Here we go... Right, I have no problem writing a tune, just get your head down and get on with it, sorted. At most it'll take me a week to get the ideas fleshed out and in a workable order, it can be difficult at times but overall it's not a problem. What is a problem, is the big stuff. That vast opus of epic proportions that's so easy to visualise, but my interest in the writing process is so fleeting it seems to never get anywhere, then a new project or deadline comes along so that takes precedence, and we're back to square one. At this point I'm about 4 months into a project and still only about 1/3 of the way done, the hardest part probably being deciding on an overall style, without narrowing my boundaries too much. (should be outside compatible as well as being obviously 'me') The actual sound design isn't a struggle when it comes to it, more the philosophical implications of actually making a firm decision on aesthetic. So, what do you find helps you keep on track with the bigger projects?
Getting easier for after deciding to 'ditch' overall style - my tracks still work together because unavoidably they have my fingerprint on them. That and telling a story between tracks. Otherwise, its exactly what you are doing, but on a bigger scale. Preparation is the key. Also, not everyone is good at 'epic' and not everyone is good at 'miniature' - with the (notable) exception of the requiem Faure's masterpieces are all titchy 3 minute jobs. Play to your strengths.
The sheer hope that one solitary person enters the same headspace from listening to a track, as I did in the writing of a track.
See I find it's a very different thing writing a single, EP, album or set, with the latter being hardest to get into the right mindframe. Maybe I'm just placing too much importance on it and that's standing in the way, but the fact is that all the prep work - and there's a lot - is so fucking boring. I've gone past the 'this is amazing and new' stage a few times now, and much like with a new child, finding that the most part is shitty nappies. Unfortunately the rigidity of the style is one of the key factors to it working at all as an overall project, otherwise I'd ditch the pretense in a blink. Collabs are all good for injecting some fun when needed, and I will eventually have to pass this out for the bits I can't do myself, but until then I'm not quite ready to hand my baby over to a stranger, nappies or no.
I agree that if you start a track yourself, you normally have to finish it yourself - not always, but as you said, it's hard handing over something that already has a definite vibe and story in your head, over to someone else who may not share your vision. But if you start a track with someone else, you get to share that vision from the start, and you can keep each other in line. Mainly on-topic - this is a fantastic video around this subject.
good watch thanks for posting, but if all songs were made in 1 day or 1 session there wouldnt be half as much intricate music around.
I can't watch - stealing my neighbour's wifi, at the princely rate of about 30kbps. I do like that feller's leather gloves and hat though, raised slightly by a La Roux quiff no doubt.
His music and clothes (especially the gloves and hat) are horrible But his ideas and his talk are great!
