One for the locals.

Had a call yesterday regarding the Tamworth Free Festival, not a million miles from where I live. I’ve gladly accepted the rather challenging slot offered to me, so if you are likely to be in Tamworth at 11am(!) on Sunday(!!) the 10th of August I’ll be in the bandstand by the castle. Yes, Tamworth does have a castle. No, I wouldn’t believe it either.

You may also be hip enough to know that I’m experimenting with the new Facebook music page thing, so feel free to Become A Fan (their words, not mine), and tell all yer peeps. The ones who like downtempo country gothic electro, of course.

KH

Strings ‘n things.

This little bit was recorded about 15 minutes ago. We’re just experimenting at this stage, but here is a couple of bars of the day so far.

There’s never a dull moment round these parts…

(A huge thanks to the ridiculously talented Thomas Dove for his work pulling these arrangements together.)

PS - Thanks also to those who turned up last night; it was a tough gig, but I like it that way.

Back shortly,

kh

Technology, Honey…

This is never my favourite bit. Apparently it’s all about numbers, I don’t know. Mixing, EQing(?), all this high technology stuff that usually serves to distract from being creative. I’m sure some of you are thinking what I just said is nigh on sacrilege. Let’s just say that Pro Tools and I haven’t clicked. I’m hoping I’ll laughing this off in a few weeks. Maybe my ignorance may even be a good thing; bringing back a little naivety.

Today’s task is a mini-nightmare. So much stuff has been recorded, not all of it what I want. I’m fighting to bring this song back from a very sketchy demo. I’ve been playing it live a lot recently, which is giving me a clue as how to get it across. Other than that, I’m fumbling in the dark.

Until next time,

- KH

I’m Clocking Back In.

I’ve been mixing for a while now. It doesn’t seem worthy of a post everyday, does it? How do you document mixing?

When you’ve moved the faders and things around for a while, things start to sound like this: -

Yeah, it’s just a wee sample. Audio geeks be warned; it’s early days!

Live dates are in the pipeline, so if your in the middle of England anytime soon, get in touch. I’ll even let you buy me a drink…

- KH

PS - Mp3 not working? It lives here: -

http://www.krishalpin.com/audio/GamesAndPatterns1stJuly.mp3

(This Is Not News.)

I’m still here. I’ve been really busy getting the live stuff sorted. Two gigs in now; it’s getting better. I’ll have more stuff very soon.

Games And Patterns

Writing lyrics in a ‘normal’ (’cause it’s a really normal thing to do, right) fashion is not something I do often. As discussed in earlier posts, I have a slightly more roundabout way of getting there. This morning I wrote two ‘normal’ songs; the lyrics just came out fully formed. It’s lovely when that happens. Here’s one of them. I’m wondering, how obvious is the subject matter?

Continue reading ‘Games And Patterns’

Now That I’m On My Best Behaviour.

Endlessly Revising.

Okay. Today I’m struggling. The lyrics aren’t working for me. Time for a rethink…

Act III - The First Draft

It’s taken me a while to get to a place where I can finish this.

Because you never have the heart to hold it back,
Because you mutter something cold. Can I attack?
I’ve never had a chance like I’ve had it with you,
I’ve never had a chance like I’ve had it with you,

How do you find it in yourself to be so cruel,
It’s never hurt so much as it does from you,
But I’ve never had a chance like I’ve had it with you,
I’ve never had a chance like I’ve had it with you.

That’s why,
I keep hanging on,
When you try,
To tell me that I’m wrong,
But I’m standing by you,
It’s as if you don’t understand,
That you’re all that I have.

This is not a fair shot at a compromise,
I have given all I have but then you decide,
That I’ll never have a chance like I have it with you,
I’ll never have a chance like I have it with you,

I’ve had reasons always to apologize,
But I’ve got no reason to disguise,
All the meanings of the words “I’ve had it with you.”
All the reasons that I say that I’ve had it with you.

So why,
Do I keep hanging on,
When you try,
To tell me that I’m wrong,
For standing by you,
As if you don’t understand,
That you’re all that I have.

I don’t know,
Where I’ve gone wrong,
But I can finish this,
Piece by piece.
Is that what you want?
When your unkind,
You promise me nothing,
except to leave me behind.

And this keeps going on,
Around and around,
And I will keep still, hanging on,
And you will try,
But you don’t understand
That you’re all that I have.

The Songwriting-On-A-Blog idea: Day Two

At some point I must have thought that writing a song publicly via this site was a good idea. This is the next bit, where I begin the arrangement. To document this I thought, hey, what could be better than posting random clips of myself in my pajamas on YouTube? A bit of eye-shadow would not have gone amiss, either…