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The Story of ‘Sad Robot Finally Sees The Sun’

Here’s what happened…

On November 1st, 2013 I decided it was time to end a long period of musical drought.

This may sound strange but not creating music is physically uncomfortable for me. So, when that discomfort reached a point that it could no longer be ignored…

I decided it was time to write some f#cking songs.

I read somewhere about how much you can accomplish if you consistently put in just (1) one hour of work per day. So my plan was to work on music  for one hour a day, 7 days a week for a month and see what happened.

Writing sessions would be the first thing I did in the morning – when my brain is best. So I created a pattern where I woke up around 5:00am, went to the bathroom, made a coffee and sat down and started writing.

Things got interesting

The most interesting part of the daily ritual was that just as each 1 hour session ended I would be either exactly at the end of the song or at the perfect stopping point.

Also, because this was in the winter months the sun would start rising at the same time. So just as the writing session ended – the sun would come up.

It was the most fascinating experience. I began writing in the dark, the sky would slowly get brighter and then as I ended – it would explode with light.

On November 31st 2013 I stopped. I had 38 ideas recorded. I put the files away and prepared for holiday travel – 2-3 weeks in Oklahoma with my family.

Today is January 30th, 2014

I’ve had ideas of grand releases and music videos and re-recording the songs in major label studios and painting pictures to go with them and on and on and on…

But I once heard an artist say “A painting is not finished until it has been viewed by someone other than the artist”. And taking his cue I have decided to release several of the songs here, as they are, in lo-fi demo format so that they can be done.

Gear

I did everything in Ableton Live, a mini AKAI midi keyboard and a $99 M-AUDIO usb microphone. I wanted the setup to be clean and mobile. No interface. No phantom powered mics that required powered amps. Just a few simple pieces that I could toss in a bag and set up in a hotel room if needed.

I wrote all the drums from scratch. Something I’ve never been able to do in the past.

Listening Advice:

For best results do what I do. Put on a pair of decent headphones or earbuds and turn the volume up as high as you can without causing discomfort. This is how I listen to them and this is how they sound best.

Don’t expect to hear catchy choruses and hooks

These aren’t songs to make you dance. These are early morning sketches, drawn while watching the sun rise from the 15th floor of a glass tower in Hollywood, California.

From the time I was a teenager – I have privately written dreary, strange, sad songs. They were never used in the bands I played in. Never performed. When I look back at my musical history I think those simple, soft, sad songs are my best work. These remind me of them.

Track List

I’m starting with 3 songs. There are 5 more that I planned on including that I may add later. That’s the nice thing about digital releases, you can add more tracks later without have to press a new batch of CDs. This page will change over time.

These new songs are melancholy

The songs feel sad to me, but I think the sunrises that I saw each day while writing helped to add a touch of hope.

My recordings have always less than perfect, and these are no exception – I never had patience to master musical engineering or spend a lot of time on finishing touches. But to be honest – I have never left a major studio with a recording that captured the song better than the original bedroom demo.

I guess I’m a Lo-Fi Guy

Some day I may work them up a little more. But someday I might also travel in time.

All of the vocal tracks are the first take. There are voice cracks and missed notes. They were all left there on purpose. Many of my favorite singers have awful voices, I like hearing mistakes.

You will also notice that not every song has vocals. That is because not all songs need vocals. Most of the music I listen to these days is instrumental.

So enjoy the songs – and I’ll keep telling myself it’s better done than perfect.

P.S. Do Me a Favor?

If you like find this page or the music interesting would you please consider sharing it? I’ve provided big, blue buttons for you to help spread the word. I’d appreciate it, but of course, it’s up to you.

Before you go: Do you have any questions? Just post them in the comments below and I’ll answer. What do you think of this method of releasing songs? Does anyone still want physical CDs?