Friday, February 26, 2016

new song and recording: "Talk"

This new, original song is called "Talk" and was written and recorded in February 2016. The recording, lyrics, tablature, and composition notes are given below.

Recording


Tablature

Tablature for this song is posted at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzqNzl6eyl0MSVdyT0JWb1otbmM/view?usp=sharing

The code that generated this PDF is at https://github.com/emw314159/tracks

What I Wrote It About

What else? Heartbreak and lovesickness.

Lyrics

If I'm loving and kind, then why am I so pissed?
Acceptance would be much more noble
Moving on so much more mature
But instead I'm gonna throw... throw a lyrical fit:

You say I'm brave and nice
Why won't you talk with me?
You say I'm honest
So why won't you talk with me?

If I'm loving and kind, then why not make amends?
I tried to reconnect
Tried to reach your point of view
But now I just don't get it
Now I just don't get it

You say I'm brave and nice
Why won't you talk with me?
You say I'm honest
So why won't you talk with me?

What is the point of love that goes nowhere?
What is the point of love that goes nowhere?

I just want to talk with you...
I just want to talk with you...
I just want to talk with you...
I just want to talk with you...

Composition Notes

Style

When I started writing this I was shooting for a cross between Sonic Youth and Muse, with the energy of punk. I captured the Sonic Youth influence (in the strategic use of dissonance) and the punk energy, but missed Muse. Instead you get to hear my strong Midnight Oil influence in the sparse guitar parts and in the bass grooves.

I wrote the lyrics in less than an hour. Usually it takes me weeks. I deliberately avoided the use of rhymes to create more tension. I also skipped use of dense metaphors and instead just cut to the chase.

Theory

I don't bother to use my music theory training when writing music anymore; I tend to force listeners through my own key changes, chromatics, and mixed scales. (I do this whether I'm writing rock, orchestrial music, or string quartets; the exception is when I write jazz charts). I also avoided use of punk and metal cliches such as power chords. For that matter I ignored standard chords of any type.

Instrumentation

I'm playing both guitar and bass (5-string). That's also my mediocre voice in the mix. I left out the use of a synthesizer since I thought it would rob the intensity. The drums are an algorithm--because I can't play them--I'm going to go back and program better beats for the song later.

Live Performances

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