I think I have it! The title 'This could be the start of something good', is well, good, but nothing special. I may use it as a song title. But last night I was chatting to my brother and used the expression with him, 'slowly slowly catchy monkey'. I just thought, that is the title I have been looking for. It is perfect. Taking your time to gain you goals. Not rushing things. Perfect.
Around gaining what will inevitably become the new theme name for my new collection of songs-in-progress, I had been recording new songs. I could not put singing to any of them, which was annoying, because it was so late. My wife had went out to a friends house and I started recording about 7.30pm on the 2nd of October and finished about 1.30am on 3rd of October. I constantly recorded and had a mars bar and some oj during that time.
I first began by editing a piano recording I had begun. It was an old tune, which I vaguely remember, so I had to edit it. I recorded the bass and a guitar part for it. It sounds amazing. So I tried editing some looped drums in. I cut them up and put them in at the start of the song, but I don't know if it works right.
I then moved on to another new recording. I had been sitting on the couch a few nights ago and came up with a nice wee funky acoustic song that gets quite emotional in the verses. I start recording this. I record a version using my plectrum, but it didn't sound right. So I recorded another version using my fingers, and sounded perfect. I then recorded a little lead bit for it, and it sounds amazing. Then i recorded a bass riff for it, and that too sounded great. On audacity I moved the bass to try and get the timing correct and put it in the wrong place. Turns out, that sounds even better. There is a slight delay when the bass comes in, and sounds even funkier.
After that I started to rerecord 'Watercolour Memories', which I lost when my computer got the virus. I started with the acoustic rhythm, and again strummed it with my fingers, for a gentler sound. I then recorded the lead over this, and it sounds great.
During this process, I had my earphones in when recording, as to not disrupt the neighbours sleeping. I could hear shouting over the earphones outside, lots of shouting and banging. I assumed it was drunkards as it was a Saturday night, so I ignored it. After finishing recording the lead I took my earphones out and heard sirens and could see blue flashing lights. I glanced out the window, and down my street someones flat was on fire. I went out to see what was happening, and I felt terrible, knowing I ignored the screams. Later someone was taken out of the flat, hurt but alive. Made me feel kind of uncomfortable.
I returned to my recording of 'Watercolour Memories', and started work on a lead part. At this point my wife returned, and so I did record a lead, but might not be that great. I will need to review it.
A long and strange night, but a very preductive one.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.myspace.com/wullaewright
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Sunday, 3 October 2010
This could be the start...of something good
Written 1st of October 2010
I needed a fresh start. A new start. And whilst chatting to my wife on Wednesday morning - who was in another room getting ready to go out, I was browsing through folders of photographs, looking for images that would inspire my new direction.
I started with an image of me playing at the 'Art Bar' in Glasgow in March 2010. I initially edited it on windows live editor. I messed about with the image and it turned into this vibrant, pink image with a white silhouette. Looked quite funky. So put it onto a huge white square in the bottom corner. I took bits from another picture, drew lines on the white square, with lots of light blues and pinky purples. All funky colours, upbeat and full of life. I worked on the font for my name and eventually got two big blue Ws with small black writing. I then left this, quite happy, and thought about recording a song.
So I set everything up. All my instruments. I wanted to record something, and had a song in mind. Back in 2005, I recorded a song called 'Debt of a Coma', which was a jazzy bass, guitar and drum song. There is no singing. Just music. And I had wanted to rerecord it for a long time, so today I thought was a good chance.
I managed to record the bass riff to a drum beat I had cut up and looped over and over. The bass sounds excellent. I then had to record the guitar. I had to rerecord it several times. But the end result sounded good. I also tried to record a backing strum, but it didn't work right. Thought of putting other instruments in, but it sounded good the way it was. Simple. Added vocals to it, using the Paralysed lyrics, but they will need rerecorded.
So two days later on Friday 1st of October, I sat down and starting working on the artwork again. Tweeked about with it and thought about where to put an album title. I first of all, had to get a new title. I had considered different names. But then something just came to me. So simple, but when I thought about it, seemed perfect. Sums everything up perfectly I'd be writing about: 'This could be the start...of something good'. Just quite casual and relaxed. That's how I want it to feel. So I made the title I have come up with at the top of the album cover, and after editing it, think it looks great. Very different from my 'In Cloud Cuckooland' art.
After finishing this, I got to work on 'Paralysed'. I rerecorded another set of vocals. Or should I say, several sets of vocals. Each one not quite working. Was very conscious of disturbing the neighbours downstairs, and was putting me off. Eventually recorded a good set.
On listening back over the song on my ipod, I realised all the sound levels are quite bad, and so may need to rerecord the whole song. Not very happy with the result. Also, still considering changing the title for the new songs.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
I needed a fresh start. A new start. And whilst chatting to my wife on Wednesday morning - who was in another room getting ready to go out, I was browsing through folders of photographs, looking for images that would inspire my new direction.
I started with an image of me playing at the 'Art Bar' in Glasgow in March 2010. I initially edited it on windows live editor. I messed about with the image and it turned into this vibrant, pink image with a white silhouette. Looked quite funky. So put it onto a huge white square in the bottom corner. I took bits from another picture, drew lines on the white square, with lots of light blues and pinky purples. All funky colours, upbeat and full of life. I worked on the font for my name and eventually got two big blue Ws with small black writing. I then left this, quite happy, and thought about recording a song.
So I set everything up. All my instruments. I wanted to record something, and had a song in mind. Back in 2005, I recorded a song called 'Debt of a Coma', which was a jazzy bass, guitar and drum song. There is no singing. Just music. And I had wanted to rerecord it for a long time, so today I thought was a good chance.
I managed to record the bass riff to a drum beat I had cut up and looped over and over. The bass sounds excellent. I then had to record the guitar. I had to rerecord it several times. But the end result sounded good. I also tried to record a backing strum, but it didn't work right. Thought of putting other instruments in, but it sounded good the way it was. Simple. Added vocals to it, using the Paralysed lyrics, but they will need rerecorded.
So two days later on Friday 1st of October, I sat down and starting working on the artwork again. Tweeked about with it and thought about where to put an album title. I first of all, had to get a new title. I had considered different names. But then something just came to me. So simple, but when I thought about it, seemed perfect. Sums everything up perfectly I'd be writing about: 'This could be the start...of something good'. Just quite casual and relaxed. That's how I want it to feel. So I made the title I have come up with at the top of the album cover, and after editing it, think it looks great. Very different from my 'In Cloud Cuckooland' art.
After finishing this, I got to work on 'Paralysed'. I rerecorded another set of vocals. Or should I say, several sets of vocals. Each one not quite working. Was very conscious of disturbing the neighbours downstairs, and was putting me off. Eventually recorded a good set.
On listening back over the song on my ipod, I realised all the sound levels are quite bad, and so may need to rerecord the whole song. Not very happy with the result. Also, still considering changing the title for the new songs.
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.twitter.com/wullaewright
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Blue Funk
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
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
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
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