I have not written on this blog for a long time, and that is because I have had nothing to write. Nothing to write about in terms of my music and any musical projects. I have had little time to write, record and definitely perform any music.
At the end of 2011 I looked back at what music I had written and the numerous projects I had created. I created four projects: 'Anonymous', 'Opus. 1', 'Overzealous Work Ethic', and 'Under the Pyramids'. I was maybe being a little over ambitious trying to create 3 albums in the one year. 'Under the Pyramids' was cut short due to time and inspiration. I did complete these projects and feel this was a very productive year. I was, and still am, particularly happy with 'Anonymous' as an album. I have not successfully written and recorded a 20 track album before.
Moving into 2012, I have focused on developing the artwork for the new project. I tend to write the music and develop the artwork around another. However, I wanted to paint the picture first. The theme. I didn't know what I wanted to do to be honest. I sat one night not long into the new year, and thought about the train journey I had going from Manhattan to Coney Island. I had looked through some photographs I have of me in New York in 2008. The journey I remember well. The ghetto housing, the rocking train; being in a city and place I didn't know. Going to somewhere, I had never been. I wish I could go back. It was a beautiful journey, in a very personal way. And so this, is what has developed the idea behind 'The Orange Line'. The orange line - or 'D' line, is the one that takes you from Manhattan to Coney Island. The project is about a journey. A journey from it's beginning, to it's end. But not a bad journey. A pleasant one. One that changes you. In the subtliest way.
So I looked through the photos I took as I went along The orange line, and I developed these photos in a way that is reminiscent of old artwork myself and my friend Stuart Carroll use to make when we were in the band 'the Heads of State'. This made me think about all the old songs we had made together, and never used. Never finished. Never heard them the way they were suppose to be heard. So I thought the artwork and old song - part of 'Cassette Tapes from 1999', would be perfect. And so I have listened to these old songs, and have picked several I will try and update and add to 'The Orange Line'. These songs are:
- All the Time (Thinking of renaming 'Dwindling in Zenith', which was the original album name we had for these songs way back in 2000)
- Nostalgic
- You Never Said Anything
- A Story of a Wall
- Plasticland
- U.F.O
- Superhero
- Beware: Beckon Angels
- Living on the Edge
- A.W.O.L
- Building a Nest (Written in 2009, and would be a perfect song to finish the album with)
- Fun Acid House
- A Stage with your own Fears
- Dreams are in the Skies
- Stand Alone
- Pay As You Earn
It may not be possible to recreate all these songs as I do not remember how to play even half of them. But I will have to re-learn them, and then try and work out all the lyrics too. I don't want to have to change these songs at all from the originals.
So, that is the start of 'The Orange Line'. This is as far as up-to-date as I can get. I have worked out 'All the Time', and will try and create a new version. I have ideas for it, and wish to start as soon as I can. I'm having difficulty at the moment trying to get drum beats appropriate for starting this album with, but I am sure I will get them in time.
Watch this space,
Wullae
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Where am I?
Gazing out the window, I watch the fields, trees, sporadic homes, and motorway crash barriers slide past. I look around at my fellow commuters, who all sit with their eyes closed, and heads resting back. I was there with them a few minutes ago. Then found myself bouncing out of it to wake up.
So why have I not put any new posts up? Written ones anyway? Several reasons have stopped me doing it. One of them is lack of motivation. I seem to think about doing it, have the passion for it, but then when I'd go to do it, I'd just not have the motivation. Lots of sheep outside. I digress. I have been lazy then in some respects. I have been lazy generally, and I'm hoping to get out of the loop. I am writing this one in the hope to catch up.
I also have written anything because in many ways I have nothing to write about. I could write about the recordings I have been making, but they are so very simple that the posts would read very similar, like this: I recorded a riff I'd made before the recording session. After a few attempts, I added another guitar riff over the top. I then perfected a good vocal melody for the tune, and used the poetry I'd written months before and there we go. Song basically done, for now. And that's that. That's been the recent recording process.
I have to admit though, elaborating on the songs etc, I am very happy. I'm getting older. The possibilities of a music career are very very slim for me, pretty much non-existent, unless some kind of miracle happens. I get very little listens on my music, and when I do, I am delighted. I make all my music free to download, because the enjoyment of writing outweights any success or recognition. I love putting my thoughts, feelings and emotions down, and making them into my own external worlds.
With 'Under the Pyramids', I believed I wouldn't actually begin the recording of it. I believed I wouldn't find the time, nor have the motivation to record it. I'd written all the lyrics, and then would pick up the guitar and just see it as a big chunk of wood, with no life in it. But that hasn't happened. At all. I have played. Played very simple riffs. Created simple songs. And I'm very happy with them. I have no intention to impress anyone. No intention of proving my worth as a musician. This project is inspired by the way I use to write music. Inspired by simplicity and peace.
The songs have been going well. Rough and clean. That's how I would describe them. I have been asking a few musicians to collaborate with me on them including: Camine the Red (a U.S artist), Stuart Carroll (musician and good friend), and my brother, musically know as 'That Guy'. I intend to ask other musicians to add to my songs. I have the thought now, that if I were to stop writing and making music, for whatever the reasons: a lack of motivation, or desire; if I get mental health problems or loss my memory, or if something were to happen to me, that I'd have done as many different things musically. I want to make this music project different from my others, and know that I musical friends out there. Like me. Doing it like me. Where I am.
And so at present, I have 5 Under the Pyramids songs recorded that I'm happy with: White Lies, Sleight of Hand, Orchid and Thorns Embroiled, Caged Foundling, and An Ode to Willowby. I do have 2 Thessalonians 2:11 recorded too, but I will have to look at this song. I am pleased that this project is making head way, and I'm very delighted that there have been many nice comments made about the songs. Carmine the Red on soundcloud says the bass riff in 'Sleight of Hand' is 'killer', and the magician David Copperfield listened to 'Sleight of Hand' saying it was 'very nice'. My friend Stuart Carroll says it is some of the best work he has heard from me. These are the sorts of comments that keep me going. Keep me motivated. I'm very appreciative of all the comment from people.
So what next? Where am I musically? I am waiting to hear some of the remix/collabs with other musicians, to hear how this album with eventually sound. I'm excited about this, because I know each musician has totally different music tastes and styles. So the album, should if all goes well, be a diverse mix of sounds and styles, with an underlying simplicity. I will keep writing, until I finish this project. After that, who knows,
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.youtube.com/wullaewrightmusic
www.wullaewright.bandcamp.com
(Listening to Elbow's 'Lippy Kids' the whole journey)
So why have I not put any new posts up? Written ones anyway? Several reasons have stopped me doing it. One of them is lack of motivation. I seem to think about doing it, have the passion for it, but then when I'd go to do it, I'd just not have the motivation. Lots of sheep outside. I digress. I have been lazy then in some respects. I have been lazy generally, and I'm hoping to get out of the loop. I am writing this one in the hope to catch up.
I also have written anything because in many ways I have nothing to write about. I could write about the recordings I have been making, but they are so very simple that the posts would read very similar, like this: I recorded a riff I'd made before the recording session. After a few attempts, I added another guitar riff over the top. I then perfected a good vocal melody for the tune, and used the poetry I'd written months before and there we go. Song basically done, for now. And that's that. That's been the recent recording process.
I have to admit though, elaborating on the songs etc, I am very happy. I'm getting older. The possibilities of a music career are very very slim for me, pretty much non-existent, unless some kind of miracle happens. I get very little listens on my music, and when I do, I am delighted. I make all my music free to download, because the enjoyment of writing outweights any success or recognition. I love putting my thoughts, feelings and emotions down, and making them into my own external worlds.
With 'Under the Pyramids', I believed I wouldn't actually begin the recording of it. I believed I wouldn't find the time, nor have the motivation to record it. I'd written all the lyrics, and then would pick up the guitar and just see it as a big chunk of wood, with no life in it. But that hasn't happened. At all. I have played. Played very simple riffs. Created simple songs. And I'm very happy with them. I have no intention to impress anyone. No intention of proving my worth as a musician. This project is inspired by the way I use to write music. Inspired by simplicity and peace.
The songs have been going well. Rough and clean. That's how I would describe them. I have been asking a few musicians to collaborate with me on them including: Camine the Red (a U.S artist), Stuart Carroll (musician and good friend), and my brother, musically know as 'That Guy'. I intend to ask other musicians to add to my songs. I have the thought now, that if I were to stop writing and making music, for whatever the reasons: a lack of motivation, or desire; if I get mental health problems or loss my memory, or if something were to happen to me, that I'd have done as many different things musically. I want to make this music project different from my others, and know that I musical friends out there. Like me. Doing it like me. Where I am.
And so at present, I have 5 Under the Pyramids songs recorded that I'm happy with: White Lies, Sleight of Hand, Orchid and Thorns Embroiled, Caged Foundling, and An Ode to Willowby. I do have 2 Thessalonians 2:11 recorded too, but I will have to look at this song. I am pleased that this project is making head way, and I'm very delighted that there have been many nice comments made about the songs. Carmine the Red on soundcloud says the bass riff in 'Sleight of Hand' is 'killer', and the magician David Copperfield listened to 'Sleight of Hand' saying it was 'very nice'. My friend Stuart Carroll says it is some of the best work he has heard from me. These are the sorts of comments that keep me going. Keep me motivated. I'm very appreciative of all the comment from people.
So what next? Where am I musically? I am waiting to hear some of the remix/collabs with other musicians, to hear how this album with eventually sound. I'm excited about this, because I know each musician has totally different music tastes and styles. So the album, should if all goes well, be a diverse mix of sounds and styles, with an underlying simplicity. I will keep writing, until I finish this project. After that, who knows,
Watch this space,
Wullae
www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright
www.youtube.com/wullaewrightmusic
www.wullaewright.bandcamp.com
(Listening to Elbow's 'Lippy Kids' the whole journey)
Monday, 3 October 2011
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