RPM Challenge 2008

iaresee · #1 02.18.08, 6:49 PM

Alright GG kids: I didn't complete last year. I didn't even really get started (1 song). In my defense my life was changing fastfastfast last February. Not that things are much slower now but I'm feeling more committed this year. And I'm not having a kid, changing jobs and changing cities all at the same time too.

I know Moo is doing the challenge. Anyone else? I'm "I Are See" on http://www.rpmchallenge.com/ -- if you're posting stuff let me know. I'd love to hear it. You can check the complete tracks from my album here:

http://ian.coastpedalboards.com/inde...d=26&Itemid=35

As of writing: 4 down, 18:38 of music. That's 11:22 seconds left to go. I could actually complete this year!

Fuzzhead · #2 02.19.08, 1:52 AM

Ah dammit, that was THIS month? Too late now...

iaresee · #3 02.19.08, 8:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fuzzhead
Ah dammit, that was THIS month? Too late now...

You could do a 10 day marathon.

Moo · #4 02.19.08, 8:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fuzzhead
Ah dammit, that was THIS month? Too late now...

You can always do it next month

. It's not really a competition.

I have my tracklist done. 10 songs, 34:17, though time will probably drop a minute. Finished writing the last tune tonight. Poor vocals, so-so mixes so far, but there's 10 of em.

I'm finding the rough mixes really don't sound bad if the instrumentation works, which is easier if you're working relatively bare and not feeling obligated to add elements just because you're bored. A few tracks don't have bass just because I didn't feel like shoving it in. Mid-side recording is also awesome!

I got really burnt out this week. Right now I'm working on sequencing of all things!

MrZosoNP · #5 02.20.08, 5:00 AM

this is from my home town. I'm living in Germany right now and I'm doing the challenge with a guy who lives in Portsmouth and a guy who lives in Barcelona!

I can't believe other people know about this

iaresee · #6 02.20.08, 9:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrZosoNP
this is from my home town. I'm living in Germany right now and I'm doing the challenge with a guy who lives in Portsmouth and a guy who lives in Barcelona!

I can't believe other people know about this

Long distance collaboration: very cool man.

A random guy on the RPM board offered to do some Hammond up for my "Blossom" track, which I really wanted to play organ for, but suck too much to ruin the track with my organ playing.

I think next year I'll try a collaborative challenge. (Look at me talking about next year already! I've still got 11 more minutes to get done for THIS year!)

Moo: awesome man. I'm envious you're done. I've hit a bit of a wall. I finished up Blossom and then just haven't sat down since to write anything new. Tonight for sure. I'm going to have to put in a big push to make 11 more minutes in 9 days. Might have to do an acoustic track to get a simple tune in there.

iaresee · #7 02.25.08, 11:00 PM

No sign of the hammond track for Blossom yet but the guy did say he recorded it. He's trying to figure to get it from his multi-track unit to me.

I spent way too much time on the next track but I am really digging it. Check it out. It's called The Ride (for no reason in particular):

http://ian.coastpedalboards.com/inde...d=26&Itemid=35

Still 8 more minute to go. I booked some time off work later this week and I have sketches down for the last 8 minutes so I'm pretty darn confident this year I'll make it. No artwork planned. This is about the music, not the visuals.

iaresee · #8 02.28.08, 1:58 AM

I'm pretty modest about the stuff I write but I have to say my latest track, In The Stars, is pretty ****ing great. Yea, it's a special track. I stayed up all night working on this one but it's worth the pain.

http://ian.coastpedalboards.com/inde...d=26&Itemid=35

Enjoy.

guitarose · #9 02.28.08, 3:52 PM

...i only just heard of this!

iaresee · #10 02.28.08, 6:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by guitarose
...i only just heard of this!

Quick! You've got 24 hours left! You can do it!

Moo · #11 02.28.08, 11:35 PM

CD's going in the mail tomorrow. I was killing myself trying to get everything perfect when time didn't really allow. Decided to let the loose ends hang.

All in all, pretty great experience. I am really proud of some of the songs, many of which would never have come about.

One night I played 12 or 15 takes of one lead part and gave up. Wasn't perfect. Came back the next day, comped all the parts into one, and it sounded brilliant.

iaresee · #12 02.28.08, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moo
CD's going in the mail tomorrow. I was killing myself trying to get everything perfect when time didn't really allow. Decided to let the loose ends hang.

Awesome! I'm burning the midnight oil tonight mixing. Recorded the last song today. So I'm really bringing this down to the wire.

Quote:

All in all, pretty great experience. I am really proud of some of the songs, many of which would never have come about.

You're echoing my sentiments exactly. I'm pretty pleased I did a lot of stuff in Reason and stayed away from all-guitar-all-the-time. That's a new thing for me. There's some noisy parts. Some looser parts. I pushed myself and I didn't die in the process. That's always nice.

I am, however, dog ****ing tired; you can tell: I get a total potty mouth when I haven't slept enough. I took Thurs/Fri off of work just to work on this full time, for 48 hours straight, and finish.

Quote:

One night I played 12 or 15 takes of one lead part and gave up. Wasn't perfect. Came back the next day, comped all the parts into one, and it sounded brilliant.

Funny how that can happen, eh? You have to know when to put it down and not push any more. I've walked away completely ready to pack it in, gone to sleep, woken up and replayed what I did and realized it wasn't half bad. I finished my last track this afternoon and was completely bummed about it. Went away, at some Chinese take out, and it sounded pretty good (after a little chord change) after getting some food in me.

iaresee · #13 02.29.08, 4:41 PM

Done! Mailed! Yea for me!

You can get the album here: http://amiestreet.com/artist/31421 -- it's called Seven Songs. I was so spent from writing and recording this month that track and album titles and artwork were very low on the list of things to put time into.

Scruff · #14 03.01.08, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iaresee
Done! Mailed! Yea for me!

You can get the album here: http://amiestreet.com/artist/31421 -- it's called Seven Songs. I was so spent from writing and recording this month that track and album titles and artwork were very low on the list of things to put time into.

It's downloading right now and I'm SO stoked! 50%!

EDIT: Listening to right now. 8/10, mate, freaking solid music.

iaresee · #15 03.01.08, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scruff
It's downloading right now and I'm SO stoked! 50%!

EDIT: Listening to right now. 8/10, mate, freaking solid music.

Wow. Thanks for the very generous review. There's a layer of polish I didn't have time to apply, what with the deadline and all. And lyrics. Man, I wish I could open up and write lyrics but no luck. My wife, who's a writer, offered to do some lyrics for me but I'd have to sing. And believe meyou, that's something you don't want to hear!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

- Support GuitarGeek! Visit our Sponsors -