New 10 Song LP finished.

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guitar zero

guitar zero

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We are putting the finishing touches on a 10 song LP by Project 4. Before sending off for mastering, any input on things you hear that could be tweaked would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. WARNING: Don't listen if you are offended by music with a Christian bent.

1. Head Up America:

2. Arizona Sky:

3. Georgia's Truth

4. 4:

5. Huckleberry Hound:

6. The Back Story:

7. Orphan Train:

8 Oh The Wonder:

9. Forget About Me:

10. The Glorious Unknown:
 
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I listen to alot of different styles of music. I must say, after the first track, I was hooked to just keep going thru them.

Awesome stuff!! Really enjoyed all the tracks. I don't have anything really constructive in the way of recording advice from listening, but from a audience perspective, really well done.
 
Hi

Great stuff. I drinking whiski and listening to your songs and I'm having a wonderful Sunday night. Thanks man!

/Jack
 
tango44 said:
I listen to alot of different styles of music. I must say, after the first track, I was hooked to just keep going thru them.

Awesome stuff!! Really enjoyed all the tracks. I don't have anything really constructive in the way of recording advice from listening, but from a audience perspective, really well done.
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Thanks for listening, I appreciate the input.

Jack Real said:
Hi

Great stuff. I drinking whiski and listening to your songs and I'm having a wonderful Sunday night. Thanks man!

/Jack
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Jack, I think the whisky is affecting your brain. Thanks for having a listen
 
I heard some distortion on Head up America at 0:55 on "whole." Could be an mp3 artifact, but I'd double check that.

Actually, I think the deeper guitar panned far to the sides distorts pretty frequently.

Other than those, this sounds like it's really well done.

Is warning people when we post Christian songs around here getting to be a thing? I kind of feel like if you're going to be hanging around an artistic community, being offended by ideologies is going to get counter-productive. :D

Edit: Some loud pops around 0:50 in Arizona Sky. Before releasing this, I'd do a really thorough double-check for those sorts of little noises and artifacts.
 
Steve,

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Any clipping you hear is created by me trying to push the levels to what it might be post mastering, just to get at proper listening levels. The tracks we send for mastering will have significantly lower peak levels. The distortion is not in the tracks themselves. But you are correct, it's there in places here.

As for the pops and clicks, we are searching, and some we found and eliminated, but some we can't find anywhere in any track, yet when we record a mix track it's there. Very strange.

As for the warning, probably un-necessary, but we live in a society of heightened sensitivities, and some are more easily offended than others. :cool:
 
That's a nice set of tunes. Standing 'O'. Ridiing a Jack Johnson/ Jason Mraz/ James Morrison wave.

No reason I can hear why this would not be hit-worthy, if promoted and marketed by a major.

Good ideas, recording, and performances.

I smell contract ink.
 
Jeff,

Thank you for listening. Your ear is so refined and reviews are always so thoughtful that I'm a little overwhelmed by your response. I don't know about any contract ink. We're just hoping to find a loyal fan base to support a career for "a young Oregon boy through and through". It will all start soon, selling CD's at the card table in the back of the gig hall. Exciting times ahead. :eek:
 
After reading the 'distortion' explanation, [I thought they were masters] it was clear to me that this is a really viable commercial compilation....because, aside from the clipping, the music and recording is fab.

If you were interested in shooting for Christian Contemporary, I think you'd have an excellent shot at contract ink. I often listen to a Christian network station, and every band sounds like Nickleback. I hear NOTHING of this J Johnson-style, laid back thing. There's a wide-open field there waiting for this. [Christian commercial radio bands hop on commercial pop radio conventions that work to appeal to more general audiences...then pummle the sound to death...like Nickleback's stamp....ugh the raspy pretenders have made me turn it off]

This would also be right at home on Adult Rock/Folk/Blues [high quality b'cast 50,000w FM] , too, but they eschew blatant Christian messaging.

Same with general pop.

Crossovers from Christian to general audience radio are rare.

SO I'd say you'd be increasing potential by hanging this CD on some busy Christian radio publishers. Forget 'labels'. If these guys hear what I heard, I think they'd be pitching it for a distribution deal. And you'd also have the spiritual benefit of spreading the Gospel, hooking 20-somethings on a sound they enjoy...as they swing by a Christian radio station on the way to somewhere else. I swear I've never heard the style play on Christian radio.

I'm a hopeless, broken sinner..and a brother. Maybe the Spirit is commanding I encourage you to go there with your project. I don't mind being used that way.

Your stuff is real good. Inspired, I'm thinking.

ps...I know a lot of guys don't like the idea of giving up publishing....they'll take half the profit. But without a connected, savvy publishing house, you're more likely to end up with half of nothing....or all of what you can get at the little tables. Write the deal with non-exclusive or project-limited representation, looking forward to a day when the distributors will come to you, directly, with papers to sign....and you can publish yourself, and double your income on future projects.

You're on your way. You've found your ministry.

BTW...for future reference: How to find THE publishers to approach:

Go to a large music store. Go to the 'Christian' section. Grab hold of CD's of artists you know...or ask the clerk to give you a list of the top 25 sellers. The name and address of the publisher is on each CD. TADAH!

Go to the publisher's site. Look for a submissions policy and guide. If none, send them an email or letter asking PERMISSION to submit. They'll give you a name and, maybe a number to add to the address. About 25 houses is a good number to wrangle with. It's a lot of work.
 
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Great songs! The vocals and guitar are really top-notch. Your work is original and very well refined, and also quite soothing to the ear. Cheers to ya down in Salem from up here in ever-grey Portland!
 
noiseordinance said:
Great songs! The vocals and guitar are really top-notch. Your work is original and very well refined, and also quite soothing to the ear. Cheers to ya down in Salem from up here in ever-grey Portland!
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Thanks man. It's really gray down here too.

jeffmaher said:
After reading the 'distortion' explanation, [I thought they were masters] it was clear to me that this is a really viable commercial compilation....because, aside from the clipping, the music and recording is fab.

If you were interested in shooting for Christian Contemporary, I think you'd have an excellent shot at contract ink. I often listen to a Christian network station, and every band sounds like Nickleback. I hear NOTHING of this J Johnson-style, laid back thing. There's a wide-open field there waiting for this. [Christian commercial radio bands hop on commercial pop radio conventions that work to appeal to more general audiences...then pummle the sound to death...like Nickleback's stamp....ugh the raspy pretenders have made me turn it off]

This would also be right at home on Adult Rock/Folk/Blues [high quality b'cast 50,000w FM] , too, but they eschew blatant Christian messaging.

Same with general pop.

Crossovers from Christian to general audience radio are rare.

SO I'd say you'd be increasing potential by hanging this CD on some busy Christian radio publishers. Forget 'labels'. If these guys hear what I heard, I think they'd be pitching it for a distribution deal. And you'd also have the spiritual benefit of spreading the Gospel, hooking 20-somethings on a sound they enjoy...as they swing by a Christian radio station on the way to somewhere else. I swear I've never heard the style play on Christian radio.

I'm a hopeless, broken sinner..and a brother. Maybe the Spirit is commanding I encourage you to go there with your project. I don't mind being used that way.

Your stuff is real good. Inspired, I'm thinking.

ps...I know a lot of guys don't like the idea of giving up publishing....they'll take half the profit. But without a connected, savvy publishing house, you're more likely to end up with half of nothing....or all of what you can get at the little tables. Write the deal with non-exclusive or project-limited representation, looking forward to a day when the distributors will come to you, directly, with papers to sign....and you can publish yourself, and double your income on future projects.

You're on your way. You've found your ministry.

BTW...for future reference: How to find THE publishers to approach:

Go to a large music store. Go to the 'Christian' section. Grab hold of CD's of artists you know...or ask the clerk to give you a list of the top 25 sellers. The name and address of the publisher is on each CD. TADAH!

Go to the publisher's site. Look for a submissions policy and guide. If none, send them an email or letter asking PERMISSION to submit. They'll give you a name and, maybe a number to add to the address. About 25 houses is a good number to wrangle with. It's a lot of work.
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Jeff, I really appreciate your ideas. Thanks.
 
jeffmaher said:
BTW...for future reference: How to find THE publishers to approach:

Go to a large music store. Go to the 'Christian' section. Grab hold of CD's of artists you know...or ask the clerk to give you a list of the top 25 sellers. The name and address of the publisher is on each CD. TADAH!

Go to the publisher's site. Look for a submissions policy and guide. If none, send them an email or letter asking PERMISSION to submit. They'll give you a name and, maybe a number to add to the address. About 25 houses is a good number to wrangle with. It's a lot of work.
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Jeff,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the info on the back of the CD the distribution company? Are they two branches of the same company (publishing and distribution), or is this usually two separate entities?

Also, are you saying that if you get picked up by a publishing company, that they take over rights to the songs, or just royalties from the sales of that CD only? I guess that's what you're saying is where the haggling goes on. Also, would we still get the CD mastered and printed, or do they demand that they do that part? All foreign to me.
 
Ah yeah. And no. It depends. If all the songs are published by the same house, it's often on the outside label. If more than one....on the inside where titles are listed, most often.

Publishing just means selling the music. A composer can also publish, make his own deals with a distribution company. He/she gets the publisher and composer share of royalties and license fees. But most of us have no savvy in the contract and marketing area....no connections with people who have connections. So most get a publisher.

Labels are into discovering, managing, recording and publishing talent. They are much more complicated to deal with.....they often want you to run up the up-fronts, like re-recording....signing management contracts: they feel it'sw their mission to form and bend you where they want you to go. Often.


Your work is good enough to bypass that intensive, over-awing...sometimes pilferaging business model, I think: you've developed and recorded and managed yourself very well...and arrived at what I think is a product that can be directed to a publisher, soley: all he's gotta do is sell someone on the finished product, sell performance rights if some 'big' wants to use it on a record, invest in distribution, or arrange a syndicate to back a venture....exploit it in any way possible to make you and himself money. He's the business guy. The better the product, the better the opportunities for use, the more money you both make.

Now, the way I think I'd like to hook up is by submitting to a composer who also self-publishes......like Harry Conniick, or Steve Vai. The set up a company name with a PRO, and negotiate their own deals. They get composer AND publisher cuts of royalties...roughly doubling income from the PRO. But, then, they have this side business...and they begin to find and publish other talent in their genre, using their already established network...like any other publisher.

If you can find a self-published Jesus-music artist...look at the CD's....I'd say that's where to submit. One out of ten might be trying to build the publishing side...and earnestly looking for talent to wheel and deal for.

Any publisher specializing in Christian pop, who has a track record....I'd submit, or inquire at.

I think your thing is ready to be sold [once mastered] as-is. Connect with a growing Christian music publisher. I think you prospects are excellent for large success, based on what I hear. Just make sure their is a reasonable process for termination of assigned publishing rights...which belong to you until you sign with a publisher.

I hope that helps. I have a contract with a production music publisher....movie music...that's bearing fruit. A different bag than what you're going after....but lots the same. Go with a proven publishing house or self publishing 'stars' of the genre. Get the names from successful CD's. You know they're doing things right, and can sell product.

Hey....I'm listening again. I'm blown away by your lyrics and phrasing....the goodness of the ideas and arrangements.........and the sweetness of the UNMASTERED work. I'm almost afraid to listen when they get mastered. I'm feeling your work in my heart. You're gifted.
I've never been inspired to tell any recordist/composer on this forum that I wanted to buy the CD when it's out there, Yours is the first I shall buy. Just so good. Whew.

And another thing....the messages aren't blatant. I can hear this playing on generic FM folk/roots....pop stations. A movie. TV shows. Go where you think you should go. I know I will be hearing this in the media soon.
 
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Jeff, you've been extremely helpful and a blessing in every way. You have given us some great ideas. The project is probably going off for mastering in a day or two. I'll keep you posted. If you're ever in Oregon, you have a place to hang your hat. Thanks again.
 
My dad's family is from Aurora and Canby...my recently deceased brother was a chiropractor in Aurora, lived in Hubbard. Nephews, neices, cousins. But I'll be sure to visit!!:)
 
jeffmaher said:
My dad's family is from Aurora and Canby...my recently deceased brother was a chiropractor in Aurora, lived in Hubbard. Nephews, neices, cousins. But I'll be sure to visit!!:)
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I'm a half hour away from Aurora/Canby. Would be honored to meet you some day.
 
I'd be honored...and beggin' to spend one hour watching how you record those sounds like you do.
 
You're on. I truly hope you do. But first we must stop by Hubbard and get a big fat smoked sausage from Voget's.
 
Your songs

Hi! I loved your songs. All of them are amazingly good and catchy. Just the way I like them. What I noticed is that your songs lack explosion. I`m guessing you did that on purpose, right? In most cases, that explosion can be the difference between a nice song and a hit. Here and there, I get the impression that the songs are a bit too laid back to become hits. This album is a must have. Let us know when it`s ready!
 
Your songs

Head up America can become a hit! Easily. It doesn`t even need the explosion I was talking about. I`d love to buy your CD. It`s art. I think my music is not even half as good as yours!:( Well done, mate!
A.D.Ryan
 
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