"One way to keep momentum going is to have
constantly greater goals."
Michael Korda
The second week of my YouTube project became a frenzied and ionized dash as I began to fully realize, in general, how far I could go with this project. While recording new videos, I was also developing promotional approaches, consulting friends and Google for potential covers and networking with musicians as well as audio/visual engineers for advice and collaboration.
I recorded the first three weeks on my iTouch. It worked, but my old Alienware was dying and fought constantly with the modem, its own systems, its hardware, with me, and with existence in general. Its arch nemesis, as it turned out, was YouTube.
(These stresses, and many others, had me quite cowed on the day I heard that Tom Wolfe had released a new novel. I almost cried when I looked at my ever growing "To Do!" list and made the calculations as to when I might find time to read it. I immediately shelved it on my dusty, internal "To Read?" bookcase between "Cosmicomics" by Italo Calvino and the newly discovered posthumous work of Kafka.)
(I should also explain that if I put a paragraph or sentence in parenthesis and make its letters smaller than the rest of the blog it is because I want it to be classified as off subject or as only marginally entertaining or as specialized jargon. ((i.e. music theory or literature)) The hurried, disinterested or visually impaired are, in this way, encouraged to skip these portions.;)
In addition to all these distractions and setbacks, my iTouch was taking a substantial beating. During two recording sessions, it took extensive collision damage. (Special prize for anyone who guesses which ones.) The first "event" cracked the screen while the second shattered it entirely. It still finished out another week before one of my patron saints replaced my faulty equipment with a beautiful Zoom Audio/Visual recording device and a spiffy new Mac.
Michael Korda
The second week of my YouTube project became a frenzied and ionized dash as I began to fully realize, in general, how far I could go with this project. While recording new videos, I was also developing promotional approaches, consulting friends and Google for potential covers and networking with musicians as well as audio/visual engineers for advice and collaboration.
I recorded the first three weeks on my iTouch. It worked, but my old Alienware was dying and fought constantly with the modem, its own systems, its hardware, with me, and with existence in general. Its arch nemesis, as it turned out, was YouTube.
(These stresses, and many others, had me quite cowed on the day I heard that Tom Wolfe had released a new novel. I almost cried when I looked at my ever growing "To Do!" list and made the calculations as to when I might find time to read it. I immediately shelved it on my dusty, internal "To Read?" bookcase between "Cosmicomics" by Italo Calvino and the newly discovered posthumous work of Kafka.)
(I should also explain that if I put a paragraph or sentence in parenthesis and make its letters smaller than the rest of the blog it is because I want it to be classified as off subject or as only marginally entertaining or as specialized jargon. ((i.e. music theory or literature)) The hurried, disinterested or visually impaired are, in this way, encouraged to skip these portions.;)
In addition to all these distractions and setbacks, my iTouch was taking a substantial beating. During two recording sessions, it took extensive collision damage. (Special prize for anyone who guesses which ones.) The first "event" cracked the screen while the second shattered it entirely. It still finished out another week before one of my patron saints replaced my faulty equipment with a beautiful Zoom Audio/Visual recording device and a spiffy new Mac.
The Arts need more patrons! And fewer hacks couldn't hurt.
In the meantime, on Day 11 of my newborn "iTube" project, I uploaded an original song I wrote in 20 minutes, after a moment of joy inspired by the memories I have from a time I visited Paraguay. As to what, or who, else "Paraguay" may or may not be about, is anyone's guess. In any case, I like the song and I don't say that about much that I write. Truth be told, I like fewer than 6 songs out of nearly 75 that I've written and recorded. Of those 75 songs, over 40 have disappeared under entirely suspicious circumstances. Each was last seen near a campfire.
In the meantime, on Day 11 of my newborn "iTube" project, I uploaded an original song I wrote in 20 minutes, after a moment of joy inspired by the memories I have from a time I visited Paraguay. As to what, or who, else "Paraguay" may or may not be about, is anyone's guess. In any case, I like the song and I don't say that about much that I write. Truth be told, I like fewer than 6 songs out of nearly 75 that I've written and recorded. Of those 75 songs, over 40 have disappeared under entirely suspicious circumstances. Each was last seen near a campfire.
For Day 12, I recorded a passable cover of "The
Ship Song" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds." It was one of
my favorites from the early batches. I liked the framing of the shot and the
tone represents my budding interest in the idea of musical sublimity. As these
recordings continue, this idea is becoming increasingly important to me.
Day 13
had me playing "Judy and the Dream of Horses" by Belle and
Sebastian, as I had been listening to my "Live at the BBC"
record and really warmed to that version. It was also a way of commemorating a
friend of mine who was preparing to depart on a wilderness adventure with two
newly purchased Arabian horses he trained. He is at Day 5 on the trail
as of this moment and I hope he is dressed warmly.
I had recorded Day 14 a few days prior in the
anticipation of uploading it. It was a song I found about 2 months earlier in a
forgotten songbook and took to playing as I love Carole King and feel
"Tapestry" to be one of the most soothing records I know of.
Practicing "So Far Away" brought my sister Barbara to
mind, so as her birthday was approaching I recorded it. I wasn't sure
the actual day of her birthday. I was lucky. I was reminded just in time and I was
grateful I had already produced it. Although, I must say, the weak vocal
performance does undercut it a touch, and it's a little more irksome as my
younger sister is a far better vocalist than I am.
Well, that evens us out for week 2.
I encourage you to stay tuned. While writing this, I'm amazed
how quickly this project grows even at this early stage. Guest appearances with
many talented local musicians are already being scheduled, recorded, and/or being
produced on video and edited. Contact with talented videographers made. My
critical/editorial staff is instructed to draw blood in the editing process. For every three songs I record, there are 10 songs
that you'll never see.
Catalyzed,
Ian Ste Croix
Catalyzed,
Ian Ste Croix
