February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

expendablefriend

progress: 18

winner!
joined: March 2009
location: Cambridgeshire, UK
website: www.myspace.com/expendablefriend
influences: Gravenhurst, Neil Finn, Iron and Wine, Mew, Plusminus, Andrew Bird, Oysterband, Third Eye Blind, Horse Feathers.

Bio

Updates:

3.3.10: Slowly starting to get out and catch up on other people's songs, but it's going to take a while! Also started recording for a new EP / album. Follow my progress on facebook and twitter if you'd like to!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Expendable-Friend/351655664399
http://twitter.com/exp_friend

25.02.10: Asterisks mark my favourites, so if you're kind enough to listen to my music you might like to start with these ones.

24.02.10: Just a couple of days left for me now, so I'm pushing for a few more. I promise to come and listen to lots of other people's songs once the craziness is over.....

19.02.10: It's been a busy week - objective 3 has been achieved! I have a LOT of listening/messaging to catch up on, but before that I'll be going to see a fellow FAWMer getting wed!!! Have a productive weekend, all......

13.02.10: Halfway! Phew, this is becoming hard work....

06.02.10: Thanks to everyone who's left me a comment. I'm trying to go round and check out other people's stuff too, although I have to confess I'm finding it hard to keep up with it all. Seriously, how do people balance FAWM with a full-time job?! I'm having a great time so far.

About me:
Hi! I'm Jacqui (aka Expendable Friend), and 2010 is going to be my first FAWM. Aw......a newbie! Please be gentle with me.

Why I'm doing this:
I'm a perfectionist, but I want to break my habit of taking several months (or even years) to write and arrange a song. Also, I've just finished the biggest challenge of my life so far - my post-grad degree - and I now need something else to fill the hole. FAWM seemed suitably barbaric, so here I am.

February to-do list:
1. Write more songs in 28 days than I have in the past year (ideally 14+, but we'll see...) and become a more capable songwriter as a result.
2. Find some other nice FAWMers and listen to their music.
3. Find gainful employment...(I hope this won't get in the way too much!)

Weapons of choice:
Guitar, voice, bass, cajon, percussion, glockenspiel, a little bit of keys and programmed drums, recorder (if desperate / Tudor).

And finally:
You can get a free EP of mine here: http://www.expendablefriend.com

2010 Songs

1	The bike rolls on	40 comments // 1 month ago
2	Song for Riemann	27 comments // 1 month ago
3	* This will never be my home	23 comments // 1 month ago
4	A history of mankind in one object	20 comments // 1 month ago
5	Os cara	36 comments // 1 month ago
6	* Not on my watch	23 comments // 4 weeks ago
7	The contagion	12 comments // 3 weeks ago
8	Mind the snake	18 comments // 3 weeks ago
9	Could Be Worse (with Errol)	35 comments // 3 weeks ago
10	* Bad Day at the Office (with orinoco)	15 comments // 3 weeks ago
11	Shame about the face (with orinoco)	10 comments // 3 weeks ago
12	Garden of CARNAGE (with Steve Bradshaw)	6 comments // 2 weeks ago
13	* Forgive and forget me	17 comments // 2 weeks ago
14	Belle of the ball	17 comments // 2 weeks ago
15	I am your adult	15 comments // 2 weeks ago
16	Infinite variables	9 comments // 2 weeks ago
17	Lullaby for binary sleep	12 comments // 2 weeks ago
18	* Endgame	14 comments // 2 weeks ago

Soundboard

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Embers of Autumn 7 hours ago

In case you were wondering, between all of your FAWM 2010 songs and your free dl EP available, you have EIGHTY-ONE PLUS minutes of awesome music. I find it sounds best when listened to all in one setting back-to-back-to-etc.
shoepixie 4 days ago

Oh, wow. I really, really love your tunes. Such grace and power to them, and lots of great listening. Grand!
Calum Carlyle 1 week ago

I love your downloadable EP. It's incredibly good. You've got a powerful sound that i really find captivating. Now to listen to your FAWM stuff too.
Embers of Autumn 1 week ago

Thank you for all of the comments you left on my songs. I really do appreciate it!
Julie 1 week ago

Haha You asked for it ... You are a Walrus set to crazy music:

http://fawm.org/songs/7464/
Rick Cannon 1 week ago

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. (:
Julie 2 weeks ago

Congrats on being a Winner!!!
And thanks so much for listening and commenting.
Toby Vok 2 weeks ago

Thanking you for your comment on my Egg Cream song. You will find your answers here: http://www.essexterror.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/25/a-worm-in-my-eggcream/

But beware! For Essex Terror is the most terrifying of all terrors. At least in these waters.
Errol 2 weeks ago

HUZZAH! You're on Facebook!
Errol 2 weeks ago

Why don't you have a facebook fanpage?
G Slade 2 weeks ago

wow...you're stuff is just awesome...i got like 4 more to listen to, but I stopped so I could hear the replay of last night's radio show...so I could listen to tonight's radio show afterwards..lol...but I WILL finish!...ha...
Julie 2 weeks ago

CONGRATS!
I'll definitely be back to listen more...
orinoco 2 weeks ago

Well done! You're a star
Embers of Autumn 2 weeks ago

Congrats to the win!

I had no doubt you could, and given the quality of your songs, am very relieved that you did.
sueawesome 2 weeks ago

Hey no worries....there's always next year!
I'm hoping you can still get up your last two....good luck.
philkmills 2 weeks ago

Thank you. I hope you found an interesting definition of 'filk'. There are almost as many as there are people involved.

(I've been tagging songs that way in case people from that community search, rather than to imply style or content.)
Roel van Veldt 2 weeks ago

Hey Jacqui ,

Thanks for the nice comments! If you got ideas to collab, don't hesitate to let me know.

Roel
orinoco 2 weeks ago
orinoco 2 weeks ago

Check my song total
Scott Lake 2 weeks ago

You had asked after listening to my country tune. "What are you going to do next, rap?" Well, yes: http://fawm.org/songs/5287/
sueawesome 2 weeks ago

Annie Lennox and Anggun....that's who you sound like.....I can't imagine a better compliment.
Your voice is a force to be reckoned with! I keep listening to The Bike Rolls On and This Will Never Be My Home.
sueawesome 2 weeks ago

I don't know if you are willing to collab with non-musical people on fawm, but I have zero music talent....though I love to attempt song-writing.

I started fawm last year, wrote 27 songs, a great many were demo'd. I'm thankful that there were so many willing to take my scribbles and turn them into something amazing. I'm always searching for someone who's style speaks to me that I think could do something better to my ideas than I can alone.

I'm floored by your vocal talent, your melodies, style...everything. Floored.

So, can I beg you to even just read through my lyrics to see if something grabs your attention? Particularly the latest song I posted (http://fawm.org/songs/5857/), Honest Eyes. Please don't feel obligated to look or much less to say yes. I wanted to try though in case you were open to a collab and if you liked any of my lyrics. I wrote most of Honest Eyes with your style in mind....
let me know....and please make it to 14...I can't wait to hear more!
Embers of Autumn 3 weeks ago

These songs continue to be awesome!

I was thinking yesterday, I haven't had a chance to write many songs that include piano or keyboards. If you have a song that you are working on that you'd like some accompaniment on, let me know. I'd love to contribute to the 'list of awesome songs' by EF.
Errol 3 weeks ago

Oh wait, now I remember why I'm stalking your wall.
Mind if I offer your song in this thread?
http://fawm.org/forums/thread/210/
plainwhitetoast 3 weeks ago

You are awesome!
Errol 3 weeks ago

Wait, how come orinoco gets to do TWO collabs with you? WHAT? That's so not fair.

*LAUGH*
Linzi 3 weeks ago

I was going to say what Embers said already
Embers of Autumn 3 weeks ago

Amazing collaboration with Errol. What CAN'T you do?
Potato 3 weeks ago

thanks a mill, thats awfully kind
Errol 3 weeks ago

This is me stalking you. I saw you posted on the thread, and I'm here, on your soundboard, stalking you.

It's only because I'm excited about your song.
Roel van Veldt 3 weeks ago

Hi Jacqui, you're well on your way to the 14 songs. Congrats! If you ever listen to my songs and like (some of) them, I would really appreciate your valuable opinion on how I could arrange them (by adding instruments, backing vocals, other singer... ). Thank you for your time!!

Roel
orinoco 3 weeks ago

Hey, Ukeleles are everywhere this year (maybe they always are on FAWM?) when are you breaking yours out?
weakness 3 weeks ago

gosh.. thanks a lot!... Your songs are pure gold and your voice is BY FAR the best I've heard on here (I'm really really envious), so I'm really flattered that you like these songs!
Halfpenny Orchestra 4 weeks ago

Gravenhurst? Wow...I just came across his music for the first time recently, and really liked the few songs I heard. I've been thinking about picking up an album - any suggestions?
--Bret
Embers of Autumn 4 weeks ago

6 songs on FAWM and a 5 song EP--being burnt to a CD for my road trip to see my parents this weekend.
onetomany 4 weeks ago

Thnks for the comments Jacqui - love your stuff (so far, still listening)
I feel ya on the 14 song pressure - i fear I've hit my middle of the hump slump!
Leslie 4 weeks ago

I'm loving your music, Jacqui! I haven't seen anyone else list Third Eye Blind as an influence: awesome! They're one of my favourite bands.

I'm listening to your EP now, and I'm blown away. I can hear the perfectionist in the recording. Stunning, truly.
Charlie Cheney 4 weeks ago

Hey, thanks for the kind words Jacqui. I find it pretty hard to write on the road unless I'm stationary for a bit, but I have an unexpected week here at home so I'm kicking out a few songs while I can.

I love your work, you're an exceptional writer and musician, it has been a pleasure to discover you here on fawm this year. I look forward to meeting you in person on the road someday soon. -Charlie
Errol 4 weeks ago

HUZZAH! EMAIL CHECKED!
Monty 4 weeks ago

Thanks for the feedback on Poet/Hostess. The slide guitar part was basically just a combination of RealTracks and patience.
kathy moran 4 weeks ago

Welcome, Jacqui! As for the full time job, I have one of those and it comes with extra hours. But the trick is to just get through February with minimal sleep. You can add some back in succeeding months and you can more fully develop your songs then as well as listen to others. Of course, once that is done, it's July and time for 50/90!

Some people post in the forums a lot more before and after February so they can focus on creating. It took me several events to be able to appreciate and explore everything that is here.

Congratulations on your degree!
Yakobo 4 weeks ago

Ah, thanks for the comment I've noticed about songs not playing as well, it seems to work on some computers and not others. And other friends I have using google sites have the same problem, but I've tried just about every other option I can find. In fact i'm not even using my own google sites, I'm using Ben's, comment below me; the internet doesn't like me

Anyway though, thanks for comment and for stunningly beautiful music.
Ben Carroll 1 month ago

one of your songs just blew me away on the FAWMcast... i will be back to listen properly through your stuff when i can. if i forget, please poke me. i wanna hear them.
Vom Vorton 1 month ago

Love your songs so far! Just listened to them all, I especially enjoyed The Bike Rolls On and Os Cara. Your songs remind me a bit of Emmy The Great, but with less 'great' in the band name and more 'great' in the songs
Errol 1 month ago

Oh, you didn't have to write about cthulzu... I was just being silly.

Did I mention I like your songs? There very good. I'm not even fishing for compliments. I actually mean it. *laugh*

Will you do a collab with me? You can say no, I don't even know if I have time for one, but it would be awesome... for me that is. And I can just imagine the jealousy of all my fawm peers, so I figured I would be the one to ask first! BWA HA HA HA HA.
Nick Portus 1 month ago

oh and i think i have a zoom 505 somewhere. May have to dig it out
Nick Portus 1 month ago

hell yeah why not? Dual perspectives pwn.

My guitar sounded great before i decided to file the bridge. Now it sounds like ass. Good job, Portus
Scott Lake 1 month ago

expendablefriend - I've just gushed on 4 of your song pages. Downloaded them. I notice that you don't ID3 tag your files. You really should. At very minimum, put your name on the title as well as the song title. There are many ways to ID3 tag your files. You can even do it directly from Windows (but I'm guessing your a Mac person).
Girls In Uniform 1 month ago

Oh my paws and whiskers. Just heard you on the FAWMcast. That was really beautiful... Must now listen to all your songs. Consider yourself watchlisted.
Embers of Autumn 1 month ago

I've been wayyyy behind in listening to some artists on here. I'm not neglecting coming HERE again. Great songs. Keep it up!
Nick Portus 1 month ago

Oh and I agree with INH - you've got a great guitar sound that I'm envious of (my acoustic buzzes like hell) - What kind of acoustic have you got?
Nick Portus 1 month ago

Thanks! It wasn't really coming together until I came up with that daft middle section that sounds a bit like Ivor the Engine.

So I spose I'll have to dig out all my old kids TV VHS tapes if I'm going to get anywhere near 14. Count Duckula anyone???
itneverhappened 1 month ago

Hey expendablefriend. Thank you for the comments. No I don't play in a band now. Masking my sloppy playing by trying to sound like one. Talking about separation in the mix, I'm really impressed with your production. Especially when you call them 'sketchy demos'. They sound very professional to me. I can never get my acoustic guitar to sound so good. Or my vocals. Of course your playing and voice is great, but there must some technical skills and tricks in there as well. Great work.
itneverhappened 1 month ago

Wow. This is great. It reminds me so much of.. who is it.. Or maybe it's just like noone else. Will get your EP now. Thanks.
orinoco 1 month ago

I'll hopefully overtake you again - 3 more in the pipeline, but not finished writing them yet, let alone recording, so you might edge ahead!
orinoco 1 month ago

You realise that thanks to you, anyone browsing my user page that gets the Ebay ad receives a selection of Enya listings? That's got to damage my credibility Perhaps by mentioning Enya here again the same will happen to you...
Steve Bradshaw 1 month ago

wow, you're not wasting any time nice one.... I'll try and get my first one on the board today or tomorrow.... It will be drivel-tastic
orinoco 1 month ago

Although I'm not sure which one is which of us, to be honest!
Halfpenny Orchestra 1 month ago

Expendable, thanks for signing up for Halfpenny Orchestra’s Loteria Challenge. You have been dealt: El Venado (The Deer, No. 45). Please, please use the glockenspiel. In the description of your song, please include the subject of the card and its number. Also, please include loteria as a tag. Have fun!
Nick Portus 1 month ago

As for #1 - I wrote all of my songs last year in February - apart from a cheeky instrumental and a half finished song I've had for a year which I'm just getting together now.
Dan Wallbank 1 month ago

Thanks, it's kind of an update on an old riff I had lying around, but working much better now.
mrgullible 1 month ago

Glorious Glockenspiel.......
Dan Wallbank 1 month ago

Here is a silly one for you! http://www.danwallbank.com/filedump/dw-asimplerequest.mp3
T.C. Elliott 1 month ago

Great EP, thank you for listing it and letting me (us) listen.
Evin Wolverton 1 month ago

I just listened to "Spyder" and am downloading the EP. Love it. Co-watchlisted.
Embers of Autumn 1 month ago

Unfortunately no. I felt that their quality bottomed out after Cadogen left as well. If you ever read any tab books, you can see that they used an obscure tuning on the guitar, which probably allowed for open and/or fuller chords, especially on some of their later songs. "Motorcycle Drive-By" continues to this day to be one of my top 10 favorite songs ever.
Embers of Autumn 1 month ago

@Potato How could you not have heard of Third Eye Blind? The second half of their first album is perhaps the greatest songs ever put back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back (tracks 7 - 14) on an album. Well, ok, top 10.

(That is the one that's a red guy over a black background holding his third eye)
Potato 1 month ago

hello, im not familiar with any other band you mention but iron and wine are so amazing...
Jeff Geissler 1 month ago

I'm going to follow you based on your profile alone, in particular your perfectionist statement-- EXACTLY my problem.

Look forward to hearing what you come up with!
Embers of Autumn 1 month ago

Finished hearing the EP. If you don't write 14 songs for February, I'm going to consider it a debt you owe to us to finish them as soon as possible afterward. I'm loving your music!
Jules 1 month ago

Hi Jaqui:
Welcome to FAWM, and thanks for your note on my soundboard! Thanks for asking about other tracks, my myspace is: http://www.myspace.com/juliabrownmusic

I checked out some of your EP - You have a terrific voice and sound, reminding me a bit of Thea Gilmore, one of my favorites! I look forward to listening to more in February!
Billy Sea 1 month ago

BTW, Tim Wille wrote more than I did, and did it with way more flair than just a guitar and maybe some electronic songs here and there
Billy Sea 1 month ago

LOL, with the quality of your voice and songs you don't need to worry about the number of songs you write I don't have those skills or music theory knowledge so just go for quanity and figure once in a while, something good will come out
Hero 1 month ago

Hey! I'm addicted to your EP right now.
Looking forward to more.
Errol 1 month ago

Me too! I heard your songs as well! Very nice!
Embers of Autumn 1 month ago

Awesome song from last night. I'll be watching out for what you have.
Billy Sea 1 month ago

Hi Jacqui, heard some of your songs on Charlie's show tonight. Very much enjoyed listening to them! Welcome to FAWM, glad you are here
Errol 1 month ago

Well... if you collab with me... you may not get funny songs to work... but... you may get them to.. uh... attempt at being funny.
Errol 1 month ago

Alllooo Expendable! I'm not a perfectionist as will see from my album. Uh... me stalking you wasn't trying to get you to listen to my songs. Don't judge too harshly... I'm kinda a newbie too. Isaac made me do the stalking.
Errol 1 month ago

Alllooo Expendable Friend! People were talking about how amazing your song was (Bridezilla) in chat... then they told me to stalk you.

So I'm here on your soundboard stalking.

Bye bye!
Scott McBride 1 month ago

Hey! I really enjoyed your EP. Looking forward to more!
$Charlie\'s Daily FAWMcast - charliesradioshow$ Charlie's Daily FAWMcast 1 month ago

Hi, I would like permission to play your bandcamp songs and songs you may post this fawm on the Daily FAWMcast radio show. That would be wonderful, thank you so much. -Charlie
isaac quatorze 1 month ago

holy crap! seriously loving your EP and just recommended it to everybody in the live chat. 'bridezilla' is my instant favourite, but it's all good. watchlisting you... thanks for speaking directly to me in the forum earlier or i might have missed this.
Dan Wallbank 1 month ago

Oh man, that is totally not the song I would choose to represent myself, haha. Still, glad you like it! You'll probably see some silly songs, I might be doing a few gigs at the comedy festival here.
MAX VANREMMERDEN 1 month ago

Thanks for the free Rough Eggs download, great recordings.
Worst day of our lives is amazing!
Dan Wallbank 1 month ago

FL Studio users unite! Woo.
orinoco 2 months ago

It's me

I'm named after the Womble, not the Enya song, by the way. I feel I should clear that up.

See you for practice this week!