Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #31

Now the final mixing starts! This is my first stab at a real mix of "I Like The Way She Cleans Erasers." It's labeled "Mix 0.5" which pretty much means I don't consider it to be final. When you start to see mix numbers like 1.0, that means I consider them final - even though The one we actually release might be adjusted further - numbered like 1.1 or higher depending on the number of iterations. A lot of times I listen to a mix the next day (what I call "the next day reality check") and discover things like snare drums too loud or pianos too buried. If I make an adjustment at the mastering stage rather than the mix stage, it gets a number like 1.01 (this would be the first master adjustment on mix number 1.0). In our file system, you would songs numbered like 2.32 (a significant re-mix with three revisions PLUS two mastering revisions of Mix 2.3).

Ok - enough ramble and on to the song. The album is starting to take shape!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #30

Now the early mixes begin! After adding bass to "Going To School" I pushed some faders around to get a bit of balance. This still isn't a real mix but at least guitars and stuff won't pop out real loud out of nowhere. This is where you can start to hear the final song emerge from the chaos of all the tracks.

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #29

We added guitars and bass to the song we're collaborating with George Hrab on - "When I Was Your Age."

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - loud vocals, guitars or other stuff might pop out at any moment so be careful with your volume control!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #28

This "monster in the closet" song is developing as we add guitars to "They're Out To Get Me."

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - loud vocals, guitars or other stuff might pop out at any moment so be careful with your volume control!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #27

We added bass and LOTS of guitars to "The Six Year Old Reporter." Listen for the classic Frampton/Bon Jovi/Aerosmith "talkbox" effect. And I couldn't help but throw in a "Van Halen" harmonic trill just for fun.

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - loud vocals, guitars or other stuff might pop out at any moment so be careful with your volume control!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #26

We added guitars and vocals to "My Cereal."

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - loud vocals, guitars or other stuff might pop out at any moment so be careful with your volume control!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #25

We added guitars and bass to "I Like The Way She Cleans Erasers."

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - loud vocals, guitars or other stuff might pop out at any moment so be careful with your volume control!

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #24

Here's the next iteration of "Hey Joe (Joe Bully)." This is another that we added guitars to during those 26 hours of guitar sessions. And then we added bass!

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - and still beware of the loud guitars that show up at any moment! Of course the guitars SHOULD STILL be loud, shouldn't they? :) The bass is probably too loud too. But you get the idea...

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #23

Here's the next iteration of "Bed Wetter." This is another that we added guitars to during those 26 hours of guitar sessions.

As before, this isn't a real mix yet - and still beware of the loud guitars that show up at any moment! Of course the guitars SHOULD STILL be loud, shouldn't they? :)

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #22

Here's the next iteration of "Are We There Yet?" We added guitars to this one during the 26 hours of guitar sessions.

This still isn't a real mix yet - beware of the loud guitars that show up at any moment! Of course the guitars SHOULD be loud, shouldn't they? :)

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

We'd like you on our album!

Hey - we'd like you on our album.

As you may know, our band is in the middle of recording a new album and we'd love for all of you to be a part of it. Consider this the invitation. All we're asking is if you'd record something (dialog, hand claps, singing) and email it to us by Thursday Feb 26th, and we'll do our best to include you on our album.

 

WHAT TO RECORD - HAND CLAPS, KIDS, SINGING

1. Hand claps!
All we need is a few. Don't worry about timing, we'll work the magic to get you in time...

--

2. Shouting out the following lyrics from the bridge in "My Cereal":
What's an album about kids without a nod to cereal?

We could use a chorus of shouts on the bridge of "My Cereal". Here's the deep and meaningful lyrics:

"Coco Crisps! Coco Roos! Coco Wheat! Coco Puffs!
Coco Crunch! Coco Pops! Coco Hoots! Trix!"

Here's a guide track to the song so far so you can hear the rhythm:
http://beatnikturtle.com/2009/02/09/songs-under-construction-kast-episode-16/

It's gotta be shouting/chanting. We can work the magic to fit you into time. Doing multiple voices is always a plus. We'll use what we get...

--

3. Interview Kids!
If you have access to kids (i.e. you know of some or you made some of your own) we're wondering if you can record yourself interviewing them.

We drafted a questionnaire to help elicit responses in the spirit of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon". We're planning on weaving the best kid responses between songs on the album...

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR KIDS

a. What time do you have to go to bed?
b. What's your favorite cereal? Why is it your favorite cereal? Etc.
c. Are you a tattletale? Do you know of any tattletales? What do you think of people who tattle? Etc.
d. Do you have a favorite teacher? What's his/her name? Why is he/she your favorite teacher? Etc.
e. Do you like school? If so, what's your favorite thing about school?
f. What's your favorite subject and why? What is your least favorite subject and why?
g. What do you think of bullies? Have you ever been bullied? What happened to the bully? Did he/she ever get in trouble?
h. Do you believe in monsters? Have you ever seen a monster? What do you think of them? Etc.
i. Do you like to go on car trips? What's the longest car trip you've ever been on? How long did it take?

These are just our suggestions, feel free to tackle more topics. These are simply based on some of the song subjects.

Beyond creating something for the album, being a parent myself, this interview would just be a good "snapshot" to have of your child's thoughts to enjoy when they're older (or to spring on them when they least expect it).

--

4. Clocks!
We're looking for people to record their clocks. It can be anything - grandfather, alarm, kitchen clock, wristwatch. Whatever. As long as it ticks, chimes, and bongs. The album will begin with this. We got some in already. We need more...

--

5. Singing "Hey Joe (Joe Bully)"
Can you sing? No? It doesn't matter. You can now...and we'd like you on the chorus to this sing-a-long.

The chorus is simply, "Hey Joe, Joe Bully". Again, deep and thought-provoking lyrics that will touch all our souls and resonate for years...

Here's a guide track so you can hear the rhythm and melody:
http://beatnikturtle.com/2009/02/13/songs-under-construction-kast-episode-21/

Do your best to sing in time, but know that we have the NASA technology to make it all fit together in the song. We're good like that.

Here's a tip: have the MP3 play in the background and sing to that. It's okay if it bleeds a bit (but not a lot!).

That's all we have at the moment (deadlines will do that), but know we're up on "the Facebook" and created a collaboration page so if you have any ideas for additional things to contribute, please join us there: http://tinyurl.com/bt-terrarium

We're all ears.

--
 
WHERE TO EMAIL YOUR RECORDINGS
Please just send it to "collaborate (at) beatnikturtle.com". We prefer a WAV file for the shorter stuff, but will take MP3s as well (especially for longer items like interviews....). Whatever works for you...

 

DEADLINE
Thursday Feb 26. But that's only because the album is due March 2nd! We have to start mixing and mastering by that date, so we'll need things locked in by then.

 

QUESTIONS
Contact us.

 

SPREAD THE WORD
The more the merrier. If you know oothers who would be up for this, please feel free tolink to this page or send them to our Facebook Collaboration page: http://tinyurl.com/bt-terrarium

Thanks and hope to have you become part of the album!!!

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #21

This is the guide track to "Joe Bully". We'll keep the drums, but then all the rest disappears. Guitars, bass, vocals, keys, etc. will be added starting this weekend.

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #20

Here's the guide track to "I Didn't Do It". All that we'll keep on this version is the drum track. Guitars, bass, horns (lots of horns!), and vocals will come later...

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #19

Here's the guide track to "Bed Wetter". Now, keep in mind this song was written the day after we figured out we weren't writing an album for kid's per se, but an album about us -- the band -- as kids. (And, yes, this is based on a true story by a band member who wishes to remain nameless but wrote the song.)

The keyboard sound you hear is a combination Casiotone MT-35 and an Omnichord. Also, these are John's "keeper" vocals. We hear a lot of psychedelic stuff going on in this one and will likely explore this as we add guitars, keyboards, and flesh it out.

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #18

Here's the guide track we created for "Are We There Yet?"

We're still working on the lyrics but the structure is now locked down. Also, we have a melody line for the chorus, but weren't able to add it to this version. You can hear the original demo here in SUCKast Episode #2.

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #17

We love working with other musicians and with this album we were lucky enough to get the chance to work with the great George Hrab (indie musician, podcaster, writer, and all around uber-talent). We've been meaning to work together since interviewing him for our book, The Indie Band Survival Guide and DIY Music Manual. And this album seemed the perfect chance, so we called him up.

While describing the concept of the album to George on the phone, he commented on how there's a ton of stuff kids have these days that we didn't have growing up. And, "When I Was Your Age" was born. After the call, I went back to John and Tom and told them about the phrase we all heard while we were kids and how that may make a good album title as it captures the concept behind the album well. We'll see if it sticks...

Anyway, within two days George emailed over the guide track of the song he came up with - guitar/bass, click, and vocal. And it's awesome. It's now up to us to build up, arrange, add instruments, backing vocals, etc. (we're really, really hoping George will sing lead -- as he should!). And, what you'll hear here is the guide and the final drum track.

Subscribe to this podcast's feed here as there's more songs under construction coming down the pike.

P.S. If you're not already subscribed to George's highly entertaining, fun, and thought-provoking Geologic Podcast, by all means subscribe and do so today. You have over a hundred podcasts to enjoy. I envy you cuz you have so many to catch up on. I, however, have to wait now like everyone else until he posts a new one each week.

The George Hrab primer:
Geologic Podcast - http://www.geologicpodcast.com
George's Blog - http://www.GeorgeHrab.com
CDs & Music - http://cdbaby.com/all/geologic (also at the iTunes and other fine digital retailers)

And (just) two must-see music videos:
Video for "The Assumption" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtiUdF4sGY0
Video for "Out of my Mind" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRwFgZAHDOY

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #16

Here's where we took the song "My Cereal". The original guide track is in Episode #10

This one is now way more than a guide track. It's well on it's way toward getting done. Heck, this one even has all the lyrics in place (er, we basically toured our local supermarket's cereal aisle with a pad of paper and a pen). The drums, keys, and vocals are all final at this time. We'll be adding guitars, bass, and other keys/FX in the next two weeks.

Join us on this album by joining our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. We're up at "the iTunes" now.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #15

This song is about having a crush on your teacher.

This song, "I Like The Way She Cleans Erasers", is the song Tom, John, and I wrote Friday night that led to the big discussion about whether we were creating an album for kids or an album about us as kids. We collectively came to the realization that we were writing two albums. After we wrote this one, we decided we'd head down "the album about us as kids" route. And once we made that decision, the concept for the album came into focus and it became a LOT easier to pick the songs for the album.

This is a "guide track plus". The drums and vocals are the final ones we'll be using, but everything else will disappear.

Our friends in the band Another Cultural Landslide (who are also participating in the RPMChallenge.com) tuned in to the studio webcams while we were recording vocals, took in the song, and sent us a lick/melody line right then and there. Talk about collaborating. So, when you hear the cosmic, dreamy harmonium in the background, that's thanks to them!

Anyone can throw us more ideas at our Facebook collaboration page. Please feel free.

Subscribe to the feed here. And we're now up at "the iTunes".

[display_podcast]

Dilemma: Kid's Album or Songs About Being A Kid?

Ah...we uncovered a dilemma!

We always said we're going to write a kid's album. However, in working on songs last night, we realized the songs we've created fall into two distinct camps:

- An album for kids

- An album about being a kid

There is a difference!

If we went the "album for kids" route we'd develop many of our sing-a-longs and nonsensical story songs that kid's may enjoy. For example, we can go with developing "Chicken Pad Thai", a nonsensical sing-a-long about food (SUCKast #8), "Put It In The Stew", a song about one person's quest for "the answer" a la Uncle Schelby (SUCkast #7), and "Tap Your Feet" - an instrumental encouraging the listener - kid - to dance, etc. (SUCkast #14)

If we went the "album about being a kid" route then we'd develop many of our songs that reflect on our own memories and have more adult-oriented takes on what it's like being a kid. For example, "Joe Bully" a song that in the 3rd verse tells how the bully grew up and is still bullying people as he sells cars (SUCKast #6), "Going To School" a song that tells the story of a kid with OCD as he travels to and from school (SUCKast #4), or "I Like The Way She Cleans Erasers", a song about having a crush on a teacher (just wrote last night!). In other words, an album that explores the state of being a kid (or as John, our drummer, coined, "Kid-dom"!) -- something less interactive and that kid's actually may not "get" (but adults our age would).

We didn't realize there were two ways to go about this when we said as a band "let's do a kid's album" and are now going through our list of songs to see which ones "fit" together and which ones don't.

So far, we're leaning on doing what we usually do - writing songs about our take on being a kid.

Should be interesting to see what happens. One of the best things about RPM is you need to make the decision, cut, and run. There's no time to get stuck and stall. March 1st is fast approaching!

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #14

"Tap Your Feet" is another guide track we created for the band to build on. This one is a pseudo-gypsy swing jazz type of thing. We REALLY REALLY want to have the sound of a tap dancer in the middle section. If any of you tap dance - let us know!

Throw us more ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #13

"Cooties" is another guide track we created for the band to build on. This one is a re-working of the demo from TheSongOfTheDay.com. Somehow we thought this would be just the right concept for a kid's album.

Feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #12

"Go To Bed!" - a phrase said round the world by parents everywhere. This is yet another guide track that we created to lock down the tempo and structure.

We're still working on songs, song ideas, and lyrics, so feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page. What we need is actual recordings of kids now. Talking, arguing that they're not sleepy, babbling, whatever. We're thinking adding kids talking throughout the album would be a good idea. If you have access to a bona fide, real, live, actual kid, record 'em and send the audio in to us!

Subscribe to the podcast feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #11

"I didn't do it!" is another guide track we created for the band to build on. This one is a re-working of a demo from TheSongOfTheDay.com called, "It Never Happened". We think the new concept for the lyrics are perfect for the kid's album. There was plenty we got blamed for but never did. We swear. Honestly.

We're still working on the lyrics themselves (these are very much placeholders), so feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction ‘Kast - Episode #10

Nothing says "kid" like "cereal".

And that's the name of this song - "My Cereal". This is another guide track that we laid down to set a tempo and structure for the rest of the band to add to over time.

We're still working on the lyrics (these are very much placeholders), so feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction ‘Kast - Episode #9

Yet another guide track fresh off the assembly line from Sunday's recording session. This one is called "Get Up and Outta Bed" which we think may be a good one to start the album off. The goal with a guide track is to simply lay down a tempo and structure for the rest of the band to add to over time.

We're still working on the lyrics (these are very much placeholders), so feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction ‘Kast - Episode #8

Here's another guide track. This one is for a sing-a-long called "Chicken Pad Thai" which we think makes a perfect song for a kid's album. The goal with guide tracks is to simply lay down a tempo and structure for the rest of the band to add to over time.

We're making this entire album out in the open, so feel free to join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction ‘Kast - Episode #7

Here's another guide track for our drummer to play to this upcoming weekend. This guide track is for a song “Put It In The Stew", the demo of which made it onto TheSongOfTheDay.com.

As you know, you're welcome to join in and participate as we work on making this album. President Kennedy did just that on this song, so why not you? Just join us at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction ‘Kast - Episode #6

We created a lot of guide tracks for our drummer to play to on Sunday, Feb 1. Guide tracks tend to be RAW copy/paste hack jobs with placeholder lyrics. The goal is to just lay down a tempo and structure for the rest of the band to add to over time.

This guide track is for a song entitled “Hey Joe (Joe Bully)". We’re still working on the lyrics as you can tell. Join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It’ll soon be up at “the iTunes”, Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #5

Here's the next guide track for the new album. Guide tracks are what we record so our drummer has something to play along with. These tend to be RAW copy/paste hack jobs with placeholder lyrics just to put the tempo and structure in place (and to test it). The real magic starts when drums are added - stay tuned for THAT!!

This guide track is for a song entitled "The Six Year Old Reporter" (yeah - the girl's a tattler). We're still working on the lyrics as you can tell. Join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It'll soon be up at "the iTunes", Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

Songs Under Construction 'Kast - Episode #4

Here's the first of the guide tracks for the new album. Guide tracks are what we record so our drummer has something to play along with. These tend to be RAW copy/paste hack jobs with placeholder lyrics just to put the tempo and structure in place (and to test it). The real magic starts when drums are added - stay tuned for THAT!!

This guide track is for a song entitled "Going To School" (formerly known as "The Kid With OCD"). We're still working on the lyrics as you can tell. Join in and throw us ideas at our Facebook collaboration page.

Subscribe to the feed here. It'll soon be up at "the iTunes", Podcast Pickle, and other podcast sites as we syndicate it.

[display_podcast]

An Album in 28 Days

Today's the day and we're starting to record because there's no time to lose.

We've got some song ideas, lyrics, and demos. We've got the studio fired up. And, we've got a plan o' attack.

Now the hard part: concepting the album.

Our first RPM album was recorded during our TheSongOfTheDay.com project and ended up being about work and technology. Last year we decided to reinvent traditional Irish songs (and crankthem to "11").

This year we decided to try our hand at creating a kid's album, Beatnik Turtle style.

Basically, what the "Beatnik Turtle style" thing means is we'll be writing songs that we normally write, but just drawing on our own memories of being a kid. In other words, this won't be about learning ABC's or 123's, but rather songs about bullies, going to school, and asking repeatedly, "are we there yet?"

We're seeing the album as a sort of "day in the life" of a kid. We've got a song called "Get Up & Outta Bed" and a reprise envisioned called "Go To Bed" which could bookend the album. In fact, we put the call out for clock sound effects and alarms cuz we think that might be the best way to start the album. Sort of like a Dark Side of The Moon album but, you know, for kids! (If you got any clock/alarms you can record, please contact us at our collaboration site!)

So, as of Feb 1, all the pieces are in place. We'll see how many are still standing come March 1...

You're invited to collaborate with us.

It's easy.

Subscribe to our latest podcast: all our demos and songs-in-progress will be released as we make them via our "Songs Under Construction 'Kast" .

Don't forget to check our Studio Webcams.

And, most importantly, join us as we work, write lyrics, and manage the entire project out in the open at our Facebook collaboration page.