Writing Songs on Acoustic Guitar, My Mom, & Covering Leonard Cohen

So much to update on here! My posting hiatus was somewhat unplanned . . .

My lack of free-time was mainly due to the completion of my MBA in Nonprofit Management, and in the full-swing of the busiest busy season ever. This is all good for my future, good for business, good for opportunity, but bad for my creativity and and bad for blogging.

The MBA was a lot like having a second job, only I worked remotely from my desk after working an 8 to 9 hour day at my place of work. In a cubicle, staring into a computer screen, reading/writing about everything nonprofit and everything business. These were 60 to 70 hour weeks continuously for the past 15 months. 

So many mornings I told myself: "OK, tonight you are going to work on music, tonight you are going to reconnect with friends and family, tonight you are not going to just eat dinner and fall asleep watching TV in your chair." 

I rarely was able to follow through with those promises, but still I think they kept me going. They kept me from falling asleep during my commute home - which was a very real and challenging obstacle each night. And sometimes I would try, picking up my guitar and going through songs and potential new material. But often I would fall asleep in the middle of playing - waking-up still holding my guitar.

That said . . . I've been on a big acoustic kick lately. And really, this is good for my songwriting process. I remember years ago talking to my Mom (who is an amazing classical pianist, seasoned piano/music teacher, and the source of my "musical genes") about songwriting and wondering how others go about it. I was thinking about how I always started/wrote songs on acoustic guitar, while singing along (for melody, harmony, and self-expression). I guess that's the traditional folk and folk-rock roots that influence me - think Neil Young, think Bob Dylan - but it's also "what I know."

My Mom validated that process and tendency, explaining how most songwriters have a "primary instrument" that is there go-to in the writing/creation process. This is not to say that challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone, and create songs on other instruments is not a good thing - I think it can really stir-up the creative inertia for a songwriter. But there is something to be said for that familiarity that a long-term history on one instrument can provide, like an old typewriter or laptop for a writer.

Serendipitously, "Hallelujah" (the Jeff Buckley version) - a cover that I am currently collaborating with my Mom on - is playing in the background while I type this in my friend Molly's cafe. I love those kinds of coincidences. My Mom has already done her part, playing two alternate versions of Hallelujah beautifully, with great expression, and both in two flawless takes. I was blown away, and would have been even if she wasn't my Mom. I told her she could easily be a studio musician for piano. I'm lucky to have her on my side musically. Stay tuned for our collaborative Hallelujah cover, once I finish my vocals, and possibly some guitar overdubs.

Oh, and to celebrate finishing the MBA two weeks ago,  I have treated myself to catching-up with friends & family, as well as buying my dream acoustic/electric guitar (Gibson Hummingbird - Songwriter Deluxe) - which plays like, well, a dream. And I am happy to report, my creative energy has returned, and songwriting has commenced.

--Kristian Hochreiter,  MBA (Nonprofit Management)

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