have destroyed them and the guilt is heavy. On top of that the pain of living without her is taking it's toll. He knows he doesn't deserve her and actually wants her to be happy. He starts drinking heavily and his future looks uncertain. The saddest part of all is he has no one to blame but himself.
Erik laid down the solo needed and gave my some nice flourishes over the end. I hear the lead as the sound of a man crying over a glass. Then he grooved on the conga and rounded out the tune. Jay put a spit shine on it by tweaking the levels and adding some reverb. I dig how it came out and I love how rootsy it sounds while being a little poppy. Only one problem. We couldn't name it Maybelline. I would never step on Mr. Chuck Berry's toes like that. It would be crime against rock. It was Erik who suggest the name we settled on and I think it's perfect. Very tongue in cheek. A pretty cool tune overall.
Maybe It's Maybelline
Route 9:
Erik Brackett- Lead Guitar, Conga
Craig Morin- Guitar, Bass, Vox
thanks Jay for making it sound so good
It got closer to the end of the month and I knew I had to sit down and hammer this one out. I recorded the guitar and felt that it was very spirited so that became the arrangement. That gave me the framework I needed to write words. I knew needed three trips through the progression and a solo.
I started to see the three verse/chorus pattern as 3 acts to a play. The first verse had loosely given me the setting. This dude was either perpetually abusive or maybe things just got out of hand once. Either way he lost her and she was now with somebody that's probably awesome and treats her like gold.
To continue the story I used a muse, Ms. November 2009. Kelley Thompson's age and measurements where used for imagery. This established that Maybelline is young and hot. He really blew it. He's older than she is, I picture him in his early 40's, and the chance that he'll ever get a girl like this again is slim. She made him feel young and I get the feeling he really loved her.
In the final act I think we see that his actions have destroyed them and the guilt is heavy. On top of that the pain of living without her is taking it's toll. He knows he doesn't deserve her and actually wants her to be happy. He starts drinking heavily and his future looks uncertain. The saddest part of all is he has no one to blame but himself.
Erik laid down the solo needed and gave my some nice flourishes over the end. I hear the lead as the sound of a man crying over a glass. Then he grooved on the conga and rounded out the tune. Jay put a spit shine on it by tweaking the levels and adding some reverb. I dig how it came out and I love how rootsy it sounds while being a little poppy. Only one problem. We couldn't name it Maybelline. I would never step on Mr. Chuck Berry's toes like that. It would be crime against rock. It was Erik who suggest the name we settled on and I think it's perfect. Very tongue in cheek. A pretty cool tune overall.
Maybe It's Maybelline
Route 9:
Erik Brackett- Lead Guitar, Conga
Craig Morin- Guitar, Bass, Vox
thanks Jay for making it sound so good
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
"33"
This is the thirty third song ever released as the Calendar Project. I love this song. I wrote it in the wake of my grandfathers death. It is incredibly personal and I am immensely proud of it. When I wrote after his passing I decided to hold onto it for December because he loved Christmas. When it occured to me that September was the thirty third month of the project I knew that's where it belonged. I wrote the song for the Calendar Project but Route 9 started playing the song regularly and it got to a point that I can't even picture it without Erik on there.
The notion of everyone being the same age in the after life isn't mine. My friend Steve was the one telling me about that idea. I chose the number thirty three because it was on my beer. Every bottle of Rolling Rock has the number "33" painted on the side of it. Rolling Rock is the official Route 9 beer.
Erik and I need a little work on recording songs in pieces. Our entire CD was recorded live with no overdubs. Since "33" is a song we where already familiar with it seemed like a great opportunity to work on the recording process. After we laid it down in pieces we felt it lacked a quality that our live takes possess.
We got together again and did several live takes of the song. They where good performances but we didn't get the cleanest recordings. I decided to revisit the first version that we had worked on. (the one recorded in pieces.)
I found that with very little post production, like tweeking volumes and tack outs, that we had a really clean solid version of "33". It just goes to show that sometimes you have to step back from something and then come back to it with fresh ears. That's a luxury you don't always get when you're releasing a new song every month.
I wrote this song with my grandfather in mind. I like it because in the face of death it's still an optimistic song. I am also grateful that it's a song that was honed by being played live. My favorite thing about the tune is that I get to play it with a friend. I love how Erik can take a song about death and make it sound so alive!
"33"
Route 9
The notion of everyone being the same age in the after life isn't mine. My friend Steve was the one telling me about that idea. I chose the number thirty three because it was on my beer. Every bottle of Rolling Rock has the number "33" painted on the side of it. Rolling Rock is the official Route 9 beer.
Erik and I need a little work on recording songs in pieces. Our entire CD was recorded live with no overdubs. Since "33" is a song we where already familiar with it seemed like a great opportunity to work on the recording process. After we laid it down in pieces we felt it lacked a quality that our live takes possess.
We got together again and did several live takes of the song. They where good performances but we didn't get the cleanest recordings. I decided to revisit the first version that we had worked on. (the one recorded in pieces.)
I found that with very little post production, like tweeking volumes and tack outs, that we had a really clean solid version of "33". It just goes to show that sometimes you have to step back from something and then come back to it with fresh ears. That's a luxury you don't always get when you're releasing a new song every month.
I wrote this song with my grandfather in mind. I like it because in the face of death it's still an optimistic song. I am also grateful that it's a song that was honed by being played live. My favorite thing about the tune is that I get to play it with a friend. I love how Erik can take a song about death and make it sound so alive!
"33"
Route 9
Monday, August 31, 2009
Optimism/Time Moves On
The Sam riff in G that I mentioned last month came quicker than I expected. Sam came out to see Route 9 play on his birthday and before we left I stuck a microphone in front of him. He quickly and effortlessly laid down the riff that would have gone on the end of "Sad Bastard." By tacking it on the beginning of this song it will now be heard after "Sad Bastard" as it was originally intended when you listen to the 2009 project in order.
I then asked Sam to play for three minutes off the top of his head and recorded him again. Three minutes later I had a perfect recording and arrangement of a nice little pop song. The melody seemed obvious to me. I could hear it sitting between the chords. Sam later told me that he had demoed this song before and played the exact same melody on his guitar. I sat in the barbershop listening to his recording over and over until I finished the lyrics. Because Sam recorded it on his birthday I went with a "time moves on" theme. Erik sang the title with me giving the vocal track some depth. I love the end result. Not only is this song Sam's first calendar appearance since 2007 but it's also the first time he and Erik have been on a track together.
I really consider this month and last month a 3 song medley, meant to be heard as one piece. Sad Bastard/Optimism/Time Moves On. If "Optimism" didn't play into "Time Moves On" well I wouldn't have included it. I'm thrilled with the outcome and feel lucky to have Sam's contributions. Go back and listen to last month then give the new tunes a play. It sounds like we planned it!
Optimism/Time Moves On
Sam Spofford- Guitar
Craig Morin- Vox
Erik Brackett- "Time Moves On Guy"
I then asked Sam to play for three minutes off the top of his head and recorded him again. Three minutes later I had a perfect recording and arrangement of a nice little pop song. The melody seemed obvious to me. I could hear it sitting between the chords. Sam later told me that he had demoed this song before and played the exact same melody on his guitar. I sat in the barbershop listening to his recording over and over until I finished the lyrics. Because Sam recorded it on his birthday I went with a "time moves on" theme. Erik sang the title with me giving the vocal track some depth. I love the end result. Not only is this song Sam's first calendar appearance since 2007 but it's also the first time he and Erik have been on a track together.
I really consider this month and last month a 3 song medley, meant to be heard as one piece. Sad Bastard/Optimism/Time Moves On. If "Optimism" didn't play into "Time Moves On" well I wouldn't have included it. I'm thrilled with the outcome and feel lucky to have Sam's contributions. Go back and listen to last month then give the new tunes a play. It sounds like we planned it!
Optimism/Time Moves On
Sam Spofford- Guitar
Craig Morin- Vox
Erik Brackett- "Time Moves On Guy"
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