Opus. 1

Acoustic versions. That's what I had it named as on my Blackberry notes page. But acoustic versions, is 1. The sort of title I have used before for songs, and 2. Is a bit fucking boring to be honest. So I wanted something to sum up the acoustic versions.

The main reason I wanted to make the acoustic versions, was to finally make a recording of 'Jinx' that I was happy with. It got me thinking that really I should record the songs at their most basic, the way I wrote them, the day I wrote them. I wanted to record all the early songs, and good songs that never made it onto themes that I have created, such as Anonymous. So I wanted this to be essentially an album to say this is the beginning; where it all started from and has been a continuous work ever since. Something that signifies that all the songs are intertwinned. And so, Opus. 1 was the name I chose. Where it all came from, the first songs, continuing to now, all with a similar story. All done on acoustic.

I didn't actually think this project would start at all, because I always come up with ideas in my head that seem so wonderful, and then it turns out I digress onto something else or I just never have the motivation to start. However, one day I did start. And I'm so glad I did. I didn't even hold back on the singing. The songs on Opus. 1 need to be as they should be. Perfect.

So this collection of songs are very simple, as they would be heard live at a gig. In their simpliest form, I believe the songs and lyrics can be appreciated a lot more.

Day 1

I can't actually remember which song I recorded first. I know I began by recording Red Bridge first of all, but didn't notice I had left my echo pedal on through the guitar piece, and so was fucked off at the end when listening to an electrofied acoustic. Definitely not what I wanted. I know 'Jinx' was one of the first, possibly the first. It was either 'Jinx', 'Induna' or 'Vixen - Part 1, 2, 3, and 4'. Whatever came first, the collection began, and in the first of two days I recorded 7 songs: 'Jinx', 'Induna', 'Vixen - Part 1, 2, 3 and 4', 'Merchant City Man', 'Thursday 5th April 2007 @ 11.51am', 'Halo Effect' and 'Dying Rose of January'. I was so so happy with the recordings, and needed to put them up on youtube quickly as a) I was running out of time and b) cause they sounded better than I thought they would and was eager to get them up.

I wanted some artwork for the songs. I wanted something quite personal and almost classical looking. I had a few nights before day 1 recordings, drew an abstract picture of my Blackberry connected to my old ipod, with some musical notes around it. The rest of the ink drawing has my Blackberry connected to a book I was reading at the time (Bronson 3: Up on the Roof by Charles Bronson), and drew some Blackberry and internet icons next to this. I took some photos of the drawing, put them on the computer, selected one, edited it into a square, put the chosen title 'Opus. 1', and instead of putting just my name, I thought I'd put 'Songs by Wullae Wright' as it is a general collection of all my songs. I didn't like it the way it was, so inverted the cover, and it looked much better. Classy in my opinion, with a modern twist with the ipod and Blackberry. Think it sums me up very well.

So I added these seven new songs to youtube. I have had positive comments so far and am pleased with the recordings.

Day 2

Eager to get as much done as I could, I set myself up again for the recording. I also thought that day that I'd maybe want to add some old piano tunes on it too, just to mix it up a little and to also let people hear these songs that are never played live. So I began by looking through the list of 'acoustic versions' I'd written on my phone and found 'A butterfly, A bouncy castle and A pole joust'. I have always loved that song and really enjoy playing it. It is a very personal song to me which always makes me feel good to play. So I recorded this. I had made sure that the fx pedal effects were exactly the same levels as Day 1, and that the volumes were all the same. I then moved to piano (or keyboard), and recorded 'Equilibruim' and 'House of Mirrors'. I wasn't too sure about 'House of Mirrors' but I thought, this is a collection of as much as I can do, and it is important to put as much in. So I then recorded Red Bridge and it turned out exactly as I wanted it! Perfect. I then relearned and recorded 'Loco Loco', which I performed once at a gig. I had actually forgotten it even had lyrics!! So I relearned them, and that was the last song I had time to record. Another 5 in the bag.

I have ideas for other Opus. 1 songs such as: 'Spitting Feathers', 'The Search' and 'Necropolis'. I still need to edit and record more songs on 'Anonymous'; however this Opus. 1 project is a good digression, and I'm happy to be finally recording all the unheard and unrecorded songs. Not to sound morbid, but it makes me think that when I pass away, they will all be there, and nothing was left undone. It makes me happy.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.youtube.com/wullaewrightmusic
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.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

Poster for www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright

The mix has a voice...

So comfortable with the time I had, and the means of recording, I began the vocal process. Grabbed my leads from my white cupboard, fired computer up, got Zoom pedal and microphone, and set it all up. Didn't work a few times when tried it. No obvious reason why it does that sometimes, but it does happen. Got audacity up and running, witnessed all the wavy lines and though 'let's get a voice for this'.

Image of 'In the Mix' at the time of Mixing

To record the layers of vocals, I use Making Waves, which I prefer to record with initially. Got a repetitive vocal looping of 'I'm always running'. Recording quality is really good, but the song would be very boring with only this lines. So differently timed, I also added 'from the shadows, they hunt you down, and steal your soul'. Works well. So then added another vocal arrangement. This one a little more melodic and seems to have worked out well too. The only the problem with the song is the lyrics. Feel I could quite possibly get something better, but at the moment I shall work with these. At present I am editing the vocals to try and arrange them in an order I feel is appropriate for this song.

I will hopeful have this song finished over the next while, and will have it up on myspace for you and the rest of the world to listen to.

Watch this space,

Wullae

www.myspace.com/wullaewright

In the Mix - Midnight Hours

It's 01:15 at the moment as I gaze at the small clock on my computer monitor. I can see the wavy lines of the recorded music, blue snaking across the screen. I hear the wind lash the outside world, and a lone truck driving past in the distance. The world is so quiet, yet I am trying to finish my song. It is still in the mix at present. Thought I had it done, just to add singing and that's it. No. I'm trying some more stuff. Got to admit, I'm tired. But sometimes that is when I can things done.

I have messed about with random samples of music I have recorded before; I have also tried more tones and edited pitches, using phaser and echo effects, all to no avail! Began work again, and have realised that nothing new added is the best thing.

What I have done however is look through one of my song folders and found a really good acoustic version of 'Putting the Monster in the Box' - a song about bipolar disorder. It is a good recording.

Putting the Monster in the Box - Track 4 on 'In Cloud Cuckooland':

I'm safe, so very safe
Put the monster in the box
Beware in stares into your soul
Blackened eyes, horrid fangs
It waits, and waits, and waits,
It peers through the peephole,
Slips through the gaps to smother me, and my thoughts,

I'm safe, so very safe
Keeping the monster in the book
To me to you, to me to you
Breathless and I don't know what to do
Those thoughts aren't my own
My own thoughts are not my own
The room is padded but it feels like it's made of stone
The room in my head keeps spinning
The room around me keeps spinning
My feet above me keep spinning
My neck twists and keeps on spinning

Keep the monster in the box
Please keep the monsters away

(Written 20/08/2009)

Watch this space
Wullae

www.myspace.com/wullaewright