Set Back Up in The Studio World

Oh I'm ever so happy! I've finally got my studio back up and running after the unexpected crash of my G5 and the inevitable switch to Windows that followed. I love mac but when you need to get stuff quickly and on a budget, it just isn't practical.

ANYWAY! I've already dumped all my files to the new machine and have even had time to record some new tunes (guide tracks of course...) but it will take me a little bit more time to get re-settled and upgrade the hard drives, etc etc..
But even still there's work to be done. I've started some preliminary mixing on Syren's upcoming album and with help of an old friend of mine it looks like things will go very well! Oh, the Joy of all things studio and nerdy!

So to celebrate, here's my track of the day. DIG THAT BASS LINE!

Another track...Good ole' track....

What a good track!!!!!!

Finally Deciding to Rant.

I was browsing the internet today just having a general surf and kept coming across X Factor this and X Factor that....Ooo...is Gary Barlow doing as good a job as Simon Cowell....(Are you serious? THAT's Listed on the news and I have to do a google search to find out what's going on in Libya??) And I remembered how, back home in America, in high school everyone was obsessed with American -freaking- Idol. I never understood it and have actively boycotted such shows since they came out back in 2001 (starting with Pop Idol in Britain.) 

 What is most annoying is how you can't deny the genius of the creators. Finally there is a show which was like drugs to the minds of the public. Even people who's musical values were of a more 'old school' fashion would "Watch the auditions, you know....cos they're just so funny..."

If you want comedy why not watch genuine comedy such as Monty Python, Bill Hicks or any of the Carry On films?? Or better yet, find a local comedy venue and go watch someone new!

Bill Cosby

(And as a by the by,  "As of June 2011, [American Idol] is the most watched TV series in the Nielsen ratings and is the only program to have been number one for seven consecutive seasons, surpassing All in the Family and The Cosby Show, which were both number one for five consecutive season..." according to Wikipedia...Poor Bill Cosby...now HE was funny.

I'm allowing myself once and for all to get on a soap box about this, because it's shows like this which numb the minds of the public. That's the same public musicians such as myself rely on to buy records...more and more people are beginning to prefer that dolled up, air brushed, turgid shite that rolls off of shows like American Idol, and the X Factor because it's easy! It's like the fast food of music. It feels so good when you can move along to that new track in the club, but at the end of the day it isn't intellectually stimulating, is it? I suppose people don't want intellectual stimulation these days, though. Everything is just so easy...and who knows whether that's a good or bad thing.

I have, for the past 6 years or so, thought it was a bad idea to post big opinions like this, because the truth of the matter is that I do rely on you guys to buy my music and come to gigs. And if I'm seen to be trashing your favorite show, the likelihood of you supporting me is slim. But I honestly can't sit still any longer. How can we still be settling for stupid shows like that to tell us who has talent and what the X-mas number 1 is going to be? Some angry Rage Against the Machine fans started a facebook campaign back in December 2009 to make 'Killing in the Name' the UK x-mas number 1 and not let the X factor steal it for the 5th year in a row. It worked, too. They got so much support that Rage got more downloads and by christmas we really were ROCKING around the christmas tree....so to speak ...But nothing really came of it. The new year came and went and the rage in people eventually faded. But if we are REALLY angry about how ugly the face of the music biz is these days, why don't we DO something about it?

We can, too!

Biffy Clyro

(also as a side note, the 2010 x-mas No. 1 was a song called 'When We Collide' written by a great Scottish band, Biffy Clyro. But it wasn't Biffy Clyro that got the kudos for the song although I'm sure they got nice royalties..., it was some x factor wimp sporting an acoustic guitar)

Stop downloading/buying meaningless mess just because Itunes endorse it or because it's getting press and try going out to your local open mic nite. I guarantee you'll see someone who's whole heart and soul go into every word and chord they write and on a spiritual level that will echo within you until you die.Try listening to original versions of songs and supporting the people who wrote them as opposed to someone who's been produced by money spinning turd machines (record companies).

And finally, thanks for reading...My soap box and I are off, until next time.

Love

Erin

xxx

Another song of the day....

Today is one of those days when you want to eat comfort foods and stare out at the overcast Scottish sky daydreaming about novels you might one day write....or at least it is for me anyway. ha ha.
So, in my daydreaming I had this song spinning around my head. I just love the melody and words...
Enjoy!

Assessing My Musical Dream

I've been pondering a lot lately about the music business as a whole and whether musicians ever find true satisfaction within the depths of 'the biz.' It's true to say that one can spend years chasing 'the dream,' but when you actually sit down and think about it, do we have a clear view of what our dream actually is? Perhaps it's safe to say that we begin our musical journeys driven by dreams of fame, fortune and adoration but as we find our feet along the way and become settled in our various approaches to music, dreams change; and it's good from time to time to sit and asses how we are approaching what is going to be a lifetime of involvement in the music industry one way or another.

There are definitely two sides of the proverbial coin when it comes to the music industry. On one side you have the 'hit machine' that churns out tunes performed by people who have been produced with a fine toothed come. With gorgeous looks and no hair out of place, the auto-tuned performers deliver the songs being promoted by the mass media and thus hammered into the public's head until you can no longer think of anything but that addictive hook. It truly is a successful business bringing in millions of pounds/dollars every day. And the people who support this gigantic hit monster are all benefiting from it. That's not to say that the people involved (be it the singers/performers or industry folks) didn't set out for this in the first place. Perhaps it was their dream all along to to be 'rich and famous.' But I can't help but wonder if maybe, from a musical point of view, they long for something deeper and more meaningful. Something that means more than money.

On the opposite side of the coin, you have the more hippy-esque musicians and promoters who believe in a more 'old fashioned' approach to the music industry, which is simply this; write a brilliant song that comes from the depths of your soul and put it out there. Play it live and share the spiritual and emotional parts of yourself with people who might also feel the same. And if you're successful you can give up your day job pumping petrol at the garage and use the money you make from your music to fund a life where you can write and record more music to affect more lives. With the invent of the internet this has never been an easier method. You can write, record and release in virtually minutes and voila! You're in the industry. However, in this fast paced industry people are losing interest in investing in something that hasn't already been endorsed by the media. (And it is an investment.) Without anyone telling you how 'wonderful' the performer you are watching is, you have to watch and listen and decide for yourself. If the performer is playing original material, that makes your investment that much more important. So in taking this approach we have to ask ourselves, 'Are we happy with the inevitable up-hill struggle against the major labels who dominate the market? And if not, are we happy in the shadows of the limelight?

My reason for writing this is simply because I, as a musician, have started personally analyzing my place within the overpopulated music industry. The songs I write are incredibly personal and dear to me. I write because I always have. Nothing drove me to do it. I just picked up a pen when I was 9 and bang! The flood gates of my soul opened and if I tried to close them, I never could. Other songwriters will agree with me when I say that creating music truly is a spiritual experience.

My dream was to be that person bathed in stage light singing to the cheers of those who adore my songs. Throughout my teens (13-17) I was obsessed with everything musical and by the time I got my driving license I had already been gigging for two years, had a repertoire of hundreds of songs and had my future career pretty sussed out in my head. I had great family who supported me and when their finances allowed for it they'd buy me bits of gear until I had everything I needed to record myself and put together a band. It was all very amateur but those experiences were vital to the next step in my career which came out of nowhere.

Syren was the chance of a lifetime. Before me were two professional musicians with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge and I soaked it up like a sponge. It didn't take me long to get my act together, both literally and proverbially. I wrote, I rehearsed, recorded and I played live and I really honed my skills. But all this time and since I was 9, I was just driven by my dream. Now after having done all the things I ever wanted to, I'm here wondering what comes next. I have played to thousands of people, recorded albums that have been praised by fans and press, have earned royalties and have received emails and letters from people who have been deeply touched by the music I've written. And yet because I cannot stop writing, recording and producing music, I'm taking a moment to pause and reassess myself and my dream.

If I died today I would be content with everything I've achieved so far in my life. But to be perfectly honest there is that hunger somewhere within me that wants more; bigger productions, larger audiences, more record sales...There is a part of me which doesn't quite feel satisfied. What makes things slightly more confusing is that my musical ethics are sternly fixed on the aforementioned 'hippy-esque' approach to the music industry. Chances are if I were signed to a major label I would have to be tweaked in some way to become what they would consider to be a 'money spinner,' and I have always (and will always) refuse to exploit my music like that. Never mind myself. But surely any exposure is good for your over all goal right? I guess in a round about kind of way, the answer lies in me pushing myself every day in every way I can. Writing whenever I need to write, being myself and only being part of projects (pop, rock, rap or otherwise) that I believe in. I truly believe there are still people out there who want to invest in music that doesn't have electronic loops and enough keyboards to sink a ship. And for those of you who fall in that category, may I promise you that my 'hunger' is for you. I will always write for you and deliver unto you music which comes directly from my soul in hopes that it can touch yours.

Thanks for reading my thought processes.

All Love,

Erin Bennett

Nothing better than freshly washed hair. :)

I don't quite know why I chose that as a title. Probably because I washed my hair today and am just loving the clean smell...who knows.
Anyway, I was having a think about my 'track of the day' and today is sort of a toughy because the song running rampant in my head is actually a new song I wrote a couple of days ago and haven't yet recorded....so as I can't quite post it, I thought it best to just choose one of my favorite tracks of all time (picked out of an incredibly long list, I must add....)
Hope ya'll enjoy!!
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease.
xxx

Wonderful Song of the Day...

Last night I was chilling out in a hotel bar in Edinburgh, staring up at the beautifully lit castle amongst all these other old buildings...and this song was playing. It seemed like such a perfect combination and inspired me to sit there for about 2 hours writing away....
xxx

Totally lost without a studio computer.... :(

Well it's been about three weeks since my studio G5 bit the dust. I've decided that it was due to my over working it that it just died on me...*sigh*... I've arranged for a new computer and of course now it's just a matter of waiting until it arrives and I can tweak it with all of my bits. But geez I wish things would materialize more quickly. I'm so lost without means to record...and so close to being finished with an EP....how cruel, aye?

Which brings me to post this video for the new 'Deeper Understanding' by Kate Bush.
I believe it explains my situation perfectly. :)
Gotta Love Kate.
xxx