Listen to Brand New Place Early!!
I’m a bit excited about releasing this single. It’s been years since I released anything so this feel a bit like Christmas to me.
And as it is the holiday season, as a thank you for subscribing to my Substack and keeping up with my goings-on and such, here’s a treat for you…a chance to listen to Brand New Place right now!!
After doing the DIY approach to mixing and mastering I understand 2 things about the recording process.
There’s a reason we have whole schools devoted to this.
There’s a reason artists fork out the $$$ for someone else to do this.
If you’re brand new to it, like me, it’s easy to get lost in the mix and overdo it, over think it, and become frustrated.. It was something I endeavored to learn this year though and I am glad I did. 220 hours later I have my first song done. Here’s to hoping all those hours can be transferred over to my next song so I can get it done a bit quicker!
From the initial creative spark to the final master, I was intimately involved in every aspect of crafting this song. It's a journey that took me through writing, performing, fine-tuning, recording, mixing, and mastering. While this process was deeply personal, it was also collaborative. I owe a great deal to those closest to me, whose insights on phrasing, wording, and sound helped to shape the song into what it is today.
I recorded myself playing this for this track roughly 30-40 different times…and that doesn’t include the doubling. My struggle was that I have played this song out at shows a lot over the past 3 years and each time boasted a different version. Sometimes it was upbeat with a faster tempo. Others it was slow, smooth, finger picked, and intimate. Which version of this song was more true to its essence was the challenge.
Just when I thought I had it done, shared it with my wife and kids, and listened to it in the vehicle a few days, I would change my mind. Something about it just didn’t line up with how I heard this thing in my head. Other times, I was sure I had it. I’d send it to a friend who’s understanding of music, songwriting, and artistry I trust implicitly, and he’d politely tell me that I didn’t have it. So, it was back to square one.
In the end, and with a loaned better microphone from a buddy, I get to say that this version being released is how I have always thought this song should sound. It’s not perfect, but then again, that’s never been my goal in anything in life. Authenticity is my game and I can honestly say that is what is being presented here.
With that, as promised, here it is. Brand New Place. Written in 2020, released to you early right now. Enjoy!
