The Horse's Mouth

Today I have managed to get two songs recorded and mixed for my next EP. I am very excited about how it’s going and I feel that it’s going to be better than my last one.

I toyed with the idea of using my computer to record it but in the past this has never ended well, I usually get too bogged down in the recording process and get distracted by all the lovely effects I can use to make what I’ve just recorded sound a little better. I’ve dug out my 4-track cassette recorder and it’s doing the job exactly how I want it to.

This time around I am making more of a concerted effort into making sure I document the process as all I’ve got to show from the creation of the last EP is the finished article which is a shame. I’ve been taking photos and video of it all as I think that someone might find them interesting.

Oh whilst I’m here, below is an outtake to one of my songs I recorded today. It’s nothing fancy:

Like anybody reads this stuff anyway.

I am definitely a bit slow on the uptake of Karen Elson. I’ve been listening to her album “The Ghost Who Walks” the last couple of days and I have to admit I’m in love. It’s a fantastic album with loads of great songs. I recommend “The Truth Is In The Dirt” and “100 Years From Now”

I’m in the midst of writing my second EP and I’m very excited about it. I love the creation process, it’s very rewarding. I’ve got a few songs on the go as I keep finding inspiration from some very strange places at the moment. Even a trip to my local supermarket is enough to make me think about things. It’s nice when that happens. I was waiting to catch a bus during the last EP and I saw some graffiti that someone had scratched into the bench and it made me write a whole song.

"I Am Here"... you can't argue with the logic

I’m experimenting with some new sounds too. The last EP was all acoustic, this time it won’t be. I dare say that there will be some electric guitars. I’ll also be producing it differently too. I don’t want to go into that too much at the moment as I’ll probably change my mind about it between now and then.

I was listening to my previous EP and having not heard it for quite a while I have found that there are some bits and pieces that I would change or would do differently. It’s weird because part of me thought to myself “Well it’s too late to change things now” but why is that the case? What’s to stop me redoing some of the tracks I’ve already recorded?

The way I look at the things I create is that they will never be finished. I may create certain versions of songs and drawings but none of it will ever be a definitive version of what I’m doing. Nothing is definitive, only death will make the things I’ve created over the years definitive. Mainly because I will not be able to work on them… being dead and all.

I’m not trying to sound morose but I like the idea that nothing I can ever do will be complete. There’s a certain amount of beauty in that.

I am super excited about this years “Record Store Day”! I missed out on it last year as I wasn’t really collecting vinyl but this year I am raring to go.

“Record Store Day” (I believe) is an initiative to try to get people back into record stores and buying actual music, rather than downloading it. The idea being that musicians and bands release special material just for sale on that day which is pretty neat.

I’ve had a quick look through what is going to be available in England this year and here is what I’ve got my eye on for the 21st April 2012 (full list here)

• David Bowie “Starman”: 7″ Picture Disc
  I love Bowie. Why would I not want this?
• Gorillaz “DoYaThing”: 10″ Picture Disc
  I love the Gorillaz and I love this song. It’s limited to 500 copies so I’m not holding my breath. I doubt any copies will make it to this part of the country.
• Kate Bush “Lake Tahoe”: 10″ Picture Disc
  I like pretty much anything Kate Bush does. She’s a very talented woman! But again, only 1000 copies
• OST – The Wicker Man “Willow’s Song” / “Gently Johnny”: 7″ Yellow Vinyl
  “The Wicker Man” is one of my favourite films and I already own the CD soundtrack to it. It would be fantastic to get some of it on vinyl. There are only gonna be 500 copies though :(
• Sex Pistols “Anarchy In The UK”: 7″ Picture Disc
  Unlimited Edition?
• T. Rex “Telegram Sam” / “Metal Guru”: 7″ colour vinyl
  I inherited my love of T.Rex from my parents. I’m prone to singing “Metal Guru” on karaoke.
• The White Stripes “Handsprings” / “Red Death At 6.14″: 7″ Red and Black Swirl vinyl
  I’ve been in furious bidding wars over these songs on vinyl. Now I laugh at the people who bid over £100 for these things!

I hope I can get my hands on some of these records. Mainly the White Stripes and Wicker Man ones. I hope I don’t have to resort to getting had on eBay for them…