Robot Cousin Soundworks

Just finished my first track (which will actually be track 3) of my RPM Challenge 2010 album. I have a name for the album, but I’m not putting that out until the artwork is all done. Yeah, I’m going all the way.

Anyway, I’ve already gotten farther than I did last year, and I don’t plan on stopping. I have a few other half-finished tracks on the go, hopefully will be uploading them within the week. Also, this track, along with any other RPM tracks, will not appear in the flash player below until they’re all done, or when February ends. So for now, here you go;

Element Zero

Working at a webhosting company (like I am currently doing) you get to talk to a lot of interesting people. Not the least of which is Mr Charles Martinet.

Not sure who he is?

Mr Martinet is a voice actor, perhaps one of the most famous ones. This is because he is the voice of Mario. Yes, THAT Mario. And I just talked to him. Helped him with gaining access to his FTP. And then a transferred him to billing.

Before I did that, however, I told him how much of a fan I am of his work. He said, and I’ll try to quote it directly…

Oh, thank you! That’s so sweet! I appreciate that. (Now in Mario voice): Thank you very much!!

Site update 50% done. Actually, all I really did was change the background image (still not happy with it, but perhaps I’ll change it yet) and the header image. Anyway, at least it’s all blue now. Might work out the grey on the page as well.

In music-news, work began on my RPM album last night. I put down the basics of the first track. I know it’s going to be the first track because it’s precisely how I want to open the whole thing. A sonic kick in the face to let you know “You’re Here Now.” Hmm.. maybe I’ll call it that.

Work continues on the musical. Getting a really good, gradiose chord progression, but I won’t say yet what it is. It’s got to be something that sounds grand, something that causes people to immediately take notice. It also has to kick you in the face, sonically.

So much violence, next to no silence.

With the RPM album (that’s already got a title!), I’m finding it a bit tought to make music for myself. Does it sound good to me? Does it really, really matter this time? Sort of yes to both. All I know is, good or bad, I’m going to release this by March 1st. Well, I’ll be putting it online for my site probably the same time it goes up on rpmchallenge.com, so you can decide where you want to listen to it (or if you want to listen to it at all).

I wish I had more to add, but I don’t.

February is going to be a busy month. People reading this can look forward to the following:

• New Site Layout – Not too radically different than what’s already here, but as mentioned previously, you’ll have to update your bookmarks (unless subscribing via RSS, which you should be) to go to www.robotcousin.com/blog. Also, a colour change is happening. Apparently, orange is the colour of unpredictability and being unstable. As much as I would like to say that I’m going to model it after the music I want to make, for visitors, it doesn’t seem that welcoming.
• More music – RPM Challenge 2010 is soon underway (and if you’re not making music for it, at least check out the page to see what’s what. Root for me or something), and I’ll be posting a bit of music on here at first, I think. A little way to keep myself motivated. When it’s all said and done, I’ll take whatever half-finished idea I posted and exchange it for the ‘real-deal’, so there won’t be two versions of tracks floating around.
• Some Third Thing I Can’t Remember.
• Updated clips for the demo reel – I did music and sound for Manic Chiropractic, why not put a clip up? Why am I asking you?

Out.

Soon enough, this blog will be located a short e-distance away at www.robotcousin.com/blog (which, depending on how old this post is to you, might be the URL you’re at right now). I’ve decided that if I want this site to look more professional, perhaps the blog shouldn’t be the first thing that hits you in the face when you visit the site. In a way, it’s sort of roundabout to find the demo reel (it’s a link at the top, btw), and it’s not even formatted well when you get there.

I believe it’s high time for me to do some photoshoppery and slicing to get a nice splash page there with a link to the blog, as well as a new demo reel page, and whatnot.

Time to get serious about all this now.

There are always things I want to learn. Sometimes, I find it really tough, other times I find it not challenging enough, but I always want to learn new things, especially if it expands on something I already basically know. I’m going to try and set some goals for myself this year, in reference to me learning new things. For example, this year I want to learn the following (or at least make an attempt)

• 1- Modes (Lydian, Phrygian, etc) – I know what they’re for, but having them memorized would really help. Maybe that doesn’t count in “learning” them, as all it is to me at this point would be pattern recognition, rather than the understanding I already have/had of them, but I want to learn/memorize them nonetheless.
• 2- All of my synths – I know how synths work, so when someone says to increase the attack time on the envelope generator, I know where to go. That’s not enough, though. If you take a synth like the ImpOscar or especially the Minimonstah, even though you know the functionality of each control on its own, I could really use to get to know my synths, as it can only help me get where I want to go faster. See also: quadraSID… that one’s currently a bit of a mystery.
• 3- Flash Scripting (edit – found a good resource!) – quite a change from the musical goals above, but I believe having a basic-to-good understanding on how to actually get something done in Flash would really benefit not only this site, but perhaps any program I may think of making in the future… which brings me to…
• 4- Programming/C++ – This was a goal for last year as well, and I’ve checked out a lot of resources I’ve been given, and this is something I could definitely grasp. Alongside this, I would love to get to the point of making an iPhone app or game.

So, as of right now, that’s what I want to fill my brain up with this coming year. Easier said than done, but I have a number of books on a few of the topics listed above, so at least I could take some of it in while being stuck at work.

So, people out there reading… is there anything you’d like to learn in the near future?

It’s out, it’s official; Project R has been announced. Check it out here.

The real name for it is “Bail-out! A Recessionary Rock Opera”. It’s a collaboration between myself, Chris Fulton, and Josh Linton, my friends from Fetal Films. I’ve worked with these two with both “Gamer’s Manifesto”, and more recently “Manic Chiropractic”.

I’m not going to give too much away, but I can say this: It’s going to be a short musical (it IS based on volunteer work through the NB Film Co-op, after all), and it will also be the first musical done through the co-op. It centers around one man’s plight with downsizing at his previously-well-paying job, all done through song! We’re planning on having about 5 songs in it, each about 3-4 minutes long, and I’ve already begun to write the music for it (rough demos, nothing polished yet. Drums aren’t timed up, nothing mixed, it’s all too loud, no vocals, it’s like everything is sonic drywall right now. Just the chords, and the melody-thus-far.) The lyrics are pretty much done, although up for tweaking if necessary

From the NB Film Co-op E-News…

Fetal Films and Robot Cousin Soundworks team up to rock the Recession in 2010!

The Great Recession of ‘08 calls up many colourful images; ashen, grey-suited hedge-fund managers fleeing AIG and Lehman Brothers like so many rats from a sinking ship; Red-faced right-wingers shouting “socialist!” in the faces of those who dared question the virtues of unbridled free-market capitalism; And of course, the sparkling, shiny bail-out greenbacks supposed to make it all just go away.

With such a rainbow-palette to draw from, Fetal Films (Photo of Chris Fulton to left by Jeff Crawford) (Chris Fulton and Josh Linton) and Robot Cousin Soundworks (Jordan Roherty) thought: “hey, why not set this hot mess to music?” And so a rock opera was borne…

“Bail-out! A Recessionary Rock Opera” – a unique musical film project in the history of NB indy film…

Fetal Films’ past work – the Silver Wave Best NB Comedy Award-winning films “Gamers’ Manifesto” and “Manic Chiropractic” – were films of modest ambition; few sets, a small crew, no pricey film-stock – films about slackers produced by slackers. So, to help them pull off the garish spectacle that is the modern musical, Fulton (Writer/Director/Co-producer), Linton (Lead Actor/Co-producer) and Roherty (Composer/Co-producer) are calling on some of the usual suspects to lend them a hand. From Moncton, Danny Thebeau on Camera, from Fredericton, Jen Chiasson rocking the Editing Suite, with other frequent collaborators having their numbers called soon. In addition to the familiar, Fulton and Linton will be rounding out the group with song and dance professionals, including a much-needed choreographer to harness and channel Linton’s raw, natural rhythm into a mainstream dance-style.

The Fetal Film folks are trying (Josh Linton to right) to bring something unique to the NB indy film scene, but will need support from the NB film community at large – we hope to feed off of your enthusiasm to push us through the process and hold us accountable to you, the NB film fans.

Regular updates will be posted on the e-news feed. Will be holding auditions in the months to come, so look for alerts in the e-news and on Facebook.

Anyone interested in dropping a line of encouragement, or for more info, you can reach Chris and Josh of Fetal Films at: recessionrockopera@gmail.com

Thanks!
Chris, on behalf of Josh and Jordan.

Winning films “Gamers’ Manifesto” and “Manic Chiropractic” - were films of modest ambition; few sets, a small crew, no pricey film-stock – films about slackers produced by slackers.  So, to help them pull off the garish spectacle that is the modern musical, Fulton (Writer/Director/Co-producer), Linton (Lead Actor/Co-producer) and Roherty (Composer/Co-producer) are calling on some of the usual suspects to lend them a hand.  From Moncton, Danny Thebeau on Camera, from Fredericton, Jen Chiasson rocking the Editing Suite, with other frequent collaborators having their numbers called soon.  In addition to the familiar, Fulton and Linton will be rounding out the group with song and dance professionals, including a much-needed choreographer to harness and channel Linton’s raw, natural rhythm into a mainstream dance-style.

The Fetal Film folks are trying to bring something unique to the NB indie film scene, but will need support from the NB film community at large – we hope to feed off of your enthusiasm to push us through the process and hold us accountable to you, the NB film fans.

Regular updates will be posted on the e-news feed.  Will be holding auditions in the months to come, so look for alerts in the e-news and on Facebook.

Anyone interested in dropping a line of encouragement, or for more info, you can reach Chris and Josh of Fetal Films at: recessionrockopera@gmail.com.

Introducing… the “Eigenharp”

From the official site…

A professional level instrument which allows the musician to play and improvise using a limitless range of sounds with virtuoso skill. The unique design of the keys makes this the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made. The Alpha can play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while the musician is performing live on stage.

I believe this will run an interested musician approx $4,000 U.S. thus making it the most expensive electronic instrument currently on the market. However, there’s also a smaller, cheaper version called the “Pico” that doesn’t include so many options.

And here’s an excellent BBC article with a video of someone showing the reporter how to use it, and also it being used in the context of a band

Bonus video: Pico performance!

There’s a certain website centered around a certain phrase and a certain three-letter abbreviation that I absolutely cannot stand. Now, for anyone who doesn’t know me, there are a lot of words and sayings that I can’t take whatsoever, but this is not because of any sort of semantical or overused reason. I hate this abbreviation and the idea behind it because it exists in the first place.

I’m not going to say what it is. I don’t want to give it any more direct attention, as I firmly believe it does not deserve even a shred of anyone’s time, yet there are hundreds, thousands of people who love using it, and think they’re, I don’t know, funny, or interesting, or whatever because they use it.

The idea behind it is that it’s used when one believes that whatever situation they’re currently in is absolutely horrible, the worst possible. They use it to show displeasure in how their life is happening, as if it couldn’t possibly get worse than how it is at that moment. But what’s actually more horrible about it is that it’s become a part of everyday usage for some people. They just casually throw it around, maybe to get a laugh, maybe to get a rise out of someone. As far as I can tell, the phrase/abbreviation is the most popular in North America.

Let me tell you something; you don’t have it bad. You don’t have to dig through rubble to find your loved ones. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll be killed by a suicide bomber on your way to get food for your family. Further more, you probably don’t even have to worry about not having enough food for your family.

Dinged your car? Missed a payment on a credit card? Ok, are you still alright? Still breathing? Be thankful, perhaps for more than 1 day a year when everyone says you should be. I sincerely do not wish anything bad upon anyone at all, ever, but it’s tough for some people to find perspective until they REALLY get into trouble, and that’s sad. You shouldn’t have to have a loved one go through something horrible for you to appreciate life, just appreciate it right now. Anyone who doesn’t is a fool.

And Fools Must Learn to appreciate rather than complain.

RPM Challenge 2010 is a go! Sign up here. Don’t know what I’m on about?

From the site…

This is The Challenge - Record an album in 28 days, just because you can.That’s 10 songs or 35 minutes of original material recorded during the month of February. Go ahead… put it to tape.

It’s a little like National Novel Writing Month, (NaNoWriMo.org) where writers challenge each other to write 1,700 words a day for 30 days, or the great folks over at February Album Writing Month (fawm.org), who encourage artists to write 14 new songs in February. Maybe they don’t have “Grapes of Wrath” or “Abbey Road” at the end of the month, or maybe they do—but that’s not the point. The point is they get busy and stop waiting around for the muse to appear. Get the gears moving. Do something. You can’t write 1,700 words a day and not get better.

Don’t wait for inspiration – taking action puts you in a position to get inspired. You’ll stumble across ideas you would have never come up with otherwise, and maybe only because you were trying to meet a day’s quota of (song)writing. Show up and get something done, and invest in yourself and each other.

Anyone can come up with an excuse to say “no,” so don’t. Many of you are thinking “But, I can’t do that! I don’t have any songs/recording gear/money/blah blah blah…” But this doesn’t have to be the album, it’s just an album. Remember, this is an artistic exercise. Just do your best using what you have in order to get it done. If you have a four-track, become a four-track badass! A mini disc, a pro-tools rig, a Walkman, an 80’s tape recorder – use it. Do your best. Use the limitations of time and gear as an opportunity to explore things you might not try otherwise. If you can afford studio time in a “real” studio, fine, but let’s be completely free of any lingering idea that “good” records can only be made in a studio. If that were so, then all the old scratchy blues records or Alan Lomax field recordings that have changed our culture – the world’s culture – wouldn’t still resonate with us today as they do. Springsteen’s haunting classic “Nebraska” was a demo he did at home on a crappy machine. That album is fricking awesome. What label would put those recordings out now? (See: who cares) There are a million examples of this kind of stuff, but the fact will always be: Well written, honest music is compelling and undeniable no matter what it was recorded on. So put it to tape.

February will come and go whether you’ve joined in or not, but do you really want to be left out?

So there you have it. I feel like crap because of last year’s “one song” entry, so I’ll be sure and AT LEAST get farther this time around. All tracks will be posted here as well, denoted as being part of the RPM Challenge.

For all music makers out there, sign up! What have you got to lose?

Three things:

1. Project R is back on! I know that no one else here thought it was off, and it technically wasn’t, but it was a while since I was able to get any work done on it. That stops this weekend, when I once again turn the internet off, turn Amplitube up to 11, and let it all flow.

2. This morning, I drove behind a guy whose license plate was “DSHITUP”. What do you think it meant? I’m thinking either “Do Shit Up” (maybe Dig?) or “Dish it up”. If it’s the latter, wow. Did you even look at what you were paying $100 for?

3. I just realized that I work with a guy who looks almost exactly like Arthur from Degrassi Junior/High. For anyone who needs a refresher…

I think I should definitely watch the old series again. Best DVD box set ever!

I, like many other people, don’t really like New Years resolutions. Some empty promise you make to yourself that, within about 2 weeks, you usually forget or lose interest in. Lose weight, read more, etc, etc, etc.

And yet, here I am, thinking about making one. But not only to I want to be resolute for just the new year, but from this point forward.

I find myself not reaching my full potential, and I definitely see room for improvement with my music, but more so, I see room for improvement with my attitude towards my work. I am far too critical on myself, and therefore I end up with many, many half-finished ideas that are still sitting on my hard drive, collecting digital dust.

What to do, what to do. Get motivated, that’s what! First off, I’ve noticed that if my work area is a mess, my brain is a mess. Guess what kind of state my work area has been in for the last little while?

Yeah.

Secondly, I feel like I have to rekindle that love I know I still have for discovering new musical ideas, and working on new projects. There are a few projects that are currently on the go, and I’m happy to have them, but I don’t feel that they’re 100% mine to play with. Don’t get me wrong, I have much respect and trust in the ideas and plans of the people that I’ll be doing them with, and wouldn’t want it any other way, but there still needs to be a little section of my work where I have total control, no matter what. A little artistic endeavor that I’ve had in my head for quite a while that includes better versions of a few tracks I’ve already posted here. There are a bunch that I’m not showing off until the album is actually done. I WANT to show them off, but it acts as a bit of a motivator, having to guard them close until they’re all ready.

That brings me to February. RPM 2010 is coming up, and I am very excited! A few people over at www.logicprohelp.com will hopefully be joining in. I have promised myself to get more done than I did last year (one track, “Acquaintances”), and that one I didn’t actually finish (drums are off, and it’s missing a few change-ups.)

Back to the motivation I was referring to, the Beatles are, of course, becoming a large part of that. My music will never sound like theirs, and I’m not about to put myself anywhere near the pedestal that they so rightfully deserve to be on, but who can’t be inspired by them? I don’t own any of their albums, and growing up, my dad only had “the hits”, but recently (as in the past 3 years), Krista has been introducing me to a lot of their full album work, and they’ve been playing almost constantly now that we have The Beatles: Rock Band. Yes, it took buying a video game that uses plastic instruments for me to finally hear all of Abbey Road. Sad, I know.

I’m not going to go on and on about what I find inspiring, because everyone has either already been inspired in one way or another,  or they’ve heard about people being inspired. The bottom line is, I feel like once I get some cleaning done, the sounds will follow.

They’re all there, they just can’t seem to find a way out amidst all the clutter.

The holidays have just passed, and with them they have brought many nice things for me, and hopefully for all of you out there reading this. Two things of note:

• ARTcessories Zdirect Di Box! Haven’t tested it out yet, but I will be soon.
• “Sometimes I Rhyme” by Curtis Carey of The Curtis and Tara Show.

“Sometimes I Rhyme” was a wonderful surprise and a fantastic gift. From the rhyming stories about a jungle gym with an appetite, to breasts, shortcut keys for Adobe Flash, and even Jesus vs Buddha, this book of absurd and awesome poems should probably be on your list of neat gifts to give people who appreciate neat gifts. I’ve already decided that I’ll be picking it up for someone who I previously couldn’t think of anything to get.

Also, if you’re not listening to their podcast, you obviously hate fun. See below:

All this time, recording the electric guitar signal straight into my Firewire Solo’s line input. Never using a DI box.

What was I thinking?! I’ll be picking up a passive one in the next little while. Gah, it’s like I learned nothing in my course.

EDIT (5 minutes later): Ok, weird… if you do a Google search for Firewire Solo DI Box, this post shows up on the first page. Man, those guys/that algorithm works fast!