Why Modern Music Sucks – How Did We Get Here?

Some disagree but I believe that modern popular music is in a very bad place. Now I'm not the first to approach this. I know as I have heard about how Rome's about to burn all my life. It is part of not wanting to accept change. That makes it hard to be the guy who … Continue reading Why Modern Music Sucks – How Did We Get Here?

neo-Tradition – a new movement in music

I'm going to treat this post more like an open letter. Maybe some people would like to take this up and post to others. Maybe some people would like to take this into the studio and answer. Hi All This is to musicians and fans alike. To be a musician we generally need to be … Continue reading neo-Tradition – a new movement in music

Folk Rock – James Taylor, John Stewart, Al Stewart & Merle Haggard

My last post was about a fellow who has written some lovely Folk Rock songs but is unsure what direction to take them. Does he alter his songs to try to make them fit the current fashion or does he stick to his guns (well maybe not guns seeing as this is Folk) and develop … Continue reading Folk Rock – James Taylor, John Stewart, Al Stewart & Merle Haggard

Good vs Bad – Fashion in Songwriting

I know a fellow who is writing songs that sound like good 70's Folk Rock but problem is all that is being played on the charts these days is heavily produced, Electro/Glitch/anti-Pop, whatever that stuff is called. As a songwriter/band/musician is it challenging to know how to pitch your work when all around you people are saying … Continue reading Good vs Bad – Fashion in Songwriting

Seasons

This album was largely written in about 1 week! I didn't mean it to happen that way at all. Matter of fact I was just done with "Travel Destinations for the World Weary" and should have been taking a break. I was making a sound and just had to make a melody to go … Continue reading Seasons

How Long Does it Take To Write a Piece of Music?

the sub-title to this could be something like ...and why can't I do it at all? I was asked this question in a forum and felt it was a great one as I see this asked a few times. Originally Posted by MDTerps2015 Hey Benedict im sorry to bother you but I have asked this … Continue reading How Long Does it Take To Write a Piece of Music?

Travel Destinations for the World Weary

The ideas for "Travel Destinations for the World Weary" came from several places in a way that lead to an inevitable conclusion. After Post-Human I intended to write something a bit more New Age in feel like The Body Pool or Mountain & The Lowlands but the Muses had other ideas. In rough order this is how … Continue reading Travel Destinations for the World Weary

Anatomy of a Piece – Mixing

This is Part 2 of a pair of articles on making a piece of music. Part 1 one covers the composition, this article looks at the mixing. Again I used Propellerhead Reason but the ideas will translate anywhere. I admit this is a very simple mix but it is the role of instruments and reasons for … Continue reading Anatomy of a Piece – Mixing

Anatomy of a Piece – Composing

How does a piece of music get written, mixed and make it to the world? Well there are many ways that people write music but here is how I did it this time. I use Propellerheads Reason so any devices I refer to specifically are from Reason. As much as possible I keep to the … Continue reading Anatomy of a Piece – Composing

Mastering – the Final Fantasy

Mastering is always a hot topic in the Forums. Everyone is struggling at the last gate to make their piece meaty, beaty, big and bouncy. Most people come at it straight on, whack a Limiter on the end and proceed to turn it up past 11. It doesn't work out. You know me, I like … Continue reading Mastering – the Final Fantasy