bookshelf

One of the boring parts

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:22:35 -0400

Working on the full band version of the song “No.” Doing that thing where you prepare and transfer sound files from one machine to be mixed on another machine. Next, I’ll be recording the remaining guitar and vocal parts…then mixing…then…

A Waste, Day Two

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:39:00 -0500

Laid down a much better guitar part for “A Waste.” Then ukulele and vocals on top of it. But it feels too rushed, so I think I’m going to start over, making the recording I’ve got…a demo.

What’d you think I was going to say it was a waste? Nothing’s a waste at this point. It’s all a learning experience as I bumble through the self-recording process.

Okay, back up the mountain…

2012 sessions, day 1

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:44:29 -0500

Recorded the acoustic guitar for “A Waste” tonight. Was faced with the question…do I play to a metronome/click-track (which makes it easier to lay down the rest of the tracks, but can suck the life out of a song with its robotic consistency) or not (which feels more natural, but can easily be screwed up on a finger-picking guitar part such as this one)? I decided not to use one. It’ll turn out better, but it’ll take several attempts to get it jussst right.

Regardless, it feels good to be laying down tracks again…

Green-Wood Studio

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:36:39 -0500

Green-Wood Studio

sometimes I write wordz

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:06:00 -0500

Hi, enormous number of followers. I love you.

I do write non-music words(z) sometimes and I’ve started a new tumbl(u)r so that I can empty out my dumb thinks every once in a while so I can make room for smart thinks.

It’s called Blibbits. (I mean, ‘cause of course it’s called that.)

I hope you’ll follow me. Not, like, spiritually or anything. ‘Less you want to.

I still love you.

words, words, words

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:40:00 -0500

some days lyrics just come to you…some days you just have to plug away on them…today is one of those latter days…”my last resort” is taking shape…a song that gives new meaning to that old saying…no matter where you go, there you are…

last resort

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:57:35 -0500

Here’s another one I found sitting on the ol’ hard...

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:33:00 -0500

Here’s another one I found sitting on the ol’ hard drive. Recorded it as a request of sorts. It’s originally a duet I’d never heard from a movie I’ve never seen called Country Strong.

I’m posting it here in case I haven’t completely and erroneously pigeonholed Bookshelf as an acoustic modern country act. (Can’t wait to share some rock with you foxy people.)

this was nice

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:11:06 -0500

While I focus on committing the songs I’ve written to tape (which is going well…still battling with electronics, but very close to laying down tracks), I can’t stop writing songs. It’s as though the Song Train is leaving the station and all these passengers are rushing toward the platform. I’ll wait for you guys, geez.

Aside from “A Waste,” which is one of my favorites I’ve ever written (you can hear a rough recording on the post prior), there’s a new one that keeps popping in my head like a new crush. (its title = the subject line above) Looking forward to sharing that one.

Sometimes us people who write music can’t find a single door, let alone a window, to let the songs in. Some days, like today, the roof is blown right off. These are good days.

Audio

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:56:00 -0500

At worst, this song is cliché, simplistic and shoddily...

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:15:00 -0500

At worst, this song is cliché, simplistic and shoddily performed/recorded. But it was fun to answer a quick, self-imposed challenge to write a standard country song. Totally forgot about this one. (written/recorded 7/2/11)

If you like, lemme know and I’ll post more of these as I come across ‘em…

Two things:
1. Pardon the text message I got a few seconds in.

2. If you can name the musical reference within the song, I’ll buy you a beer next time I see you.

so break / me down again

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:31:00 -0500

…accidentally wrote a super-catchy song this weekend…”My Most Basic Element”…I swear I didn’t mean to…someday (hopefully) soon it’ll be ready for ears…

Small Audience

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:19:37 -0500

After I brushed up on some songs on my uke tonight, I put it back in its place and a ladybug crawled out of the sound hole. I hope she liked what she heard.

songs on the table

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:57:00 -0400

These are the songs (I think) I’m deeming album-worthy. It all depends on how they turn out, of course…

Since they’re mostly just titles to the lot of you, here’s a fun game: guess what the song sounds like based on the title.

LIKELY CANDIDATES:
What Do You Do With A Liar?
No
Feels So
We Wait For Storms
Oh, Frida
The Moon
Sinking Ships
No More
Radio Silence/Don’t Answer
Lighting Fires

CONTENDERS:
Leave This Town
There’s a Hole
One Person
You Are the Song
Arrest this Heart
Seen It All
hell
Kissing the Corner of Your Mouth
My Crooked Heart
Out of Her Range

And, of course, there will likely be some tracks to come out of nowhere without my consent. “No More” was one such song that’s currently kicking my heart in the ass. Looking forward to sharing that one especially…

…Bookshelf at Roots Cafe, 7/22/11… (photo: melissa...

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:12:00 -0400

…Bookshelf at Roots Cafe, 7/22/11…

(photo: melissa felderman)

…covering my morning jacket…

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:24:00 -0400

…covering my morning jacket…

Video

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:00:00 -0400

raw, unfinished, and with placeholder vocals…rockin.

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:25:00 -0400

raw, unfinished, and with placeholder vocals…rockin.

One of the paintings that inspired the new song below…What...

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:01:00 -0400

One of the paintings that inspired the new song below…What I Saw in the Water by Frida Kahlo

A demo of new song from me. My open letter to Frida Kahlo. There...

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:47:00 -0400

A demo of new song from me. My open letter to Frida Kahlo. There isn’t much time…