A happy, upbeat song about drugs and death

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VomitHatSteve

VomitHatSteve

Hat STYLE. Not contents.
Ok, it's not so happy.

I tried some new things with EQ, especially on drums.
Plus this one doesn't have the fun synths, randomized drums, or abomination (sorry).

I'm too tired to come up with a witty explanation as to why you should listen to this song. Either way, I'm happy to hear your comments.

2:13 - tab. MP3.
 
I usually have trouble getting my drums quite right, so if you want to play your own while listening, feel free! :D
 
I dig the electronic effects on the snare, they definitely add some atmosphere. The rhythm guitars sound a little dull and pushed to the background. If that's something you did on purpose than feel free to ignore this next part. I think they could use a slight little high shelf. and a boost around 125 to give them just a bit of that cabinet oomph.

To be honest, I don't actually have much advice I can offer on this type of mix. I'm used to hard rock/heavy metal with big, reverby snares and what not. But I can say that I like the song, and as an overall mix this works well. If I had to describe this it would be like a depressing version of the Killers haha. And your vocals certainly fit over this style.
 
Atmospheric snare is what I was going for, though not particularly electronic.

I'm actually kind of surprised with how this one turned out in general. This recording sounds nothing like what I imagined when I wrote this. Not unpleasantly surprised, mind you.

I'll try adding the EQ you suggested to the guitars, Muffins.
 
Steve... For some reason, this song sounds quite a bit different from your usual music. The vocals sound like you, but the whole feel of the music is drastically different from your normal sound. Not sure whether I like it or not, to be honest. The last one you posted (The Eau Claire Music Scene) sounds much more like you at your best.

I dunno, man... I just listened to it again, and it's growing on me. Every time I listen to your stuff, no offense, but I want to hate it because it's *SO* unique, but I listen, and I always end up being impressed by the soundscape you seem to be able to create.

Kudos man... I say keep on creating!
 
Ha ha! Thanks!

Yeah, I'm trying to branch the stuff I do into two distinct sounds. This song is for my angsty, serious "band," so I opted for less of the crazy synths and drum machines. Massively divergent from The Eau Claire Music Scene means I succeeded in at least one thing!

Plus, it's a pretty minimalist song from the writing standpoint.
 
Another great song man. I really like the drum beat in this one and the backing vocals. It's got a great story line in it too. Is this something that has actually happened to someone you know (I hope not) or did you just make it up. I bet you did real good in creative writing if you made it up and you got one hell of an imagination.

Trump
 
Thanks!

It's indirectly inspired by a friend I had in Intervarsity (a campus Christian group). His dad had some drug problems, but I never got the whole story about the situation. So I made one up. It's not directly related to that guy, but it's somewhat inspired by him.
 
I love the voice and the melody (in fact some of your best vocals) but not sure about the backing...

the kick and the bass are OK but the guitars definitely sound dull to me and the snare doesnt do it at all.....maybe slap some reverb on the snare (or much more if its there) , maybe have some idea in your head and Im just not getting it


mad backing vocals which are cool too, a little high in volume, nit pick

sorry cant be more helpful my DAW and monitors arent internet friendly anymore, but it sounds a great song just needing a little more tweaking
 
I've actually got a lot of reverb on the snare already.

Maybe I'll try it with a different verb.

I'll try to find time tomorrow to fiddle with the verb and lower the bg vox.

I've got a new version with more EQ on the guitars.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
Thanks!

It's indirectly inspired by a friend I had in Intervarsity (a campus Christian group). His dad had some drug problems, but I never got the whole story about the situation. So I made one up. It's not directly related to that guy, but it's somewhat inspired by him.
Click to expand...

Well, damn, that is not exactly what i wanted to hear, but I hope your friend is doing well with himself. A Christian group huh? I don't know what Intervarsity is and haven't looked it up, but are you working on becoming a preacher or some other good servant of the church. If so good luck man; I admire you for that. Good luck in the future and I thank your music is great.

Trump
 
I think it's awesome how you have your own sound. A lot of it is the somewhat nasal voice I guess (which I really like), but it's more than that. After listening to this one my brain went "everyone plays acoustic-electric guitar everyone plays ...", I think that's great. I really like the song. Everything sounds slightly under-defined but it works. Maybe the bass-drum could do with some shaping? Might make the song more bouncy. 4:00 die-down is very cool, simple yet effective vocals. Backing vocals are really nice. The song could maybe do with one guitar that sounds a bit brighter, either some solo-like stuff or some high-tone strumming? Don't know if that would fit your vision, just thought I'd point it out.
 
It's a "Christian fellowship". Basically, it's half church, half student group. I participated back in college. (These days, you'd probably call me an active lay person.)

Speak, what specifically do you mean by shaping the bass drum? I added some EQ, since that's all I really know what to do with it, but I'm sure there's more I could be doing.

When I was recording it, I noodled around with some high lead guitar stuff, but none of it really seemed to fit.
 
Yeah that's a cool snare. Not something I'd like on every song, but I liked it here.

Things get much louder at 1:40 or so - it fluctuates more later. I'd level the volume.

I'm still trying to decide if I like the distorted guitars. Lots of distortion on them, but they sound OK.

I don't hear a bass. I can hear the kick fine. It needs a little more low end IMO.

I liked the vocals. They sounded good.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
I've actually got a lot of reverb on the snare already.

Maybe I'll try it with a different verb.

I'll try to find time tomorrow to fiddle with the verb and lower the bg vox.

I've got a new version with more EQ on the guitars.
Click to expand...

the guitars sound much better Steve....dont fuck about with it too much, part of your works charm is its rawness...

I guess i get hung up on sounding polished which yours should definitely not sound like :drunk:
 
I like it like it is.
The package suits the theme.
The guitars nag and then get angry but remain underneath - not emotionally explosive - potential for that is suggested but is, so Englishly, not achieved.
 
I AM Canadian. That's almost like English, right?

Version 3.

I changed the reverb to something that's more of a reverb and less of a "single echo from either direction effect that I programmed myself."

I also lowered the bg vox a little.
 
Cool tune once again, Steve.
Snare could be a bit brighter. Voice sounds a bit thin and keeps changing level. Also, is that a room reverb on it? I'd turn that down a bit.
Freaky song.

Joey :)
 
Thanks, Joey.

Any specific thoughts on how to brighten up the snare? Maybe frequencies to bump on the EQ?

I probably should've added some vocal automation, but I got lazy. :D

The reverb on the vox is actually an effect I programmed myself. It does a single echo in each channel delayed and turned down based on how you pan the primary. It's probably not the best effect out there, but I kind of like the DIY aspect of it. I've been meaning to make it smarter one of these days, but haven't gotten to it yet.
 
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