The Weight of a New Song (And Why I'm Traveling Light)
Ah yes, travelling light can mean so many things… For me it is a new song title that I will be tracking for the next album. In this busy world that we have created I believe travelling light may be the way to get through it all somewhat unscathed. Whether it is personal possessions or the emotional weight we carry, it seems to me that less is more. I am not here to advise anyone's life decisions, it's more of an observation as a songwriter on my part.
As for tracking new songs for the next record, I am currently showing the new songs to the band, at which point we can decide if we want to pursue the song or toss it out… I don't bring songs to the band till they are completely written / arranged / etc. I don't want to waste their time or mine, so I do all the arrangement stuff ahead of time, that way as a band the songs come together much faster and the experience is a pleasurable groovy thing, not a mind numbing experience for all involved. In other words, there is no extra weight or multiple ideas to be carrying around, as we say "Travelling Light".
As for instrumentation on this song, I feel it will be fairly simple. There will be a solid drum beat, with a melodic yet peddling bass line. As for guitars I hear an electric rhythm guitar with a bit of dirt playing a picking pattern and a single strum on the 1 of each chord change especially in the chorus section, there will also be an acoustic rhythm tightly strumming along with the drum Hi-hat… they will need to be panned opposite of each other so they are not fighting each other in a similar frequency range. Vocally this song is very melodic and has some real good melody hooks which I'm really digging at the moment. There will be some lovely vocal harmony parts that are sure to grab your attention as well. The song is in the key of E-flat major, so I haven't decided yet If I'll be playing the E-flat harmonica or go for a bluesier vibe and play an A-flat harp ( the 4th of the key )… I'm also thinking I may track it with a pedal steel and run that through a distorted amp sound… I always loved that sound, kinda similar to some of the old ( Burrito Brothers) recordings..
These are just some of my thought processes when writing, recording any song. As for the song ( Travelling Light ), I will be showing that to the band later this afternoon along with a some other new songs. But I have to say, I am pumped about (Travelling Light ).. I feel it may be one of my best, but I probably think that about every new song.. Ha! Ha!.. Time will tell, I trust the guys will like it as much as I do. I guess we'll see if it makes the next release or not, you just never know…
Funny thing is, this is exactly why I put together the Digital Vault — a handful of brand new songs just like this one, before the band's even weighed in, before anything's decided. You hear them raw, straight off my guitar, and you get a vote on which one makes the record. If that sounds like your kind of thing, it's over on the site for $9.99, yours to keep forever. Might as well travel light with me on this one too… Ha! Ha!..
Till next time…. Cheers GB.
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