Recorded and blog written 29/09/10
Today I managed to record a whole new song, and it is actually brilliant.
I had managed to download many looped drum beats off the internet on the 27th of September. I downloaded quite a few and was really eager to use them, and create some new songs. I have been recently have the urge to get away from the 'In Cloud Cuckooland' theme for a while to see what else surfaces. Today has taken that step.
I wired up all my guitar equipment to the computer, and pondered my next move. I listened over the loops I'd downloaded and settled on a funky one. I duplicated it to a constant beat of over 7 minutes. I then was thinking what to start with, and had an old bass riff i'd never managed to record anything with. It is a Death from Above 1979 sounding bass riff, but today, instead of using a distorted effect with it, i opted for a clean jazzer sound. I began playing and thought it sounded cool as. I just for the hell of it decided to see how slap bass would sound at the chorus section of the riff, and it recorded beautifully. Sounds amazing.
Once I had laid the bass down, and got it all perfect, I came up with an excellent lead part straight away, essentially. Messed about for a little bit, but it came together very quickly. Tried it with a bit of wah at first, but was just too much. So kept it clean. I then wanted to add a strum-rhythm part, and after messing around with different chords, started playing a very James Brown sounding funk guitaring. Recorded it once and it sounds brilliant.
I took the drums out and recorded vocals over the top of the bass and two guitars. First singing recording and it was done. When singing the song i found myself moving my hands like waves and shit. Pure got into the funk beats of the song. Feels so cool.
I then added the drums back in, edited the files sound levels and edited the drums big style. I imported other drum beats and used different ones, and cut up the original to make more beats. The song was recording in its entirety in around 3 hours, and sounds amazing. I only altered the lyrics ever so slightly and it was spontaneous and felt good to do it. The end result is a cool funky ass song. It will be available to download on soundcloud.com very soon I hope.
This is the start, of something good.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
The Lovers. At Rest. Paralysed. Blue Funk.
It was about 01.30 in the morning. I was chatting to my friend Stuart. As the banter flowed, he mentioned he was trying to write some song lyrics. I had been trying to get some inspiration for some new artwork, but, to no avail. I had the idea of a straightjacket drawing but it just didn't have enough of an impact for me. And so, I thought, I'll try and write some new lyrics.
I didn't know where to start. What subject to write about. All I have been writing about over the last few years are songs about mental disorders, dreams and other subject matter like this. The songs have been largely dark and disturbing. However, I have been considering moving away from this theme, and writing and recording a more easy to listen to range of songs. So to get ideas, I looked up dictionary.com.
I use to do that all the time to get inspiration to write lyrics. Where better to try and get the best use out of the english language than to refer to a dictionary, or thesaurus. So I looked up sad words and happy words; used the thesaurus and found words I liked. I made a list and began thinking of emotions that the words evoked. In the middle of the list I put the title 'The Lovers'. I had during the night felt compled to look at the Rene Magritte painting 'The Lovers'. To me personally, the painting is very powerful and beautiful. Quite dark and haunting, but intimate. So out of all the titles to use, I started with that.
I stared at the painting that I have as my mobile phone background, and let it tell me a story. I began typing lyrics on a word document. I began writing about something I had never written about before, people making love. The intmacy and passion involved. For me, this is unknown songwriting territory.
The Lovers
With warm embrace they stop,
Beat by beat, each thrust,
The silk gently peels lips shut,
Like an umbilical cord around two necks,
The Lovers
The angled curves are alive,
Each breath, one’s deep desires,
Skins texture glistens in the pale moonlight,
Dance, the intertwine, as bodies caress,
The Lovers,
Written 28th of September 2010
I felt good after writing the lyrics. A new subject matter, dealt with in a delicate and real way. I glanced at the titles on the page again, and the title 'At Rest' stood out to me. I thought about it, and then came up with the idea of writing about someone dying and funerals. I didn't want this to be a dark depressing song. I wanted it to be almost light hearted. I didn't just want to write about the sadness involved in funerals, but also the happiness at remembering the individual and celebrating their live.
At Rest
Colours run, from the orchids on the windowsill,
A tiny cloud, over head follows you around,
Colours run, from the skin, making you a greyish ill,
A box, that rots, eventually, in the ground,
And I hope in the end,
You were at peace, at rest, with love, the best, from all, my friend,
You were remembered as,
The player, the preacher, the cynic, wise teacher, we joke, you see,
Colourless, the laughter awakens the bitter brew,
A tiny sun, orange glow follows you around,
Colours run, from the memories, when they were senseless,
A box, that grows, forever, making you all proud,
And I hope in the end,
You were at peace, at rest, with love, the best, from all, my friend,
You were remembered as,
The player, the preacher, the cynic, wise teacher, we joke, you see,
Written 28th of September 2010
I glanced over both sets of lyrics, thinking 'Are these awful really?'. I didn't think so. I continued to look over the titles after I had finished 'At Rest'. What title now? I looked over them and just above 'At Rest' was 'Paralysed'. It made me think of someone who was paralysed by their past. Who couldn't get away, even when they wanted to. From the memories.
Paralysed
Not all scars show,
And not all wounds heal,
The past oh bittersweet,
All the thoughts I feel,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
A broken vinyl, as old and cracked,
I am paralysed as I keep wondering back,
A cassette tape, unravelled and snapped,
I am paralysed; please don’t take me back,
Photographs stain the walls,
Hold back hidden tears,
Running scared from the self,
All the thoughts I fear,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
A broken vinyl, as old and cracked,
I am paralysed as I keep wondering back,
A cassette tape, unravelled and snapped,
I am paralysed; please don’t take me back,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
Written 28th September 2010
By the time I finished 'Paralysed' it was nearly 3am. I didn't even feel that tired. Probably due to the excitment of writing 3 new sets of lyrics. Normally I tend to have pretty bad writers block, so to get three sets was great. I have the early hours of the morning, my tired state, and Stuart to thank for the inspiration to write some new lyrics. Thanks.
I woke at 6am, and at about 10am, I was sitting thinking of more lyrics to write. I looked over the list again, and ‘Blue Funk’ jumped out at me. I wanted to write a song about people who are, or always appear to be, sad. Always feel that their life is bad, when it might not be. The lyrics are quite chirpy and maybe almost sarcastic.
Blue Funk
Can you feel that icy cold, dancing down your spine?
All painted in a funky blue,
Bob your head, feel upset, spirited away,
Lost your cool, lost your smooth, lost on you,
The blues they sometimes get me down,
They call it a blue funk
When I’m trampled over by commuters in town,
I feel down on my luck,
Why so funky and blue they say?
They call me the blue funk
I curse, and swallow, and swear the day
That they call me the blue funk
Feel waves of happiness hit you,
But so blue, so funky, so down,
You see everyone have their fun,
But you’re all painted in Funky blue,
Written 28th of September 2010
More lyrics will hopefully be written on the next few days.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
I didn't know where to start. What subject to write about. All I have been writing about over the last few years are songs about mental disorders, dreams and other subject matter like this. The songs have been largely dark and disturbing. However, I have been considering moving away from this theme, and writing and recording a more easy to listen to range of songs. So to get ideas, I looked up dictionary.com.
I use to do that all the time to get inspiration to write lyrics. Where better to try and get the best use out of the english language than to refer to a dictionary, or thesaurus. So I looked up sad words and happy words; used the thesaurus and found words I liked. I made a list and began thinking of emotions that the words evoked. In the middle of the list I put the title 'The Lovers'. I had during the night felt compled to look at the Rene Magritte painting 'The Lovers'. To me personally, the painting is very powerful and beautiful. Quite dark and haunting, but intimate. So out of all the titles to use, I started with that.
I stared at the painting that I have as my mobile phone background, and let it tell me a story. I began typing lyrics on a word document. I began writing about something I had never written about before, people making love. The intmacy and passion involved. For me, this is unknown songwriting territory.
The Lovers
With warm embrace they stop,
Beat by beat, each thrust,
The silk gently peels lips shut,
Like an umbilical cord around two necks,
The Lovers
The angled curves are alive,
Each breath, one’s deep desires,
Skins texture glistens in the pale moonlight,
Dance, the intertwine, as bodies caress,
The Lovers,
Written 28th of September 2010
I felt good after writing the lyrics. A new subject matter, dealt with in a delicate and real way. I glanced at the titles on the page again, and the title 'At Rest' stood out to me. I thought about it, and then came up with the idea of writing about someone dying and funerals. I didn't want this to be a dark depressing song. I wanted it to be almost light hearted. I didn't just want to write about the sadness involved in funerals, but also the happiness at remembering the individual and celebrating their live.
At Rest
Colours run, from the orchids on the windowsill,
A tiny cloud, over head follows you around,
Colours run, from the skin, making you a greyish ill,
A box, that rots, eventually, in the ground,
And I hope in the end,
You were at peace, at rest, with love, the best, from all, my friend,
You were remembered as,
The player, the preacher, the cynic, wise teacher, we joke, you see,
Colourless, the laughter awakens the bitter brew,
A tiny sun, orange glow follows you around,
Colours run, from the memories, when they were senseless,
A box, that grows, forever, making you all proud,
And I hope in the end,
You were at peace, at rest, with love, the best, from all, my friend,
You were remembered as,
The player, the preacher, the cynic, wise teacher, we joke, you see,
Written 28th of September 2010
I glanced over both sets of lyrics, thinking 'Are these awful really?'. I didn't think so. I continued to look over the titles after I had finished 'At Rest'. What title now? I looked over them and just above 'At Rest' was 'Paralysed'. It made me think of someone who was paralysed by their past. Who couldn't get away, even when they wanted to. From the memories.
Paralysed
Not all scars show,
And not all wounds heal,
The past oh bittersweet,
All the thoughts I feel,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
A broken vinyl, as old and cracked,
I am paralysed as I keep wondering back,
A cassette tape, unravelled and snapped,
I am paralysed; please don’t take me back,
Photographs stain the walls,
Hold back hidden tears,
Running scared from the self,
All the thoughts I fear,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
A broken vinyl, as old and cracked,
I am paralysed as I keep wondering back,
A cassette tape, unravelled and snapped,
I am paralysed; please don’t take me back,
Like watching someone else’s life on repeat,
Written 28th September 2010
By the time I finished 'Paralysed' it was nearly 3am. I didn't even feel that tired. Probably due to the excitment of writing 3 new sets of lyrics. Normally I tend to have pretty bad writers block, so to get three sets was great. I have the early hours of the morning, my tired state, and Stuart to thank for the inspiration to write some new lyrics. Thanks.
I woke at 6am, and at about 10am, I was sitting thinking of more lyrics to write. I looked over the list again, and ‘Blue Funk’ jumped out at me. I wanted to write a song about people who are, or always appear to be, sad. Always feel that their life is bad, when it might not be. The lyrics are quite chirpy and maybe almost sarcastic.
Blue Funk
Can you feel that icy cold, dancing down your spine?
All painted in a funky blue,
Bob your head, feel upset, spirited away,
Lost your cool, lost your smooth, lost on you,
The blues they sometimes get me down,
They call it a blue funk
When I’m trampled over by commuters in town,
I feel down on my luck,
Why so funky and blue they say?
They call me the blue funk
I curse, and swallow, and swear the day
That they call me the blue funk
Feel waves of happiness hit you,
But so blue, so funky, so down,
You see everyone have their fun,
But you’re all painted in Funky blue,
Written 28th of September 2010
More lyrics will hopefully be written on the next few days.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
Monday, 27 September 2010
The story behind: Jinx
Bored. Boring. Boredom.
That is how I felt my life was then. Months after I had left school, been unemployed for a short period, and then began work in a solicitors firm as an office junior. I remember being so excited at the time, when I received the job. But after months of being there, I was bored. Bored of everything. Lunch times felt like they dragged on; on to nowhere. I almost felt like I was killing time for no reason. I would watch people pass me by, and think 'I could be them', but felt like it would never happen.
One day, I left the building I worked in, crossed the red bridge and headed for George Square in the city centre. By the time I would get there I'd had about 40 minutes to kill before heading back to do more filing and reception duties. Sitting on a bench - a name written on the back of someone who had died, I ate my food and watched the world pass me by. As I sat there, an individual handed me a flyer for an Iraq war march. A big purple bit of paper with a screaming mother on it. The back of the sheet was blank, and as I sat there, I put pen to paper and began writing. I wrote about the world I saw as I sat there. I wrote about how I felt about myself, about where I wanted to be, and about those around me. I had watched people with their jumpers and t-shirts with big billboard style logos like 'NIKE' and 'ADIDAS'; I watched the goths and neds around Glasgow; watched the lovers holding hands, and the sad folk with no one. These are the influences, which I penned down in a very abstract fashion. The first two verses and chorus were written on this flyer before I had to return to work.
Months later and I had pieced together a guitar tune that was, and still is to this day, the best song I have ever written. It is a long, complicated piece, influenced by the Manic Street Preachers 'The Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky' and Led Zepplin 'Stairway to Heaven'. I wanted something long, and elegant, but that would rock up at times. When I had the riff essentially complete, I began singing the lyrics I had written in George Square to the music. It came together so easily over weeks, and is still one of my best songs.
However two alterations were made later on. I later wrote another verse to add to the song, which made the song even more epic. I also have a friend Darren, and one day he reminded me of a riff I showed him that he loved. When he played it to me I didn't recognise it. It was very simple, but very nice. So that night after walking back home from his, I put this riff as a bridge before the outro of the song, and it just adds a very elegant and beautiful end to the song. I did try and create more solo guitar pieces for the song, but nothing successful. I did however create the guitar tune for 'Dark Political Arts' from my solo guitar riff attempts, so not a complete waste of time.
This song has been worked on by my friends Stuart and Marc - when we were in a band together named 'the Heads of State', in 2002-03 and sounded brilliant. It was also played at a ticketed gig in 2003 which included myself and three other band members (Marc - Bass, Luca - Drums, Michael - Lead Guitar) as 'the Heads of State' in Glasgow. After a long period of reclusive solo recordings and new song writing, 2007 saw me play Jinx on 'Sunny Govan Radio' and played at numerous gigs right up to the present. And even though this was written back around 2002, I have only ever recorded three times, and each recording has never been perfect. I am determined to record a version in 2010-11, which will be perfect.
Jinx
Ugly, sweet, ugly, on the other hand, I'm glad, I didn't buy the shoes you're in,
Matchmakers, stand up on your power, and pull these aches away,
Jealousy, wrapped up in outlined, in minutes more,
Mimics trying to be something that they are not,
Jinx, a world that thinks,
Jinx, shattered dreams,
Bored of walking over bridges, billboards with polythene bags,
Singing to witches, Roads keep getting stitches,
Jinx, a world that thinks,
Jinx, shattered dreams
Written in 2002
Thank you world for being such an odd and soul-destroying place,
Watch this space for more the story behind,
Wullae,
www.myspace.com/wullaewrightbelucky
www.myspace.com/aftertherushhoursgone
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
That is how I felt my life was then. Months after I had left school, been unemployed for a short period, and then began work in a solicitors firm as an office junior. I remember being so excited at the time, when I received the job. But after months of being there, I was bored. Bored of everything. Lunch times felt like they dragged on; on to nowhere. I almost felt like I was killing time for no reason. I would watch people pass me by, and think 'I could be them', but felt like it would never happen.
One day, I left the building I worked in, crossed the red bridge and headed for George Square in the city centre. By the time I would get there I'd had about 40 minutes to kill before heading back to do more filing and reception duties. Sitting on a bench - a name written on the back of someone who had died, I ate my food and watched the world pass me by. As I sat there, an individual handed me a flyer for an Iraq war march. A big purple bit of paper with a screaming mother on it. The back of the sheet was blank, and as I sat there, I put pen to paper and began writing. I wrote about the world I saw as I sat there. I wrote about how I felt about myself, about where I wanted to be, and about those around me. I had watched people with their jumpers and t-shirts with big billboard style logos like 'NIKE' and 'ADIDAS'; I watched the goths and neds around Glasgow; watched the lovers holding hands, and the sad folk with no one. These are the influences, which I penned down in a very abstract fashion. The first two verses and chorus were written on this flyer before I had to return to work.
Months later and I had pieced together a guitar tune that was, and still is to this day, the best song I have ever written. It is a long, complicated piece, influenced by the Manic Street Preachers 'The Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky' and Led Zepplin 'Stairway to Heaven'. I wanted something long, and elegant, but that would rock up at times. When I had the riff essentially complete, I began singing the lyrics I had written in George Square to the music. It came together so easily over weeks, and is still one of my best songs.
However two alterations were made later on. I later wrote another verse to add to the song, which made the song even more epic. I also have a friend Darren, and one day he reminded me of a riff I showed him that he loved. When he played it to me I didn't recognise it. It was very simple, but very nice. So that night after walking back home from his, I put this riff as a bridge before the outro of the song, and it just adds a very elegant and beautiful end to the song. I did try and create more solo guitar pieces for the song, but nothing successful. I did however create the guitar tune for 'Dark Political Arts' from my solo guitar riff attempts, so not a complete waste of time.
This song has been worked on by my friends Stuart and Marc - when we were in a band together named 'the Heads of State', in 2002-03 and sounded brilliant. It was also played at a ticketed gig in 2003 which included myself and three other band members (Marc - Bass, Luca - Drums, Michael - Lead Guitar) as 'the Heads of State' in Glasgow. After a long period of reclusive solo recordings and new song writing, 2007 saw me play Jinx on 'Sunny Govan Radio' and played at numerous gigs right up to the present. And even though this was written back around 2002, I have only ever recorded three times, and each recording has never been perfect. I am determined to record a version in 2010-11, which will be perfect.
Jinx
Ugly, sweet, ugly, on the other hand, I'm glad, I didn't buy the shoes you're in,
Matchmakers, stand up on your power, and pull these aches away,
Jealousy, wrapped up in outlined, in minutes more,
Mimics trying to be something that they are not,
Jinx, a world that thinks,
Jinx, shattered dreams,
Bored of walking over bridges, billboards with polythene bags,
Singing to witches, Roads keep getting stitches,
Jinx, a world that thinks,
Jinx, shattered dreams
Written in 2002
Thank you world for being such an odd and soul-destroying place,
Watch this space for more the story behind,
Wullae,
www.myspace.com/wullaewrightbelucky
www.myspace.com/aftertherushhoursgone
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Thursday, 23 September 2010
An Introduction (Work in Progress)
'Hymns of Democracy'. It was an old song I had written and recorded back in 2005, when I read a lot of history and politics. I had found old lyrics to songs on a poorly constructed album booklet in 2005. I had the lyrics to all the songs back then and I was typing them up to save in my newly constructed folder, due to the virus eating my old one. I remembered the bass riff to the song was excellent, and so went about recording a new version, maybe a little jazzier this time. I have been working on it and have the bass, drum, and two guitars for it. But it isn't anything tremendous at the moment.
However, in trying to add something new to the song, for instance say a synth or piano, I came up with a little, easy fast flowing piano tune. I recorded it behind the formly known 'Hymns of Democracy'; however it just didn't sound right. So I thought I'd record it separately, to see how it might sound. I loved it. Its beautiful flow, its simplicity but its quick pace. I was excited about this.
I then began trying to add a back melody, and came up with one, but just could not decide what instrument to use. I thought about the keyboard effects such as harp, synth, or other effect, but no, it just wasn't sounding right. Then picked up the guitar, hooked up my zoom pedal and echo machine together, and tried to get something clean, with reverb and atmospheric. I recorded this but it had too much reverse on it, which made it almost distorted. I did record another version, but with much less reverse, which then sounded good.
I picked up the bass and wanted something simple, but deep and dark. Started playing it, and instantly got a lovely simple but dark bass riff. After this bass riff, I then recorded a simple guitar strum on the 7th fret all the way behind the song, and also quickly got a choir synth melody behind the whole tune, and recorded this too. Quickly the song came together, and is sounding excellent. I had to go to work and so could not do anymore to it.
At the moment there is no singing, and to me it is actually like an introduction to a song. So I will work at it, and try and add a song at the end of it. At the moment I have put it up for free download on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright.
Watch this space,
Wullae Wright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
'An Introduction' is available to download on soundcloud
However, in trying to add something new to the song, for instance say a synth or piano, I came up with a little, easy fast flowing piano tune. I recorded it behind the formly known 'Hymns of Democracy'; however it just didn't sound right. So I thought I'd record it separately, to see how it might sound. I loved it. Its beautiful flow, its simplicity but its quick pace. I was excited about this.
I then began trying to add a back melody, and came up with one, but just could not decide what instrument to use. I thought about the keyboard effects such as harp, synth, or other effect, but no, it just wasn't sounding right. Then picked up the guitar, hooked up my zoom pedal and echo machine together, and tried to get something clean, with reverb and atmospheric. I recorded this but it had too much reverse on it, which made it almost distorted. I did record another version, but with much less reverse, which then sounded good.
I picked up the bass and wanted something simple, but deep and dark. Started playing it, and instantly got a lovely simple but dark bass riff. After this bass riff, I then recorded a simple guitar strum on the 7th fret all the way behind the song, and also quickly got a choir synth melody behind the whole tune, and recorded this too. Quickly the song came together, and is sounding excellent. I had to go to work and so could not do anymore to it.
At the moment there is no singing, and to me it is actually like an introduction to a song. So I will work at it, and try and add a song at the end of it. At the moment I have put it up for free download on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright.
Watch this space,
Wullae Wright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
'An Introduction' is available to download on soundcloud
Virus
Written 21/09/10 and 22/09/10
For the last few weeks I have been worried about my computer. First the computer began acting weird. It did a system restore for, what seemed to be at the time, no apparent reason. Later it became obvious why this had happened. Then one day I went onto my profile on the external hard drive, and all the music that I listen to and a media folder with all my artwork and videos was completely gone. Thankfully all my own music was there; as was all the recording files of unfinished songs, etc.
I started to feel a little uneasy about the computer and wanted to get some type of anti-virus software. Another day and the computer kept switching itself off for no apparent reason. I was not there for this, it was my wife who was using it. The last time I got to use the computer before I managed to download a free 30 day trial of Norton System 2011, I hooked my ipod up, synced music to it, and left the house. However my ipod wasn't working.
I returned home after a shift at work, I uploaded the 30 day trial, and I am very glad I did. The software detected 5 virus and trojan horse files. I rebooted the computer to delete one of the virus. It started up as normal, I logged into my profile, went into the external hard drive, clicked on 'Wullae' and there was nothing there. Nothing. Just an emptiness where my life had once been. A hollow folder, where all my memories and work over the last five years had been taken away. Everything. I could have got angry, and wanted to, but I was more upset, in disbelief.
I had a folder on my computer called 'songs'. This is where I made all my songs. I had 10s of unfinished songs; I had thousands of wav files on my computer that I used to edit and create my songs. Many works in progress, all gone.
I had all my finished music in a folder entitled 'Wullae Wright', all new and old songs on my computer. From 2005 onwards; now, all gone. I may have actually lost many of my 'In Cloud Cuckooland' songs, and may need to record new versions or, never hear them again.
Today (22nd Sept) I sat on the computer and stared blankly at the empty folder I created. It was 6.45am. I had put different files onto different discs in the past, and began searching through them all. I have been able to reclaim some files and songs from 2005 onwards, but only some.
Now, I have to begin all over again.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
For the last few weeks I have been worried about my computer. First the computer began acting weird. It did a system restore for, what seemed to be at the time, no apparent reason. Later it became obvious why this had happened. Then one day I went onto my profile on the external hard drive, and all the music that I listen to and a media folder with all my artwork and videos was completely gone. Thankfully all my own music was there; as was all the recording files of unfinished songs, etc.
I started to feel a little uneasy about the computer and wanted to get some type of anti-virus software. Another day and the computer kept switching itself off for no apparent reason. I was not there for this, it was my wife who was using it. The last time I got to use the computer before I managed to download a free 30 day trial of Norton System 2011, I hooked my ipod up, synced music to it, and left the house. However my ipod wasn't working.
I returned home after a shift at work, I uploaded the 30 day trial, and I am very glad I did. The software detected 5 virus and trojan horse files. I rebooted the computer to delete one of the virus. It started up as normal, I logged into my profile, went into the external hard drive, clicked on 'Wullae' and there was nothing there. Nothing. Just an emptiness where my life had once been. A hollow folder, where all my memories and work over the last five years had been taken away. Everything. I could have got angry, and wanted to, but I was more upset, in disbelief.
I had a folder on my computer called 'songs'. This is where I made all my songs. I had 10s of unfinished songs; I had thousands of wav files on my computer that I used to edit and create my songs. Many works in progress, all gone.
I had all my finished music in a folder entitled 'Wullae Wright', all new and old songs on my computer. From 2005 onwards; now, all gone. I may have actually lost many of my 'In Cloud Cuckooland' songs, and may need to record new versions or, never hear them again.
Today (22nd Sept) I sat on the computer and stared blankly at the empty folder I created. It was 6.45am. I had put different files onto different discs in the past, and began searching through them all. I have been able to reclaim some files and songs from 2005 onwards, but only some.
Now, I have to begin all over again.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Monday, 20 September 2010
Biography: Wullae Wright – the Early Years
‘You should read my diary!’ exclaims my wife, as she runs away into another room of the house, and seconds later bounds back in.
I had just let her read parts of my 2009 normal diary that, only consists of the month of January, a little of February, and the odd bit in March. I did well with that diary of course. That has always been my problem. Love the idea of keeping a diary, but just am never able to keep writing.
So I sat with her big bundle of printed sheets, tens of them, and began reading from 2002. She had meticulously kept diaries from then until now. Not everyday was written about, but the diary was there. In the first few entries, there was a small introduction about her. And then I thought about my music diary blog. This blog. And I thought, I haven’t really described myself. I haven’t explained who I am, and why I do this. It made me think a lot, and decide I’d like to tell you more about me.
My background is not musical really. Yes, my mum played the accordion and my grandad played drums in a marching band, but my family were not a musical family. I was not a musical individual in the slightest. It took me a long time to appreciate music. The only time music was a part of my life when I was younger when I’d be in the car going to the caravan on holiday. We’d listen to ‘Fats Domino’ and other Jazz classics. Or we’d listen to ‘Queen’ and impersonate the scene from ‘Wayne’s World’. My brother John built up a CD collection of songs, which I ignored. My brother James began playing the guitar, which I also ignored. One summer however, I began listening to music on the radio. I don’t know why, but I did. I started recording songs off the radio onto cassettes. I started liking odd stuff like ‘Eminem’ and Baz Lurman’s ‘Wear Sunscreen’. I started putting lots of my brother’s CD’s onto cassettes and listening to them on my personal cassette player. But I still didn’t like anything in particular.
One night however, changed all of that. I was listening to the radio. In my room, all alone. A song came on, and I instantly loved it from the intro. This song and this band have made me who I am today. I used to be so quiet, with little confidence; and now I am loud and far more confident. The song was ‘Tsunami’ by the Manic Street Preachers. I would have been about 14 years old at this point, and this song hit me. I instantly ran down to my brother’s room after the song was finished, because I knew he had a Manics album. Turns out, he had the album with ‘Tsunami’ on it. This began the phase of listening to the same song over and over and over again. I must have driven everyone around me mad, but I didn’t care. It felt amazing.
One day I returned home from school, threw my bag off, and sat down and turned the TV on. No one was home, and we had 'Sky' at this point. The TV slowly blurred into view, and I put MTV on. As soon as the channel connected up with the TV, a music video was just starting. This song, and band would have the most profound effect on me musically, and teach me everything I know now. It was the US version of the ‘High and Dry’ video by Radiohead. The start of the song just caught my attention so well; and the video seemed to last forever. I thought Thom Yorke looked cool; I thought the video was very clever, with everyone singing his with his voice; I thought the song sounded amazing; and I thought his voice was incredible. I needed to hear more when the song finished. It was a need. I went into my brother’s room again, and again, right under my nose, was the very album ‘High and Dry’ is on. I took it up to my room, and listened to the song, over and over and over. However, I quickly came to love another Radiohead song, one that became my favourite song for years and still to this day gives me goose bumps when I hear it: ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’.
So as my music taste grew, so had my desire to play an instrument. In the summer of 2000, I sat playing tennis games on my Playstation and listening to the Manic Street Preachers. I had got a Millennium DVD of theirs, and some albums, including ‘This is my Truth, Tell me Yours’. I would watch the Manics DVD and impersonate Sean Moore the drummer. I wanted to play the drums. I use to impersonate the drummer all the time when I listened to the songs, and had no desire to play the guitar or sing really. I had asked for drums but I knew full well we couldn’t afford them or wouldn't have enough space for them. Still to this day, I am a bit disappointed about that. I think I’d have made a good drummer.
So during that year, my step-dad at the time had been given an old guitar by someone. They suggested that Andrew (my younger brother) should have it to learn how to play it. This was an adult sized guitar and he was about 8 years old. Not a great idea. So I picked it up and said I would play it. I didn’t have the greatest desire to play it, but I thought I would. Turned out that I learned quickly and began growing a passion for singing and playing the guitar together.
Another band appeared who influenced me greatly; however that I hated originally. It was one of this band's songs that was the first song I ever learned to play on the guitar....
Watch this space for more Biographies,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Art Imitating Reality - Recording session and edit (2)
Recorded and edited on 18/09/10
I finished work today with some time to spare aftering posting letters and tidying the flat. Ithink my computer may have a virus, so I am a bit worried everytime I switch it on, especially cause we don't have virus protection. Anyway, the computer clicked and clunked up and everything was ok.
Didn't know what I wanted to record. A new song maybe? From scratch? And then I listened to 'Art Imitating Reality' and thought that there is still so much I can do to this song. So I opened Audacity, and then opened the folder the song is in entitled 'eerie'. I deleted unnecessary files I didn't need anymore and began working on it.
I got all my leads, and cables and pedals, and hooked it up to my computer and keyboard. Tonight I wanted to record some drums for it. My brother-in-law Michael gave me an idea with the song. He listened to a very early version of it and thought that the song at one point early on (just after first verse) would turn a little more rocky. I have considered this for the song and began trying to get some kind of hard hitting drum beat for the song.
I used some reverb and began working on a drum beat. When i got something i liked, I recorded it all the way through the song. I listened back and didn't think it fit, for most of the song. So edited it out and only left a part in towards the end. May even take it out completely later if I make something better.
I then edited the song further, taking bits out, and adding effects here and there. I wanted to add something to the section of the song after the first verse, and before the chorus. There is a large space for a good guitar solo. However, I thought about a piano in there, so recorded a simple piano part which sounds excellent. Then was using the keyboard and used a choir synth. Recorded this throughout the whole song and thought it'd be best to start it when the main singing starts. It adds such a deep, eerie quality to the song. Gives it so much depth. I really like it. I put two sets of the choir synth in, slightly different times overlapping. Sounds great.
After tampering with the keyboard, I left it sitting on my desk next to the computer and printer, and moved onto the electric guitar. Wired it up and thought about recording a solo. Then, however I had the idea to have a hard metal rock riff in the background. Drop d-tuned my guitar and started playing a very hard sounding rock riff straight away. Went well with the song. So I recorded this with the length of the song too. Some bits didn't go too well, so I edited them and left two parts: one after the first verse and one right at the end of the song. There was a great guitar piece for the chorus, but even though it sounded great, it just wasn't working right on the recording. So either, may record it again at some point to see if it might work done differently, or save it for live versions of the song.
Recorded a few guitar solos on the recording too, but were none were that good. Also the recording quality wasn't up to scratch, so completely scrapped any attempts. Will without a shadow of a doubt keep adding to this song. There is so much I can do with it. I believe this is the best song I have written in a good while. I will put a uncomplete version on soundcloud for download for all when I can.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
I finished work today with some time to spare aftering posting letters and tidying the flat. Ithink my computer may have a virus, so I am a bit worried everytime I switch it on, especially cause we don't have virus protection. Anyway, the computer clicked and clunked up and everything was ok.
Didn't know what I wanted to record. A new song maybe? From scratch? And then I listened to 'Art Imitating Reality' and thought that there is still so much I can do to this song. So I opened Audacity, and then opened the folder the song is in entitled 'eerie'. I deleted unnecessary files I didn't need anymore and began working on it.
I got all my leads, and cables and pedals, and hooked it up to my computer and keyboard. Tonight I wanted to record some drums for it. My brother-in-law Michael gave me an idea with the song. He listened to a very early version of it and thought that the song at one point early on (just after first verse) would turn a little more rocky. I have considered this for the song and began trying to get some kind of hard hitting drum beat for the song.
I used some reverb and began working on a drum beat. When i got something i liked, I recorded it all the way through the song. I listened back and didn't think it fit, for most of the song. So edited it out and only left a part in towards the end. May even take it out completely later if I make something better.
I then edited the song further, taking bits out, and adding effects here and there. I wanted to add something to the section of the song after the first verse, and before the chorus. There is a large space for a good guitar solo. However, I thought about a piano in there, so recorded a simple piano part which sounds excellent. Then was using the keyboard and used a choir synth. Recorded this throughout the whole song and thought it'd be best to start it when the main singing starts. It adds such a deep, eerie quality to the song. Gives it so much depth. I really like it. I put two sets of the choir synth in, slightly different times overlapping. Sounds great.
After tampering with the keyboard, I left it sitting on my desk next to the computer and printer, and moved onto the electric guitar. Wired it up and thought about recording a solo. Then, however I had the idea to have a hard metal rock riff in the background. Drop d-tuned my guitar and started playing a very hard sounding rock riff straight away. Went well with the song. So I recorded this with the length of the song too. Some bits didn't go too well, so I edited them and left two parts: one after the first verse and one right at the end of the song. There was a great guitar piece for the chorus, but even though it sounded great, it just wasn't working right on the recording. So either, may record it again at some point to see if it might work done differently, or save it for live versions of the song.
Recorded a few guitar solos on the recording too, but were none were that good. Also the recording quality wasn't up to scratch, so completely scrapped any attempts. Will without a shadow of a doubt keep adding to this song. There is so much I can do with it. I believe this is the best song I have written in a good while. I will put a uncomplete version on soundcloud for download for all when I can.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Mr Brycey (I love you man)
Written 17/09/10
Today was a day of triumph, of elation, of pure musical genius. I invited my very dear acquintance up to my flat, Mr Brycey. He is moving to Australia in a weeks time and I have no idea when I may see him again.
For many years I kept saying to my friend, 'we should definitely jam sometime'. Never had we both had the time to meet and jam; or should I say I found it more difficult to find the time. So, with a week to go before he does not return to Scotland for maybe years, I decided tonight was our chance to jam like we'd always wanted. Turns out, it didn't exactly work out that way, but it was so much fun.
Mr Brycey, myself and my wife all went into the spare room and began writing a classic song. My wife took a motivational role, giving me the finger every now and again. And Mr Brycey did play both the bass and guitar...but not on the recording. So I lept into action, and recorded on first take the guitar, bass, lead guitar and drums, and vocals (if they can be called vocals!); all done in a few hours. Class.
The end result is, I must admit, a beautifully arranged song...with awful singing, and lyrics to match. The lyrics were improvised (if you ever hear this song, you would notice that fact straight away) and sang in a weird high pitched tone. Elegant, and disgusting all rolled into one. However, this was a song for my friend before he goes to the other side of the world and we may never share an experience like it again, so it was a brilliant night. He is, an absolute legend and will be missed greatly by both myself and my wife...and my cats.
So, here are the fantastic lyrics to the unforgettable,
'Mr Brycey (I love you man)':
'That was the best breakfast I've had since Gary Wilmotts wedding',
This is a song for Brycey,
He really likes Magnum PIs mustache and Patrick Stewarts baldy head,
BRYCEY ohhh,
My god,
Brycey is going to Australia,
He likes to eat chips in Australia,
Oh my god,
He is going to live in a house with a garden,
He might buy a dog someday,
Isn't that right Vikki?
She gives me the finger,
But it's ok because Brycey is in my house,
He's a lovely man,
He's like Peter pan,
Except without the green trousers and funny hat,
His name is Mr Bryce, to me and you, it's Brycey,
Ohhh Brycey,
'Can I have that seat?',
'Yah fucking cunt yah!',
Ashleigh is his girlfriend,
She is his bestest friend,
She smiles and he smiles,
They drive for miles and miles,
Giles, and piles of tiles,
Oh Brycey,
He likes rice...eh?
Vikki gave me the finger,
But it doesn't matter because Brycey is in my room,
Zoom zoom zoom,
'Can i have that seat?...how many cats do you have?...you only have two?...I don't have any cats!...i like bridges!...I like Jeff Bridges...I like chicken...Brycey likes chicken, don't you Brycey?...Bryce won't talk but he likes chicken, and chips, and peas, he likes his veg',
'Yah fucking cunt ya!, ...Aristotle once said!',
Brycey is going to Australia, bye bye Brycey, love you Brycey, we all love you Brycey, and your hair and you beard that doesn't exist anymore!,
Ohhhhhh!,
Love you man (said by Brycey!),
Love you too man (said by Wullae).
Written and recorded on 17/09/10 with Mr Brycey and my wife.
I hope he has the best of luck in Australia. This song is too good to be included in 'In Cloud Cuckooland', so I will keep it for another one.
Watch this space, Mr Brycey,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Pure love you man! Take care. W
Today was a day of triumph, of elation, of pure musical genius. I invited my very dear acquintance up to my flat, Mr Brycey. He is moving to Australia in a weeks time and I have no idea when I may see him again.
For many years I kept saying to my friend, 'we should definitely jam sometime'. Never had we both had the time to meet and jam; or should I say I found it more difficult to find the time. So, with a week to go before he does not return to Scotland for maybe years, I decided tonight was our chance to jam like we'd always wanted. Turns out, it didn't exactly work out that way, but it was so much fun.
Mr Brycey, myself and my wife all went into the spare room and began writing a classic song. My wife took a motivational role, giving me the finger every now and again. And Mr Brycey did play both the bass and guitar...but not on the recording. So I lept into action, and recorded on first take the guitar, bass, lead guitar and drums, and vocals (if they can be called vocals!); all done in a few hours. Class.
The end result is, I must admit, a beautifully arranged song...with awful singing, and lyrics to match. The lyrics were improvised (if you ever hear this song, you would notice that fact straight away) and sang in a weird high pitched tone. Elegant, and disgusting all rolled into one. However, this was a song for my friend before he goes to the other side of the world and we may never share an experience like it again, so it was a brilliant night. He is, an absolute legend and will be missed greatly by both myself and my wife...and my cats.
So, here are the fantastic lyrics to the unforgettable,
'Mr Brycey (I love you man)':
'That was the best breakfast I've had since Gary Wilmotts wedding',
This is a song for Brycey,
He really likes Magnum PIs mustache and Patrick Stewarts baldy head,
BRYCEY ohhh,
My god,
Brycey is going to Australia,
He likes to eat chips in Australia,
Oh my god,
He is going to live in a house with a garden,
He might buy a dog someday,
Isn't that right Vikki?
She gives me the finger,
But it's ok because Brycey is in my house,
He's a lovely man,
He's like Peter pan,
Except without the green trousers and funny hat,
His name is Mr Bryce, to me and you, it's Brycey,
Ohhh Brycey,
'Can I have that seat?',
'Yah fucking cunt yah!',
Ashleigh is his girlfriend,
She is his bestest friend,
She smiles and he smiles,
They drive for miles and miles,
Giles, and piles of tiles,
Oh Brycey,
He likes rice...eh?
Vikki gave me the finger,
But it doesn't matter because Brycey is in my room,
Zoom zoom zoom,
'Can i have that seat?...how many cats do you have?...you only have two?...I don't have any cats!...i like bridges!...I like Jeff Bridges...I like chicken...Brycey likes chicken, don't you Brycey?...Bryce won't talk but he likes chicken, and chips, and peas, he likes his veg',
'Yah fucking cunt ya!, ...Aristotle once said!',
Brycey is going to Australia, bye bye Brycey, love you Brycey, we all love you Brycey, and your hair and you beard that doesn't exist anymore!,
Ohhhhhh!,
Love you man (said by Brycey!),
Love you too man (said by Wullae).
Written and recorded on 17/09/10 with Mr Brycey and my wife.
I hope he has the best of luck in Australia. This song is too good to be included in 'In Cloud Cuckooland', so I will keep it for another one.
Watch this space, Mr Brycey,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Pure love you man! Take care. W
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Art Imitating Reality - Recording Session and Edit (1)
Today I had a day off. I feel like I haven't had a proper day off in ages. So I thought i'd try and get to work on the music that I had recorded at the same time as 'Verbatim'.
At the begining of the recording session, I thought i'd record the vocals. It was about 11.30am, and i hadn't even got dressed yet. Sat in my boxers and a t-shirt, I had wired up my Zoom pedal and micrcophone and recorded 3 different vocals. The last one I sang quite loudly as I thought it is the middle of the afternoon and most people would be out. The vocals sound excellent and and are recorded well.
So I got to work on a couple of guitar parts after that, but both didn't sound too well. I will try and add one in at a later date. When I have time.
I then started messing about with a bass riff. First I used distortion and echo, but thought it was too much with the delayed guitar riffs. So I only used a tiny bit of reverb, and came up with a quite funky bass riff, that I did not think would work, but really worked well. Finished that.
I then edited the track, cutting up the bass, vocals, and guitar riffs. I began work on some drum beats too at the beginning of the song. However, I ran out of time. I intend to edit the song, with lots of drum beats and maybe even rock some parts up. Just depends.
Will put a version of 'Art Imitating Reality' up on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright for download. It will be the unfinished version I have recorded. I also have the intention to edit 'Verbatim' and shake it up a bit.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
At the begining of the recording session, I thought i'd record the vocals. It was about 11.30am, and i hadn't even got dressed yet. Sat in my boxers and a t-shirt, I had wired up my Zoom pedal and micrcophone and recorded 3 different vocals. The last one I sang quite loudly as I thought it is the middle of the afternoon and most people would be out. The vocals sound excellent and and are recorded well.
So I got to work on a couple of guitar parts after that, but both didn't sound too well. I will try and add one in at a later date. When I have time.
I then started messing about with a bass riff. First I used distortion and echo, but thought it was too much with the delayed guitar riffs. So I only used a tiny bit of reverb, and came up with a quite funky bass riff, that I did not think would work, but really worked well. Finished that.
I then edited the track, cutting up the bass, vocals, and guitar riffs. I began work on some drum beats too at the beginning of the song. However, I ran out of time. I intend to edit the song, with lots of drum beats and maybe even rock some parts up. Just depends.
Will put a version of 'Art Imitating Reality' up on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright for download. It will be the unfinished version I have recorded. I also have the intention to edit 'Verbatim' and shake it up a bit.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Monday, 13 September 2010
Free Downloads at Soundcloud
I have been adding songs for download on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright. I may take songs off and add new ones on, so please do visit to download for free. Songs available at the moment are:
- Verbatim (First Version)
- Spitting Feathers
- House of Mirrors
- Putting the Monster in the Box
- In a Wilderness
- Trip to Mars
- Building a Nest
- Paranoid Android (Radiohead, Live Cover)
- To Whom this May Concern (Rerecorded First edit)
- Vixen Part 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Live)
- Keep on Smillin'
- Putting the Monster in the Box (Acoustic Version)
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
- Verbatim (First Version)
- Spitting Feathers
- House of Mirrors
- Putting the Monster in the Box
- In a Wilderness
- Trip to Mars
- Building a Nest
- Paranoid Android (Radiohead, Live Cover)
- To Whom this May Concern (Rerecorded First edit)
- Vixen Part 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Live)
- Keep on Smillin'
- Putting the Monster in the Box (Acoustic Version)
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
Art Imitating Reality
The day I was recording 'Verbatim', I had been using my Zoom and Echo Machine together to create the background effect that ends the song. As I sat there in the spare room of the flat, I just kept on playing the guitar after I had recorded the guitar part. Sometimes I do that, if it sounds good and feels right. Sometimes I come up with new songs by mistake. Unintentional songs. That is how 'Dark Political Arts' (Track 6 on AFTER. THE. RUSH. HOUR'S. GONE) came about.
So I sat there, in a world of my own, playing away, and a tune started to develop. Very simple, but very beautiful. It is quite dark, repetative, but gentle. It has a reverb, echoing, rusty tone to it. I began recording it in a seperate folder entitled 'eerie'. I recorded the main guitar riff easily. I listened to it after recording it and began constructing two different lead parts, which I recorded over it. After I had finished doing this, I went back to 'Verbatim' and edited it further to have a finished version for www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/verbatim.
I have a set of lyrics I wrote a while back entitled 'Art Imitating Reality' which I think will go perfectly with this very quiet but dark song - perfect for the idea for the lyrics. The lyrics are about those people who are out in the early or late hours working, and never get to experience life. It is quiet and sad, and quite poetic.
Art Imitating Reality
So I sat there, in a world of my own, playing away, and a tune started to develop. Very simple, but very beautiful. It is quite dark, repetative, but gentle. It has a reverb, echoing, rusty tone to it. I began recording it in a seperate folder entitled 'eerie'. I recorded the main guitar riff easily. I listened to it after recording it and began constructing two different lead parts, which I recorded over it. After I had finished doing this, I went back to 'Verbatim' and edited it further to have a finished version for www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/verbatim.
I have a set of lyrics I wrote a while back entitled 'Art Imitating Reality' which I think will go perfectly with this very quiet but dark song - perfect for the idea for the lyrics. The lyrics are about those people who are out in the early or late hours working, and never get to experience life. It is quiet and sad, and quite poetic.
Art Imitating Reality
Before the day begins,
That’s where I’ll be,
Cradled in an air of solace,
Alas, the sun has risen,
And the world begins, all over again,
In a sea of anonymity,
Drains exhale, a harmonious breath,
The vocalisations of this city,
Walls of art, where art imitates reality,
The creator of my fait accompli
The nights beacon elicits to collect,
Streams of orange and black,
Elegance depressed with undue execution,
A poet writes to destroy own happiness,
The onlookers fade, all over again
In a sea of anonymity,
Drains exhale, a harmonious breath,
The vocalisations of this city,
Walls of art, where art imitates reality,
The creator of my fait accompli
Written 27/05/2010 (Lyrics only)
I have full intentions to go back to this song, maybe rerecord it in a simpler, acoustic version, using the lyrics above.
Watch this space,
Wullae
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Verbatim
I have just finished recording the song related to I.O.U. It is great rock song. I must admit. It was very straight forward and repetative at first. But today i had the opportunity after work to record vocals (with lyrics written as I finished the song), add a new guitar piece in the background and a lot of time to chop up, rearranged and generally edit the song.
I initially came home, went straight for the computer after saying hello to my cats, and got to work on it. A lot of the time was spent on mixing the drum fills, which i think sounds excellent. Maybe for some it'd be a bit much, but considering i can't really play the drums, it sounds great.
After getting much of the drums sorted, i began recording some vocals. I unfortunely have a considerate nature, and so do not allow myself to sing to loud in the house, as to not piss off the neighbours. I could get the vocals better, but with the time I had and the conditions, I think they are still good. I wanted the words and lyrics to be quite angry and aggressive. It is a rock song and it has to be sung like that.
So the lyrics were written during the recording, about how society helps create psychopathic individuals. I had the idea to name a song 'Verbatim', using something word for word. Wanted to make a song based on someone elses words, like a suicide note or something, but hasn't really happened.
Verbatim
I am a beast,
History will absolve me,
Verbatim,
Dear sir, I shant stop ripping,
I am a lost cause,
Eat goodness,
Shit out hate,
Snap the crow by its neck,
Watch the sky darken overhead,
I killeth god,
Verbatim,
Sweet verbatim.
Written 11/09/2010
I began recording the vocals with a rusty, space age sounding effect; but didn't work with the distorted guitar and bass. Tried another version with a little bit of distortion on a more acoustic tone. Still too much. Gave it one more go. A little reverb and that was it. Sounded good. Vocals could be better with more practice, but good nonetheless. Edited the vocals, and decided that the vocals and music was too much.
When the vocals start i thought it would sound good to take out most of the music, and just left the bass. Then add in the drums later and then guitar riff too. Sounds good. Then i had recorded another lead part, and use it after the singing ended, which builds the song up better towards the end.
The overall recording is great. Vocals may need rerecorded again and the sound leveling needs tweeked, but overall I really like this new tune. It will go up on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright in the next few days.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Will be available to download when put up.
I initially came home, went straight for the computer after saying hello to my cats, and got to work on it. A lot of the time was spent on mixing the drum fills, which i think sounds excellent. Maybe for some it'd be a bit much, but considering i can't really play the drums, it sounds great.
After getting much of the drums sorted, i began recording some vocals. I unfortunely have a considerate nature, and so do not allow myself to sing to loud in the house, as to not piss off the neighbours. I could get the vocals better, but with the time I had and the conditions, I think they are still good. I wanted the words and lyrics to be quite angry and aggressive. It is a rock song and it has to be sung like that.
So the lyrics were written during the recording, about how society helps create psychopathic individuals. I had the idea to name a song 'Verbatim', using something word for word. Wanted to make a song based on someone elses words, like a suicide note or something, but hasn't really happened.
Verbatim
I am a beast,
History will absolve me,
Verbatim,
Dear sir, I shant stop ripping,
I am a lost cause,
Eat goodness,
Shit out hate,
Snap the crow by its neck,
Watch the sky darken overhead,
I killeth god,
Verbatim,
Sweet verbatim.
Written 11/09/2010
I began recording the vocals with a rusty, space age sounding effect; but didn't work with the distorted guitar and bass. Tried another version with a little bit of distortion on a more acoustic tone. Still too much. Gave it one more go. A little reverb and that was it. Sounded good. Vocals could be better with more practice, but good nonetheless. Edited the vocals, and decided that the vocals and music was too much.
When the vocals start i thought it would sound good to take out most of the music, and just left the bass. Then add in the drums later and then guitar riff too. Sounds good. Then i had recorded another lead part, and use it after the singing ended, which builds the song up better towards the end.
The overall recording is great. Vocals may need rerecorded again and the sound leveling needs tweeked, but overall I really like this new tune. It will go up on www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright in the next few days.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Will be available to download when put up.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
The story behind: Trip to Mars
At the age of 14 and 15, I'd sometimes sit at night, in my room in the dark. The darkness and solitude could be so influential on my song writing. I sometimes stared out my bedroom window, looking over the rooftops of the distant houses, at the hills. They would blend in with the black sky. Every now and again lights would appear in the sky over those darkened hills. In the quiet darkness, it crossed my mind, what must it be like to live up in those hills? In that darkness? And then I thought about the lights, and what if, what if U.F.Os and aliens do exist, and what it would be like to be taken away.
Thinking about the idea, it seems silly to me now. Not to doubt there are other life forms out there, but that there are U.F.Os that abduct humans and other creatures does seem far fetched. But still, the idea of getting away from it all, to be completely taken away to somewhere you don't know, seemed, exciting.
I used to gaze out at those hills at night and the thought would never leave my head, so one night I wrote what became the music to 'Trip to Mars', on my Scotland flag acoustic guitar. The song is full of simple chords, and a simple lead with it. At the time it was great guitar playing and song writing for me; but i had only been playing for a year or so at that point.
The lyrics came to me whilst playing the tune at night, and fit really well. I particularly liked the melody of the chorus, which sounds better live than on a recorded version.
About 10 years later, and I am listening through old cassettes and hear a badly recorded acoustic version of 'Trip to Mars'. I listened and that chorus hit me and I thought, no matter how easy this song is, I want to make a new version of it. And so I began recording it.
Track 11: Trip to Mars (In Cloud Cuckooland)
In the night,
In my little shed,
On the darkened hills,
Live man walking dead,
Notice something I had never notice before,
A little light, in the sky, that took me by surprise,
By surprise, by surprise,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark,
Deserted here,
Take a trip to Mars,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark now and I wanna leave,
So please,
My mood changes,
Operate on me,
Took a normal man, took a normal man
Misty darkened sky, misty darkened sky,
Pray for life, pray for my life,
Every night, every night,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark,
Deserted here,
Take a trip to Mars,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark now and I wanna leave,
So please,
Lay your head and breathe,
And breathe,
Written in 2000; rerecorded in 2010.
Watch this space for more the story behind,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/trip-to-mars
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Download 'Trip to Mars' on soundcloud for free.
Thinking about the idea, it seems silly to me now. Not to doubt there are other life forms out there, but that there are U.F.Os that abduct humans and other creatures does seem far fetched. But still, the idea of getting away from it all, to be completely taken away to somewhere you don't know, seemed, exciting.
I used to gaze out at those hills at night and the thought would never leave my head, so one night I wrote what became the music to 'Trip to Mars', on my Scotland flag acoustic guitar. The song is full of simple chords, and a simple lead with it. At the time it was great guitar playing and song writing for me; but i had only been playing for a year or so at that point.
The lyrics came to me whilst playing the tune at night, and fit really well. I particularly liked the melody of the chorus, which sounds better live than on a recorded version.
About 10 years later, and I am listening through old cassettes and hear a badly recorded acoustic version of 'Trip to Mars'. I listened and that chorus hit me and I thought, no matter how easy this song is, I want to make a new version of it. And so I began recording it.
Track 11: Trip to Mars (In Cloud Cuckooland)
In the night,
In my little shed,
On the darkened hills,
Live man walking dead,
Notice something I had never notice before,
A little light, in the sky, that took me by surprise,
By surprise, by surprise,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark,
Deserted here,
Take a trip to Mars,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark now and I wanna leave,
So please,
My mood changes,
Operate on me,
Took a normal man, took a normal man
Misty darkened sky, misty darkened sky,
Pray for life, pray for my life,
Every night, every night,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark,
Deserted here,
Take a trip to Mars,
Please come down my friends,
It's getting dark now and I wanna leave,
So please,
Lay your head and breathe,
And breathe,
Written in 2000; rerecorded in 2010.
Watch this space for more the story behind,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/trip-to-mars
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
Download 'Trip to Mars' on soundcloud for free.
Monday, 6 September 2010
The Story Behind: Building a Nest
The natural wood flooring always looked dirty. No matter how many times you cleaned it, it always looked dirty. And as I sat on it, looking at how to assemble my newly ordered bed, I felt rather content. My girlfriend was helping me construct it. It took us a while to build it, but it was so nice. Just the two of us, building the bed together. We were both happy and discussed our future. The building of the bed was almost symbolic of what we both wanted; to build our lifes together.
I had had the idea to name a song 'Building a Nest', which was reserved for a song that then became 'The Halo Effect'. I liked the title. I thought it was kind and thoughtful, beautiful and gentle. The idea of two little birds building a comfortable and cosy nest together, to raise children in and live there, just seems idyllic to me. The title then sat there for a long time with no music.
One day, I sat in the same flat as I had built the bed. I had started to write a really easy, simple tune on the acoustic. My girlfriend was in the room with me, doing something on the computer. she thought it sounded nice, which I take as a compliment as she does not always agree with my music taste. I began experimenting with it, using my echo machine pedal. It sounded excellent and I recorded a version like this. But I didn't like it in the end, and reverted back to just playing it acoustically on its own. I recorded it like this, and added only one other guitar in the back ground. Gentle.
I then, quite quickly wrote the lyrics for the song, and recorded the vocals in essentially one go. There are three sets of vocals on it, and all were recorded only once. The recording was very simple, quick and turned out well. When I completed the final piece I let my girlfriend hear it. She liked it. Now my wife, she likes me to play it at live gigs.
Building a Nest
We Built a Nest together,
Where we can live forever,
Love so strong,
When we are one,
Fingers embrace one another,
Silver wrapped around our fingers,
Showing true love,
And devotion,
Can't imagine life without you,
Couldn't wake to a beautiful sunrise,
Each day would be so lonely,
My life would be so, so lonely,
You make my life worth living, yes it's true,
I'm so lucky, lucky to have you,
Keep building a nest, with me,
We cuddle on a peaceful bench,
And reminisce of our best years,
As we watch,
Our children grow,
And as with a wilting flower,
I lie with you until your final hour,
Delicate, beautiful,
I breath I love you ,I love you
Can't imagine life without you,
Couldn't wake to a beautiful sunrise,
Each day would be so lonely,
My life would be so, so lonely,
You make my life worth living, yes it's true,
I'm so lucky, lucky to have you,
Keep building a nest, with me,
Written in 2009 for Be Lucky
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewrightbelucky
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/building-a-nest
I had had the idea to name a song 'Building a Nest', which was reserved for a song that then became 'The Halo Effect'. I liked the title. I thought it was kind and thoughtful, beautiful and gentle. The idea of two little birds building a comfortable and cosy nest together, to raise children in and live there, just seems idyllic to me. The title then sat there for a long time with no music.
One day, I sat in the same flat as I had built the bed. I had started to write a really easy, simple tune on the acoustic. My girlfriend was in the room with me, doing something on the computer. she thought it sounded nice, which I take as a compliment as she does not always agree with my music taste. I began experimenting with it, using my echo machine pedal. It sounded excellent and I recorded a version like this. But I didn't like it in the end, and reverted back to just playing it acoustically on its own. I recorded it like this, and added only one other guitar in the back ground. Gentle.
I then, quite quickly wrote the lyrics for the song, and recorded the vocals in essentially one go. There are three sets of vocals on it, and all were recorded only once. The recording was very simple, quick and turned out well. When I completed the final piece I let my girlfriend hear it. She liked it. Now my wife, she likes me to play it at live gigs.
Building a Nest
We Built a Nest together,
Where we can live forever,
Love so strong,
When we are one,
Fingers embrace one another,
Silver wrapped around our fingers,
Showing true love,
And devotion,
Can't imagine life without you,
Couldn't wake to a beautiful sunrise,
Each day would be so lonely,
My life would be so, so lonely,
You make my life worth living, yes it's true,
I'm so lucky, lucky to have you,
Keep building a nest, with me,
We cuddle on a peaceful bench,
And reminisce of our best years,
As we watch,
Our children grow,
And as with a wilting flower,
I lie with you until your final hour,
Delicate, beautiful,
I breath I love you ,I love you
Can't imagine life without you,
Couldn't wake to a beautiful sunrise,
Each day would be so lonely,
My life would be so, so lonely,
You make my life worth living, yes it's true,
I'm so lucky, lucky to have you,
Keep building a nest, with me,
Written in 2009 for Be Lucky
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewrightbelucky
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright/building-a-nest
Sunday, 5 September 2010
I.O.U
I arrived home from a terrible day at work on Saturday, feeling horrible and grotey. I switched the computer on, listened to it bleep and clunk start up, and typed in my password. Had the intention to try and recreate dubstep using my bass and pedal, which I knew would be incredibly difficult.
So, I wired up my Zoom pedal and bass to my computer and began to experiment with the sound. Number 35, adjusting the tone, pitch, volume; messing around the pedal. I was lazily using my fingers and the pedal and began coming up with a really easy bass riff. It sounds brilliant though. I play the note a few times and then push the pedal back for a small bit and it turns the note into a rusty sound. Almost reminds me of something Kings of Leon would have done on 'Only by the Night' or 'Because of the Times'.
I then wanted to do this tune to a drum beat, to get a good sound. I found a perfect one, that I have in a folder of numerous sample beats I downloaded in 2008. It is a dry, rock beat with a few fills. The drum loop only lasted for 20 seconds or so, so I had to edit it and make it last an entire song length. Put the edited beat on Making Waves, recorded the bass riff, and then put them both onto Audacity. Sounds fucking awesome.
It was sounding so good, and I had had an idea a few days ago to re-record an old rock song, called IOU, written back in 2005/06. So, I started to re-learn the guitar riff, changed the fret, and it fit perfectly with this new bass riff and drum beat. Too good to be true actually. So recorded that. The timing of the beat is slightly odd, so at first the guitar is trying to find itself in the song, but as I got into it, it worked better than I would have expected.
At this point I wondered what else I could do to it with the time I had. It sounded so good. I thought, if I do something to the drums it could sound even better. So I copied the fills in the drums and layered them over one another, at slightly different times. This then created amazing drum fills. I was so happy with the result, that I edited the fills from the middle of the song until the end. It sounds pretty impressive. I ran out of time to keep working on it, but I will hopefully have this song finished soon.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
So, I wired up my Zoom pedal and bass to my computer and began to experiment with the sound. Number 35, adjusting the tone, pitch, volume; messing around the pedal. I was lazily using my fingers and the pedal and began coming up with a really easy bass riff. It sounds brilliant though. I play the note a few times and then push the pedal back for a small bit and it turns the note into a rusty sound. Almost reminds me of something Kings of Leon would have done on 'Only by the Night' or 'Because of the Times'.
I then wanted to do this tune to a drum beat, to get a good sound. I found a perfect one, that I have in a folder of numerous sample beats I downloaded in 2008. It is a dry, rock beat with a few fills. The drum loop only lasted for 20 seconds or so, so I had to edit it and make it last an entire song length. Put the edited beat on Making Waves, recorded the bass riff, and then put them both onto Audacity. Sounds fucking awesome.
It was sounding so good, and I had had an idea a few days ago to re-record an old rock song, called IOU, written back in 2005/06. So, I started to re-learn the guitar riff, changed the fret, and it fit perfectly with this new bass riff and drum beat. Too good to be true actually. So recorded that. The timing of the beat is slightly odd, so at first the guitar is trying to find itself in the song, but as I got into it, it worked better than I would have expected.
At this point I wondered what else I could do to it with the time I had. It sounded so good. I thought, if I do something to the drums it could sound even better. So I copied the fills in the drums and layered them over one another, at slightly different times. This then created amazing drum fills. I was so happy with the result, that I edited the fills from the middle of the song until the end. It sounds pretty impressive. I ran out of time to keep working on it, but I will hopefully have this song finished soon.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Silence Broken
So, what has been happening over the last month or so? I realise that I have not posted a blog since early August. I apologise for the silence, but it has been broken now and will hopefully continue to stay this way. So again, what is new?
I have been periodically writing fragments of lyrics here and there in my 'memo' section of my phone. I have a memo entitled 'Song ideas - titles, lyrics, etc' where I jot down lots of ideas. When a song forms, then I paste it onto another document. I finished a set of lyrics recently entitled 'Watercolour Memories', a sad song about Alzheimers Disease.
Musically I have lots of unfinished songs and pieces of music lying around, including: piano songs, new version of Red Bridge, Watercolour Memories (Be Lucky Version), Dance songs, and a version of 'Kats' by Hercules Mandarin, to name a few. All to be finished; more time required.
I will hopefully put a version of 'Watercolour Memories' on soundcloud.com for download. I am also hoping to put old songs on soundcloud.com for download too.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
I have been periodically writing fragments of lyrics here and there in my 'memo' section of my phone. I have a memo entitled 'Song ideas - titles, lyrics, etc' where I jot down lots of ideas. When a song forms, then I paste it onto another document. I finished a set of lyrics recently entitled 'Watercolour Memories', a sad song about Alzheimers Disease.
Musically I have lots of unfinished songs and pieces of music lying around, including: piano songs, new version of Red Bridge, Watercolour Memories (Be Lucky Version), Dance songs, and a version of 'Kats' by Hercules Mandarin, to name a few. All to be finished; more time required.
I will hopefully put a version of 'Watercolour Memories' on soundcloud.com for download. I am also hoping to put old songs on soundcloud.com for download too.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
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