Songwriting questions...

Just my two cents:How do you begin writing your songs? It depends, usually with a guitar 'riff' but sometimes I can be inspired to write lyrics and occasionaly I have a song title that comes up and sets the mood and inspires the music and lyrics to come.What instrument do you start with? Usually with the guitar. On rare occasions I can get a vocal harmony out of the ether but usually guitar. Recently I wrote a whole death metal song, "Ominous", on the drums first then put guitar/bass to it, then wrote the lyrics/melodies! Trip.Do you write the music first, and then add lyrics? Usually music first. But I have written whole songs of lyrics and then matched them up later with music that was appropriate. I always take into consideration the cadence (for gutteral stuff)and the melody (for more melodic metal) and whether it fits the music and whether the mood of the lyrics fits the sound of the song.How do you write your lyrics? I have used metaphor in the style of poetry, fantasy books, or mediaeval times. However, in my solo project, (REQUIEM FOR OBLIVION) I draw inspiration from my true life struggle with drug addiction and depression when I was younger and the experience of my life since conquering those demons. The hell I went through led to experiences which could inspire a wide range of possible topics including, hell on earth, doom, sorrow, hopelessness, death, surrender, divine intervention, release, strength, triumph, prosperity and possibly (could it be?), peace.Where do you find your inspiration? I am inspired by my past like I said but also the failings and triumph of the human spirit, moral decay, war, corruption, bad religion, seeking spiritual truths, etc... Also, current victories and defeats in my own life, (my weaknesses and strengths) are always fair game to being a subject of a song.What are some innovative ways to keep your music interesting, or to avoid writer's block? I listen to a lot of different types of music though death, black metal are my staples. I will at times listen to Jazz, folk metal, alt. rock, college, darkwave, classical, etc... In fact, recently, I saw an amazing band, UNEXPECT, at Peabody's in Cleveland. They were absolutely stunning. I stood there for 40 minutes with my jaw on the ground. They inspired me to be even more 'boundary-less' than I already am with my solo project. I am learning that mindless imitation may get you noticed quickly but real intuitive song writing has effects that span generations and genres. I'm talking about fearless writing without thought to what would sell, or what your girlfriend would like, or what your friends and family would like you to write! Writing what is inside you already and being willing to go wherever that takes you!!! There are many bands that sound somewhat similar or have a similar style but it's the nuances of their individuality that set them each apart. That is what each of us has to tap into.
Steve
myspace.com/REQUIEM FOR OBLIVION

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Recording pops and clicks...

For my first recording post I want to talk about the major problem I had for a month or more straight and no one, I mean no one, could tell me what was going on!!!

I started with a simple 6 channel mixer, a rather inexpensive fire-wire interface and a couple DAW's...namely, Audacity, and Ableton Live. I had a couple mediocre mics, (Behringer large condenser mic, and an EV something or other...basically, the equivalent of an SM 57, nothing special but enough to start with... I've since upgraded to a package of nice MXL's which I highly recommend by the way.

Anywho, I was all set, havin a blast, finally starting to capture some of the new songs that were gushing out, and golden oldies that have been with me through two bands...The only problem was, the final product had all these clicks, pops and transient noises that were very odd, "echoey" etc... I could not figure out why!!! I was pulling my hair out! I did some research on latency on the internet and in some manuals, I went on a couple of web based recording forums and the guys were very nice, very helpful, but anything anybody suggested did little or no good!!! However, I did not go as far as to re-format my hard drive which was mentioned by one person as his solution to a similar problem!!!

However, I would find out that their problems were not the same as mine!!! I would discover my own solution, quite by accident. I had some (ahem...porn) pop-up problems around the month or month and a half mark of my frustration and one day, decided I would disable my high-speed connection while I was recording! Wahlah! Presto! No more clicks or pops in the recordings!!! No one had even bothered to ask if I was using the internet on the same computer I was recording with!!!! *which by the way, I highly recommend you use two separate computers!!! Hehehehehehehe.

So, there is my stupid story! Yes, I feel like an idiot, but at least I can laugh at my folly, and my novice naivete! I'm getting better, my band recordings are getting better! I'm about to use an isolation room and a new laptop (with no internet!) and all new SM 57s and SM 58s and MXL's on the new CD recordings so I'm excited about the next several months. Soon you will be able to compare my old (actually, current) recordings on Myspace, reverbnation, Garageband, echoboost, lastFM, OurStage, etc... and then listen to the upcoming new releases and I will fill in all of you as to what I am doing different! ...but that is a discussion for a nother blog post!

Cheers,

until next time!
Steve
www.myspace.com/requiemforoblivion

Music Marketing, record label, recording studio

My name is Steve Jacobson. I am a professional musician (among other things) and I am planning on starting my own record label ( I have the money to do so but really would like to work with a grant program so that I have some cushion for the "lean years"). I also am a self recording artist and have a small studio in my basement. That studio will be continuously upgraded over the next several years until I am somewhat happy with the sound quality...My music project, Requiem For Oblivion, has been in the making for years. Even during my last two projects, Influence The Weak (gothic, doomy, death metal) and Forsake The Flesh, (www.myspace.com/forsakethefleshmusic) I was writing and gathering experiences and inspiration for RFO. The CD in the works is a concept CD based on my earlier life of battling inner demons (drugs, booze, depression, self-destruction) and the years since overcoming those demons.

The music is an ambient, progressive death metal, multiple genre style with classical guitars, ghostly vox, and even world music influences. We don't want to sound like anyone tho we have real strong influences, including Opeth, Agalloch, Between The Buried And Me, Into Eternity, Porcupine Tree, Green Carnation, Ulver, etc...



My goal on this blog is to connect with other music fanatics, musicians, bands, home recording enthusiasts, and even other record labels and share ideas about band promoting, music marketing, starting a record label, recording, etc...feel free to contact me at requiemforoblivion@gmail.com or here on the site. Thanks,
Steve Jacobson
www.myspace.com/requiemforoblivion