Adventures in Recording Part 2

Light Camera ACTION!
Actually this is the wrong media, but I like how it brings to attention the start of something and makes it feel exciting.
In recording I don't really know what they say, I think it's just, 'go' or go head, I'm rolling. Not so exciting nor does it really doesn't evoke good imagery.

Dan and I are making great steps to solidify the things we need to get this recording completed.
Recording Date (check, well almost)
Musicians (check)
Engineer (check)
Songs (check)

When choosing musicians it can be very difficult as there are so many amazing ones out there, and some who have become close personal friends. I truly want to give the work to all of them. But in the end it comes down to; availability, sound, feel, personality, price, speed at which they record, and just good gut feelings. Sadly, many of my musicians friends STILL fit that criteria. Plain and simple, It's hard to choose.

We have chosen our Drummer and Bassist which will be our foundation. Daniel has chosen the Engineer. If our budget allows for it, we will hire horn players etc. but this will be after the main portion of the recording is done.

Our plan will be, to do one evening of rehearsing then jump into the studio with both feet, we figure sometime towards the end of May.

April is a busy month gig wise for me. Daniel and the Bassist will perform at many of the gigs with me. This will allow for a bit more pre rehearsal time for the three of us and also allows me to work out the phrasings and feels of the songs. Believe it or not a song rehearsed or performed in front of a live audience has two distinct feels to it. The energy that draws from the listeners is so vital to my performance. Hopefully I will be able to take the energy that I feel from a performance and bring it into the studio.

At our last gig, Daniel and I were excited to see our original tunes come to life as they were acknowledged positively by our listeners, a proud feeling for both of us.
Truth be told, they are Daniel's babies cause he writes most of the tune... I just go along for the song.

Diva M

Adventures in Recording.....

Part 1!

I have just begun a recording project with my good friend and musician colleague Daniel Cook. It will be 'sort of' the second recording that we have done together. The first being the BOP album which was a collaboration of our 5 piece band 5 years ago.
This will be a duo project right out of the gate... which all decisions and funding will be made by ourselves. Exciting, with glimpses of stress muddled in there.

To begin, we each have brought some money to the table and understand that our budget will dictate a lot of our decisions. You can have a wonderful wish list of hiring the best Engineers, Producers, Masters and every stellar musician you know, but at the end of the day when you are an independent artist the BUDGET WILL tell you what you can and can not have.

We are recording an EP:Here is the definition of EP

EP stands for "extended play" as they are longer than the original single 45s,(vinyl)and usually containing 4 tracks. Artists usually release EPs before their whole album comes out. It is to give the fans a taste of what is coming. It could include anywhere from 2 to 10 songs often depending on the length of the full album. The EP would come out anywhere from 2 months to a year before the full length album.

A good example of an EP containing 4 tracks was the Beatles' 'Twist and Shout (EP)'. The format was also used as a low-cost way of showcasing new artists.

In appearance, the EP was similar to a 7" Single but played at 33 1/3rpm rather than 45rpm.

So, even though the music industry has moved to digital CD's etc. we've kept the same description of a 'short' album and EP.

Our new CD will have 6 original tunes written by Daniel and myself, featuring a variety of different styles and stories. As Daniel and I work together we seem to finish up songs quite quickly and keep adding them to the list as we go, knowing some might be cut due to the BUDGET.

We bounced around some ideas of the title for the album and some ideas for the album cover. It's not always easy making these types of decisions since there are two very different personalities and distinct ideas. We will work hard at compromise. As I jokingly say to Daniel... we will do whatever he decides and I'll go along with it!

One wonderful new technology for independent artists are download cards. This is an awesome way to sell music with very low over head for the artist. I am uncertain of how they are being received by the general public, if they (general public) will miss having the jewel cases, thanks yous and lyrics sheets.I think as time moves on, download cards will become more and more common.
Who knew that we would go from an etched vinyl record to a simple download card????




Diva M

I Could be repeating myself, I could be repeating myself!

I truly wish I would take this blogging more seriously. I seem to let my mind stray from being focused on writing something profound or somewhat ear-catching.
Always making plans to write.... later, asking other writers & musician friends what keeps them focused at writing. And let me say, when I get on that path, this quest could keep me preoccupied for months. I just keep asking and asking and not getting the answers that I think I want to hear, or just the answer that says 'they have no idea either'.... this of course helps to hold me back from.....

It's not like I have a boring, hum drum life. I've 5 kids: who are either adults or on the verge of adulthood. That in itself is a bizarre roller coaster of life. Lots to write about there.
I'm a singer trying to build a music career to sustain myself and my family in this crazy economy AND, at my age. (again so much to write about that)
I have a partner who is battling an extreme rare form of terminal cancer. This again has much content to write about, but yet at the same time is difficult to write out the pains of the heart.

So, why on earth could I be avoiding these blogs? (this is where I really think I'm repeating myself) I have no idea why I block and censor myself on writing.

I especially want to write music again and I truly feel a regular blog will help get the cobwebs cleaned out......
Maybe I find the cobwebs comforting.......

Diva M

Yes I "think" I'm still breathing

Time seems to keep speeding up. Especially when I'm not paying too close attention.
I can't believe how each week just bleeds into the next.

I work my two days at the J.O.B. and while I'm there my mind is focused on all the things that I am not doing to encourage my music career. 'Aha' moments of what I will do when I'm on 'days off' plans plans plans.. and so many good intentions.
plans to score music
plans to write original music
plans to blog
plans to exercise
plans to eat right
plans to sus out new venues for music
plans to cook exotic tasty dishes for my family
plans to clean.... up the entire house
plans to plan a music career that will invite a richer income
plans to network with new musicians
plans to record an album

But I must confess that once the days off are present, I find myself busy watching the cooking network. So many shows, so many chefs, so little time to take it all in.

The good thing though, at least I'm consistent and still breathing... in and out.. in and out.. in and out...

Diva M

Can I Ask A Question?

I need to ask an important question. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of followers on my blog, actually I don't have any. *sheepish smile*
But, on the slight chance that you, YES you might be reading this, I would like to ask you this question in hope that you will be able to comment with an answer.

How do you stay motivated?

When you start out on your race, plans, goals, dreams or ideas, HOW do you stay focused and motivated and keep going? Could there be tricks to stay the course? Is there ways to stay strong and not become defeated and give up when the goal seems just out of reach and so far off or when you feel just too damn old?

I would love to hear some of your ideas on what helps you to stay on your game.

Diva M

Which Way Now???

I'm a little stuck on what steps to take in my life.
My desire is to be a full time musician.
Financially it's not the easiest thing to do as you have to be very well known, selling lots of merchandise, and gigging at the she she poo poo, high-end venues and events.

2009 I was working a j.o.b., actually I was working for two to make full time work. December 4th I was let go from the more substantial one. (It wasn't the best environment anyway)but it has left my pocket book very empty and now the bills are beginning to pile up.

A few other things have changed in my home as well. The mister has recently 'retired' from work and will be receiving a disability pension as he is unable to work from the medication he takes to battle cancer. (this is a whole other blog)
Once his payments kick in, it 'sort of' allows me to not have to work full time at a j.o.b. which also brings the possibility for me to focus on crafting my music, writing, and the idea of traveling to other cities to perform.

Just after Christmas I had obtained a second j.o.b. but felt the learning curve strain, and the stress of the pending cancer wouldn't allow me to continue.
Since then I have had other job offers and opportunities to work other j.o.b.s. My dilemma is that I don't want to give up the possible freedom of being able to work my music business, and allowing me to make money as a musician.

BUUUUUTTTT THEEEEENNNNN on the other hand, a good paying j.o.b. would bring financial relief to our home, and allow for us to do and have... and have and do.
My pastor told me to take baby steps... but, baby steps into what??? my career or into a new j.o.b. I just don't know... hummmmm
I think I should take a N.A.P!

Diva M

Be the Grasshopper Let the Masters Teach!

I'm on a new quest to learn and understand more of how to utilize the internet to promote myself as a musician.

I have my website, facebook pages, twitter, utube, myspace(s), a couple other promotional sites and my favourite... my reverbnation site. reverbnation/maureenwashignton
If I could encourage musicians with any of these sites, reverbnation would be my first choice to start.
On reverbnation, the features (which are free)are wonderful, super resourceful, and extremely user friendly. It is a musicians dream for a website as it helps promote your career allows you to network with musicians and fans, creates electronic press kits and it tracks everything that you do... instant resume.
I love their stats which keep track of each musician in the reverbnation world. Today I am #1 Locally, #1 Nationally and #29 Globally. My goal is to get into the top 25 global, which will be done by increasing fans, music plays, and communication with my fans.

Much of what I have done via internet promotion has been trial and error and mostly just stumbling along....
I've realized that I have stumbled on a couple of gold mines!! and in turn, I am enjoying little mini master classes with two wonderful people.

Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby)http://sivers.org/ sign up to his blogs... they are crafted and inspiring.
Honestly just google his name and read, watch and learn anything that you can.

Ariel Hyatt http://arielpublicity.com/
Sign up there, and then watch her many informative videos here http://www.youtube.com/user/ArielPublicity

it's the age old saying... don't reinvent the wheel... just watch and learn how it is made and watch your career grow!

Diva M