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The whole recording on my 4 track has been a real experience. I've had to loosen production values, stop comparing myself to the millions of perfectly produced tunes fawm produces and just make the best with what I've got. It's been a lot of hard work and late nights, but ultimately immensly rewarding.
This is another song full of hiss. I tried bouncing a different way this time. Recorded the backing onto four tracks then fed into audacity. I then recorded over everything except the drums with vocals (and the guitar solo parts) and then lined them up on Audacity and mixed. Obviously this was a bit of a nightmare because the tape runs at slightly different speeds each time so a little bit of pokery was required to come up with the barely coherent sound you might be listening to or have clicked on and off from.
I held on a chord for too long on the bridge and forgot how to sing the ooohhs (couldn't get the volume needed to hit the high notes due to sleeping people) and need to work on the weird breakdown part.
But other than that I am happy with the actual song. It's going to be good, I can feel it and hopefully this representation spurs us on to record it properly.
Lyrically it started off as a thought about how the world is structured and how success is portrayed as working every hour you have. Leveling up. I really don't like that phrase.
I think it turned into a song about finding peace where you can, in small moments. We are lucky enough to have family that life by the sea and it really is amazing to watch the waves and if you can handle it, get into the sea and let it wash around you. Just thinking about how far the waves have travelled before they meet me is kinda mind blowing. But also very natural and simple.
Anyway, hopefully I've captured that feeling with this little song.
Listen, to the waves
Feeling the rhythm as they're driven
From miles away
Listen, to the waves
There is no hurry, no extra worry
In their parade
Sand and minerals
Salt and blood
The particles form part of us
Listen, I know it's late
But you've got to calm down now, you're allowed to
Start talking straight
Listen, it's hard to be brave
But every second I spend in your company
makes me feel safe
I can't save you by myself
I can't do this by myself
ooooohhhh (needs work)
Listen, to the waves
Don't know what they're saying, I'm not complaining
It soothes my brain
Listen, to the waves
Feeling the rhythm as they're driven
From miles away
@guitarpatz83 1 week
I’ve really enjoyed your use of modulation and pedals both on guitars and vocals this year - again, great sounds here, sweeping phase and wobbly chorus ready work for the evocative nature of these lyrics. This song is very relaxing and I can imagine listening to it while lying by the ocean with the sun beating down. Love the waltz feel to the rhythm, and the reverb on the drums.
@amusia 5 weeks
I too like the 4-track quality. I think this has the peaceful quality you were trying to convey, with the steady guitar strumming, vocal melody, and reverb. Nice internal rhymes as well. That chromatic break is a fun surprise!
@katestantonsings 6 weeks
Loving the reverb on the drums. I was shaking my head throughout the song! Very chill, Cure-ish vibes. Modern-day Disintegration. Your chorus is lovely. Great synth work!! Guitar effects are also trippy & super cool! 2:11 mark is such a treat! #tit4tat
@davidtaro 6 weeks
Really gorgeous sweet song! The 4-track works brilliantly in this context - it’s called Listen To The Waves... the hiss is the sea... right? Right?! Regardless, it’s got a dreamy loveliness to it throughout. Beautiful melodies. Love the message too, absolutely spot on!
@vomvorton 6 weeks
The peaceful atmosphere definitely comes through! And there's definitely some crossover between tape hiss and the sound of waves so this is all the better for the four-track vibes! Some lovely touches in here, like Robyn I really enjoyed that little instrumental break!
@robynmackenzie 7 weeks
Getting Bowie vibes here with those echoey vocals. Fantastic lyrics and I love the arrangement. Very dreamy and ethereal. That chromatic scale is a really nice touch!
@regis 7 weeks
I too have to remind myself that it's a WRITING month, not a recording month (not that I do much recording other times in the year, but that's not the point), so try not to get hung up on that front. It's a rare occasion when I get to see the ocean, but this felt like it - the tape hiss (again, hooray for 4 tracks!) might have added to the ambiance. Great layering and use of effects! The breakdown part is a bit jarring, but I'm interested in what you had in mind for it.
@standup 7 weeks
I’m not hearing any bad artifacts from the 4-track. But I like working on 4-track decks, so maybe biased.
Cool guitar part, nice feel. The “I can’t do this by myself” refrain is catchy. Then some coo flange guitar bits and sweet wordless vocal.
This is pretty great. Enough reverb, not too much.