Zach Barnes senior project

Weekly reflection #2 Sat= 2.5 hours Sun=2.5 hours (60 hours total) This week we focused on writing our music. Our goal is to have a final recording of at least eight songs on the album. Some of the songs we have worked on so far are “Dark Woods,” “Paradox,” “Fractals,” “Let Go,” and “Candles, Sex, and Cigarettes.” We also have some untitled pieces. Exactly which songs will go on the album, and how many there will be total is still undecided. A lot of our material comes from improvisation, so it was challenging to write at times. Our songs each have a unique sound, with different influences. Many genres and styles have contributed to this album. Each of us has an independent technique, so balancing all that together has been really interesting. Overall, I think our band has a very special and fresh sound. The process of writing, practicing, recording, and editing music has been so satisfying. Writing lyrics really allows me to reflect on myself. When I write lyrics, they largel...

Friday, May 10th 5 hours (total= 55 hours) Today was really productive. Drake was sick so he stayed home from baseball. Abe and Joe came over so that we could play together as a band. We then played all of the songs that we have been writing and practicing. Reed recorded all of them so that we have them all digitally for reference when doing the final recording. When we do our final recordings each instrument will have an individual track so that we can change the effects of each instrument and get the best possible recordings.

Thursday, May 9th 5 hours (total = 50 hours) Today was spent getting a working session of dark woods recorded. We started by getting the guitars and bass to the desired sound, and then we jammed for a few minutes to get into the groove before recording. We then recorded a live instrumental with Drake and Joe on guitar, Abe on bass, and Dylan on drums. We did a few takes and then settled on one we were happy with. Reed then made another track where I layered my vocals over the instrumental track. The rest of the night was spent matching riffs to lyrics we had written, to make a couple new song ideas. We spent a lot of time figuring out the part of each instrument, as well as the form of the songs.

Wednesday, May 8th 2.5 hours (total=45 hours) Today was a rest day where we looked at what we had so far. We did some editing to paradox as well as jamming on some new song ideas. Ceilidh is gone so we will have to get her back over here to finish that track. We also devised a plan on how we can most effectively use the week and a half that we have left to create and produce an 8 track album that we are happy with that is up to our grey space standards. All in all, things are going pretty well. Hopefully, we can get abe and joe over here a little more often even though abe is coming whenever he is free. It's nice to have an extra set of hands fully committed to this project. We hope to get Alex McCarter over here this weekend to record vocals for us.

Tuesday, May 7th 5 hours (total=42.5 Hours) Today we made a lo-fi mix for paradox and recorded drakes clean picking guitar over it. Celidih then came over to record her vocals. It took a little while for her to learn the form of the song and to hit the notes the way that we wanted it to be. After a few takes she was in the swing of things and we got a good recording for the first couple of verses. After that, we had her record the vocals for the chorus. I then put some of my vocals under hers for backup. We ended up with a good recording that will need some touchups but that we are happy with. I have also been mis-logging my hours somehow, so I am fixing it in this blog.

Friday May 4th 5 hours (total= 20 Hours) Today is drakes birthday. We woke up and did some jamming and reworking of a couple of songs that we are going to start recording by early next week. Drake had a baseball game a little after noon so we got in as much playing as we could before then. When he got back i took him and the rest of the band to a surprise party that i helped put together for drake. We Then ended up preforming a few of our songs with just vocals, two acoustic guitars, and a harmonica. It sounded good and we performed in front of a decent number of people and recieved good feedback. We are excited for the upcoming week when we really get recording final tracks.

Thursday May 3rd 5 Hours (total = 15 hours) After getting the new equipment we have been doing sound checks setting levels of each instrument and trying to get everything sounding good on the overall live mix. We have been messing around with the tones and levels of each individual instrument as well as my vocals. We now have a few live recordings of song ideas to progress within the next few weeks. Joe and drake are playing guitar, while Dylan plays drums. Abe is playing the bass on this album and is quickly picking it up. Reed is our main producer, but he is teaching Dylan to use the equipment. I have been working on my vocals so that they are the best they can be for the album.