Mon 6 Nov 2017: Listening to (S) again before work and I'm really pleased with it. It's my favourite track so far. What I'm finding with the later tracks I've written for the album is that the writing process has changed the results. By writing the music and lyrics at the same time and recording a demo vocal sometimes before finalising the music, there's an extra space in the tracks that I don't usually have. Usually I build the beats and music before I record any vocals. As a result I tend to fill up the track before the vocals. Lately, the songs have a lot more space and the vocals are more integral. I must make sure I don't over fill the songs when I work on the final versions. In the evening I work some more on (W). I'm not really happy with what I came up with yesterday. Maybe I'll use that for something else. Instead I go back to basics. I decide to try something different. Instead of starting with beats on Maschine, I set up some loops using arpeggiators and different plug-ins. It heads me in yet another direction, but this time I think it might work for the song I have in mind. I start forming the first lines of lyrics.
Tue 7 Nov 2017: I'm inspired in the morning to write some lyrics for (W). I'm getting into the feel of this song. Inspiration continues through yoga and I have a few verses drafted before work. In the evening I piece the parts together and do a really rough vocal line. I'm tired, so I don't work for too long but just enough to patch together what the final song much sound like and what the structure will probably be. There's a long way to go. But I think it has potential.
Wed 8 Nov 2017: A quick check of last night's work first thing in the morning and I'm feeling good about (W). I finish the last lyrics before work. In the evening I record and edit better vocals. They sound OK but I'm not sure about the end result. I play with some other things but it feels like something's missing. But it will do for a demo. I can afford to experiment more on the final. I'll let the song float with me for a while.
Thu 9 Nov 2017: Once again some lyrics form in yoga class this morning; this time for the next song (I). It would be nice to accredit these lyrics to the mindfulness of yoga but in reality they were already underway before I entered and just gelled as I was waiting for the class to begin. I have to try to hold on to them for the next hour until I can write them down! Maybe I should start taking paper and pencil to class. In the evening I make a few more minor edits to (W) and I'm happier now. Then I start playing with melodies for (I). I record the first phrases. It's a bit soppy in its raw format but hopefully I can develop it into something atmospheric.
Fri 10 Nov 2017: In the morning another verse for (I) comes to me. I start a third on the way to work but it doesn't quite make it. I refine it a bit in the evening but it still needs a little more work. I briefly turn my attention to a possible chorus melody and record a rough vocal. I don't do much else. Time for a night off.
Sat 11 Nov 2017: In the morning I finalise the lyrics for (I). After lunch I sit down to put chords and melody together. The song just falls into place. The lyrics are quite freeform with no particular meter. But the melody and chords seem to work without too much effort. I record a vocal and because the range is just right for me, they're not too bad at all. After some editing I look at the instrumentation. I had some ideas of using micro beats but, in the end, a very sparse and soft sound works beautifully. I'm really pleased with the results and the song is finished on the afternoon. If I can say so, I think the song and performance are both possibly the most beautiful I have ever achieved. Demo number 8 is finished.
Sun 12 Nov 2017: When I was first playing with (W) I created a small riff that didn't work there so I put it to one side. Now, in the morning I start work on the final song (VS). I think that riff might fit perfectly. It does, and the lyrics, melody and chords come quite easily. By lunch time I have a demo with recorded vocals but it's lacking personality. I'm a little worried it may end up a lame duck. Then, an accident has the potential to transform the chorus. I tweak a few other parts to make way for new drums and that's it! After a short break I listen again on my phone and realise that the second half of the chorus is weaker than the first. I decide to continue the chords and melody from the first half into the second. I have to re-record some vocals and move things around but the result is a big improvement and keeps the energy going. I'm very happy with it and that's the last of the demos I currently have in mind. 9 songs in just under 9 weeks. That’s good going for me, especially considering that's including all the lyrics and demo vocals.