Today (Sunday) was spent working on a new song (called “Just Imagine”) that started life as “Futurist Space Car”. We actually played bit of it on TWHL #102.

I spent today cleaning up the arrangement and we just recorded Christa’s final vocals about 30 minutes ago. The song started life as a little drum loop from Matilda (our affectionately named Alesis Micron) and a somber, yet spacey, synth pad. If memory serves correctly, Christa wrote lyrics on the spot for this one and we recorded scratch vocals right away. The lyrics and whole feel of the song speaks of life(?) after we are all gone for this world. Christa’s melody is really beautiful in contrast to the cold music bed. With this in mind, I decided that Christa’s lone voice should be the only real human element to the song. I added some very mechanically played electric piano… playing only the first and fifth of each chord. I’ve always liked the way fifths leave enough space in a chord progression for the melody to really dictate the tone. Is it major or minor? There is also a certain sterility to this method of harmonizing that lends itself well to this song. For a nice lift (but not too much) on the chorus I added some very stylistic TR-808 and CR-78 cymbals. Nothing screams early electronics like these percussive sounds. There’s a 8 bar break between verse and chorus that needed a little something. So I added a very cold sounding CS-80 synth (well, a virtual version of it). The song ends (quite dramatically I think) with just Christa’s voice and the ambient synth pads, so a nice crescendo is needed to build up to this. The crescendo still needs a bit of work. I’m thinking (and Christa agrees) that some strings might fit the bill here. That will add another human element besides the voice I suppose, but what are rules other than things to break?

Sorry if I’ve been a little too music theory/tech geek in my description here. I just wanted to document what we’ve been up to today… in the only language I know. All-in-all… a good day of creative work. It’s been along time since I’ve had such a productive and rewarding day, musically. So I wanted to share.

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Human nature, at least many people's, is to always suspect that the grass is greener on the other side. We take the parts of our lives that we don't like and focus on how great life would be if the exact opposite were true. The trouble with that bad habit, is that it never goes away. Life is a compromise. No matter what possessions you have, what job you have or what relationships you have... there will always be a downside. There is a fine line between striving for better and never being happy. It's easy to recognize what is wrong in our lives, but not always so easy to recognize the wonderful experiences and people in our lives. Find what makes you happy in your life and totally dwell on it... go on... just roll around in it! Take all that energy you spend wishing for something more, and bask in everything great you have going on right now.

It's working for me... right now... and I aim to keep it that way.

Signed, one moody bastid ;)

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In this week's Tea with Hungry Lucy War-N & Christa share a preview of a new song (working title: Pajamas), likely title "The Best Day of Her Life". We get to hear the original noisy piano recording, and the newly arranged music.

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I listen to focus. I listen to motivate. I listen to correct my state of mind. I listen to detach. I listen for inspiration, to summon the muse. When I create, I create something to which I can listen. I create, because I have music in my head, heart and soul, but I cannot physically hear it yet. The desire to hear that music is what drives me to create. I do not create for money. I do not create for others. I only create for me. Once I have finished creating, I like to share. I share in hopes that others may enjoy as much as I do. I do not share to brag. I sell what I create. I sell in hopes of someday supporting my family from my creations. This is not something I deserve or expect. This is a hope ... a dream. People buy what I create. I buy what others create. I buy because the creations of others move me. I am moved when I listen.

Why do I listen? I listen to create to listen.

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After a one-week hiatus, Christa and War-N are back to delight you with tales of musical excursions, violently smashing rehearsals, War-N’s Facebook fun and Bjork spoofs. War-N speaks about some other people’s music in the form of the delicious Tania Moran (who reminds War-N of Olivia Newton-John) and the fascinating new project from Collide and Daren Garcia (of Curve) called The Secret Meeting. Christa tells us of her plans for a new video series and promises to deliver the first one next week … personally, I’m moist with anticipation! War-N also alludes to some life-changes in the not too distant future, but we’re unsure of what’s the hell he’s talking about … what’s new? ;P

Hungry Lucy perform this Tuesday (June 12) at Northside Tavern in Cincinnati with the amazing Stephanie’s Id.

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Informational type things »

If you haven’t experienced Stephanie’s Id live (from Asheville, NC), you won’t want to miss this show. They have managed to reaffirm my faith in the power of music every damn time I see/hear them!

Check out Stephanie’s Id online»

Check out Hungry Lucy online»

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This morning I wandered down to one of my employers “Am Buzz” sessions. These are usually interesting presentations on topics that pertain to this advertising and marketing industry in which I find myself toiling daily. This morning’s presenter was Todd Henry of AccidentalCreative.com. He only had a scant 30 minutes to share his wisdom on the creative process, but he still managed to blow my mind! A key point that stuck out was the importance of protecting one’s”creative core” while outside forces are trying to scoop from it. He put it much more eloquently than that, but that’s why he was at the front of the room.

In reading the AC blog I find this same point that was illustrated in the fabulous “Before the Music Dies” film.

(Ever wonder why pop music is bland?) This is because things that evoke a strong response in research, (a “5″), tend to be polarizing. Either you love them or you hate them. Therefore the goal is to be “just good enough” that a listener won’t change the radio station, but not so good that the song is polarizing. You’re “shooting for the 3.”

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Thanks to Todd for giving my mind a good shake this morning!

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