Go On
Rehearsal today. Our song "Skin of your Soul" is now "Go On".
I worked on "Skin of Your Soul" this weekend a bit more, and made a discovery: I didn't feel the chorus. It was fun to sing, but when the lyrics were written, we were working on two other songs at the same time, so some issues I had with the it never were resolved. We did some more work on it last week, but after listening to the rehearsal recordings, it still didn't seem right to me. I went back and listened to the early versions of the song and found that my main melody was different. I started playing around with the old melody, and it started opening things up.
I was still frustrated with it at 3am, and Riss came in my work room and I told her what was happening with it. I had all these things to fit together, this melody works here, but on the 2nd chorus, we go back into the intro and it won't fit there, etc. She was a big help with keeping me from getting pissed off with it, and staying the course. The excersise of talking it out with her broke whatever was keeping me from the right part, and after she went to bed, I stayed up and finished it. Once I had come up with a new chorus lyrics, the name of the song changed. It's now "Go On". The meaning of the song is the same, but where the chorus was leaning in an (overly) esoteric direction, it now is much clearer and to the point, and also much more satisfying to sing.
I brought the new lyrics into rehearsal today, and when we played it, it felt really solid. The new driving section after the 3rd chorus now feels fantastic and it is doing what I had hoped it would, making a higher peak for the energy of the song, right before the breakdown outro.
We also did some work on "Outsider" the song I am just going to sing and not play guitar on. This one is more spacious and delicate, and requires more finesse with coming up with the parts and arrangement, because it is so "naked". Dave and Chris did alot of tinkering with the dynamics, and where the bass comes in alone, where the drums start, etc. It was Stephen's birthday today.
"Close your naked eye, close your naked eye and see"
Comments
nice to hear from you again Steve... can't wait to see the show. it's been a good day...
Posted by: SnoWhite | September 13, 2004 11:42 PM
good to hear you're working on a new stuff. can't wait to listen to it.
have a nice day, Steve,
peace,
Obvious
Posted by: Obvious | September 14, 2004 01:25 AM
Just checking out the NASCAR review. Looks like you had a fantastic time...nice photos.
Couldn't work out if the "Dave's new friend" bit was a non-leaking of info about TPC or just ignorance! Actually the style of the review made me laugh quite a lot...
Have a good day (tomorrow's here already)
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | September 14, 2004 01:27 AM
Oh, yeah, and just so you know, after reading this post, I have abandonned planning a lesson for my students, to sit down and spend some quality time with my Aria! *giggles*
I am so inspired by hearing all this
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | September 14, 2004 02:06 AM
ah, princess, you and I are on the same page, I am leaning towards 'ignorance' myself.
And, wait a minute, did you say something about 'students'? I am a teacher, myself
Teachers DIG musicians, see, Steve, that's why I love your blog, I am a sucker for the writing!
Have a great day, see ya boys next week!
Posted by: jezebel | September 14, 2004 06:19 AM
Can we assume that Go On and Outsider are going to be a part of your set for this secret gig?
On another note I read on Dave's site that you are going to releasean EP 1st. How many tracks can we expect to be on it? And how many songs have you written at this stage?
Orange
Posted by: orange | September 14, 2004 07:47 AM
Great to have a post to read from Steve. (that's sort of like a rap rhyme :P )
I love hearing about the artistic process, it's fascinating. I know that frustration myself, more in painting and drawing, even writing. And the kind of madness that takes you over, like frustration, and the drive to get it right.
I used to teach too. Interesting that. It was pre-school though.
Not too many lesson plans if any to get done there, more like activities, odd how the wording changes like that as you go through school.
Excited to hear the new music.
Love
Lisa
xxxx
Posted by: ylais | September 14, 2004 09:44 AM
I'm being laughed at. I am looking through an 8ball rocknroll clothing catalogue that just fell out of my new Kerrang magazine.
I exclaimed, "Oh, how cute! It a bag with skull and crossbones on!"
(laughter ensued as to how I could think a bag with a skull and crossbones on it is cute)
Posted by: ylais | September 14, 2004 09:53 AM
Steve, I love Alan Moore. I noticed The Watchmen on here first time I stopped by.
Just want to say, I'm a fan too.
Went crazy on getting Alan Moore comics for a while, about 10 years ago, and still have a lot of them.
Posted by: ylais | September 14, 2004 09:56 AM
I rest my case :)
Posted by: jezebel | September 14, 2004 10:29 AM
teacher too ;)
Posted by: Abby | September 14, 2004 02:17 PM
well...was, have since given it up for the fabulous life of unemployment...lol
Posted by: Abby | September 14, 2004 02:18 PM
I have also given it up for oh so glamourous life unemployment! :)
Posted by: ylais | September 14, 2004 02:54 PM
attention: teachers!
what does everyone teach (or DID teach)? i am in school, working on my bachelor's in hopes of becoming a teacher... well, an instructor. i want to teach junior college eventually... once i get done with all this school! yea teachers!!! we need more teachers out there like us! =)
Posted by: SnoWhite | September 14, 2004 03:17 PM
Me, third grade, they are young enough to still come up and hug you, and believe what you are saying to them, but old enough to tie their own shoes, and have intense convos with....
Hey, Shout out to Abby, Lisa, Sarah, Reckless Princess, and TEX!!! for all being part of raising the kids who will hopefully keep the future going forward.......
that sounded cheesey :)
Anyway, I am going to the local university out here, trying to get my master's by Christmas, thinking about teaching the older boys....not high school, that would be WAY too dangerous..........!!!
Posted by: jezebel | September 14, 2004 03:41 PM
Steve,
I stumbled across your site about a week ago while looking for schtuff on Jane's Addiction. Since then, I've checked in here every so often... mostly because my curiousity had been sparked. I just wanted to say that your entries are always engaging, (love your writing style) and thanks for keeping us all updated on TPC's project. I'm sure this project will produce some exciting and innovative things. I can't wait to see what you do. :)
(p.s. Secret Show was a killer idea... pleeeeease come to Utah soon!)
Posted by: Minuette | September 14, 2004 04:28 PM
2nd and 3rd graders here...have to agree with jezebel on that age, they are still sweet (but watch out for those 4th graders!)....but was in school to teach highschool English still may get my masters to teach at the college/jr. college level
Posted by: Abby | September 14, 2004 08:56 PM
abby, I tried to email you, I checked your site, you are one awesomely talented girl!!
oh, yeah, 4th graders are on the verge, and by the time they are in fifth grade, there is nothing a teacher has to say that's of any relevence..........sp.....but I love them...I'm not so good at teaching, have no patience, or organization, but I love them, kids are REAL!!
I can't wait to meet you!!
those who capture your interest are truly blessed by your creativity
oops, gushing
*puts down the martini*
see ya tuesday!!
Posted by: jezebel | September 14, 2004 09:15 PM