Klez the Conquerer (New Version) - Recording Session and Edit (1)

So yesterday I sat there on the bus, downloading as many drum samples as my mind could take. After downloading numerous, I got bored and stopped. I then sat and listen to the different beats on my phone, and wrote on a note in my phone what beats I'd use and in what order. I knew that it maybe hard to put them all together, even impossible, but at least I had some idea.

So that night I had a few hours and got to work on creating a whole new version of Klez the Conquerer which I felt I could make much much better. So I began by putting the beats up in the order I predicted would work. Did they? No. Not exactly anyway, but two did. The first two that I kept aside as an introduction and for the beat for the rest of the intro into the first verse. I tried the other beats for different bits such as the chorus. I slowed the tempo, altered them, moved them, etc, but it just wasn't working. So getting sick of this, I pure repeated the beat I already had, and decided to move onto the guitar.

Got the guitar set up, some good distortion, and recorded. The first take was a roaring success. I was happy. Guitar sounds good. So then I got to work on the three solo areas: after first chorus, after second chorus, and the outro. I recorded the solo after the second chorus first. Managed to do it in one take, and sounded great. I then moved onto the one after the first chorus. I couldn't remember what the solo went like in the original version, so I made a new solo. It is a lot more odd, and very experimental. Sounds great. I then recorded a distorted version of the same solo and put them together. Sounds even better. I then recorded another solo after the second chorus, but was too much so left it out. I then improvised a messy ending for the outro. Perfect.

I then moved onto the vocals. I knew exactly how I wanted it to sound, but it can be difficult recording the vocals to a shouty song. But on the first take I got it. And it sounds great.

Not happy with just the constant beat, I tried different beats behind it. Spent a while doing this, and nothing really came of it. So I cut up the beat I already had. Made different bits of it come out left and right speakers, added a reverb on on part of the drums. I then used a single beat, repeated it, and used it as the back dance beat.

I have edited it a little this morning and it sounds class. Still got a good bit to do to it, but it is essentially there, in one day. Good good times. It's up on youtube, incomplete, at wullaewrightmusic.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.youtube.com (search: wullaewrightmusic)
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Ctrl+Alt+Del - Recording Session and Edit (2) - Complete

Managed to squeeze in a few hours of recording time last night, and I'm glad I did. I went straight for Ctrl+Alt+Del.

I began with the vocals. I wanted something different for the vocals, but also something that stood out and let you know what the rest of the songs may be like. So I started by recording different types of vocals. I initially recorded a distorted set. Was too distorted. So I then went for a clean tone. But that was too tinny. So I tried different versions. Also, it was difficult to get a good singing melody. But I just recorded how I felt it should go. Altered the original lyrics to make it work better. This song is an introduction to the rest of the subject matter. It is about those people who have been victims of the internet, and who have decided to try and get their own back.

Ctrl+Alt+Del

I have ruined my life,
because you persuaded me to,
Opened up to others,
created environments for you,
Barricaded myself in,
but then I let you in,
Images, information, thoughts for you,
Being watched and cheated on,
Accepted simple lies; white and shiny
Nice logo, nice logo,
Clicked boxes without reading,
Lost accounts, homes, I'm leaving,
Attacked because I was blind,
Now I will break the system,
Anonymously,
With you and everyone in it...
The battle has begun...

Written January 2011

So I managed to record a good set of vocals. A little tinny, but not too bad with the bassy song. I used the pedal I have and with my vocals slowed it down and speeded it back up throughout. After I did this, I doubled the vocals and put them at slightly different times. Added a little bassboost to them, and then edited the song, cutting bits out her and there.

After the short set of lyrics finish there is about 2-3 minutes after of just music. I considered just fading this out, but then thought it would suit an interesting guitar solo. I didn't know what to do at first, and thought I'd improvise around a small solo I had created. However as I was sat there, waiting for my time to come in on the recording, I started just hitting the guitar anywhere, and plucking random notes whilst moving the pedal. It sounded class to me, so I did use the small solo I came up with a few times, but I just improvised the solo by hitting any notes. I am very happy with the solo at the end of the song. And that is it complete. Done. This song has motivated me to want to record all the other songs again in a much better quality. I'm going to hopefully work on Klez the Conequerer later today.

Also to note, I have let people I know hear Ctrl+Alt+Del and this is some of the things they have said:

That Guy (formerly known as Wiseman) - "whoah what the fuck man. this is beast!"

Emma Parks (Captain's Rest) - "its like psychedelic electro/dubstep/grime"

Happy days.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.youtube.com (search: wullaewrightmusic)
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Ctrl+Alt+Del - Recording Session and Edit (1)

When I recorded the song 'Verbatim' last year, I came up with a cool bass riff. Very simple, but cool. However the end result of the song was not how I intended it to go. I was actually trying to create a dubstep sytle, but it didn't work. Far to difficult with just a bass and fx pedal.

Recently my friend mentioned he had been listening to some dubstep, and my younger brother listens and records dubstep. So I thought it was time to get in on the scene a little. Now, I am a poor man. Have no spare money for the expensive equipment required to create break beats and dubstep, so I have to just use time, patience, and samples. I am not a huge sample fan as I feel like I am cheating a little bit. However I always chop samples up, using the notes more so than whole sample sections, and use fx on them, to make them mine. I always put them to a piece of music that I have written too.

So on my phone during bus journeys I took to downloading some dubstep samples from a trusted site (as to not have another 'Virus' blog entry). I also downloaded some drum beats, just standard rock ones. When I sat at the computer, I literary within about 30 minutes had managed to put a rock beat together and cut up budstep beats to make a weird and disjointed pattern. I then fired the bass up, and almost immediately came up with a bass riff on the spot. I trued to make it more complex, but it sounded better with essentially just one note. I use my pedal with it and push it three times during the tune to slow it down for a second each time. Sounded amazing. And so I thought (thinking of Audioslave material) I'd put a clean lead part behind it, which I wouldn't normally do. Recorded a very easy lead section and put some reverb on it. Edited the song a little too, and in about an hour I had the basis for a cool sounding tune. I would like this to be the first Anonymous song, and I had a set of lyrics set aside for the first songs known as Ctrl+Alt+Del. I haven't got round to finishing the song, or adding vocals, but will hopefully soon. I made a video (just a picture throughout) so people could hear it on youtube, just search for wullaewrightmusic. I have also put 'The Blood that Runs through the Wire Transfer' on there too. This has vocals. Downloaded more beats etc today, so I'll see what I can do with them. Also thinking of making a new version of Klez the Conquerer, as I think I can make it much better.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.youtube.com (search for wullaewrightmusic)
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

The Blood that Runs through the Wire Transfer - Recording Session and Edit (1)

I wanted to record myself playing my keyboard. On my camcoder I mean. Wanted to put some videos of myself up maybe, just for some different to watch. But as I sat in the livingroom, with my wife talking to me periodically from the spare room, I immediately started writing a new piano tune. It just came out, with very little effort to add new bits etc. It kinda just wrote itself. I did manage to record a few videos, including the video of me coming up with the tune itself. That was two days ago.

So next day, when I had an hour or so spare before going out, I sat down to record. I recorded a few versions of the tune, with effects and all, but none were quite working I felt. So I recorded it clean with some reverb. It sounded great. And I wondered what to do next, and thought I'd record the vocals. As I have numerous sets of vocals saved in my phone, written over months on buses, I looked there. I found a short set of lyrics entitled 'The Blood that Runs through the Wire Transfer'. I have written about this in a previous post. So, I recorded the vocals. Again had to record sa few attempts, but worked out well. Did a vocal harmony in the background too. Then I recorded another piece from the keyboard that made it sound even more classical than it did. Not for what I was going for.

So this morning I wanted it to fit more with the 'Anonymous' sound. I added behind the quiet chorus a constant noise, and then chopped it up, cut it into pieces, and changed tones around the change in notes, much like 'In the Mix'. It sounds good, but I haven't had a good enough chance to see if it sounds right.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Victoria Bar Gig

Pre-gig -
I rushed home from work on 2 different buses. I almost speed walked it home, unlocked the door, spoke to my wife and cats, and got dressed. I fixed my hair and spoke to my wife. She was busy and wanted me to leave, so I got my suit jacket on, camera ready, guitar and all the leads, etc, and prepared myself. I had butterflies, but the sort that bite your stomach. It was a little uncomfortable due to anxiety. I always get like that before a gig. I had received a text from another performer and lovely gent that I am proud to say I have been in a band with, Chris Rodger. He played the same night. So I tried my best to get down there to see him and Meggan Reid play together on stage. So I collected my stuff, and left. I had to get the bus in, very rock n roll I know. I stood up the front, holding my guitar, and had a very heavy bag over my shoulder full of equipment.

I got off, and walked for about 15 minutes to the pub. I would use the word venue, but it wasn't a venue, just a pub. I opened the door, uncomfortably carrying my guitar. The place was packed, and Chris and Meggan were already playing. So I acknowledged them with lots of winking. I immediately worked my way to the back as I knew no one there. The promotor was there and I chatted to him for a good bit. To describe the place, I would say it is an old man's pub, with lots of band posters on the walls. Quite dark, poor service, and little space. I have played similar places, and it didn't have any class. A fat old man's pub trying to be young and trendy, essentially. So I sat and listened to Chris and Meggan's folk sound, with cover songs in there. They were awesome, and full of personality. The crowd were very receptive to them. They left before they could see me, which they politely apologised for. So I sat there myself. Watching the next act, who could play guitar and violin, but the set and act was monotonous and dull. The singer lacked the ability to sing. All the songs sounded exactly the same, and were either folk or cover pieces. I started to get that I may stand out quite a bit in this pub, and then started to think that my songs may not be right for it. Anyway I sat there, texting my two friends who said they'd definitely come to see me. I made a friend: a drunkard, who kept spitting into my left cheeks when he'd use words with the letter 'p' and told me he played saxophone...I think he was talking out of his drunken arse. I eventually got away from him to meet my friends outside. I felt so relieved they were there. It took so much pressure off me. Because I didn't want to go on any earlier than I agreed, a 12 year old busker child was put on for 20 mins to fill up the time. It was like a weird surreal musical creche...the young lad was good, if a bit pre-pubescent, and did pretty much all covers. I was at this point, fucking sick of covers.

The gig -

So after waiting for about 10 fucking minutes to be served, because I wasn't the typical fat old bastard at the bar, I went on stage. I set myself up, was polite to the young lad, and after setting up, the crowd was loud and uninterested. So I began. I always introduce each song I'm going to do, and might elaborate slightly on it. I realised after saying the name of the song, no one was really listening. So I continued.

Putting the Monster in the Box was the first song, and it is quite quiet. As I played I felt the crowds incessant talking overwhelmed me on stage and I sang louder. I finished and the crowd did clap. I then did Vixen - Part 1,2.3 and 4. Could see that people were not that interested. I felt that these songs were being wasted on a unappreciative 'audience'. But I continued. Kings of the Underworld grabs the crowds attention, but it was short lived. I continued with Retrospect after that. This was more the sound that the people were receptive to in there, but not a lot from that. Then did Red Bridge, and again, no real audience apprection. By this point I was started to get fed up and annoyed quite frankly. So, I hammered through the rest of the songs. Did Dark Political Arts, and cut it short, did Jezebel (The Painted Lady), a shorter version, and finished on Klez the Conquerer. By this point, I thought fuck it, and screamed the song to fuck. I actually think my performance went well, and I only made a couple of slight errors. So slight, that they didn't largely affect the songs, and so was very pleased with my overall performance. But I was hugely pissed off at the audience. It consisted of: old fat men and women, and drunk students who came to see other acts. When I finished I thanked my friends, but not the audience. I in part felt that the gig was a waste of time. I understand that every gig won't go to plan, and this particular pub's clientel were not the sort to listen to this style of music.

Post gig -

I sat at a small table and discussed the night with my friend Geo, who had stayed. My other friend and another friend who had turned up too, left just after I finished. Geo was as disgruntled as me. I could say that maybe my music is shit. But from previous comments and receptions in other venues, I don't think it is that. The pub didn't suit me, and I didn't suit it. End of. The promotor came over, handed me 20 quid - very generous of him, he highlighted my own thoughts to me, and he said him and the owner enjoyed my performance. He said he will discuss with the other promoter of the Southside Festival about me playing. He seemed quite hopeful for me. Me and Geo walked to a bus stop. He got on a bus, and I a taxi. I sat there, feeling slightly disheartened, deflated, but also hopeful.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Rehearsal Studio Photos

Got up today, and bus and walked it to the rehearsal studio. I got there before the owner did. I stood outside, actually like I had lots of important things to look at on my phone. When I was really just browsing through twitter, etc.





So got room number 8, with the man saying 'Oh guess you haven't been here before?'..., and I was like, 'eh, yes I have been here before...' Anyway, got the room, got set up, and got rehearsing. I recorded each song I did on video, and I have made audio versions of certain ones. I did more songs than I had on the setlist for this Saturday's gig. I did it just to record more on video. But my voice didn't hold up for Superhero, so I am now considering doing Dark Political Arts. I am still unsure.

But I was particularly happy with Klez the Conquerer. I recorded on video two versions. I don;t think it will be everyones cup of tea on the night, but I really enjoyed rehearsing it, screaming like a big fucker. Left feeling amazing. Good times.

Watch this space,

Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Rehearsal Room

During a break at some training day I was at during work, I gave a phone call to the rehearsal studios again. I instead of trying to get a time for tonight, I asked for something first thing tomorrow morning, as that would have been convenient.

The phone rang out, and a rather camp guy answered. Throughout the call I have no idea if he was being sarcastic or just really nice, couldn't quite tell. However they have a room available at the time I want to go, and they have booked me in. I'm delighted by this. Not only will I have as much space as I need to relax and take my time, but I can also scream my ass off and get a good idea of what my voice is like. I have sung properly since the last gig in June 2010, so quite eager to get there tomorrow.
I have a plan to take my camcorder to get it all on camera, so here's hoping I bloody remember the thing. Last time I planned to do that I forgot. So this time, that is an absolute must. I really want to put it up to have some good, honest rehearsals on video.

I'm really looking forward to it, and am hoping that my voice will be top notch. New to wait and see.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

Rehearsing for Victoria Bar Gig

Last night I wanted to practice the set list I had written up previously. I had no idea how 'Retrospect', 'Jezebel (The Painted Lady)' and 'Klez the Conquerer' would sound. I haven't really practiced them much on guitar. So, because my wife was studying next door, I had chosen to take the electric guitar, as it'd be quieter.

I began and played from the begining, the way I'd play it on the night. Songs that I needed to do a few times extra to get right were: Putting the Monster in the Box, Retrospect, Jezebel, and definitely Klez the Conquerer. Particularly with Klez, I wasn't sure how to do the solos, so I have taken the first one out of the acoustic version I wish to do. It sounds a lot better this way.

A problem with doing the rehearsing this way is, I am unable to hear my voice singing at full pelt, which is annoying. But also, I want to hook the fx pedals up and make sure the sounds are all correct too. I have contacted a rehearsal studio, but because it is so close to the gig, they said they'd contact me back to see if they have a room free for me. If not, then the only chance I will have to rehearse properly is Thursday, and even if the neighbours are in, I'm gona need to sing my ass off.

When doing the quiet run throughs of the set, I was particularly happy with the way 'Superhero' was sounding. I wasn't even sure to put it in at first, but now I am very certain it'll be good on the night. Just need to make sure my voice holds out for all 8 songs. I'm looking forward to the gig muchos. Just want it to go smoothly. The last gig, two songs had a couple of notes out, and it ruined them in my opinion: in Spitting Feathers and Building a Nest; two songs I don't wish to do at this gig.

So let's see how it goes on Saturday,
Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright

Upcoming Gig - Victoria Bar

Regarding the festival posts, I had gone to the meeting over a week ago. My good friend Scott Atkins and I took a jaunt down to where the meeting was for the Southside Festival. Met random people, listened to a very long presentation, and even longer question round afterwards. However, we spoke to musical organisers. One of them we both knew. So with this, we chatted to him, and he let us know about other gigs that may be an option. So kept that in mind and moved on, saying our farewells.

So, two days ago I got a message from the organiser asking if I wanted a gig at Victoria Bar. I considered it as I only have about a week to prepare. But I thought this would be good. Paid gig, during the daytime (7pm I'm on), and well, it's the first gig this year. I accepted the gig, and have a possible setlist made up, comprising of three songs I haven't done before live:

Songs
Putting the monster in the box*
Vixen - Part 1 2 3 and 4*
Kings of the underworld*
Retrospect*
Red bridge*
Superhero*
Jezebel (The Painted Lady)*
Klez the Conquerer*

(Setlist may change)

I'm thinking this would be a good list. Starting with the quite, eerie and simple 'Putting the Monster in the Box', and the just moving between my rock, acoustic tunes. I have been given a 40 minute set so I should be able to fit 8 songs in there.

So set up, as per, will be me, my Brunswick electro-acoustic, distortion pedal, and echo machine pedal. I haven't been at the Victoria Bar before but I am looking forward to the gig. Haven't asked anyone apart from Scott and George to come along. I'm looking forward to it. Just a wee quiet gig, to see how well I do.

Watch this space,
Wullae

Gig details:
Victoria Bar,
159 Bridgegate,
Glasgow, Lanarkshire G1 5HZ, United Kingdom
0141 552 6040
Saturday 12th February 2011
From 4pm, on at 7pm
Free entry

Don't Feed the Trolls (Pt. 1) - Recording Session and Edit 1

Listening to my ipod on the bus on the way to work. Feel very tired even though I haven't done anything really. I now have 4 songs on my ipod in the 'Wullae Wright' section. I have a version of 'Don't Feed the Trolls (Pt. 1)' recorded. However it needs a lot done to.

I had organised all the instruments and wires, ready to be used. I had already begun recording the song, having two guitar riffs sitting waiting. So I thought I'd add to them. I first tried different keyboard stuff, but nothing. Pointless. So at this point I thought I'd use the bass.

With the bass I recorded a clean bass, with slight echo. Sounded good when listened back, and was just the same riff as the electric. The riff is very simple, but I think sounds good and is needed in what may be a very complicated sounding collection of songs.

I then moved onto the vocals. I recorded one set with a particular effect which sounded good outwardly, but not recorded. So I did another set that were clean with some reverb. Sounds much better, but listening back to it, I'm not sure if it works, and it is very softly sung and clean when I think it could use being quite aggressive and gritty. But I'll see what I can do later. I also tried other vocal things but wasn't hugely happy with the results.

So I moved back to the keyboard again. I had a standard beat stuff behind the song, but did absolutely nothing for it, so I recorded my own drums. I messed about for a while and eventually came up with a very heavy metal sounding drumming. It completely rocked the song up and was absolutely unintentional. The song wasn't suppose to be a rock song, but the drums at most points sounds great. Again, further editing is required.

So I used the keyboard and did record some effects etc, but none were fitting well enough. There was a cool riff I had, which worked amazingly bit was just far to difficult to record, so I have left it.

I then wanted to fill the gaps for solos. I recorded a simple lead part behind the whole song, which is very reverb sounding with a weird echo effect, and sounds great. It reminds me of Jonny Greenwood style guitaring, in say 'Climbing up the Walls' on OK Computer. Gave the song body, as at this point, it still seemed a little flat. I then recorded a solo. I did some finger tapping on the fret board, and used echo. I really really like how it sounds. So then I filled odd gaps in the song with a mega reversed echo effect lead throughout the background. Sounding excellent.

I think the song will fit well with the rest of the songs. It isn't the best song ever, but it is a good song, and has a catchy chorus. Never know, with more editing, it might become the best song of this collection.

Aside from recording this, I have been periodically working on a full length music video for 'Klez the Conquerer'. I have created hundreds of images and each one lasts like half a second in the video, so I have a lot of work to do. I have about 1minute 10 seconds worth. Still got about 4 minutes-odds to go.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/welcome-to-the-anonymous (coming soon - sorry about the wait)