Throughout my life, I have always felt a sense of post pardum after any big event that I am involved with. Whether it’s a single or a show, a recording or a tour, or–like Sunday’s simulpodcast– a one off sort of special event.
I don’t exactly sulk; that’s not the right way to put it. But I sort of clam up, almost get cranky and need a few days to re-fresh the screen I guess you could say.
So, after Sunday, which was a tremendous amount of fun, I achieved this sense of post pardum. Hell, I should probably stop here and thank everyone who was involved: every podcaster big and small had this sense of enthusiasm for being a part of it which really drove me. It’s no wonder I enjoy pushing them to people who don’t know about it. So, to all of you, I just want you to know how much I appreciated it.
And to the fans, I hope you enjoyed the show. Getting that thing off the ground was alot more time consuming than i thought it would be. I think it’s because I tried to make it as personal as possible. Whether it was graphics that said the podcaster’s name rather than just a generic graphic, I ended up a little surprised that it took me so long to do things. And then like that…poof…it was over.
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I am starting to feel the itch to write and record. I don’t know what just yet as I have so many unfinished pieces. And I find that many of these pieces, at least at the moment, are frustrating me. Because I don’t see the end on them. I see only the potential.
I take a swing at them and whiff the ball. It’s pissing me off. Not in a bad way, or supremely negative way. Just in a way that flusters, that makes me furrow my brow in consternation. Love that word.
So, what I did yesterday is what you could call house cleaning and refreshing. I had been wanting to tweak my drum sounds out for a while and make my drum set sound as good as it can. I ran many of my samples through my tube pre and just warmed them up. I haven’t finished yet. I got the kick and all my snares taken care of. Tonight I’ll get to the toms and the cymbals. I just want two things here: to improve the mixes and to be more efficient.
Being a solo artist can be fast and slow at the same time. I can jump on a new idea like nobody’s business because I just do all the parts myself. But having to do all the parts myself can be tedious if technology gets in the way. By that I mean, if I don’t have my studio set up to be as lean and mean as possible the song or parts can grind to a halt while I a) wait for something to load or b) figure out the best way to get something up and running.
So, I always look at my studio with a critical eye: is that sound bank set up the right way? Can I do more with less in this instance or that? Can I get better guitar sounds with one thing over the other? (For example; Tuesday I auditioned a new guitar amp plug in with suprising results; even though I liked the sounds I’m getting I can’t just think it’s the best I can get).
So, whenever I reach a plateau, where I look around stare down at where I’ve been and then point my eyes north to where I need to go, well it’s usually a good time to check your gear. To tighten bolts and cogs and to see that your tools are working best for you and not just weighing you down. I find too that–similar to being a new piece of gear and being inspired to record (like a new guitar or new mic)—this process is sort of akin to cleaning your desktop off and inspiring you on its own level. Because when I have the new improved engine, well…I want to take it for a spin.
Hmmm, I think in those last couple of paragraphs I strung about 40 analogies together in one fell swoop.
But you see where I’m going.
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This weekend will be very busy in a non-musical way. Tonight I’m going to see an actress friend of mine perform in a play. Never seen her perform but very much looking forward to it. She’s got a lot of style as a person so I have a good feeling. Her name is Wendy.
Tomorrow, I am doing a practice with members of the choir (bass drums and maybe one guitar). Some of them are different members. New members. Shhhhh, I’m not supposed to tell you that just yet! Oh wait, this IS musical. Ok, weekend is for the most part non musical.
Saturday: Well, Saturday is FSU vs Virginia. It’s on ESPN and I’m going to have to tape it. Why? Because my buddy gocubbies is invited me to the Angels vs White Sox playoff game. That’s right, I’m going to my first MLB playoff game. Should be a blast. Angels were robbed last night.
Sunday, it’s my wife’s birthday. Do you realize this is the first time i said wife in a blog? Ha. She has had one request. I still get a kick out of hte notion I’m somebody’s “husband.”
The same request as last year: Disneyland. Fair enough, however I still love fucking with her and telling her we’re going to somewhere shitty instead. “You sure you don’t want to ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier? Um..weee!”
So, all of a sudden, my weekend is just >poof< gone. I also have web site clients to tend to. (Gotta pay the bills)... What are you doing this weekend?
