Another Attempt at Contemporary

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Time Waster
Member Since: Jan 12, 2006

See Example 3 on my soundclick site:
www.soundclick.com/bands/...m?bandID=393301

Does this example sound like it belongs in the 21st century? It's only about 2 mins. Maybe a little space-rock, classical, trip-something and I don't know what else... My female singer plans to rap (not much like rap though, more like reciting a poem) the first section and sing the second (the piano accomp) section...

Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

P.S. And don't be afraid to tell me it's last century... Skin is thick like my head...

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 16, 2006 10:21 pm

Well honestly that music can cover a pretty wide century spectrum. Including this one, and maybe the next. I really like your use the of the distortion guitar patche. It fits in nicely for sure. I would still like to hear a real guitar in there though, but then again, maybe not.

I would surely call it contemporary, not sure exactly what genre to put it in though. It could as you stated cover a few differant genre's though.

I as well believe that yes, it does belong in the 21st century. Most definately so. I think there are many out there struggling to come to terms with the music that is in their heads. I know I surely do as I am in the same predicament you are in. I want to create something I see as conemporary, but what exactly is contemporary? I am not one to write a 2 or 3 minute pop tune, so does that make me not contemporary. No, I dont think so. I think contemporary is using the sounds we have available to us today. To make what ever music we make. To me it is not important anymore whether I sell any music or not. Although I do still love the income from making music. But I wont try to sell a pop tune to the masses.

Even if I were to cover a pop tune, it is going to end up being the sounds I want in it. Not the sounds it was written for. Or to a differant drum beat, whatever the case may be.

OK, enough preaching. Yes it does sound contemporary to me. I would love to hear what it will sound like with a vocal track to it.

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 16, 2006 11:56 pm

Thanks Noize, it's a real dilemma.. What is contemporary? Geeze, music has evolved to something way beyond what's normally heard on the radio. I was involved in the performance of a piece called "Chair Music" where the conductor gave each player a piece of music and a drumstick and proceeded to disassmble a wooden chair. He would hand each person a piece of the chair and the musicians would play the "part". At a certain point, the conductor would return and pick up each piece of the chair and re-assemble it. Quite an interesting piece of music. So when I try to be contemporary, I have these images in my mind. I find it difficult to understand what is 21st century with respect to popular music. But I'm trying... I agree, real guitar would be really wonderful, I can't play well enough though. So I'm happy enough to use the patches. Which is why I'm curious about getting into better sounds, more modern technology... Thanks again!

Member
Since: Feb 17, 2005


Jan 17, 2006 01:20 pm

don't take this the wrong way...but this would fit perfect into a movie...lets say the opening of some film in a dark, futuristic world...

at least, thats what hit me first when listening to this...

I really like it though...super moody...very haunting and the mix and recording quality is excellent...love the piano...


Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 17, 2006 01:34 pm

Thanks for the listen Rasmuth. Nothing to be taken wrong, I'm looking for your personal impression and I really appreciate the honesty. Most everything I do has that film score sound. Go to college as a music theory & composition major and what would ya expect? :) I'm trying to find myself something that feels right for modern style without attempting to write your standard fare popular music. I've tried that... No can do... I was listening to Evanescence the last few days. Really like the woman's voice!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 17, 2006 11:09 pm

If you like Evanescence you should have a listen to a band called Nightwish. I think that would be right up your alley, and well within your playing style as well. If you cant find anything by them let me know and I will pop up a track or two that will show you what I am talking about when I mention the metal type guitars in a classical setting. They have a female lead singer that makes Amy Lee sound almost like a rooky. Dont get me wrong or anything, I love the power in her voice. But Tarja Turunen has one of the most powerfull voices you will ever hear in this kind of music. She can go from full on metal wailing to a voice that would compete with some of the best in the opera world.

Oh and did I mention that they play with a full orchestra behind them. They are from Finland and their last album Once went gold on the day of its release.

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 18, 2006 11:01 am

Hey thanks for the suggestion Noize, I will see if I can find a CD today. College town has a large selection of perfectly good used CDs for cheap. Sounds like this might be a really good influence. As you can tell, orchestration/symphonic sound has captured my soul and I find it hard to break. Rather just go with it! Thanks again...

not the brightest spark...
Member
Since: Sep 13, 2005


Jan 18, 2006 01:07 pm

watching Twin peaks in a Gothic Cathedral whilst floating somewhere outside the Atreadean nebula...progtastica...

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Jan 18, 2006 01:19 pm

Quote:
They have a female lead singer that makes Amy Lee sound almost like a rooky


UPDATE: HAD a singer named Tarja Turunen sad as it may be. I really like Nightwish and I'm sad to hear that she has left the band.

<from the Nightwish website www.nightwish.com

The end of an era was announced as something truly different for the band. Here you can read the open letter posted in their official website.

Dear Tarja,

It`s time to choose whether the story of Nightwish ends here or whether it will still continue an undetermined period of time. We`ve been working with this creation for 9 years and we are not ready to give up yet. Nightwish is a way of life, something to live for, and we`re certain we can`t let it go.

Equally certain is the fact that we cannot go on with you and Marcelo any longer. During the last year something sad happened, which I`ve been going over in my head every single day, morning and night. Your attitude and behavior don`t go with Nightwish anymore. There are characteristics I would never have believed to see in my old dear friend.
People who don`t talk with each other for a year do not belong in the same band.

We are involved in an industry where the business-side of things is a necessary evil and something to worry about all the time. We are also a band which has always done music from the heart, because of friendship and the music itself. The mental satisfaction should always be more important than money! Nightwish is a band, it`s an emotion.
To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with those emotions have become much more important. You feel that you have sacrificed yourself and your musical career for Nightwish, rather than thinking what it has given to you.
This attitude was clearly shown to me in the two things you said to me in an airplane in Toronto: ”I don`t need Nightwish anymore.” and ”Remember, Tuomas, that I could leave this band at any time, giving you only one day`s warning in advance”.
I can`t simply write any more songs for you to sing.

You have said yourself that you are merely a ”guest musician” in Nightwish. Now that visit ends and we will continue Nightwish with a new female vocalist.
We`re sure this is an equally big relief to you as it is for us. We have all been feeling bad long enough.

You told us that no matter what, the next Nightwish album will be your last one. However, the rest of us want to continue as long as the fire burns. So there`s no sense in doing that next album with you, either.
The four of us have been going over this situation countless times and we have realized that this is the thing we want to do in life. It´s all we can do. In December 2004, in Germany, you said that you will never tour again for more than two weeks at a time. You also said that we can forget about U.S. and Australia because the fees and the sizes of venues are too small.

In interviews I`ve mentioned that if Tarja leaves, that would be the end of the band. I understand that people will think this way. Nightwish is, however, a scenery of my soul and I`m not ready to let go because of one person. A person who wants to focus her creativity to somewhere else, a person whose values don`t match mine.

We were never bothered by the fact that you didn`t participate in writing/arranging songs, you never in 9 years came to rehearse the songs with us before going to the studio. Not the fact that while on tour you always wanted to fly, separately from us with your husband. Not the fact that you are an undisputable front image of the band.
We accepted and felt ok about everything except greed, underestimating the fans, and breaking promises. It was agreed by the five of us that Nightwish would be the priority in everything that we do during 2004-2005. Still so many things were more important to you. The ultimate example being the already sold-out show in Oslo, which you wanted to cancel because you needed to rehearse for your solo concerts, meet frieds and go to the movies. Those were the words Marcelo used in an e-mail explaining the cancellation. This being just one example of so many. I couldn`t think of a worse way of being selfish and dismissing our fans.

Nightwish is a way of life and a job with many obligations. To each other and to the fans. With you we can`t take care of those duties anymore.

Deep within we don`t know which one of you drove us to this point. Somehow Marcelo has changed you from the lovely girl you were into a diva, who doesn`t think or act the way she used to. You are too sure of your irreplaceableness and status.

It`s obvious that you blame your stress and misery on us four. And you think we don`t respect or listen to you. Belive us; We have always had the uppermost respect towards you as a wonderful vocalist and as a friend. And very often during the past couple of years the plans were made according to your decisions only. You were always the only one who wanted more money from the shows.
This ”compensation and more money from everything” –attitude is the fact that we are most disappointed of!

We wish that from now on you will listen to your heart instead of Marcelo. Cultural differences combined with greed, opportunism and love is a dangerous combination. Do not wither yourself.

This decision is not something we are especially proud of but you gave us no choice. The gap between us is too wide. And the decision is made by us four unanimously. We are beyond the point where things could be settled by talking.

All the best for your life and career,



Tuomas



Emppu Jukka Marco

Ps. This is an open letter for everybody.

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 18, 2006 07:00 pm

Thanks Flashman, ya lost me at "Atreadean nebula...progtastica" but it sounds delightful!

Thanks for the update BeerHunter, I'll make sure I choose an older album.

Thanks again!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 18, 2006 09:24 pm

DungBeatle, the last release was in the end of 2004. The album Once is truly their best work to date. I would suggest starting there. And it is available in the states here.

BeerHunter, I had heard something was amiss but had not seen the letter. I knew it was over when I went to the website to show a friend and clicked the band members and her picture was removed.

I knew as well that her husband Marcello would eventually turn her against the band as he is that kind of jerk. HE is the one wanting money and power and is just using her for it. To bad she cant see the true jerk she is married to. Oh well, love is blind, or in her case STUPID. Pity, I doubt she will gain the fame she/he seeks without the band that brought her to fame and fortune.

I would like nothing better then to see Amy Lee turn the corner and become the new singer for Nightwish. Now that would be a kick wouldnt it. Turn up the juice Amy and go for it!!

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 18, 2006 09:32 pm

Once it is! I'll go tomorrow. Sad that people have to play those power games... I would LOVE to see Amy Lee power it up the next level...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 19, 2006 11:39 pm

As would I. I hope no one took my comment the wrong way. I adore Amy Lee and her voice as well as the music Evanescence makes. And she is a very good lookin lass as well.

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 20, 2006 10:49 am

I didn't take it any other way...simply open discussion...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 20, 2006 06:25 pm

Just wanted to make sure no one thought I was dissing her.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jan 20, 2006 07:41 pm

I can't believe I just read that whole open letter. Who the hell writes open letters like that. Keep that **** private. Jesus Christ.

Sorry Dung Beetle for not staying on the topic of your piece. I can't listen here at home, speakers stopped working a couple weeks ago (computer speakers connected to internet computer, not music making speakers or monitors). Maybe I'll try and listen at work next week...

Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Jan 20, 2006 07:42 pm

No problem. Let the discussion meander where it will...

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