It's been a long time since a compo!
Because we're 31, a "threshold" age that calls for some reflection.
So, am I still capable of making music on my own? I had to relearn to play guitar and bass, to write and sing in English, to play realistic drums on a piano, to mix... I didn't count, but at least 8 days and about 50 hours of work... And surely -5dB of hearing. Because yes, as well as being the project with the most tracks, it's also the loudest raw mix to leave my studio. DAW.
Listen to
I hope you enjoy listening to this piece.
Listen and see
A few anecdotes
- I wrote and recorded this song with COVID in my face. Luckily the vaccine helped. #Pfizer
- Initially, I just wanted to do a quick project to mark the 31st birthday of a certain person born on January 19th, to whom I dedicate this track, as she was the source of inspiration. Once you get going, you don't stop, and in the end it's a real piece.
- I had to rewrite and re-record all the lyrics when I decided to double the flow of the voice.
- I had to redo the battery, which was no longer suitable following the previous change.
- I borrowed a bass (Precision) from my almost-neighbor and fellow musician Thibaut, because there's nothing like a real bass. Thank you, Thibaut!
- I redid the guitar bends dozens of times until I could play them properly, and three days later my fingertips still hurt.
- This track is a real "Gloubi-Boulga" of everything I've ever listened to in my life. I note a few discernible influences, including The Verve (violins), Third Eye Blind (vocals), Coldplay (energy), Alien Ant Farm (drums)... And I realized that I was following a similar tuning line to Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam and that the end of the ascent/bridge was a little reminiscent of The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop.
Technical digression
Let's talk about the mixer: 99 tracks, including BUS and effects... Yes, 99, including 48 vocal tracks. That's unheard of for me. A burst of madness, no doubt.
As we are in an election year, here are some key figures:
- 99 tracks
- 239 effects and instruments
- 2.5GB of audio (including probably 90% of missed sockets)
- 8-10GB RAM on 64GB
- Up to 6-8 of 16 CPU cores occupied
- A 128-buffer mix that lets you continue recording takes during the mix.
Lyrics
Thirty One Twenty years back on a leather couch Playing some game watching telly, ouch! City or town the vast world seemed frightening Time goes by and you're thirty one Hoping you're not even half way done When you grow up, will you fly away? Make up on time for something you can't miss Paying the bills sorting socks, what a bless Check this up see how life tears Cheer me up before I fall How do we get back from here? I don't know I'll cheer you up before you fall How do we get back from here? I don't know Let's go! When you fall appart When you step back on a razor sharp It might be time to find, find another way When you fool around One foot at a time, like we're still nineteen Strong and fearless, just as it began All the life to shine Don't you worry I won't let you down Until we die, strong as king and queen We are thirty one Can't carry the damned world all day Climb hills, don't give your life away Don't give it away Working so hard, getting perspective Now you know how to be cost-effective Ready or not, you will be working Time goes by and we lose the trace Back and forth easy to lose the face Now fully grown we should get this goddamn crown Make up right now because it's gone too far Let's rule the game and own this goddamn world I'll cheer you up before you fall How do we get back from here? I don't know Come let's go! When you fall appart When you step back on a razor sharp It might be time to find, find another way When you fool around One foot at a time, like we're still nineteen Strong and fearless, just as it began All the life to shine Don't you worry I won't let you down Until we die, strong as king and queen We are thirty one Can't carry the damned world all day Climb hills, don't give your life away Don't give it away
All rights reserved, Copyright SACEM le 27/01/2022.
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