For my second FA music submission, I've chosen "Winter", a song I wrote between 1990 and 1992. The rhythm track for this one was actually recorded on a keyboard in an electronics store with a handheld tape recorder. Back at home I added one layer of keyboards and vocals, then played it back while adding a second layer of keyboards and vocals. Being as low-tech as it is and coming from an old cassette tape, it has the same grainy quality that most of my recordings do, but I really like the song, and it's probably my favorite one I've done.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?: Although the obvious answer would be "winter" lol, it's really about innocence. When we grow up, we lose something beautiful-- the ignorance of youth, when you didn't know so much about the world around you. If you're lucky, as an adult you can still get glimpses of that every once in a while. For me, one of the things that helps me recapture that feeling is taking a walk in a quiet area during (or just after) a big winter storm, when everything is covered in an untouched blanket of snow. It can be so beautiful that sometimes, I can almost forget what an insane world we live in.
"Winter" (3:30)
Written 1990-1992
This version recorded 1994 (using elements of the original 1992 recording)
The snow falls from the sky softly
It falls upon the ground gently
You open up your eyes, take a look around
You hear no sound at all
Your heart beats in your chest smoothly
It calls out to your soul sweetly
You'll never feel this safe in your life again
Here in the winter
And now is the time
To find what you left behind
The innocence you lost
The emotion turned to frost
The wind blows through the trees trembling
It blows across the fields fleeting
You turn and walk away, never looking back
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?: Although the obvious answer would be "winter" lol, it's really about innocence. When we grow up, we lose something beautiful-- the ignorance of youth, when you didn't know so much about the world around you. If you're lucky, as an adult you can still get glimpses of that every once in a while. For me, one of the things that helps me recapture that feeling is taking a walk in a quiet area during (or just after) a big winter storm, when everything is covered in an untouched blanket of snow. It can be so beautiful that sometimes, I can almost forget what an insane world we live in.
"Winter" (3:30)
Written 1990-1992
This version recorded 1994 (using elements of the original 1992 recording)
The snow falls from the sky softly
It falls upon the ground gently
You open up your eyes, take a look around
You hear no sound at all
Your heart beats in your chest smoothly
It calls out to your soul sweetly
You'll never feel this safe in your life again
Here in the winter
And now is the time
To find what you left behind
The innocence you lost
The emotion turned to frost
The wind blows through the trees trembling
It blows across the fields fleeting
You turn and walk away, never looking back
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
Here in the winter
Category Music / 90s
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 80px
Listed in Folders
Okay, just... wow. You can go on and on about the low quality of your songs, but seriously, wow. The fact that you do this all yourself is astounding. I particularly enjoyed the part at the end, where you harmonized the two recordings of your voice, where the lines were staggered. (You know, one voice singing one line while the other sings a different part of the same line.)
I can't imagine the patience you must have to put in every part of this song, and get it to sound as nice as it does. And your lyrics are really powerful, too.
Okay, I'm done gushing, but seriously, you have some talent here, fella. ^_^
I can't imagine the patience you must have to put in every part of this song, and get it to sound as nice as it does. And your lyrics are really powerful, too.
Okay, I'm done gushing, but seriously, you have some talent here, fella. ^_^
Oh wow, thanks! *^_^* I'm really glad you liked it!
My problem now is, I've uploaded my two best songs. I have no place to go but down lol.
My problem now is, I've uploaded my two best songs. I have no place to go but down lol.
Bah! You can make new songs! You can improve ones you've got. You have the capabilities. I'm sure you could make something else great!
oooh... this is a very pretty song! you have a nice voice. there's definitely a kind of "atmosphere" going on.
bah, I'm bad at picking out what I like about music, but trust me, I like this XD
bah, I'm bad at picking out what I like about music, but trust me, I like this XD
I can't thank you enough for the watch and the fave, not to mention your kind comments. I'd also be interested in seeing your non-yiffy art, if you don't mind letting me know where I can (furryfury71 at yahoo dot com). If you'd rather not, that's fine too, I understand.
Sorry about my repeat post on your shout page; I got a 'MySQL' error message both times I tried to post it so I thought it never went through.
Sorry about my repeat post on your shout page; I got a 'MySQL' error message both times I tried to post it so I thought it never went through.
you're very welcome :) and don't worry about the double posts, I'd actually managed at one point to post an *image* three or four times... XD
I'll send you an email soon :)
I'll send you an email soon :)
Regardless of how the sound quality is for the pieces you have done thus far...I am astounded at the careful rythm patterns and the words used in the lyrics that portray a proper and vivd vision. Excellent atmosphere and very emotional songs that hit hard. Most impressive work on the timming and use of proper Riffs for each instrument. A very impressive and very indepth with the whole setting and theme.
I am most impressed...you should talk to someone about redoing the music and the recording on a better sounding format as this is deffinatley some very impressive and amazing compositions I must say.
Do keep up the fine work as you have a talent for music that can usually only be found in professional recording studios with professional singers. Yes my young song writer/composer you got the skills to go big...just keep working away on that strenth to keep going.
I am most impressed...you should talk to someone about redoing the music and the recording on a better sounding format as this is deffinatley some very impressive and amazing compositions I must say.
Do keep up the fine work as you have a talent for music that can usually only be found in professional recording studios with professional singers. Yes my young song writer/composer you got the skills to go big...just keep working away on that strenth to keep going.
Thanks for the watch and the encouragement! Yeah, over the years I've known several people who have offered to help me make better recordings of some of my songs, but somehow, something always gets in the way and it never seems to actually happen... but I'm ever hopeful. ^_^
Heh, I can agree with every thing that's been said so far. I tinker with music, and I can't even make decent songs like this.
The composition as a whole is emotional and captivating, keeps your attention long enough to be caught up in the harmony that your melodic voice beats out along the way.
You could honestly get decent recording equipment for very cheep, I got a mic and a mixing board (4 channel) for around 70$ new. Copies of cool edit pro are still floating around and are excelent for recording and editing songs. The hardest thing would be finding a place thats quiet enough to record without echoes.
Either way, just here to keep incoraging you. These might be your two best songs but realy that just means you have more in you waiting to come out. The more you practice, the more you learn and the beter you get, its never a downward spiral till you quit trying.
The composition as a whole is emotional and captivating, keeps your attention long enough to be caught up in the harmony that your melodic voice beats out along the way.
You could honestly get decent recording equipment for very cheep, I got a mic and a mixing board (4 channel) for around 70$ new. Copies of cool edit pro are still floating around and are excelent for recording and editing songs. The hardest thing would be finding a place thats quiet enough to record without echoes.
Either way, just here to keep incoraging you. These might be your two best songs but realy that just means you have more in you waiting to come out. The more you practice, the more you learn and the beter you get, its never a downward spiral till you quit trying.
Thank you very much! Someday I hope to get some recording equipment, but it probably won't be too soon (not while I'm living where I do now). I have to fit everything I own into one tiny room. This is also the main reason why I haven't recorded anything new in several years. But the desire is still there, so I'm sure I'll get back to it when the opportunity arises.
You have a wonderfully lovely voice, I must say. What else can I say, really? Everything else I want to has been said already! <3
Thank you for the fave and for your compliments! I've listened to several of your songs and I liked what I heard (especially the 'Glitchbreak' tracks). Good stuff!
Great stuff again Kiffa... though I think I've heard this one before. As others said, I reallt like the atmosphere on this one, it really captures the feeling. You should talk to Runtt about recording at his place. Or if you're OK with a less professional system, you're welcome to play around with my recorder sometime.
Yup, I definitely played this one for you. And I had to laugh when I read "if you're OK with a less professional system" lol... I think I can say, yes, I am lol. Pretty much *anything* would be a step up from what I'm used to lol.
I remember this this one. You played it for me at my birthday party. >"^_^"<
Sorry it took me so long to comment. I haven't had time to actually listen to them until now. I had both submissions in my watch box for weeks. :P
Nice work. As I said, I have to get you in my studio. >"^_^"<
Sorry it took me so long to comment. I haven't had time to actually listen to them until now. I had both submissions in my watch box for weeks. :P
Nice work. As I said, I have to get you in my studio. >"^_^"<
Yep, this is the one. No worries, you're a busy wah! ^_^ Yeah, I'd love to get a better recording of this down, or maybe another song, if and when the opportunity arises. My big fear, though, is that I'd be hell to work with, because I'd keep screwing up every take, and it would take *forever* to get anything recorded. That probably wouldn't be a huge problem with *this* song, simple as it is... but never underestimate my ability to make mistakes :P.
Don't fret. I'm the same way. It takes days for me to complete just one part. :P
I keep coming back to listen to this ^.^ I know I have the disc but it's just so convenient to come here and listen ^^; *hugs* I do hope you write more, you're a wonderful singer/writer with too many beautiful emotions to keep under wraps. <3
Thank you, sweetie. I literally *just* got finished uploading a 'new' one, the one you voted for. ^_^ And I hope you have a wonderful birthday today! Lots of love.
I don't know how I missed this one last time I looked through your stuff, but I really really like this! I'm a fan of lo-fi heartfelt home recorded stuff. Dunno if you've ever heard of Lou Barlow but he's released solo albums that I didn't know better I would say this came straight from.
HOLY CRAP! Wow, thank you SO much, that's a tremendous compliment! ^_^ I have to admit, I don't know a ton of his stuff, I've only heard a little bit... but I *love* the song of his that plays over the closing credits of the movie "Session 9" ("Choke Chain"). I dig lo-fi, too. Thanks again! :D
What's with that little wink icon? That's not supposed to be there. I guess when you type a quotation mark with an end parentheses right after it, it automatically comes up that way. That's just silly.
Wow, that is really freaky o.O After I wrote that comment I whipped out "Winning losers, a collection of home recordings" and skipped right to Chokechain! I guess you know what I'm talking about then :)
BTW khortl, I *am* going to fave some of your stuff too, just so you know. I've just been lax in using the 'fave' button for a while, so I'm trying to track down all the stuff I've been meaning to fave, and I'm gonna do it all at once. So you'll see some 'faves' from me soon. ^_^
That would be very interesting to hear lol! Thank you for listening, commenting, and double-thank you for faving! ^_^
Hmmm, I don't see why you say it's such a poor file... In fact, I find the grainyness of the recording to be beneficial to the overall theme of the song... Very deep lyrics... ^_^
Thanks for saying that! Yeah, I actually like the low-tech approach on some of my stuff, but I feel obligated to be up-front about it for those who might not go for it. I really appreciate your comment, fave and +watch. Thank you very much! ^_^
In all honesty, we all started with low-tech... Some of us are just "afraid" to post our older stuff... Go back enough years and I was composing with Finale, and now I'm (slowly working on) composing with CuBase SX3 (with Reason 3.0, Rebirth 2.1.2, both Korg Legacy Collections, Absynth, and Reaktor all patched in as VST instruments)... I really miss the old keyboard stuff though, this digital stuff is kind of irritating compared to good ol tried and true...
And you're quite welcome. ^_^
And you're quite welcome. ^_^
Something about this song is just great. The melody is really memorable and bittersweet, and the lo-fi recording is actually quite a fitting aesthetic for this theme. It rivals some of my favorite 4-track recordings from indie legends like Guided By Voices or Beat Happening. It definitely has that very personal sound that makes you feel like you're privy to some special happening.
I guess I'm kind of a lo-fi fan, even if my own productions strive to be the opposite. This is an excellent example of how a good song can be a good song, even if it's not recorded on the best equipment or made with a team of superb players/singers.
I guess I'm kind of a lo-fi fan, even if my own productions strive to be the opposite. This is an excellent example of how a good song can be a good song, even if it's not recorded on the best equipment or made with a team of superb players/singers.
Wow... thank you... being compared to artists like those leaves me somewhat speechless. It's funny how the very qualities that I was once afraid would get my music laughed right off the 'net are what people have turned out to embrace. I'm about to begin to get back into recording after quite a long hiatus... I hope that even with an equipment upgrade, I can still conjure up that 'home-made' feel that people seem to like in the stuff I've posted.
Thank you so much for the comment and the +fav! ^_^
Thank you so much for the comment and the +fav! ^_^
Thank you! *^_^* A re-recording of this is on my "to-do list"... but I'm still new to multi-track recording, and I like this song too much to take another stab at it before I know what I'm doing a little better.
*listens, and is mesmerized* Hauntingly beautiful...
The recording quality only adds to the atmosphere you've created. Your voice reminds me of Carl Wilson (of the Beach Boys), which is the highest of compliments.
You are so very gifted, Kiffa. I wish I could write and perform a song half that good.
thank you for sharing your work with us. *warm bearhugs*
Love ya, my friend. Merry Christmas....
The recording quality only adds to the atmosphere you've created. Your voice reminds me of Carl Wilson (of the Beach Boys), which is the highest of compliments.
You are so very gifted, Kiffa. I wish I could write and perform a song half that good.
thank you for sharing your work with us. *warm bearhugs*
Love ya, my friend. Merry Christmas....
Awww, thanks, Bear. *^_^* Yeah, this is one of the songs where I feel that the lo-fi approach really didn't hurt the song very much, if at all. As for your other compliments... they're just too much. I demand you take them back lol.
One of these days we'll get around to working on some music together (playing "Rock Band" doesn't count lol). Merry Christmas to you too, my friend. *hugs*
One of these days we'll get around to working on some music together (playing "Rock Band" doesn't count lol). Merry Christmas to you too, my friend. *hugs*
Our journal on DramaArmada prompted me to go back and listen to this again. Looks like I never faved it, which was an oversight on my part!
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