Last week I started something. A project, if you will.
Many moons ago, a young band recorded an album. An EP of such epic silliness that was destined to be shunned/ignored by the public. Yes, yes, it's been done before. Many, many albums have been made that never saw the light of day, or at least were heard in the light of day. Such is the life of musicians living in Obscurity.
Yet for many musicians, the yearning to create is stronger than the need for the creation to be recognised. I've lived with this gnawing at the back of my mind for far too long. In recent times, it has been put off due to things mundane, important and frivolous — work, moving house, time spent with family, tiredness, conquering opponents, hanging with friends and oh so many other things. All good stuff but not actually scratching the creative itch.
I have been blessed to have had many opportunities to be creative in live situations over the years (not enough!) but still there remains a desire to put something to tape. Or disk. Or whatever whatsit that the cool set are recording with these days.
Here starteth the lesson
Or the project at least.
I have decided to start creating music. Just sit down and start creating. Often the process of writing/composition just gets too overwhelming (man, that's going to take ages…) and so it all gets too much. And it gets put off. And it gets shelved. And I wonder when I'm going to get time to start up again.
Another major stumbling block has been a distinct lack of decent gear. Why not use the gear I already have and deal with the shortcomings the best I can? In fact, when I thought about it, I have enough to get by.
So, with all that in mind, a project has begun.
PARTICLES
Rules (may be clarified/updated later):
- just create
- record ideas regularly
- don't let ideas go unexplored
- don't get bogged down making things perfect (yet)
- just use what I have
- involve collaborators when practical
- keep creating and being playful
When it gets to mid-2010 (current estimate), I'll survey everything I've created to that point and start sifting things and moulding everything into a collection of pieces. A whole work. An album of sorts. The working title is Particles. If I think it's good enough, I'm planning to release it to the public.
The whole thing is kinda scary, but I imagine the process will be quite cathartic. Anyway, it's actually for my benefit rather than for fame, money or other people's approval. I'm planning to write some things down during the process and may post some clips along the way.
I have no illusions that everyone will dig the music that I create, but I'm hoping that some friends will join me on the journey.