The past few days were pretty rough, but I did get to cut a whole bunch of tracks with Kelly Toledano (working along with me in the project Model Minority) and Ashi Toledano (Kelly's brother).
A shitload of tracks.
Kelly and Ashi Toledano came up to Berkeley from SoCal (Palmdale) early Thursday morning around 5 or 6 AM. I had been drinking from Wednesday night all the way up until then, so I had to crash for a little bit before we got to work.
I woke up Thursday at around 10 AM or so, and we decided to cut all of Ashi's tracks. I think Ashi might not have had much studio experience, but he was a real trooper. We set up all his tracks and he was ready to go! I can tell he practiced like crazy, since he cut most of the tracks in one take.
5 tracks: 4 hours.
After that, we decided to take a break and we cut maybe 2 or Kelly's tracks. The work went a bit slower since we just ate lunch and we were pretty tired.
2 tracks: 2 hours.
We decide to go with our friend David to SF to meet up with another buddy Anthony. We just ended up drinking a bit at Gordon Biersch and playing some pool at Anthony's place. Eventually, we got back home around 3, ready for some sleep and the next day.
0 tracks: 8 hours.
The next day, Kelly hit the tracks hard. We went from 11 AM to about 3 PM nonstop, and cut about 8 tracks in a row. We ended the day by having a nice drink. And as soon as we were done, the brothers decided to go and hang out in SF (and then leave for home immediately after).
8 tracks: 4 hours.
Total: 15 tracks: 10 hours (work) 36 hours (span).
I swear, people who have been practicing at home before they go to the studio to record is every audio engineer's wet dream, because there are no hassles, no silly retakes, no changing the lyrics here, forgetting the structure there.
So a note to all you musicians out there: practice before you go to the studio, and record tracks like that! Don't piss off your audio engineer/producer! Save some damn money!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Baby Let Me Write A Song
So now that I’ve gotten a whole bunch of stuff done with "The Dino Soars" (printing, promos, etc), I’ve gotten back to working on some new tracks.
Between all the hip-hop, electro, and metal that I’ve been doing (super-precise editing and sequencing), I haven’t had any time to just sit down and jam, that is, until last week. I began playing some drums because I haven’t worked on it in a long time.
Getting back to creative work after a long period of busy-work is pretty tough, because I usually have writer’s block for a little bit, and it feels pretty disconcerting because it feels like you no longer have control over the creative side of your brain. So far, I’ve always been able to get a spark of an idea before I really start panicking (knock on wood). Either that, or I pound out a small idea that I store for later.
So last week, I decided to record some of the drum stuff with an already existing bassline. I worked pretty slow, because it’s been a while since I’ve worked on my drumming skills. My sixteenths were a little sloppy and I was pissed that I hadn’t been practicing. However, I did manage to get a couple of really nice takes in a sea of pretty sloppy ones (just have to keep cranking them out until it’s right).
I let the track sit there for a few days so I could let my brain rest.
What words could I set to this thing? How long was this piece of shit going to take me?
It was a Saturday night and I was reading for a little while when it just hit me. I had some pre-existing lyrics: "baby let me write a song..."
Why don’t I just write a song about me writing a song? I tried to fight it because I knew that only some sappy shit could come out of it.
I didn’t care, I wanted to get a damn track out of the way.
I just gave myself up to the ideas that were firing up a storm in my head, and the melodies just rushed out from my brain. Certain words and phrases dripped from my consciousness so quickly that I began just listing them frantically on paper. Holy Moley, I knew I had to record this thing before I forgot it!
I fired up the coffee machine around 1 AM, tuned my damn guitar, and I prayed to God that my housemates wouldn’t wake up then and there and destroy me (because that’s what I would do if some fucking idiot began to record a track at that time).
That night, I spent about 6 hours just writing, recording, and singing. I worked like a madman, and burned through 2 pots of coffee to stay awake and a pot of tea to make sure my vocal cords were nice and loose.
Guess what? It was worth it.
When I mixed it all together at around 7 AM bleary eyed and hungry, I knew I had a hit in my hands, because such sappy pop music will not go unnoticed. I made one last render and I fell asleep knowing that some idiot out there would have to enjoy it, even if it is a stupid little ditty. If nothing else, I sure had fun producing it.
--Steg Rex
Between all the hip-hop, electro, and metal that I’ve been doing (super-precise editing and sequencing), I haven’t had any time to just sit down and jam, that is, until last week. I began playing some drums because I haven’t worked on it in a long time.
Getting back to creative work after a long period of busy-work is pretty tough, because I usually have writer’s block for a little bit, and it feels pretty disconcerting because it feels like you no longer have control over the creative side of your brain. So far, I’ve always been able to get a spark of an idea before I really start panicking (knock on wood). Either that, or I pound out a small idea that I store for later.
So last week, I decided to record some of the drum stuff with an already existing bassline. I worked pretty slow, because it’s been a while since I’ve worked on my drumming skills. My sixteenths were a little sloppy and I was pissed that I hadn’t been practicing. However, I did manage to get a couple of really nice takes in a sea of pretty sloppy ones (just have to keep cranking them out until it’s right).
I let the track sit there for a few days so I could let my brain rest.
What words could I set to this thing? How long was this piece of shit going to take me?
It was a Saturday night and I was reading for a little while when it just hit me. I had some pre-existing lyrics: "baby let me write a song..."
Why don’t I just write a song about me writing a song? I tried to fight it because I knew that only some sappy shit could come out of it.
I didn’t care, I wanted to get a damn track out of the way.
I just gave myself up to the ideas that were firing up a storm in my head, and the melodies just rushed out from my brain. Certain words and phrases dripped from my consciousness so quickly that I began just listing them frantically on paper. Holy Moley, I knew I had to record this thing before I forgot it!
I fired up the coffee machine around 1 AM, tuned my damn guitar, and I prayed to God that my housemates wouldn’t wake up then and there and destroy me (because that’s what I would do if some fucking idiot began to record a track at that time).
That night, I spent about 6 hours just writing, recording, and singing. I worked like a madman, and burned through 2 pots of coffee to stay awake and a pot of tea to make sure my vocal cords were nice and loose.
Guess what? It was worth it.
When I mixed it all together at around 7 AM bleary eyed and hungry, I knew I had a hit in my hands, because such sappy pop music will not go unnoticed. I made one last render and I fell asleep knowing that some idiot out there would have to enjoy it, even if it is a stupid little ditty. If nothing else, I sure had fun producing it.
--Steg Rex
Stegosaurus Rex (An Intro)
Stegosaurus Rex is the moniker for me, Max Chen. I started this music project a few years ago in the summer of 2005 because I was bored and I really wanted to put together all my musical skills (I can play the piano, guitar, drums, and sing).
Fast forward roughly 3 years, 100 or so tracks later.
I just finished printing my first album "The Dino Soars" and I'll begin playing shows and doing all sorts of weird and crazy stuff with my music. I'm cutting about a track a week or faster these days, and I don't sleep very much. I've succumbed to MySpace, and learned how to tweak the intonation on a guitar, and record vocals, and do some light mastering, and play a live set, and schmooze with other musicians, and play while drunk and makehiphopandelectroandmetalandambientanddealwithirateneighbors
OK. So I've done a lot the past few years, and learned a lot about music and myself.
I've got an album coming out, finally! (It's been a dream of mine to release music since I was in middle school.)
I'm going to play some shows!
I'm going to collaborate with some awesome musicians!
And I still don't have a real job.
OK, so you want to hear my music.
http://www.myspace.com/maxwellchen
^^^ That's my electro/hip-hop/indie-rock stuff. ^^^
http://www.myspace.com/mareinthemeadow
^^^ That's my metal/rock stuff. ^^^
Go ahead and check those links out, and stay tuned for further postings. This is the beginning of the Stegosaurus Rex blog. Because I need to give you guys news. And I'm bored.
Fast forward roughly 3 years, 100 or so tracks later.
I just finished printing my first album "The Dino Soars" and I'll begin playing shows and doing all sorts of weird and crazy stuff with my music. I'm cutting about a track a week or faster these days, and I don't sleep very much. I've succumbed to MySpace, and learned how to tweak the intonation on a guitar, and record vocals, and do some light mastering, and play a live set, and schmooze with other musicians, and play while drunk and makehiphopandelectroandmetalandambientanddealwithirateneighbors
OK. So I've done a lot the past few years, and learned a lot about music and myself.
I've got an album coming out, finally! (It's been a dream of mine to release music since I was in middle school.)
I'm going to play some shows!
I'm going to collaborate with some awesome musicians!
And I still don't have a real job.
OK, so you want to hear my music.
http://www.myspace.com/maxwellchen
^^^ That's my electro/hip-hop/indie-rock stuff. ^^^
http://www.myspace.com/mareinthemeadow
^^^ That's my metal/rock stuff. ^^^
Go ahead and check those links out, and stay tuned for further postings. This is the beginning of the Stegosaurus Rex blog. Because I need to give you guys news. And I'm bored.
Sunday, January 1, 2006
Green Tease - Into Solitude Lyrics
Into Solitude (Lyrics By Natasha)
Just one breath away
I am from you and all your expectations
This is where I stay
When I don’t need your love
When I don’t want attention
People on the street
Are rushing to the comfort of their homes
I’m in my retreat
Away from all the things
That have been going on
Back into my solitude
It sets up my proper mood
It leaves out my attitude
And it makes me feel so good
It’s amazing how
The circumstances we are in unfold
Leaves are falling down
It’s raining all day long
It’s getting cold
I still feel your touch
And I still feel your kiss
Your skin on my skin
Your lips on my lips
Back into my solitude
It sets up my proper mood
It leaves out my attitude
And it makes me feel so good
I will let my heart
Rest somewhere in the ocean
It has been so hard
To break this vicious circle of emotions
Two of you and one of me
It’s raining all day long it’s getting cold
Cobwebbed hearts of three
I’m trying to untangle, to untangle
Just one breath away
I am from you and all your expectations
This is where I stay
When I don’t need your love
When I don’t want attention
People on the street
Are rushing to the comfort of their homes
I’m in my retreat
Away from all the things
That have been going on
Back into my solitude
It sets up my proper mood
It leaves out my attitude
And it makes me feel so good
It’s amazing how
The circumstances we are in unfold
Leaves are falling down
It’s raining all day long
It’s getting cold
I still feel your touch
And I still feel your kiss
Your skin on my skin
Your lips on my lips
Back into my solitude
It sets up my proper mood
It leaves out my attitude
And it makes me feel so good
I will let my heart
Rest somewhere in the ocean
It has been so hard
To break this vicious circle of emotions
Two of you and one of me
It’s raining all day long it’s getting cold
Cobwebbed hearts of three
I’m trying to untangle, to untangle
Green Tease - When I Mean Nothing To You Lyrics
When I Mean Nothing To You (Lyrics By Natasha)
On the road behind the wheel
I do feel quite unreal
Muddy view misty skies
I want you to realize
How I loved you
How I cared for you
How I trusted you
All these things are true
When I am nothing in your eyes
Would you stay with me
When I am not disguised
Do you like what you see
When I am nothing to you
Would you set me free
When I do what I’ll do
Would you think of me
Sky is gray sun is low
Rainy day cliffs below
Engine roars music’s loud
Only you I think about
How you loved me
How you held me
How you hated me
All this lately
When I am nothing in your eyes
Would you stay with me
When I am not disguised
Do you like what you see
When I am nothing to you
Would you set me free
When I do what I’ll do
Would you think of me
Belt’s undone I decide
To be free to take a flight
I don’t care about your lies
I’ll remember your pretty eyes
How you loved me
How you held me
How you hated me
Lights are fading
On the road behind the wheel
I do feel quite unreal
Muddy view misty skies
I want you to realize
How I loved you
How I cared for you
How I trusted you
All these things are true
When I am nothing in your eyes
Would you stay with me
When I am not disguised
Do you like what you see
When I am nothing to you
Would you set me free
When I do what I’ll do
Would you think of me
Sky is gray sun is low
Rainy day cliffs below
Engine roars music’s loud
Only you I think about
How you loved me
How you held me
How you hated me
All this lately
When I am nothing in your eyes
Would you stay with me
When I am not disguised
Do you like what you see
When I am nothing to you
Would you set me free
When I do what I’ll do
Would you think of me
Belt’s undone I decide
To be free to take a flight
I don’t care about your lies
I’ll remember your pretty eyes
How you loved me
How you held me
How you hated me
Lights are fading
Green Tease - Fatal Treat Lyrics
Fatal Treat (Lyrics By Natasha)
I will put on my back spikes
This is how my man likes
Mini-dress and black lace tights
I will dance in his headlights
I will meet him in the old park
He won't see me first it's so dark
I'll lit up my mint cigarette
So he could see my silhouette
He'll get out of his black car
I can tell he came straight from the bar
Jack and Coke is all that he had
Or at least that is what he said
He will lean towards me to give a kiss
In my truly cherry red lips
I will take him by his cold hand
We both know we came to the end
Give me your hand
Stay by my side
All that we felt
We left behind
How many times we tried hard
To forgive and have a fresh start
But it always went the same way
He would leave me or I'd go away
We're in love but we are in pain
Tried to break up but it's in vain
Cannot be together or apart
It's a paradox of our hearts
I have made a special new treat
It's so good it's so rich and sweet
Everything we need is inside
Go ahead and take a first bite
I will do exactly what you do
Take a bite and I will have too
Don't be scared pain will end fast
What we do is for our own best
My lips are cold
Your eyes are glass
All that we had
Is in the past
I will put on my back spikes
This is how my man likes
Mini-dress and black lace tights
I will dance in his headlights
I will meet him in the old park
He won't see me first it's so dark
I'll lit up my mint cigarette
So he could see my silhouette
He'll get out of his black car
I can tell he came straight from the bar
Jack and Coke is all that he had
Or at least that is what he said
He will lean towards me to give a kiss
In my truly cherry red lips
I will take him by his cold hand
We both know we came to the end
Give me your hand
Stay by my side
All that we felt
We left behind
How many times we tried hard
To forgive and have a fresh start
But it always went the same way
He would leave me or I'd go away
We're in love but we are in pain
Tried to break up but it's in vain
Cannot be together or apart
It's a paradox of our hearts
I have made a special new treat
It's so good it's so rich and sweet
Everything we need is inside
Go ahead and take a first bite
I will do exactly what you do
Take a bite and I will have too
Don't be scared pain will end fast
What we do is for our own best
My lips are cold
Your eyes are glass
All that we had
Is in the past
Green Tease - Desolate Pool Lyrics
Desolate Pool (Lyrics By Natasha)
In the whisper of sad willow trees
You will catch the words of sorrow
In the pool all covered up with leaves
You can find me by tomorrow
This is where we met and fell in love
We pledged to be together
We were witnessed by a black black dove
But nothing lasts forever
I will stay and ask the willow tree
What I've done wrong, why you let me go
Why that night you set me free
I wanna know I just wanna know
Neither brightest light nor darkest night
Will tell us the truth: who was wrong who was right
Bloody sunset doesn't have a clue
That I have my plan I know what to do
It's so dark here and I'm all alone
But I'm not afraid I am brave and strong
My skin is so hot and the water is cool
I'll drown all my sorrows in the desolate pool
Goodbye my love
In the whisper of sad willow trees
You will catch the words of sorrow
In the pool all covered up with leaves
You can find me by tomorrow
This is where we met and fell in love
We pledged to be together
We were witnessed by a black black dove
But nothing lasts forever
I will stay and ask the willow tree
What I've done wrong, why you let me go
Why that night you set me free
I wanna know I just wanna know
Neither brightest light nor darkest night
Will tell us the truth: who was wrong who was right
Bloody sunset doesn't have a clue
That I have my plan I know what to do
It's so dark here and I'm all alone
But I'm not afraid I am brave and strong
My skin is so hot and the water is cool
I'll drown all my sorrows in the desolate pool
Goodbye my love
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