It's not what you think, unless your thinking that my roadblock is CASH. On last count I have 40 tunes that i would like to record, and maybe 50% of those make it - that's two albums worth of songs I could publish in as much times as it takes to record mix and master. Of course, all through the process I am still writing.
After HEADWATERS had proved proof of concept, that is I mean to say that, a recording project can be done, (and this is a great time to note that all I did was get the tunes down with guitars and bass and some keys, Make music not war looked after the rest, Nick is s genius.) I was ready to push a few boundaries. Do some things differently and make the next album something that HEADWATERS could be referenced from.
If were to listen to the constructive feedback from reviews, the music was a little nostalgic, godd but unadventurous. So, with the confidence that comes from proof of concept and some focus on offering the listener something more adventurous, I am super excited to be tweaking this next lot of tunes into unique pieces of art.
The roadblock...While I am still writing, I am not writing anywhere near as much as I usually do because the end goal isn't to complete a song, it's to record a new album.
Recorded music is a funny thing, the NOW expects music to be free, like air, the expectation is that music is free and the zeitgeist is moving so fast even Bowie would struggle to keep up, maybe I'm wrong, anyway it's hard.
So why do it then? That's a great question and I'm glad you asked, the answer is, I can't not do it. And even though I know how empty of fulfillment the music industry can be, I am driven to communicate my thoughts.
Headwaters was about the uplift, the moment luck changes or there is a shift in energy.
This next lot which has a working title of - Other opinions are available - has specific themes, trust between partners, the changing urban landscapes, the land connection that Indigenous Australians feel, the snowy river scheme, xenophobia, the nature of humans to fight and war, beautiful nights of passion, the death of a loved one, a dog trying to work out his owners melancholy, a dance tune, the subtle advise to not drink alone, beware the siren song, and a few others.
This next batch of tunes are more storied soundscapes that draw images of fiery sunsets, lost loved ones, townships that have been stripped of their character by a sim city approach to progress, the bonds of trust between lovers, sone dancing and the lament of lost love.
While HEADWATERS was a very cohesive project that spoke directly to positive mental health, sort of an ablum for people to explore the uplift of emotional fortunes, the next batch is more of a storied bunch of tunes that provide meditative soundscapes to provocative lyrics.
I am very keen to get them finished and this time will have a go and mix and master myself, I will get some awesome drums on them though, very excited.