As I progress towards the post-demo phase of my album project, I’ve been contemplating the next steps. I’ve also been reading Elvis Costello’s memoir and have been thinking a lot about lyrics.
I’ve always been a music 1st kinda guy when it comes to listening, with the lyrics “sinking in” or coming into the light” much later (or perhaps never at all). I feel like I’m missing some great stuff because I haven’t put in the time to appreciate the “greats” (e.g. Bob Dylan). Even with Elvis Costello, while I can appreciate his clever turns of phrase and biting wit on some tracks, others get lost on me. Some lyrics he cites as compelling in his book, I just don’t “get.” Perhaps it would help if I studied poetry. Or maybe I just need to dissect and think about the lyrics in question with a more keen focus.
It’s generally reversed when it comes to songwriting. I get a lyrical idea and hear how it should “sound” – then try to match my inner composition. I probably try to be too clever, but I enjoy that – playing with words and phrases to get multiple meanings out of them. As I move forward I look to scrub, rearrange and improve the lyrical content of my songs.

Another thing with which I need to approach with seriousness is practice – not to say that I don’t plan to have fun. I’ve even been thinking about video streaming “Pajama, Practice Sessions” – we’ll see.

I also need to upgrade my software from Ableton’s Live Lite to the full version and put some new strings on the acoustic guitar.

I have also thought about the approach to recording the album versions of the tracks. My instinct is to get down the rhythm track (bass & drums – or midi equivalents), then proceed. With the lite version of my DAW, the “recording” of midi elements after some analog has been added to the song project has been problematic. Perhaps the full version will alleviate the issue.

-Hit Record Bejzak