my favorite new band River City Extension... and everybody I seem to give their CD too as well. They all play multiple instruments too, often at the same time. And every song sounds completely different than the previous one. Hard to pigeonhole them. Which is probably why they have killed it at South by Southwest, Warped Tour, Bonnaroo and a few different folk festivals. And opened for punk and rock bands like Brand New and Alkaline Trio, but also more folksy groups like Avett Brothers.
4
Pancho Villa
ID: 597172916 Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 10:19
What kind of recording equip did you use, nerve? Good to see you back in a creative mode.
5
Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 10:31
Hey nerve, just listened to that piece. It seemed to start out a little flat (IMO) but really picked up when you started some layering and the last third or so was quite good. Nice job!
6
Seattle Zen Leader
ID: 055343019 Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 11:16
Love that track, Nerve. Awesome!
7
blue hen Dude
ID: 710321114 Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 11:59
The only new band I've gotten into lately is Band of Horses. They opened for Pearl Jam and were quite enjoyable. I bet they have fans in this group.
From the "it's new to you" category, I recently dug deep into the Foo Fighters catalog to prepare for a concert. There's some good stuff in there I didn't know about previously.
8
nerveclinic
ID: 40352125 Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 12:15
Pancho everything is done on the computer. I use a program called Reason. It's completely self contained, various synths, drum machines, sequencing effects etc.
PD I do tend to start tracks off slow and then build and layer as it goes along.
10
Boldwin
ID: 4111685 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 06:33
An elegant and refined sensibility. 8]
Which came first, the music or the picture?
11
nerveclinic
ID: 40352125 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 10:53
Baldwin thanks for the comments on the Soundcloud page it is appreciated more then you know.
I named it desert fog because I thought the bass line had a fog horn quality to it, I found the photo to match at the very end. The photo was the last thing I did before putting it online.
12
Boldwin
ID: 4111685 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 11:03
More please.
13
Great One
ID: 574139 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 11:13
Band of Horses - Funeral was in heavy rotation for me a few years ago.
14
Pancho Villa
ID: 597172916 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 11:22
It has soundtrack all over it, and paints a nice visual.
My main criticism would be the synthesized drum track, which is prominent in the mix. While the rest of the instruments have a warm texture, I don't get that from the electronica-style percussion. Wondering if there's samples of tablas or some indigenous drums and percussion instruments that could weave in and out of the mix as opposed to having the set beats throughout, which tends to dominate the piece.
Keep in mind, I'm not a big fan of sythesized drums to begin with, unless it's in a fitting dance track, or the frantic electronica my daughter loves. So I might be hearing something different than what you were shooting for.
15
Great One
ID: 574139 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 12:42
Synth drums have pushed their way into rock a bit with artists like the Killers using it a bit and also Postal Service, the Bravery, Owl City and Metro Station. And the biggest hit this year is rock radio but was just one guy really - Foster the People's Pumped Up Kicks.
I think a lot of the synth resurgence has to do with people making music at home and then using social media to get their songs out to the public.
16
nerveclinic
ID: 40352125 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 14:16
Pancho I understand your point and I wouldn't argue that there is no validity to it.
The main music I have listened to the last 15 years is electronic and dance music (90%) so the electronic drums are just what I am used to hearing. I am definitely going for an electronic sound first rather then anything organic or traditional in instrumentation or drums. I do love pianos and violins though and use both a lot.
I am definitely trying to make electronic music though so I would generally stay clear of natural drum sounds except as filler sounds within an electronic beat. I do see why you say that could work.
Baldwin I will roll more out a little at a time when they are ready, I have at least 8-10 more that are coming along.
17
Boldwin
ID: 4111685 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 17:24
I do favor IDM electronic music and that was as good as it gets in that niche.
It gave me the same majestic feel as Black Lotus by Megatone, tho very different music. That's just what leaped to my mind on first listen.
There are really three quite different sub-compositions there, and that is a confident surefooted thing to do, setting out to hit three home-runs. Mission accomplished.
If you could combine three compositions that were that strong, playing them at the same time interweaved, that would be the point of bliss overload.
Having watched a guy like Skrillex reach the top of his electronica niche and still not make any money AFAIK, I'm not gonna tellya something crazy like 'quit yer day job', but I feel your piece was pro-grade sophisticated goodness as fine as anything in it's category.
18
Boldwin
ID: 4111685 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 17:34
I guess you could argue the last third was layered enuff to hit that bliss overload point.
19
nerveclinic
ID: 40352125 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 18:07
Baldwin Skrillex is touring 300 dates a year, at times playing in front of large crowds. I guarantee you he is making bank.
Thanks for the kind words.
20
Boldwin
ID: 4111685 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 20:05
I saw him interviewed and he swore he was as poor as a church mouse despite the fame...maybe it's changed since then.