First recording in almost a year...

[MadelynIris]

And it comes on New Year's Eve! Ha!

Well I've been wanting to clean out the studio, clean off the hard drive, reset everything up and record some with this nice new Martin electric acoustic that I got for Christmas.

And guess what, I actually did it! I actually sat down for 4 hours today and recorded a new song! YAY! YAY! It's far from perfect but I can't tell you how great if feels to do this again!!!!

Now, since you are such a forgiving and understanding group, I thought I'd share it with you for the sheer JOY of making and recording music again. It's far from perfect, but it's really the first take of something that might turn into a song.

No vocals or bass yet. *I loaned the bass to a friend and Carrie was busy making hot wings for tonight!*

Many of you know that I have a tendency to do a lot of Edgy kind of things from such a heavy influence over the past 15 years.
How much influence did ATYCLB have on this song?

But it's something! YAY!

Download here:
http://www.aeroplanner.com/temp/tbd.mp3

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Mark www.mp3.com/madelyniris

 

[DebbieSG]

Just heard it...VERY NICE!

I'm hearing a little Unforgettable Fire maybe, a little Walk On

I like the melody, drums are beautiful too.

Got any lyrics for it?

 

[Bonochick]

I'm downloading now...I'll give it a listen in a sec!

------------------
"I don't know you,
But you don't know the half of it..."

 

[Bonochick]

I like it!

------------------
"I don't know you,
But you don't know the half of it..."

 

[ACROB@T]

MadelynIris, really addictive peice..I love the breakaways 1.06, and 2.22..when your lead comes in..really flows smoothly between each and I love the gentle pull offs towards the end...hope you don't mind me making a small suggestion, around the 2.22 breakaway when you lead comes in..what does it sound like louder? it sounds really nice but I'm just intrigued what it would sound like more upfront, ahead of the main riff..sorry..I hate making suggestions on other peoples work but I assume you wanted this kind of feedback too?

[This message has been edited by ACROB@T (edited 12-31-2001).]

 

[MadelynIris]

Thanks guys!

Yep Acrobat, that's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I'll play with a song like this for months, developing lyrics, trying different guitar parts, before we even try vocals.

The song might not ever make it to vocals. But I hope this one will.

I usually have about 10 people listen to songs in different stages and get their feedback. Many times, little suggestions add up to big ones, and change the direction of songs. Thanks sooo much.

I hope to have a new record by late spring, early summer.

Mark
http://www.mp3.com/madelyniris

 

[sulawesigirl4]

oh blah, I can't d/l the file from home. I shall try to get it tomorrow at work, Mark. Looking forward to hearing it.

p.s. for all you people who haven't checked it out...MadelynIris does some great music. Go listen!

-sula

 

[popkidu2]

It think it's great. I'm curious about the drums, is that you playing drums or a drum track?

 

[bullet the blue sky]

I thought I'd downloaded Stay when it first started

* Not sure how you want the song to go, but if it's gonna be a loud song, I suggest a fulsome bass figure, meaning one with a lot of notes in it to cover the spaces. More notes the longer the song progresses
* Solo needs to be louder
* Major power chord/rhythm guitar situation needed in the last two minutes. Assuming you are seeking a loud song
* It sounds like it needs a spoken word part towards the end. Please don't ask me why. It just sounds like it would be nice
* Maybe a piano over the second solo and towards end too
* Oh and some subtle, sparse strings in the middle eight

I'm not asking for much! Of course, that's just how I hear the song. I haven't explained it very well, but I'm trying to convey what I hear in my head.

Have you got any lyrics for it yet? Sounds ideal for one of those not-senitmental-but-instead-thought-provoking love found/love lost/love forever things.

Then again, you could just write about a citrus fruit

 

[popkidu2]

I forgot something.

Mark, you use mp3.com right? I started a thread in lemonade stand w/ some questions...maybe you could help me out...

Here's the link: http://forum.interference.com/u2feedback/Forum12/HTML/001272.html

 

[MadelynIris]

bullet the blue sky and everyone else,

Very good suggestions. I made another take, turned up the lead, but decided that this is really just a placeholder for the lead. I'll record a better one (with a different sound and perhaps a little higher on the neck) later. Also probably place the lead near the end with jam session as you suggested also.

I have started on some tentative lyrics. I'm sure these with change with time too. I'm winding up with some long held words which can be cool if you and really get into them (e.g. Kite), but I'm not sure they are right for this song. Will keep working.

*********
It all adds up after time
Throw in your nickels - throw in your dimes
But on the way, you stop at the casino.
You ask yourself, is this what dreams are made of?

I'm thinking of that diamond ring
and what life together should have been.
But you buried your heart, in a box under the stars
All you bragged about was how you've come so far.

Chorus
But I cannot boast of anyone or anything.
All pride in this world is lost, so lost.
And I will not boast of what I am, or what I have.
I can only boast in the cross.

If you give it up, you'll get it back
If you tear it down, we'll rebuild it
If your heart stops now, I promise you heaven
If you don't look back, you'll see what dreams are made of.

2nd Chorus
It's all you can do, to take the time, to take the blame
down to the river for a swim

It's all he can do, to take the water and the shame, and take it to the ocean for you.

Chorus again.
******

popkidU2,

The answers to your questions:

1. How do you copyright your music?

The music is essentially copyrighted after you make it. The problem is proving that it's copyrighted. The best way to do this is to apply for a copyright with the government. There is a form you can download. You send it in with your fee and a copy of the recording. It's $20 per song. I've only done it with a couple of our songs (the one's that people have licensed for other uses, like for movies, or multimedia). It's also important that if someone does want to use your song that you be registered with a an organization like ASCAP or BMI to track royalties.

2. How does mp3.com work? Do you charge for downloads, or is it a free service to people who want to access your music? What about their cd creation program? Is it good, does it cost anything?

No, you don't charge for downloads. You have the option to put music up in different ways, for download, streaming only, low-fi, or on CD only, etc... We subscribe to the premium artist service for $20 per month, but I don't think we'll do it much longer. MP3.com used to pay good for downloads, and we could make several hundred dollars per month on downloads. Now it's like .5 cents per download or something ridiculous like that. We've made about 10k total from MP3.com over the past 3 years, but I don't see it getting much bigger. We made 5x as much off of their IPO! HA!

3. What about control of your music? Have you had problems of people taking your music and using it commercially (yeah, I know us small fries probably don't really have this issue, but I am curious)?

We've had several people use our music for various purposes. In about half the cases a contract was necessary. I don't even bother with indie film guys, etc... I just ask for a mention in the credits and a copy of the film.

4. Finally, is it worth it? I know it's a free service, but does it really get out your music, or is it just lost in the mix?

It's not worth paying for it. It was definetely worth it when it was totally free. If you don't pay, you won't earn any royalties for your downloads, but it's still a good deal. It's basically unlimited storage for you music, with super high bandwith for free. Can't beat it. The CD service is pretty cool too.

Send me a link to some of your songs. I'd love to hear them.

Mark http://www.mp3.com/madelyniris

 

[popkidu2]

Mark, thanks for the info. I'm in the middle of recording an album. I'm actually waiting on a new computer before I can do the final cuts. Hopefully I'll have it done in a month or so. I'll let you know when I'm done.

 

[Salome]

I think playing the lead a little higher on the neck is a good idea

maybe the drums could be used a bit more creatively (though I wouldn't really now how myself

)
I'd probably let the drums kick in a bit sooner

very nice song though

------------------
Salome
Shake it, shake it, shake it

 

[Lemonator]

Awesome!

 

[popkidu2]

Originally posted by MadelynIris:


*********
It all adds up after time
Throw in your nickels - throw in your dimes
But on the way, you stop at the casino.
You ask yourself, is this what dreams are made of?

I'm thinking of that diamond ring
and what life together should have been.
But you buried your heart, in a box under the stars
All you bragged about was how you've come so far.

Chorus
But I cannot boast of anyone or anything.
All pride in this world is lost, so lost.
And I will not boast of what I am, or what I have.
I can only boast in the cross.

If you give it up, you'll get it back
If you tear it down, we'll rebuild it
If your heart stops now, I promise you heaven
If you don't look back, you'll see what dreams are made of.

2nd Chorus
It's all you can do, to take the time, to take the blame
down to the river for a swim

It's all he can do, to take the water and the shame, and take it to the ocean for you.

Chorus again.
******

These lyrics make me think of a street performer. You know, one of the blues guys with just his guitar, playing and panning for money on the sidewalk in Vegas or something. He's been around the world half a dozen times, maybe he's some has-been famous guitarist and now he's just playing the blues on the street corner for nothing but love. I think you've got something here Mark...

 

[MadelynIris]

Popkidu2,

Thanks. I hope so. Sadly, the guitar I was recording on, a beautiful les paul, has just committed suicide. It's busted it's neck. It's happened once before, and I had it repaired, but I'm afraid it can't be prepared this time.

I was really getting those warm, soulful sounds like on ATYCLB. I'll have to break down and buy a new one eh?

Mark
http://www.mp3.com/madelyniris

 

[Deep in the Heart]

R.I.P. L.P.