Musical growth.
I go back and re-listen to my albums from time to time. I am very pleased with Self-Made Loner. . . but I see a lot of room for growth. ;] I listened to Tractor Beam (Trak-Tohr Behme) yesterday and I forgot how much I loved it.
Some pros and a cons with going to a studio to record my songs - are - I get a lot of knowledge on how to mix and record. I get some ideas that I wouldn't generate on my own - Tim (my producer) brought me a long way in terms of sounding tight (timing wise) with my delivery, he has access to better processing tools . . . .but - there are also things that I would do differently. I think he did a good job mixing the songs. I am hoping that I will be able to reach the same quality in terms of my newer songs. It should take less time to produce a track. One thing that always slowed me up is booking studio time - finding more things to fix - etc . . . .
I think that through doing all the shows that I did last year - that I got a lot stronger in my vocal ability. I did a lot of practicing for those shows. The other thing is that I spent a lot of time singing on Rock Band. My pitch/ear are getting better for singing and I am able to belt out a lot more confidently - but I still need work. ;]
I've also learned a lot about songwriting. I've been working with my friend Nikola who is a really great musician and friend. I love cross pollinating ideas with other trusted friends/musicians. I also worked with MC Lars a bit - and this guy Project Zero . . .and he gave me some ideas for writing choruses a different way. I don't want to be super poppy per se - but I've always been criticized for my hooks - and I think I need to work hardest on that.
Some pros and a cons with going to a studio to record my songs - are - I get a lot of knowledge on how to mix and record. I get some ideas that I wouldn't generate on my own - Tim (my producer) brought me a long way in terms of sounding tight (timing wise) with my delivery, he has access to better processing tools . . . .but - there are also things that I would do differently. I think he did a good job mixing the songs. I am hoping that I will be able to reach the same quality in terms of my newer songs. It should take less time to produce a track. One thing that always slowed me up is booking studio time - finding more things to fix - etc . . . .
I think that through doing all the shows that I did last year - that I got a lot stronger in my vocal ability. I did a lot of practicing for those shows. The other thing is that I spent a lot of time singing on Rock Band. My pitch/ear are getting better for singing and I am able to belt out a lot more confidently - but I still need work. ;]
I've also learned a lot about songwriting. I've been working with my friend Nikola who is a really great musician and friend. I love cross pollinating ideas with other trusted friends/musicians. I also worked with MC Lars a bit - and this guy Project Zero . . .and he gave me some ideas for writing choruses a different way. I don't want to be super poppy per se - but I've always been criticized for my hooks - and I think I need to work hardest on that.