Songwriting "done*" (with an asterisk)

Happy Days! Music and lyrics are done* for the 10 songs going on Mile Long Post-It's RPMChallenge 2009 cd (tentatively titled "2kMi").

Why the asterisk? 'Cause these tunes are in rough shape right now! Veeerrry rough shape. But the turds are laid, and now are ready for polishing (pardon the expression, phew!). I think I did a blog last year called "polishing turds", blabbing in some detail about taking rough drafts and working them into final cd form.

I want time for the songs to live and breath before recording 'em. Last RPM I spent waaaay too much time doing the initial writing (2 weeks!), and then had like a day to do arrangements and then right into recording (not my best approach). This year, I'm determined to have 3-4 days to play these drafts in different keys, different styles, different tempos - to flush out "what works" and "what needs help" before getting near a recording device.

Amazingly, this might work out. I want to start tracking (drum parts) on Sunday, so have about 4 days to whip these songs into shape on the 'ol acoustic guitar. Will try to post some rough drafts in a day or two.

Still, this is a nice hump to be over early in the project. Off to grab some lunch and then start workin' the tunes!!! Rock on!

(Note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10600/ )

One day and a wakeup...(RPMChallenge 2009)

It's here It's Here it's Here (almost!!!)...no, not Santa(!), but RPM2009! I had a total blast doing RPM 2008 and can't wait to get rolling this year. Gonna spend the next 1-day-11-hours (according to the handy "countdown" clock on the right of this page) chillin, relaxin' with my sweetie, raging it up a bit. Then wake up on Sunday AM and get writing! And then get SuperBowlin' (man, if only Plaxico had left that gun at home I might be watching the NYGiants try to go back-to-back, but no such luck).

I'm aiming to complete all the writing during the first week (by endOfDay 7-Feb). Gonna make for a busy week but if I write one song in the AM before day job, and another in PM after day job, I should be golden. This'll leave a few days to nail down arrangements, and then almost three weeks to record, mix, master (as it is), and ship. Last year it took me 2 wks to write, and trying to record/mix/master/ship in the remaining two weeks was hairy...very hairy.
Last night, spent some time updating software (latest BFD patch) and setting up a default "template" in my recording software for RPM tunes. Basically, two audio tracks ready to go, and multiple outputs from BFD (which is my drum "plug-in"). BFD is amazingly powerful with a ton of options - last year I did all my drum mixing within BFD and just sent a stereo mix to the recording software (SONAR), but this year want individual outputs from BFD going to Sonar to allow for a bit more flexibility during mixing. That is, SONAR will see separate Kick, Snare, Hat, etc. outputs. A PITA to set up, but once the template is done I'll be able to reuse it on all the songs.

Anyway, really excited to CHILL the next few days ("day", I guess), and then rock out with my (proverbial) *ock out for the next month! Good luck to my fellow RPMers and cheers to all visiting/supporting RPMChallenge!

(note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10037/