Dreams and drums.

I had a dream last night that my noise path led me back to Richmond, Va. In real life, there was no sound related reason for me to be there. I was seeking the guitarist (who in real life resides in Vermont.) In my dream I did not find him. I got distracted. But who I encountered in RVA was my friend, a bassist, who no longer plays due to a severed tendon in his hand.

I am seeking many people from my past and present, they just do not know it. Yet.

Currently, I have my eye on a very specific drummer with a unique skill set. In this project, it is important to lay down the percussion first- starting with the most complex piece and filling in the gaps with less complex parts. I am of the mindset that the rhythm section is the backbone. The best bands have a strong percussion and bass. These components are irreplaceable. Also, by laying out the drums first, it gives everyone a "beat" with which to sync their parts. (Consequently, I get along best with drummers and bassists, specifically bassists. Probably because in band situation, the rhythm section are generally the ones who seem to understand that the piece is not about their cock-rock solo. There has only been one guitarist ever with whom I have truly gotten along-- he thought like a bassist, choosing song form over vanity.)

Since the drummer and I were never more than acquaintances; I was afraid he would not know who I was outside of the context of my significant other. I am fairly reserved and tend to keep to myself. I don't go to bars and only seem to leave my house now when I have art modeling gigs (ie: work.) Due to this, I do not think people know who I am, regardless if I know who they are. Or that I am nameless, the designation "girlfriend of . . ." Which makes it difficult to ask some one if they would like to work with you on a project because they don't have an understanding of who you are or what you do. But thankfully, on my most recent visit to the house he shares with several others, he did.

Asking is another issue. How and when. I have (and always did have) an open invitation to their house. that being said, I am not one to drop by uninvited. Perhaps it is old-school manners drilled into me by my mother, but I feel intrusive entering another's space without specific permission. But it has to start somewhere, so it will have to start here. Unfortunately, I am currently stuck in NYC for two weeks. As much as I love this city, there is some place else I would rather be.

Dreams and drums.

The plan.

As I discussed in my previous post, I have difficulty relating to others on a collaborative musical level-- especially if I am required to get many of these people together in a room and do something besides converse about the weather. On the flip side, because technology enabled me to do virtually anything I want musically, including making whole melody lines based on alterations of one note sample I've recorded, sometimes I can be a bit of a musical control freak (AKA: Billy Corgan Syndrome.) A third problem is the members of my ideal band live far away. And probably would not be able to stand each other over a long period of time.

Well, I found a work-around for all three of these problems. The idea was sparked by something my friend Terry told me when I was first trying to pull together an ensemble. I found a viola player, but she just gave birth a month prior and it was difficult for her to leave the house for long periods of time. Terry suggested I bring her recordings of the band's sessions for her to use for practice purposes.

In the end, the band never materialized as I would have liked. But Terry's advice stuck with me and came back in a different manifestation. Why not record every instrument separately and put them together as I go along? I can even email the next player the tracks ahead of time so when I get there, the individual would have a basic idea of where to start. When I get done, I can do a final mix and master in Cakewalk Sonar. But I will need to keep myself in check and avoid the temptation of cutting, altering and editing parts outside of the basic effects (ie: reverb, noise reduction, pan, etc.) I want this to be as close as a collaborative effort as possible. Not just me doing what I have always done-- recording what I want and slapping it together however I deem fit.

For my audio recording, I ordered a Tascam DR-1. It is a pocket-sized audio recorder with an external mic input which can capture 24-bit 48/44.1kHz .wav files. I've also decided to document the process so I have also ordered a cheapo video camera (you know where my priorities lie), an SVP HDDV 2300 which can capture videos up to11MP and 640x480 in size.

The plan.

Sound Collector.

Did you ever watch the recording of Jim Morrison talking about the future of music? He said something to the effect of, “I can kind of envision one person with a lot of machines, tapes and electronic set-ups; singing or speaking and using machines.”

That was me for almost 15 years. The resulting effect is is I have been so autonomous musically, it has become increasingly difficult to relate to other people on a musical level. So I am going to try to do it the only way I know how- like Harry Everett Smith, a collector of sounds.

Sound Collector.

A question of balance.

http://www.facade.com/tarot/

The Creative Process spread is designed specifically to peer into the nature of a project or creative undertaking, and shine a spotlight on the evolution of its parts. The Golden Tarot is a modern celebration of late medieval artwork. This deck is the choice of scholars, for it evokes images of elegance amid barbarism, and the light of virtue in dark times.




The card in the middle represents the creative force behind the project, be it a person, organization, or other entity. Wheel of Fortune: The path of destiny. Karma on a grand scale. An unexpected turn of good fortune. A link in the chain of events. Success, luck, and happiness.





The card on the top represents imagination - the prophetic image that stems from the creative force of the previous card to initiate the project. This is the poetry or voice of the undertaking. King of Cups: The essence of water behaving as air, such as a billowing cloud in the blue sky: Great maturity, endless patience, tolerance of other points of view, and a deep knowledge of human nature. One who intuitively knows the strengths of those around him, and gently cultivates them. Remaining calm and relaxed in all situations, and making artful use of diplomacy or a quiet word to resolve conflicts. The ability to listen to what another person is saying, and truly understand what is in their heart. A rewarding partner and a beloved leader.




The card on the left represents emotion - the feelings aroused by or surrounding the ideation of the project that takes place in the previous card. This is the music or scent of the undertaking. Justice, when reversed: Lack of balance, harmony and integrity. The suspension of action until a decision is made. Lawsuits and prosecutions. Unjust decisions and the consequences of those decisions. A turn for the worse in legal matters.






The card on the bottom represents thought - the analytical process of organizing the project and capturing the emotional content of the previous card. This is the science or vision of the undertaking. Five of Coins (Worry), when reversed: Concern over finance leads to prudent action. Impending physical threat is met with calm and skill. Suffering and loneliness leads to spiritual growth. Stress is met without resorting to excess or the pursuit of oblivion.






The card on the right represents manifestation - the real work involved in completing the project, and the form it will take upon culmination. This is the painting or touch of the undertaking. Seven of Wands (Valor): Standing courageously for your beliefs in the face of adversity. Fear of failure overcome by the will to succeed. Great obstacles met with heroism and determination. Inner strength brought to bear at a critical moment.





Don't be to hasty to believe the random generated probability-- every thing is still an option.

A question of balance.