Songwriting retreat scrapbook

[Drew Stephenson]

Something a bit different.
I think I've mentioned to a few folks on here that I've been on a songwriting retreat again recently, here's the straight-after-writing roughs of the stuff I wrote whilst I was there:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... j_0zu0LfpM

[amanise]

That was GREAT! The workshop must have been a lot of fun - but I expect quite intensive and tiring. All the best things are. You've certainly come away with a lot of material for whatever the plan is. I suppose if that were me - that list would represent about a years' work!

The folk genre isn't really a thing I understand particularly well - by that I mean I'm not connected up to it in the same way I am the rock genre - but they were all good strong songs telling a proper story. I realised I hadn't been to a folk club since about 1979!

For me, The Vessel and My Raging Head resonated the most. Both very reminiscent of Early Nirvana or REM. Potential for bursts of detuned walls of solid guitars

What's the plan then? They would ALL work by the sound of it.

[Drew Stephenson]

Thanks Adrian, it was a really good few days. I was involved in some collaborations as well and wrote another song that I don't have a recording of* so it was pretty productive.
Next steps will be to give them all a few weeks and see what's still interesting, I have production ideas for a couple of them but the rest will have to wait and see.
One track might make it onto the in-progress album but the others will just have to join the queue.

* Or a use for; it's a pure piece of up-tempo, upbeat pop. It's crying out for its own dance sequence and everything.

[amanise]

Thanks Adrian, it was a really good few days. I was involved in some collaborations as well and wrote another song that I don't have a recording of* ...
* Or a use for; it's a pure piece of up-tempo, upbeat pop. It's crying out for its own dance sequence and everything.

Sounds like there's going to be sequins, backing singers and a 3 tier horns section in your future then!

[Drew Stephenson]

I'll be the next Engelbert Humperdink.
Just a bit shorter and fatter.
But also less dead.

[amanise]

I'll be the next Engelbert Humperdink.
Just a bit shorter and fatter.
But also less dead.

I think he'd say something like "rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated"....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engelbert ... k_(singer)

The old Leicester crooning shoe shop hairpiece is still selling concert tickets at the age of 87 dude!

https://www.viagogo.co.uk/Concert-Ticke ... f58e9e73b9

[Drew Stephenson]

I apologise unreservedly to the not-late Mr Humperdink!

I thought he'd been part of the 2016 crop.

[awjoe]

I listened to all of them. I'm biased because I like your stuff, but on first listen, I reckon there's lots to work up there.

You know what really impresses me most, though - it's your voice. Even on the first take of the new stuff, it's finding itself and settling into itself. Nice to hear.

I've got most and least favorites, but I'm going to keep my opinions out of the nascent phase of your songs lol.

Good work.

[Drew Stephenson]

Thanks awjoe, we'll see what stands up in a few weeks when I get headspace to look at them clearly.
Cheers

[RichardT]

I love hearing raw ideas - including yours Drew - because they capture something different from the finished tracks. There's a lot of good material there!

[Random Guitarist]

I apologise unreservedly to the not-late Mr Humperdink!

I thought he'd been part of the 2016 crop.

Means the door is open for a collaboration then!

[Drew Stephenson]

I love hearing raw ideas - including yours Drew - because they capture something different from the finished tracks. There's a lot of good material there!

Thanks Richard. I tend to find that sometimes you need to write a song to get the idea of it out of your head, even if it never goes on to be anything more, but my gut feel is that some of these could have legs.

Means the door is open for a collaboration then!

I'll get my people to talk to his people...

[amanise]

I love hearing raw ideas - including yours Drew - because they capture something different from the finished tracks. There's a lot of good material there!

Thanks Richard. I tend to find that sometimes you need to write a song to get the idea of it out of your head, even if it never goes on to be anything more, but my gut feel is that some of these could have legs.

Means the door is open for a collaboration then!

I'll get my people to talk to his people...

The time (amongst other things) is ripe - as they say.

[awjoe]

... we'll see what stands up in a few weeks when I get headspace to look at them clearly.

Everybody's different and does things differently, but my pattern is that it isn't headspace that tells me whether a song's a keeper, but time. I have to play a song dozens of times sometimes before I know it doesn't make it.

'Sorry, sweetheart - you're a nice song and I like you, but you and I aren't made to keep company past this point.'

[amanise]

... we'll see what stands up in a few weeks when I get headspace to look at them clearly.

Everybody's different and does things differently, but my pattern is that it isn't headspace that tells me whether a song's a keeper, but time. I have to play a song dozens of times sometimes before I know it doesn't make it.

'Sorry, sweetheart - you're a nice song and I like you, but you and I aren't made to keep company past this point.'

Gosh - that's self discipline! I couldn't do that. I have to develop everything - even to the extent that I keep on going even if I don't like what's coming out. Sometimes I look at them when they're 'finished' and find I don't like them any more. But somebody else might. I've often wondered what kind of living hell it would be if any of the ones I didn't like actually became popular. What if you were stuck touring a set of songs you completely hated? Thankfully none of my songs ever catch on whether I like them or not.

[Drew Stephenson]

hat if you were stuck touring a set of songs you completely hated? Thankfully none of my songs ever catch on whether I like them or not.

I'd be willing to take a chance on that.

[awjoe]

I apologise unreservedly to the not-late Mr Humperdink!

I thought he'd been part of the 2016 crop.

Means the door is open for a collaboration then!

Dear Mr Humperdink

It is has come to our collective attention that you are currently uncollaborated with here on Sound on Sound, and we were wondering... well, I was wondering actually if you might be up for a collab? Anyway, if you don't take the part, I will.

Truly,

XXX

[awjoe]

... we'll see what stands up in a few weeks when I get headspace to look at them clearly.

Everybody's different and does things differently, but my pattern is that it isn't headspace that tells me whether a song's a keeper, but time. I have to play a song dozens of times sometimes before I know it doesn't make it.

'Sorry, sweetheart - you're a nice song and I like you, but you and I aren't made to keep company past this point.'

Gosh - that's self discipline! I couldn't do that. I have to develop everything - even to the extent that I keep on going even if I don't like what's coming out. Sometimes I look at them when they're 'finished' and find I don't like them any more. But somebody else might.

I wonder if being a parent is like that sometimes. I wonder these things because I'm not a parent, but I also wonder if I might also wonder these things if I *were* a parent. Okay, you don't have to like your kids. Got it.

Okay, that's interesting. I have to like my songs to keep singing them. And here I always thought songs were like kids lol.

[Drew Stephenson]

And here I always thought songs were like kids lol.

Well they cost far more to produce than you ever get back so in that respect...

(Also not a parent.)

[Folderol]

Just had a (fairly) quick skip through these. They're all very much you 'trademark' style. Obviously could do with some polish, but well done anyway.

[Drew Stephenson]

When it's just you in front of the camera it tends to be in a 'you' style!
Thanks for listening.

[IAA]

Drew,

Very nice and raw. I liked The Fisher Wife, reminded me (Stylistically) of some of The National’s earlier output. I could hear it with a more definitive piano riff, driving a soundscape and some vibe guitar, maybe Hammond with a 888 registration and of course a mellotron cello to echo your melody.

Impressive.

Ian

[Drew Stephenson]

Thanks Ian,
Sounds like I'll need to tap up a keys player, if only I knew one...

[IAA]

Sounds like I'll need to tap up a keys player, if only I knew one...

happy to help out, if you need anything.

[Drew Stephenson]

Sounds like I'll need to tap up a keys player, if only I knew one...

happy to help out, if you need anything.

I will almost certainly be in touch in due course. But there's another album to finish first so don't hold your breath. Feel free to get started if you feel the urge though.