Skip to content

Rebecca

“”

April 23, 2012 New Too Much Cheese In My Diet Is Not Good

Things that take too long to do is what I’m doing tonight.

I have a leaning tower of cds that I’ve put off for a couple years that need to go into the computer. PJ Harvey is the first artist I start with tonight. Whats a bummer about burned cd’s is that I have label and sift through each song to figure out which track is which. The good thing is that burned cds is a warm exchange of music from one friend to another. While I’m busy organising cd’s, I am going to take my film producers notes and write them into my google sky drive where I can re-read all my notes-CAUSE THEY ARE INVALUABLE. I took a film producers class and it was more useful than I initially gave it credit for.

I just tried printing my tax info from all my student loans but the printer isn’t seeing it my way tonight. I’ve got error 5200 which who knows what that means except by the words of the almight internet forums, they just suggest unplugging everything and taking apart my ink cartridge.

 

I got everything from Heart to Sade to Bjork to burn into itunes tonight. Looks like it’s girly collection but in all honesty, I don’t have that many female artists to listen to. I was  just having a converstation today about vinyl and how much I wish wish wish I could buy some records. I love playing records. How sweet it would be to find some Leonard Cohen records and play them at home. He is lyrically one the most powerful although right at this moment I’m importing Nick Cave into my itunes. He is coffee and pumpkin pie to me.  But Peter Murphy is right up there with these greats! But I maybe I’ll save Peter for another time.

On the topic of weather, it is still cold here in the midwest. My birthday is next week, and I always forget that the weather is windy, cold, and typically 40 degrees. I’m over this temperature. I have a huge soft spot for whales and they say the Sea of Cortez is pretty great place to take a gander maybe I’ll just live there.. ha well, in addition to loving mexican food, I’m sure I can’t go wrong.

 

March 28, 2012 Inside A Glowing Pumpkin

Blowing blinds, street lights sigh

Don’t let me be alone tonight

You got me wrong, but you are so right                     when

You take you away from me just like I took me away from you

Which leaves a permanent stain and scar of a mark

I want to sleep inside a glowing pumpkin

Waiting for you to come in as the blinds blow

and street lights sigh, just don’t me be alone tonight

I walk with an echo behind me

you’re not the bastard you used to be

I run with a delay in front of me

I’m not the beauty I used to be

I want to read inside a glowing pumpkin

waiting for you to come in and say hi

as the blinds blow and street lights sigh

I hate you all

March 25, 2012 I’m On Fire

One of my favorite songwriters is Joseph Arthur. Listened to a few interviews with him. He seems super down to earth and has a cool laugh. ha ha

 

Edit me, Edit you, edit me, edit you. yuh

I do have a little blue book that I’ve started writing fleeting thoughts down in like a poetry type book. It says it was made in Italy which I’m stoked about and it looks and smells royal. Unlike me of coarse. But I never really take my time to write songs. I’m very much an on the spot type artist. It’s about what I’m feeling in the moment which makes recording what I’m writing and writing what I’m recording all the more important that I do it in a quick fashion so that the place I’m coming from stays consistent. And it doesn’t have to be that complicated but I’m going for the whole write, record, and move on approach.

Right now I’m in the middle of recording “Birthday Shoes”. I really love it. It’s very pop like and so not acoustic.

I just got a cool hat at a thrift store today. Makes me look pretty alt style I guess. It was $2 bones.

I am very thankful for my talents and abilities to write music. If I didn’t have music, I would loose my brains.

I’m so tired. For some reason, Bruce Springsteens song ” I’m On Fire” came in to my head just now.

Aw, yea, thats a great song. Super.

March 23, 2012 Counting Crows-Round Here

I remember the first time I heard the song “Round Here” by the Counting Crows as being the first time I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I vote Adam Duritz as being one of the best lyricists in music today and my personal favorite. I used to fill up a notebook with words just listening to the album August and Everything After. I was a teenager then and his passion still gives me goose bumps.
Amazing performance on one of my favorite songs, Round Here.

March 3, 2012 114 Shortcuts to Songwriting for Film and TV

I finally finished the book, Shortcuts to songwriting and Film and tv. Well, I must say I was not too impressed with this book as I was thinking it was going to be a big help in providing some clues or insight how to get your music into the hands of the big boys but it turns out that out of 114 shortcuts ( which are not really shortcuts as much as they are suggested ways or advice how to write hit songs) I only took with me about 12 shortcuts.

If you already are a songwriter and have been doing it for a while, this book on many levels will seem very redundant because it explains how to write a good song that the industry wants you to create. Because Robin Frederick, the author, already has written a book previous to this one called 126 Shortcuts for Hit Songwriting, I would have liked it much better if it stuck more on organizing song material to get it the top of the list. Robin covered this topic which for anyone on any level this was great advice.

It was also a relief that a songwriter working towards film and televison doesn’t need to master the songs but only produce a great quality song that is ready to go- broadcast quality. Also; the tip that you should always write a instrumental version in addition to the song with vocals on it was important to know. Often times, the music editor of a tv show or film will want to the option to work with the song in addition to just the instrumental version.

I was very eager to get to the part she would talk about how and where to submit your music. This was near to the end, so the end was kinda a let down because even though she suggested a few DIY agencies or web-sites to obtaining music supervisors contact info, I found out that it was all for a fee. And not a small fee. Everything costs money! A lot of money. So, if you are gonna use TAXI but you also want to DIY still expect to shell out some money. I think perhaps IMBD is good way to find contact info ($30-$35?) and to get a list of music supervisors or a Hollywood Music Industry contacts book costs about $65. It’s always worth a try. I also think Crucial Music looks to be a good way to get your foot in the door. However, they want you submit some material and they may or may not accept your music. There’s no guarantee you can play on their field.

All in all, I stepped away from this book knowing much more than I did before. I’m thankful for it but it wasn’t a 5 star read. I would give it a 3.5.

UPDATE: Four hours later from writing this entry I looked up some back issues of the Music Connection magazine. I jotted down a few record labels but I was really searching for a feature of a film/tv music directory of music supervisors. I found one:) For free. I’m amazed.

Tags: ,

March 1, 2012 Mad Men/Ancient Aliens

I am not into watching tv shows or a series but I’ve become addicted to Mad Men. And I don’t know what it is but I can sit and watch 3 to 4 episodes at once. I don’t recommend watching this show if you want to quit smoking or drinking as it seem every 30 seconds someone lights up a cig or is pouring of glass of scotch.
I really love the story lines and there isJon Hamm. Hottie. I really like Peggy’s character. I think I was like her in a lot of way when I was younger. I think what I like about this show is that it really portrays a lot of social injustices and the glamour of the 60′s. Something that I never experienced. But even if you were from that period of time, you would be all the more obsessed with this show.

Also: I really like the show Ancient Aliens although some stuff is a bit reaching but I would love to believe that we are an extension of ancient aliens. Graham Hancock seems pretty brilliant and I probably wouldn’t mind listening to him talk for a couple hours straight over coffee.
All in all I feel ill with the lack of social interaction I have and overload of Madmen episodes. Cheers!

Tags:

February 18, 2012 This February Month

I sped my way through the book “The ultimate four week detox plan”. Pretty good book considering the author was up to snuff about facts and kept it interesting. In this detox plan, I wouldn’t have to starve which is great. The plan consists of eating fresh salads and fruit everyday. Not a problem. But it gets a little hairy when she introduces a few herb tea drinks. These tea drinks have at least three other hard to find (even in Chicago) herbs as ingredients. So, I opted to not to stress myself out trying to find and pay for the herbs even though it’s part of the plan to optimally clean thy system. However I did buy dandelion root and pure cranberry juice. Cranberry juice is very tough for me and I think most people to drink. So, I added a bit of Stevia which is not my thing either but oh well.

The author says to exercise everyday to get the lymphatic system moving and to aid in the release of stored toxic components. For me exercising is key because if I don’t I feel depressed and tired. Also, since my passions and hobbies are ones where I must sit to do them…. I really have to find time to exercise.

One of the other aspect of this book that costs a bit of money is switching detergents and most store bought soaps to all natural or nothing at all type of approach. This means using natural soaps in the following area’s: deodorant, toothpaste, shower soap, shampoo and conditioner, laundry detergent, and dish washing soap.

The author also insists that I need to not use make up since it contains high levels of contaminants  and no lotion which also contains perfumes,dyes and the like. And no hair dying! ouch.  ha ha Actually, I have not dyed my hair in about 4 months which is truly a record for me and I plan to just go natural for the long haul.

I have managed to successfully turn over the toxic soap leaf part of this detox and since I’m in deep fascination and wonder over the ingredients that are left out on Tide and/or Palmolive and Dawn store bought soap, I’m pretty sure I’ll be refraining from buying that crap.

So we bought Bronners liquid soap! Peppermint scent. It’s all natural and rocks. I must say I was wondering how clean Bronners soap was really going to get my dishes. It is pretty amazing. I dilute it  with  some vinegar and water. Then added a few drops of Lemon essential oil which was recommended but not really needed. It smells good and I feel like a hippie/naturalist when I’m washing dishes.

My grandpa Haskell passed away the first week I even tried to do this plan-2/8/2012 RIP. So, that put a halt on my detox plan and not because I started eating ice cream at 1am but because I had to drive up to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for the funeral. And anyone knows that if you are on a road trip anywhere it is very hard to eat right.

So yea. My grandpa Haskell is gone. He was 81. Seems like every year around the winter months someone in the family is passing over. Grandpa Haskell is not someone I knew much at all especially since I just met my dad Robert Haskell when I was 25 for the first time. I hope to learn more about Grandpa Haskell as the years go on.

In music news, I’ve just written three new songs. One of which I’m recording. I’m really enjoying the process but it takes so much time to record. Even if you are half way picky. Having at the most 4 hours per day to record is not nearly enough. But I love the recording process. It’s highly involved and complex and you can be so creative. At least at one moment you are thinking what you are doing is awful and not good enough and/or something is squeaking in the background and the next hour you are thinking whoa the track sounds great and now if I could just get the next track to sound that way. It’s not a wonder to me that 80 hours a day are spent in the recording studio.

January 13, 2012 Map History Of Religions

I’m always looking for a brief overview and understanding of history. This map happens to be a video map of religions sweeping across the world as they did. Although I’m not sure I agree with the general idea that all of the America’s is or was predominantly Christian. Mexico was pretty much tribal there for a long time and thus was South America. And let us not forget about the Native American Indians had a greatly established a belief system many years before English settlers came around with Christian values. I begin to see towards the end of this map that Christianity was thought to have gained ground… which sure I guess…. which if we are generalizing and leaving out  a lot of information, we can agree to that. However, I hope  we don’t ever forget the horror and torture that had to be done to change and/or erase the indigenous belief systems so that everyone would  come to know not only God but white Jesus.
History of Religion-Link

Tags:

January 3, 2012 Crumble Song-Songs In Retrospect

Recording this song was probably my last one I recorded. Wait, I take that back. But nonetheless, this song is one that I recorded while writing on the spot.I remember sitting on my bed waiting for winter to end, watching the white snow turn to brown slush in winter of 2009. In any case, sitting on my bed to record rules- my most favorite way to record.  So many studios look so artistic and try to create a welcoming or inspiring environment but if they put in a small bed in one of the rooms along side some candles. Now, that’s creating an atmosphere. Although, probably not for everyone or every band. But the singer songwriter types enjoy sweaters, coffee, and acoustic with pen and paper on the bed.

I really like the honesty in this one. Mood wise and lyrically speaking.

Tags:

January 3, 2012 A Midnight Blog

Tossing in turning in bed tonight.  It’s midnight so it is now that I begin my day.

I have not recorded my own songs or written a new one in probably two years. I have the “burn out “syndrome. Which can mean just about anything but for me it means that  I was sick of what I was writing.  I might have been going through a mid life crisis musically. Although, getting married and having a kid may have added to my slow moving process.

Well, I’m over my stumble. The last few weeks I’ve been picking my guitar up again. Which feels like revisiting my old self. That is good thing…. cause gosh darn it, I wrote some good tunes. I guess most importantly, I like my old self again.

One of the most exciting things to look forward to is recording songs. Because I have not written new material in a almost two years I am hoping to jump into new territory. I want to start with drums and maybe even bass too to create a thick moving sound rather than me with an acoustic guitar.

But I face a small challenge. Learning another flipping program. It seems like I’m always learning new programs… like Cinema 4d and Illustrator. Well, I used to sorta know Pro Tools which is standard however all we have here at the home to work with is Logic. So, I need to learn the basics of Logic. But all in all.. I would like to shoot for a 3 month venture of recording 7 songs.

I’m pretty certain if I don’t do this, I will loose myself forever.

Tags:

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.