The Eternal Question...

Sometimes I'm curious what my life would be like if I were not a musician. Would it be more or less boring? Would I be more productive in other pursuits, or just sit around and play video games all night?

The song I'm working on right now was "done" at least a month ago. Or so one would think. As a timberlake-esque pop song, it features lots of keyboard, drums, boy-band harmonies, and is just okay... (I do not attempt to compare myself to J to the T). Weeks after completing that project- i.e., a few nights ago- A few drinks in and screwing around on the bass guitar, I gave birth to a fat-ass funky bass riff! A riff so fat it needed to be recorded immediately before I forgot it!

The process is simple enough: Drum loop for tempo, hit record, lay down a fat groove. "Now that's fat!" I said.

Inspiration comes from odd sources and can vary from person to person, and even song to song. Being either lazy, uninspired, and/or drunk at the time, instead of writing new lyrics, I opened up my "Lyrics" folder and randomly chose the aforementioned timerblake-ripoff, and sang the words over the drum and bass tracks. You know- just to create a feeling for whatever this song would turn out to be.

I was about to go to bed and thought "just a quick rhythm guitar track- with some wah-wah and phaser- you know- just to get a feel for where this track is headed"... I laydown a 70's porno guitar groove and should really be getting to bed now. But noooo... There are some things you just can't do with a drum machine, so of course, gotta throw down some funky licks... "just so I don't forget what I'm aiming for"... (he said).

Now it's who-knows-what-time in the morning and I still have work tomorrow. But, let me just lay a little lead guitar in there- so I know what vocal harmonies I want to put it later when I write some real words for the song...

Hit save, rewind, and play...

WTF?! My pop song is officially a funky rock jam!? I mean, seriously- "why write new words at this point?" I thought. I mix down the rough cut and pop it onto the iPod, and finally go to bed. The next day I'm listening to it all day at work and at the gym and can't wait to get back into the studio to work on it some more, which basically means, re-record all those tracks over again, while sober (lol).

Three days later (I do have a day job, after all) and the song is finally DONE!! Embellishments, mixed, mastered, EQ'd. Perfect!

Then as I'm driving to work today, listening to my masterpiece, it hits me: "Conga drums would be sick right here!"

Which bodes the eternal question, "When is a song ever "done"?"*

Look for "You Got It Goin' On" in an upcoming release of "The Bushfinger Music Project GarageBand Show"

The Bushfinger Music Project GarageBand Show
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*New Music Tuesday. Not always new, not always Tuesday!
(c) 2008 Bushfinger Music Project and BMP Media International


*(quote borrowed from Lars Ulrich - St. Anger DVD)

Episode 25: Monsters In My Pocket - Bushfinger Music Project

It's a fresh new year, and it's New Music Tuesday, Episode Twenty Five!*

Featuring a solid rhythm section, cool horns, and...

Monsters In My Pocket - Bushfinger Music Project
The Bushfinger Music Project Garageband Show
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*New Music Tuesday. Not always new, not always Tuesday!
(c) 2007 Bushfinger Music Project and BMP Media International

Podcast and New Media Bonanza- I mean Expo

Hello Everyone: Still out in Ontario, California at the Podcast and New Expo representing for the Bee-Emm-Pee, yo! [insert gang sign?]. Learning a lot, meeting great people, drinking free drinks, you know, the usual. To best describe the events thus far, I quote Mr. Joey Belladonna, somewhere around Verse Three...

It's a madhouse
Or so they claim
It's a madhouse
Oh, am I insane?

Seriously though, while glad to be out here, I'll even more glad to get back to comfy bed. Expect a "full-length recap" in the next day or so. for now, here are some photos...

(show some love for my new friend whitney steele. she's actually pretty good!)

Why look- it's Alex Albrecht (Diggnation, Totally Rad Show, Control+Alt+ Chicken)


New Media Expo - WhitneySteele.com - Alex Albrecht

Please Mr. Please - Bushfinger Music Project

As promised, it's New Music Tuesday!*

The Bushfinger Music Project GarageBand Show, Episode Twenty Two:
"Please Mr. Please"

You may remember this song of my latest album, "Live from Thailand".

"Please Mr. Please, can you spare me a dollar, so I can feed my family?"

Just what one would expect to hear immediately after leaving Bangkok International Airport. Of course, I've never been to Thailand, let alone record a concert there. But I plan to. Someday. And you must admit it is a pretty cool name for an album.

In other news, don't forget to visit me at the Podcast and New Media Expo in Ontario, California on Sept 28-30. You might even get a free CD from me!

The Bushfinger Music Project Garageband Show
Please Mr. Please - Bushfinger Music Project
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Read The Blog
myspace.com/bushfingermusicproject (Thanks for the ADD!)
*New Music Tuesday. Not always new, not always Tuesday!
(c) 2007 Bushfinger Music Project and BMP Media International

Where's the Music, Yo?

Sorry folks, I've been busy! Insert Valid Excuses #3-5 (because the first two are lame).

#3: I thought I was done with school. Instead, I have spent half the summer in a paperwork battle with University officials. I am currently losing. :(

#4: It's been 100+ degrees lately, which makes it kinda tough to turn off the air-conditioner. And if you've ever tried to record with the air-conditioner on in the studio, well, you know how unsuccessful that can be...

And finally,

#5: I have been signed on as the official un-official "Music Director" and soundtrack provider for MotorkultTV.com! Yes, that's right, I'm officially a Producer! (of sorts). I also got cajoled into to "consulting" for several upcoming projects of their parent company. The next few months should be quite interesting!

Oh and I can't forget to mention that I will be at the Podcast and New Media Expo on Sept. 28-30! Track me down and say the magic words, and get a free Promo CD! (Magic words: "Hey- I love your show! Can I have a CD?")

Meanwhile, I'm scanning through the archives for a suitable New Music Tuesday so stay tuned.

Gettin' the Drop on Ya! (Part One) - Bushfinger Music Project

The Bushfinger Music Project GarageBand Show, Episode Twenty One!

We're legal drinkin' age! Bring on the Grey Goose yo!

Ironically, it wasn't the Grey Goose but the "Two Buck Chuck" that led to this project. Yet another spirits-induced adventure, "Gettin' the Drop on Ya' " expresses one man's account of the many benefits of mainstream pop-stardom, in a comical hippity-hop style, even! We call it "Part One" because we're already working on "Part Two" with.... (wait for it...) a special guesty appearance? (I'm such a tease!)

Yeah, I suck at reviews! Why don't you leave a comment instead?

The Bushfinger Music Project Garageband Show
Gettin' the Drop on Ya! (Part One)- Bushfinger Music Project
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Subscribe through PodOmatic.com
Read The Blog
myspace.com/bushfingermusicproject (Thanks for the ADD!)
New Music Tuesday. Not always new, not always Tuesday!
(c) 2007 Bushfinger Music Project

Gravy Train - Bushfinger Music Project

The Bushfinger Music Project GarageBand Show, Episode Twenty
is brought to by that Entourage TV show on HBO. Not because I watch it, but, well, you'll see.*

I never watch that Entourage TV show. Well, once. By force.

I started this project and before you know it, I found myself inspired by the show I never watch, "Entourage" (starring Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon, Debi Mazar, and Kevin Connolly). As a result, this song is dedicated to the hard working behind-the-scenes folks who make- and keep- superstars, well, super! Agents, Artist Management, A&R, (*cough*dealers*cough) you know who you are!


So, Take a 1/5th of what you give me, because I love you Gravy Train!

*(I wonder if I say Entourage enough, if GoogleBot might pick up on it!)

The Bushfinger Music Project Garageband Show
Gravy Train - Bushfinger Music Project
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Subscribe through PodOmatic.com
Read The Blog
myspace.com/bushfingermusicproject (Thanks for the ADD!)
New Music Tuesday. Not always new, not always Tuesday!
(c) 2007 Bushfinger Music Project

Streetlight Flicker - Winter Circle

PROPS WHERE PROPS ARE DUE:

I stumbled on the "Garageband.com Faceoff" podcast about a two weeks ago (I was actually trying to find my own podcast on the podcastosphere).

Oklahomeboys, "Winter Circle" showed up a few episodes ago. Now, don't get me wrong- I really don't like "Streetlight Flicker"- Frankly, a bit to candy-coated for my taste. But dammit, just from the 40-50 seconds on the "faceoff", I can't get that damn chorus out of my head! Haven't even heard the full song and i'm singing "watch the color of the streetlight, flicka flicka" as i'm washing the dishes. "Okay- i gotta give em props", i said.

Actually the candy-coating reminds me of one of my first bands. (Hey- I was sixteen, gimme break!) I wrote them an email and signed it, "not necc. a fan but i know a well-written song when i hear one."

Visit Winter Circle at wintercircle.com and judge for yourself. If you like em, buy their album for Buddha's sake!