Feedback Eyes (the first Lighrail Coyote song) Mix #1

                       Here we go This is the first track recorded. 

. Feedback Eyes 100411 by Lightrailcoyote 
 It's of course not "perfect"/finished, meaning that I have more work I'm planning on doing to this (remixes, changing the drums, re-recording parts, etc). Usually I try not to share first mixes like this - unless I am collaborating.
But in the spirit of Coyote and the instant nature of blogging - Here it is. Have a listen, give me some feedback and creative ideas if you'd like. Let's see what happens . . .

This is a glimpse into my process. I find some inspiration, start recording different pieces and layers. Then I do a rough mix-down. Artists working in other mediums probably experience getting "too close" to what they are creating after working on it for awhile. Because of this, I usually step back and away for a couple weeks or so, and then listen again with fresh ears. Then I do some editing, re-recording, re-arranging, etc.


 I usually do this a couple of times, before I am content enough to call something "finished". At least finished enough to move on to another song.

Post-modern music making

I used to hear the term post-modern a lot in college. It was a Label that was worn-out from overuse. The more I heard it, the less it meant.

As a solo recording musician, I tend to pull from beyond the indie-rock and folk backgrounds that I usually create and perform in. I think a large part of this is the use of drum loop beats and electronic samples.
There are some


hip-hop elements that I am hearing in the new songs I am making (and will post them this weekend). I think it is because of those post-modern textures and because they are beat oriented. Thank you drummer from Tortoise!

--Kristian

Location:Lightrail eastbound

Putting a timeline on art

I will start this post saying that there is no contract or buyer or record company awaiting any "finished" Lightrail Coyote songs. For better or worse.

Like most hobbyist (not our income) artists, it is ourselves that become impatient awaiting the "new" and the "finished." It is our pesky day jobs and the need to pay bills that can pause the record button. And yes, there is the ugliest word I know, procrastination.

That said, when is a song finished? And can you know that without creating twenty different mixes/versions? I imagine most artists tackle this one as well. I could take the obvious path, and tell you "Songs are never truly finished, they are constantly evolving and you will continually re-interpret."

But lately my new response to this is: The song "writing" and arranging phase is done when you can listen back to the recording and not be thinking about what you could have done differently. Instead you are just listening. Believe me, this isn't an easy task as the artist.
--K

New songs update:

I've been making some progress with the three songs. Mainly, I've figured out how to "bus" aka "mixdown" in Protools. This was a key hurdle to get over, and means I am really close to posting some actual audio.

Stay tuned,
--K

- Posted at the Speed of (((Sound)))

The Process

Ok, so I know I really should have some songs posted by now. There are 3 new songs and rough recordings of them but they are being held captive within my laptop in man-cave studios (aka my living room).

This situation is the result of utilizing different technology into my song creation and recording process. Before now, I did all my tracking on Digital Multitrack recorders, such as the Boss BR1180, and before that (many moons ago) on a little tape tascam four track (the little blue one).

I have admittedly resisted Protools as a recording solution for a few different reasons throughout the years. Long story short, I bought a used laptop and it came with Protools installed. I've discovered I do like the functionalities it offers, and have been working my way through the learning curves. It is a time investment (the learning) for future song creation.

But this can come at a price of course. And that is losing current inspiration, by switching gears and not being creative or playing the song but instead trouble shooting. There have been plenty of articles on this modern day recording dilemma in places like TapeOp magazine, etc, but I thought I'd share. Music coming soon, stay tuned.


"The plan keeps coming up again . . ."

- Posted from man-cave studio

Location:Portland Lightrail heading east

New Music is brewing in the laboratory

Stay Tuned -

I've been a tinkering with ideas, gadgets, instruments, lyric/story concepts, drum loops, and coffee. You may have asked - OK what is the deal with this blog - where is the music? And to that i say - patience my friend, I will post something that is ijn progress in the next 5 days.

Cheers!

--Kristian

East bound seeking sounds

Looking for inspiration on this hot Portland weekend. Went downtown to Huber's, Portland's oldest bar. Played some acoustic Built to Spill covers, listened to Spotify- the Cars, Blonde Redhead. Made some weird sounding beats With a new looper app on my phone.


- Posted using BlogPres from my iPhone

My daily Lightrail commute

The daily commute for my day-job has changed.

While it is longer, I now traverse through downtown Portland. Half-asleep and out of my funky Northeast basement bungalow by 6AM, into the crisp air, onto a bus with my fellow morning commuters. I always wonder where they are going and what they will be doing, but I never ask. I wait under the overpass next to the Rose garden, with the sound of cars travelling over my head.

Onto the Max (yes the "Lightrail") and head west for about an hour. For the first couple weeks of this new commute, I drove my wagon into the festering freeways, about a half hour commute. But now I find that I am happier with my longer commute via public transportation.

I have the time, space, and moments to reflect, and to take pictures like these while the scenery blurs past.

--Kristian

"Most of the wildlife with which we share our cities is very adaptable – as is the coyote. They are one of the most adaptable species on the planet. Because they eat a variety of foods which are abundant in our cities, and are opportunistic, they find more then enough food in our cities. A few city residents feel uncomfortable sharing their cities with coyotes . . ."

http://www.dfwwildlife.org/coyote_content.html