New business and places to play

Oh how long it's been... since I last even gave this little corner of the world wide web a side-way glance...
but now, I'm back!

Fall is starting to set in, or at least that's the impression we're getting here. But who knows, since it's august and we're in the south of Sweden (meaning: unpredictable) it could change any day now. So, if things go as they usually go, when I have started to have strong feelings about suits, boots and tweed I can probably let the flip-flops out on the streets again.

Anyhow. My internship has finally begun! It's at this great little record label, that has alot to do with world music and jazz. And I have to say, so far it's been great for my musical palate! I'm listening to things I rarely take a closer look at, and that could only be good.

Tip: Sousou & Maher Cissokos new album "Adouna" is coming out in October - check it out! Even if you never have listened to the kora or African music before - it's really nice. Keeps that feeling of summer lasting a little bit longer - even if it's just in your ipod.

On my on musical endeavors... I have the opportunity to play this fall at a lovely restaurant... only problem is I have no real repertoire yet or any musicians..

But I have decided to get a move on, on that part. For a repertoire, I'm thinking something in the lines of "great songs by powerful female singers" or "a timeline of songs" (from the early 30-40's to now.). Or maybe a combo? What do you think?

Downloading

Had an interview Friday, with an A&R in Stockholm. We started talking about downloading and their company’s view of it all. He told me something that has stayed with me during the weekend. That the effects of downloading has affected Sweden more than most countries (we're one of the top countries where sales have plummeted, not just dropped). In other places in the world, you don't have to look further than to our neighbors, illegal downloading hasn't taken that big of proportion as it has here. They accept that paying for music is legal whereas doing the opposite is not. And they live by it. Do you think it's true? And why do we, as Swedes, view music as free?

The difference in attitude is astounding.

Stuck

Something has been bugging me lately, the last few days. Can't really figure out what, though.

Working on our booklet assignment, I have this feeling I will never be quite satisfied, mostly because I don't really know what colors I'm drawn to, or I think the band could like. Now it's a pink/purple/green combination, but what if they don't see a fierce album cover, only something that for some odd reason reminds them of the green goblin in Spiderman? (that's what I see in my minds eye. the cartoon version, not the one from the movie)

On a more personal level, in my own private misery of making music I am very, very...stuck. Completely. I have this need for a band, a real one, with musicians that truly know their craft. People that can put a little personality to it. I'm sure they're out there, but I don't know where to look. We were talking, me and a friend, but he and the boys are all so busy (and I get that), but it puts me in a standstill and well...

And the other thing, I find myself writing the same song over and over again. It's boring me out and driving myself from the piano and I'm suddenly spending all my free time in the kitchen.

Come to think of it, I'm doing it again. What I have been doing for years, throwing myself into other projects so I don't have to roll up my sleeves and do what I really want. 'cause THAT would be scary, to say the least.

Well, hope this little post can service as a good kick in the butt.

So now she's here

There you go, the song I was referring to in my latest post (below), now she's up. Decided to call her "A calm wave"

One of the quickest songs I've written. And I think... her structure is done. Even lyrics. Some songs just happen to show their own identity in a very direct way, this is what makes me believe that yes, I'm not the sole creator of this little creature.

If we look at the arrangement, sure, there are a few adjustments I'd like to do. Nothing major, a little note here and there. In time, girl, in time. I am pursuing to get these first recordings to get a little company from other instruments. One day, not too far away (got to get that ass moving)

I do believe that every song contains a multitude of stories, just depends on how you look (hrm, listen?) at it. But the theme here, if you were wondering (maybe you weren't and you find this to be totally self-involved but hey it's my little space on the web, right? such a little office chair of power), the theme is how we all can be a little torn, and broken deep down. That we might carry open wounds that have a hard time healing. Even though it might not show.

Sun is shining

Isn't it funny, when some things just comes to you?
I'm wrapping up the structure and the words of a song right now, that just had that... instant feeling to it. Like melody and even some words (I'm telling you - that doesn't happen very often) they fell into place. Like they themselves knew where they should be.

My mission is to post this song tonight, my oh my this page needs an update. Still, the sun shining outside is really tempting. I finished a book this afternoon ("Evenening class" by Maeve Binchy) basking in the sunlight. Fantastic. Now, in a way I'd like to go right back and begin another novel. But I know, that would be procrastinating this other creative process yet again.

I happen to be good at that. Taking too many breaks. And yeah, breaks are good. And there's loads more to life than hanging out with a piano (even though that's a tough one to outdo) but if I ever, really if I ever, want this bloody dream to have any kind of chance, well then... I guess, patience and sticking to it, those are my only options. Right?

By the way, have you read "evening class"? In english? I am wondering - is it written poorly or does it come down to translation? Tell me if you have an idea.

Planning

I am a person, who lack in discipline. Sad to say, because this makes it very easy for me to procrastinate. For some reason, especially when it comes to my own music. 

I find myself always trying to be in a perfect mood, a perfect setting. Yesterday was one of those days, I started recording and then... well, nothing sounded as good as I wanted. And I stopped. (ok, so I was seriously tired from sitting infront of a slow computer all day with photoshop and indesign but still...). I think I haven't really gotten used to the whole "plugged in"-thing. Being to near the mike, hearing myself so clearly while recording, in a way I think it makes me hold back a little. Not really pushing myself, not really singing from the gut. And then, things become meek. 

But I am planning. Because Warren says (warren is my muse) that having goals is key, making a plan is key, and acting on that plan everyday is the key. They Key to Success.

So, this weekend, I am shying away from social functions (except a dinner and a coffee cup or two) - to play. Playing, writing, singing. Getting things done. And fixing that bloody flash - I'm up to here with whining about it. 

Maybe I should hide my tv from myself. It has a really bad influence on me. 

Things are looking up

Not for the flashplayer. But that could be that I have, as said before, no patience and therefore have barely tried.

But on another note, the man and I (hrm, well sort of, if bugging him with questions count) did a number on my "recording studio". Studio is far from the truth, since the environment is far away from ideal. I am recording next to a window for goodness sake. But still, there's a piano, there's the technical equipment and a mike. 

I used to have a tendency to sound.. hollow in a way. Especially the piano, it's an electrical one. But now... now good people, times have changed. Ok, it's not perfect, but still. I have to post some material as soon as the player comes to life, it really is such a quality difference. 

Flash in a flash?

As you can see, if you've been here before, my player has vanished. Not really, but I did remove it. The reason for this, is because I've been playing around with my flash player, trying to understand and finding a way for it to work.

But I have slowly come to the realization that I -
1. have no patience
2. I need help

So, now I ask of you, dear reader, to in a few simple words explain the following to me:
It reads two FlashVars sent from main .html:
// "Arquivo=filename.mp3" and "Reproduzir=sim/nao"
// "Arquivo" means "File" in English. I haven't tried to use relative paths
// like "http://www.yourhomepage.com/songs/filename.mp3" but it may work just fine.
// "Reproduzir" means "Play", "sim" means "Yes" and "nao" means "No".
// When "Reproduzir" is set to "sim", the song starts playing immediatelly.
// You can change these names if you like.
// To pass these vars from html to flash, add the following code in your html:
// param name="FlashVars" value="Arquivo=filename.mp3&Reproduzir=sim" /
// Notice that it's all CASE SENSITIVE.

What does this mean? What should I do? I've been trying to set up a file, and pasting the last code into the html-space on my blog, but still... does not compute. And honestly, what is a flashvar?

I will be very thankful and if I ever make an album - you who'll help me will have a dedication in bold letters.

Now, it's friday.

Things that need to be worked out

Two things have had this blog in sort of a lock-down.

For one, my stubborn irish cold. It's getting better by the day, though I can never be sure how my voice will feel. The voice becomes unpredictable, wich in turn means that if it 'aint working properly - well then I'm not really allowed to sing. So lets cross our fingers for a speedy recovery on that part.

One the other hand, I'm having difficulties with the flash players I was recommended to have. You see, since the player I have right now for my songs is from another website, I don't want to post unfinished material on that site (unfinished as in little different parts and adlibbing). So I wanted a separated player. But something so simple, I wouldn't have to read a manual to figure out how to work it (I don't like manuals. They're grey, have tiny letters, and well they don't amuse me. I like to be amused. I from the new generation, I have no attention span)

So, I've had a song - or parts of a song - that I'd like to use here. My intention from the beginning is to show openly the creative process (sorry if that sounds pretentious). How the little pieces come together, how you find what the pieces will be - what story will they convey - and how you know when a song is done.

The new song has a only got a chorus and an end. No verses (for some reason they are the hardest to figure out). It will be something about pieces, secrets and storytelling. For some reason I often write about keeping secrets. Not that I have that many. But I know how to keep one.

So, my dear friends, I will get that flash mp3player to work, and then I will post what I've gotten so far on the new song.

If anybody, knows anything about the mp3 players you get from flashkit.com (and how I get them alive and kicking) please tell me.

Hope you're all having a nice day. I have started to play the sims again. Fantastic game, but it puts you in sort of a trance. Scary.

In the mood for more?

Quality reading that is. (Knowledge in the swedish language might be a prerequisite) Visit: http://farfarsfar.se

Otherwise, things are moving slow (getting back to thinking in real-time takes a little while) but most things feel good at the moment. 

Ideas for songs are actually (wonderful) brewing in my head, thank you Ireland and Dublin. 

Thought for the day: the least we can do is to look the begger in the eye. 

 

New Beginnings

A few changes have occurred. One, I'm pretty sure you can tell right away - this is no longer a text in my native language. Why the change? I happen to believe, as many of you, in the international potential of the internet. We're going global.

Second. My objectives have changed. Yes I'm in part still on my quest for the perfect jeans, but I no longer wantit to be my main focus here. Mainly because I have a tendency to turn down shopping, on my lazy days, in favor of my beloved piano. So, I will keep you updated on my search for jeans (because I know oh so many of you are dying to know how it turns out...) but I will from now on concentrate on another goal in my life.

Warren Greshes (also known as the most brilliant man alive. he and Malcom Gladwell) have urged me to set goals for my self. Big splendid beautiful goals. And so I will.

Goal: To make a neatly made, pretty and shiny album. Music. On a disc.

May sound simple but this time it has to look, smell, taste, feel and sound professional.

According to my plan, deadline is the 31st of September. I will let you follow my agony, my creative process and hear songs in their rawest edition to a more refined product.

I will end this post with this days most perfectly put lyrics:
"I know you might roll your eyes at this, but I'm so glad that you exist."
-The Weakerthans (The Reason)
Hear it and see the video at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aW1d_xZNgO4