compose music

I’ve caught some interesting VH1/HDNet documentaries and interview shows that describe different artists/bands writing process. They have been eye opening and inspirational. At this point, I think I need to carve out time and just do this….and do it often. I need to write without my guitar, and focus more on the message I’m trying to convey, instead of the production or arrangement aesthetics. The stuff I love to listen to is sometimes so intricate and complex that I hold myself to that standard without figuring out what is truly my voice verses something I’m mirroring…..That has to stop. I need to get out all the ideas I can and have them documented….then filter through the pieces I want to keep. I tend to get inspired when I’m traveling, and I’ll be on the road for the next few weeks for work.

Continuing to noodle on the guitar, but after some time off and a trip to Australia, I’m not very much closer to writing my own stuff. Mike , the guy I produced and perform with, wrote 2 songs while we were in Australia. I came up with some cool chord changes and grooves, but not a complete “composition” or “song.” I picked up a copy of the “Artist Way” by Julia Cameron. Hopefully it will help me write something that truly represents something I want to express.

...on my vacation, but I didn’t compose anything. I tend to feel more inspired when I have a lot of stuff going on around me. I’m going to set a goal to have a song written by this time next week. Let’s see what materializes.

Yesterday the band jammed on a riff I wrote. Mike even put some lyrics on top of it and we played with the dynamics. It sounded great.

I guess the issue I have with my songwriting skills is that I come up with great attention grabbing riffs and chord progressions, but I rarely write completed songs. Maybe collaborating with Mike will change that?

I’ve been listening to Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Rush lately, and I’m kind of yearning to do a concept album about how unnatural it is to work in high tech and live in consumer cultured California….maybe use a lot of samples and synths….perhaps let the lyrics and message drive the songs as opposed to the riffs and progressions.

I’ve always been the “backup” man. I arrange, produce, record, and even market other people ( http://www.steedmusic.com )... but I need to get serious about my own music (which at this point is just a bunch of noodling on the guitar) and connect with the passion I know I have. One problem I have is that I have never felt confident about my singing. I need to get over this and have other people sing my music!