Containing my excitement is proving to be a difficult task as the 31st of October approaches. When you check back on this blog in less than 48 hours, there will be a link to a new website. From there, you are one click away from downloading 'Thursday', the album I have worked so hard to release in a year's time.
As I have been saying, the music is entirely free. Free to download, free to listen, free to share. FREE, FREE, FREE!
My hope is that all downloaders will want to return the favor and help me promote the album through word-of-mouth, social networking sites, and all other imaginable venues. 10,000 downloads is a big goal, and it is only possible if the listening community comes together.
It is difficult to believe the day is almost here. Jitters.
Showing posts with label Final Album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Final Album. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Project Title and Album Cover
You are looking at the official cover art for the Redline Project album. 'Thursday' is the recording's title, and it is named after its final track.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A Day Later
24 hours have accrued since I pieced together a prologue for the Redline Project final album. Read yesterday's post for my prediction as to how I thought I would feel about the composition once a day passed.
A grand announcement and substantial surprise: the two minute piece has grown on me and I like it more now than I did yesterday.
Not to say that I didn't add, subtract, tweak, adjust, filter, modify, extract, transpose, and plop a dollop of whipped cream. The track seemed (and after all of my work tonight still is) a farthing or two from perfection. Nevertheless, I bounced out an MP3 file for a listen in iTunes, and so far I am nodding satisfactorily at the sonic product.
On a darker note, I sat with the guitar and notebook tonight in hopes of capturing some new direction for an opening track (the one following the prologue, and the one that I feel is still missing from the current lineup). No dice. I have zero sense of what to write about; if it is catchy and upbeat, it will not fit with the deeper messages characterizing the rest of the album, and if it is thick and deep, it will not work well as a first song. What will I do?
Eat a midnight snack and sleep on it... that is exactly what I will do.
A grand announcement and substantial surprise: the two minute piece has grown on me and I like it more now than I did yesterday.
Not to say that I didn't add, subtract, tweak, adjust, filter, modify, extract, transpose, and plop a dollop of whipped cream. The track seemed (and after all of my work tonight still is) a farthing or two from perfection. Nevertheless, I bounced out an MP3 file for a listen in iTunes, and so far I am nodding satisfactorily at the sonic product.
On a darker note, I sat with the guitar and notebook tonight in hopes of capturing some new direction for an opening track (the one following the prologue, and the one that I feel is still missing from the current lineup). No dice. I have zero sense of what to write about; if it is catchy and upbeat, it will not fit with the deeper messages characterizing the rest of the album, and if it is thick and deep, it will not work well as a first song. What will I do?
Eat a midnight snack and sleep on it... that is exactly what I will do.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Redo Fest
Sunday afternoons... the perfect occasions for napping, catching up on light housework, flipping on an old movie, and when you are pushing forward on a year long music project, several hours worth of a recording fest.
The Redline Project has inspired a dichotomy of love and hate lately. With so much vying for the scant gaps in my schedule, I have wanted nothing more than to put a wrap on these recordings. But as I sit in my wheeled leatherette office chair, clicking away at the old pile of Logic files, I am savoring anew the fun and excitement of the Redline Project.
It is clear from gut intuition (not to mention Google Analytics) that readership of this blog has dwindled down to a handful of dedicated readers. That is okay with me, especially because the remnant of holdouts are delightfully encouraging and actively motivating.
When the blog started, not only was there an audience excitement about the new project initiative and a fat question mark about the proprietor's ability to bring the goals to completion, there were also regular experimental audio postings that drew people into the contents of these posts. Now months into the recording, editing, and mixing process of the actual project tracks, there has been a complete dearth of such postings. I can understand how daily paragraphic musings aren't much of a draw.
That said, I believe the launch of all my final materials is a matter of weeks away. Soon we will be through all of the technical discussions of snail-like progress and we will move on to an exploration of self-marketing tactics.
As a side but important note, the music currently blaring out of my studio monitors, the bridge from Thursday, is good. Darn good, actually (Said with the humblest of second-guessing lack of confidence). For those who have made it far enough to be reading this post, please be assured that my gratitude (in the form of polished mp3 tracks) will soon be a click and a free download away.
Now back to the Sunday afternoon recording fest.
The Redline Project has inspired a dichotomy of love and hate lately. With so much vying for the scant gaps in my schedule, I have wanted nothing more than to put a wrap on these recordings. But as I sit in my wheeled leatherette office chair, clicking away at the old pile of Logic files, I am savoring anew the fun and excitement of the Redline Project.
It is clear from gut intuition (not to mention Google Analytics) that readership of this blog has dwindled down to a handful of dedicated readers. That is okay with me, especially because the remnant of holdouts are delightfully encouraging and actively motivating.
When the blog started, not only was there an audience excitement about the new project initiative and a fat question mark about the proprietor's ability to bring the goals to completion, there were also regular experimental audio postings that drew people into the contents of these posts. Now months into the recording, editing, and mixing process of the actual project tracks, there has been a complete dearth of such postings. I can understand how daily paragraphic musings aren't much of a draw.
That said, I believe the launch of all my final materials is a matter of weeks away. Soon we will be through all of the technical discussions of snail-like progress and we will move on to an exploration of self-marketing tactics.
As a side but important note, the music currently blaring out of my studio monitors, the bridge from Thursday, is good. Darn good, actually (Said with the humblest of second-guessing lack of confidence). For those who have made it far enough to be reading this post, please be assured that my gratitude (in the form of polished mp3 tracks) will soon be a click and a free download away.
Now back to the Sunday afternoon recording fest.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Rerecord and Reminisce
As I opened up one of my earlier tracks, one desperately needing a complete vocal redo, I noticed the corners of my mouth forming a soft smile as I recalled the process of putting the initial recording together. Nearly a month has passed since the last time I chiseled away at the sound of this song, called Thursday.
The lyrics aim to capture the confusing emotions surrounding the gospel accounts of Jesus Christ and the disciples as they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is a story that even the decidedly irreligious have heard in some form, and yet its facets remain a foggy riddle. Why must the Christ die? For what crime is he being crucified? Why does one disciple hand him over to the authorities? Why does another pretend he never knew the man?
And why would Jesus sweat bullets in the Garden of Gethsemane as he prayed the night before his death sentence? Didn't he know the end of the story?
There are tidy, pious answers to all of these questions, but I must admit that most leave me feeling flat and unsatisfied. The song I am honing tonight speaks about this overwhelming story and the sobering emotions that are packaged with it.
A snippet:
Weeping lead, sweating drops of blood
Wielding piece, fear I caused the flood
The rain must fall
inside the garden wall
Some believe vehemently that the story is the gospel truth. Others claim it never happened. Hardly anyone is neutral on the matter - such a polarizing event and poignant story. I am honored to join thousands of artists throughout history that each tell the tale from a slightly different angle, and I can not wait until the day that everyone can hear my take.
The lyrics aim to capture the confusing emotions surrounding the gospel accounts of Jesus Christ and the disciples as they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is a story that even the decidedly irreligious have heard in some form, and yet its facets remain a foggy riddle. Why must the Christ die? For what crime is he being crucified? Why does one disciple hand him over to the authorities? Why does another pretend he never knew the man?
And why would Jesus sweat bullets in the Garden of Gethsemane as he prayed the night before his death sentence? Didn't he know the end of the story?
There are tidy, pious answers to all of these questions, but I must admit that most leave me feeling flat and unsatisfied. The song I am honing tonight speaks about this overwhelming story and the sobering emotions that are packaged with it.
A snippet:
Weeping lead, sweating drops of blood
Wielding piece, fear I caused the flood
The rain must fall
inside the garden wall
Some believe vehemently that the story is the gospel truth. Others claim it never happened. Hardly anyone is neutral on the matter - such a polarizing event and poignant story. I am honored to join thousands of artists throughout history that each tell the tale from a slightly different angle, and I can not wait until the day that everyone can hear my take.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Waxing Romantic
The Redline Project is not intended to be a venue for gushing oozy love. Mostly, I have kept the blog free from the details of my personal life, except where I deemed those specifics to be related to the project in important ways. Tonight is one of those instances that a taste of the personal is in order.
I am crazy in love with my wife. In a world filled with hissy, demanding spouses that wield their whims upon their partners, my better half is remarkably selfless and downright stellar. A poignant example: she not only puts up with the daily bouquet of hours I dedicate to the Redline Project music and blog, she champions the cause by offering a listening ear, encouraging feedback, and endless support. Margaret, you are a remarkable human being and a marvelous wife. The seams of my heart barely hold together as love continues to flood its chambers.
Why the gush after all this time? I experienced euphoria tonight as Margaret graced one of my recordings with her magnificent cello talent. Between the two of us, she is in every way the true talent, the real musician. Simply stated, this project would not exist if it were not for the gracious gifts of time and patience this woman offers me. These praises are barely adequate and long overdue.
I am humbled by Margaret's musicality and gratified by her presence on "Sing Silently," a song that will serve as the last track of the album. You are going to fall in love with her musical offering; I can't wait for you to hear it.
I am crazy in love with my wife. In a world filled with hissy, demanding spouses that wield their whims upon their partners, my better half is remarkably selfless and downright stellar. A poignant example: she not only puts up with the daily bouquet of hours I dedicate to the Redline Project music and blog, she champions the cause by offering a listening ear, encouraging feedback, and endless support. Margaret, you are a remarkable human being and a marvelous wife. The seams of my heart barely hold together as love continues to flood its chambers.
Why the gush after all this time? I experienced euphoria tonight as Margaret graced one of my recordings with her magnificent cello talent. Between the two of us, she is in every way the true talent, the real musician. Simply stated, this project would not exist if it were not for the gracious gifts of time and patience this woman offers me. These praises are barely adequate and long overdue.
I am humbled by Margaret's musicality and gratified by her presence on "Sing Silently," a song that will serve as the last track of the album. You are going to fall in love with her musical offering; I can't wait for you to hear it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
T Minus 200
If you are a regular visitor, you know that the clock to the right of this post has been counting down to the release of the Redline Project final album. This little application of truth passed a milestone today, dipping below the 200 day mark.
As final tracks emerge from the chrysalides of scratch recordings, I am not trembling as fiercely as I once did. I have nearly four complete songs, which is almost halfway to the goal of ten. With these accomplishments comes the sense that the Redline Project is ahead of schedule, and that conjures a good feeling.
I fear I have been a touch negative in recent posts, and I want to take the opportunity to mention how life-giving this effort is. I love music, and to participate in its creation after years away thumps 200 proof adrenaline through my veins. The album that will be available in a matter of months will not be the best you have ever heard, but each day brings more certainty that my music will be worth a listen.
As final tracks emerge from the chrysalides of scratch recordings, I am not trembling as fiercely as I once did. I have nearly four complete songs, which is almost halfway to the goal of ten. With these accomplishments comes the sense that the Redline Project is ahead of schedule, and that conjures a good feeling.
I fear I have been a touch negative in recent posts, and I want to take the opportunity to mention how life-giving this effort is. I love music, and to participate in its creation after years away thumps 200 proof adrenaline through my veins. The album that will be available in a matter of months will not be the best you have ever heard, but each day brings more certainty that my music will be worth a listen.
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