The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => The Bar => Topic started by: PaulyX on May 15, 2022, 09:49:51 AM
-
Hi
Some of us have been discussing in other threads how the Forum is currently a bit quieter than it used to be... people come and go etc.
It got me a bit misty eyed and curious about how some of the really good songwriters who used to post here and don't anymore are doing.
So this is just a message into the ether to a few 'forum heroes' who made a real difference when they were around and posted some seriously good tracks.
- Maybe you've changed email addresses and won't get this.
- Maybe you'll get it but are too busy or want to keep quiet... fair enough - anyway just know you and your tracks left a memorable footprint here...
- Maybe you'll have time to check in and just let us know how you are
- Or maybe you'll even be able to post a track you've worked on since you've been away, that'd be awesome
There are probably dozens of people it'd be great to hear from but for starters, here's a few stars that come to mind to me...
@Yodasdad (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19208) @tina m (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=11399) @Martinswede (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20851) @Neil C (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18856) @Sebandme (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22491) @ScottLevi (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20495) @redrhodie (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21171) @Binladeda (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18620) @Silver Machine (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21182) @Jenna (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21074) ... are you there, and how are ya?
(If anyone else wants to tag in others please go ahead.)
PaulyX
-
Hi PaulyX and everyone!
Got the tag(obviously), nice to hear from you!
So here´s the long story (to skip it see dotted line) :
I´ve had the longest hiatus from The Forum. Mostly due to, in lack of better words mental fatigue, and finding it hard to read and mainly reply in English on the forum. Second language, and seldom used in my day to day.
Also I haven´t been writing music. Instead focused on my singing(finally) playing covers, coincidentally at the same time all venues shut down for two years, so no gigs.
But. The a few months ago I started writing again. Trying out new things I learned on this Youtube, some good educational stuff there :) .
...
I´ve started to go through the recent post, but haven´t had time to reply yet, a bit to catch up on.
Great to see many members keep writing/recording regularly. And so many members that are new to me!
Me posting a song is probably not in the near future, but that´s not all this forum is about. More like 10-25%. :)
I´d be happy to try/help write music to lyrics if anyone has a pile of the lying around.
Love,
Martin
-
Yay Martin! Seriously good to hear from you! Thanks for sharing what you've been up to. Your English is fantastic of course, but yeah no surprise if it takes a bit more effort as a second language. Great to hear you've been fine tuning your craft too, in this weird couple of years we've all had... and best of all that you started writing again recently. I used to love the tracks you posted... that cool 'Wilco' vibe you had going on. Thanks for replying mate! Hope to see you around a bit whenever you have time.
-
Great initiative @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) I think too its down to all of us to make the effort to get the forum alive and kicking again. Great to see @Martinswede (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20851) around again too :)
-
Hi @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) all and thanks for the mention:
I’m doing well and still lots of musicing. I do feel a bit guilty but I found after about 8 years of pretty full on engagement my tank had run a bit empty and I was going though the motions. Not sure why tbh because I really do love the writers and believe in the collective power and sharing. And co-wrote some songs I’m really proud of - you know who you are..
So what am I up to:
Finished 2nd EP with the wonderful @nooms (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=11264)
Had some singing lessons
Doing open mics regularly
Finishing my debut LP
Went on an online songwriting course
Bought and sold some guitars of course!
And co-wrote - in the same room - a song on Sunday called Veneer.
And too many plans to mention but I’m exciting about going into a pro studio over the summer :-)
I’ll post a tune late.
Keep well
neil :-)
-
@Neil C (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18856) thanks so much for replying mate! Great to hear you've been just as busy with the music. And bought some new axes... :D
Yes I really enjoyed our co-writing / collabs when we did some, and yours with the others on here were always quality too.
Cool that you will post a tune again soon... 'Veneer' is an intriguing title. And do share when the album is ready...
See you around when you've got time... great to know how you are.
-
Saludos! I guess I am almost a forum alumnus these days! I've never been away really but although it's always cool to listen, it's never as much fun when you're not writing.
And I haven't been. All my ideas are terrible. (Last Summer I thought I had a song called "the Keeper" which was about goalkeepers and then disintegrated into a mixture of cringeworthy offside references mixed with pandemic induced zoom observations.)
I am still determined to record my "22" song which I think has potential. That might get me juices flowing again, who knows. I'll also start reviewing again too.
Hope you're all thriving!
-
Great to hear from you @Neil C (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18856) and @adamfarr (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20124) :)
-
Yeah @adamfarr (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20124) thanks for the update! I almost tagged you in the post, but did recall seeing a couple of posts from you in the last couple of months, so knew you weren't too far out of the Forum orbit. "The Keeper" definitely sounds like it could be a good song title... and it'll be top to hear your take on "22". Good like with the writers block... you used to post some absolute gems so I'm sure you'll overcome.
-
@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) - Just wanted to give you a bit of insight about red rhodie, as you can guess she was from Rhode Island and many years ago i asked her if she would be up for a collab, alas she couldn’t at the time but she did put me in touch with another vocalist who went on to feature in quite a few of my songs, texas twister, lets play a game, januay by pilot remix etc etc, it was very generous of red rhodie to give me the tip, l’ll never forget her.
-
Thanks @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) , yes RedRhodie was a really talented and unique voice when she was here. I never made the 'Rhode Island' connection.
It was marvellous to hear from Adam and Neil and Martin in response to this thread... also that the forum seems to be picking up steam a bit again...
I thought of a few more genius songwriters and erstwhile great reviewers so thought I'd shout out to a couple more...
Shadowfax just returned already which is awesome... so..
@Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra @montydog (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18653) @Bill Saunders (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18525) @kevysc (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19775) @5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) @dinnerwithgreedo (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=6829) ... If you've got time & inclination to tell us... whassup?
-
Hi Pauly and all
I do poke my nose in to see what(s going on now and then even if I don't have any contribution to make. Good to see some of you are still hard at it.
For various reasons which i won't bore you with I don't do anything new on the music front although I have redone a couple of thi,gs and got them on Spotify under Viscount Cramer (no-one listens of course!) and am currently working up a soul version of 'It's Really Me'.
The regaae version with PaulAds on bass and vicki singing is also on Spotify under the name of Vicki M.
I'd love to get back to it and join you all. Thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent on the forum engaging with you all and listening to your stuff.
For now though consider me dormant.
Keep up the good work folks!
-
Great to hear from @Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra - thanks for checking in.
I've found you on Deezer now... that "I'm Over You" track is just lovely. I'm instantly chilled out listening to it. And I remember "It's Really Me" well too... song of the month winner, wasn't it? Excellent to hear from you anyway and glad you're out there on the forum fringes, occasionally keeping an eye on us. Long live the Viscount!
-
Great thread @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034), good to hear wht the guys are up to.
-
@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034)
I'm ALIVE!!!
Thank you so much for your mention. And hello to all.
Sorry i've not been around for AGES... life has got in the way.
I've not written a song for a long time now. I put that down to the fact that i'm happy. Got myself a wonderful girlfriend. Apparently i can only write when miserable ;D
I've been concentrating on recording my old songs 'properly'. I've no idea what i'm doing so it's taking a lot of time. I'm trying to produce an album of my songs with no production training... so i never know if it sounds good or not. I'll post one shortly so you can get an idea of where i'm at.
Thanks again for the mention. Helps the ego ;)
-
Yeah DWG I'm trying to do the same with my old stuff though with less than expert knowledge and shite listening environment that could be an ongoing task. Good luck!
Hey Pauly thanks for giving that updated version of IOU a listen....glad it sounds OK.
One of the reasons for my losing interest in doing stuff was the death of my fave headphones which I was so used to the sound of.
-
Hey @dinnerwithgreedo (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=6829) , thanks for the reply. Awesome that you are happy (and I'm sure she is too). Will be great to hear that track on here when you've polished it... will deffo keep an eye out for that here, I used to really dig your stuff. Thanks for letting us know what's up.
-
Aaaaaaaaah- so nice to hear from these dudes, @dinnerwithgreedo (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=6829) and “the Count” @Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra , I always liked your arrangements, fascinating and blinkin complex. For some reason I imagine you to look like Vincent Price without his orchestra.
-
@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034)
Thanks for "reaching out" as they say in some parts of the world!
The last five years have been by far my most productive in terms of making music - three completed albums, and many songs that didn't quite make the cut on top of that. Of course, this has coincided with semi-retirement and being able to devote time to my passion. For me, a big part of the driver is some kind of musical legacy for my kids (whether they want one or not!) so making a physical product alongside releasing everything onto the platforms is a big part of it. There are many aspects to making a body of work that comprises an album and one of the best for me is the collaboration with my graphic designer. It's amazing to be able to describe two or three themes in my head and somehow, the genius who is Neil turns these thoughts into slightly surreal images which appear on the finished CD digipack, and in the case of my Golden Years album, on a gatefold double vinyl blowout!
All of this does take up a lot of time, and leaves me less time to devote to listening to music. If I am honest, I want to spend that listening time to artists I have come to know and followed for many years. To get the most out of this forum, one has to spend a lot of time listening. When I did so in the past, I'd often come across absolute gems and it was a pleasure to give truthful, appreciative feedback. Sometimes, it was a case of listening to people who were starting out on the recording road and I found I could give some honest and I hope, helpful feedback. And then much less often, I would listen to something and not wish to feedback anything. Honestly, the standard was extremely high generally, but it all comes down to how you wish to spend your time. I have never felt comfortable with posting my own tracks without investing a lot of listening time, and giving feedback on many other tracks first.
I have undoubtedly improved because of this forum. I remember posting my first track here fully 10 years ago (by god that was nerve racking), and being told (nicely) that there were real timing issues with my playing. Whoever said that was SO right and it made me up my game. Then there was another comment about me playing lip service to the drums (again, spot on!). Then, when @Boydie (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18510) mixed and produced Golden Years, he was so generous with his time in explaining so much. I learnt SO much!
Best wishes to all.
-
@Bill Saunders (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18525) - thanks for updating us on what you've been up to. 3 albums eh... crikey. I remember really liking "Golden Years"... "Man in the Restaurant" still sticks in my mind in particular, will have to check out the sequels. And I remember the artwork too... I think you had something in the image representing all the tracks on the album, right?
Anyway it's great to hear you are doing well and cranking out the songs. All the best.
-
Thanks a lot for the thought @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) ..lovely to be remembered. I`ve had an existential crisis involving an angry bank manager and a pickaxe so have currently got 2 jobs working day and night. Written nothing this year but every now & again hit upon a lyric .."You can find me hanging from the money tree" etc etc so there`s going to be some fun and cheery songs when I get round to it. ;D ;D Love to all the usual suspects and hope to be back amongst you as soon as I can.
All the best,
Lars.
-
Ah, thanks for the update @5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) . Bank managers eh? I'm not sure who was holding the pickaxe, but either way, it can't have been nice. Hang in there with those 2 jobs. Yeah, when you've got time, you've got to finish that "money tree" song... it sounds great. "Holly Golightly" remains (in my book) one of the best songs ever to grace this forum. Hope you'll be able to return with more stunners when life is quieter. Until then, all the very best and don't let the downers grind your b@stards. (Is that right?)
-
@5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) - Ahhh so you invited the bank manager round to lay some slabs for your new patio/ barbeque and he was looking at neighbours bush when you brought the pick down on his cobblers…an easy slip, he then requested you to fill in a form on line to remove the pick, of course your were upset, there was a long wait until the pick-axe-in-knackers customer service executive got round to asking you How you day was and thanks for reaching out to our team.
Anyway good to hear from you Man, you are sorely missed or is it pissed?
-
Thanks @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) ;D. Yes @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) it was the bank manager with the pickaxe. He started calmly mentioning "fiscal destabilisation" & "monetary solvency" & apparently wasn`t impressed when I replied "relax baby, remember we`re all stardust, love ". He launched into a disgusting diatribe including swear words that not even my 8 year old son knows (which is saying something). Anyway I`ve bequeathed my 2nd grandson & a sizeable chunk of my left buttock to him. I`ve started making payments & hes started taking vallium.
By the way Mr. CP thanks for the newsletter..its a great idea to keep up with things on the go. Keep us informed & look forward to hearing new things from Planet Parsley soon.
All the best,
Lars :)
-
"really good songwriters" and my name? Haha Pauly you've made my year ;D
I do keep come in and have a look around sometimes, nice to see so many familiar names still trucking! We're deffo a family, even if some of us disappear for a while we are never 'gone' (reading the names of people on this thread is so hart-warming)
I think the forum is just a big time-consumer, which was very helpful for me when I was suffering more with social and proximity anxiety; a good substitute for just laying in bed or playing video-games. Honestly, you lot really helped pull me out of some bad times and made that family for me when I needed it most.
Now I'm doing so much better - I'm meeting friends for drinks or going for walks after work. Or actually cooking a proper meal - and doing a bit of exercise. I'm hardly ever at home during the weekends with my new-found hobby of walking around the countryside. Some long-term health issues that kept me at home have also largely subsided.
So yeah, I'm doing great! Just making the most of my new-found energy to make up for the years of hermitry, even going to a beer&cider festival this coming weekend. The album I posted on here a while ago was also a turning point for myself - was like blurting out what I wanted to say to therapists but couldn't bring myself to. Forgave myself for some past mistakes, and started to appreciate my own qualities.
So yeah, don't worry about me - for the first time in years I feel like I can sustainably feel good in myself and I'm just making the most of that energy.
Am still making music from time-to-time. There was a second album put out on Spotify "enemcy - who done it" ;), and I'm slowly transitioning to more positive lyric-writing.
I will be back active on here eventually when I really want to spend time on a good project, even maybe try and meet up in-person! For the moment though I'm finding great joy in just writing and recording in the moment for myself. Screw all the feedback and whatnot - it's just part of my therapeutic plan. Still consider any music I make as 'iterative learning' rather than final products.
Much love,
Scotty.
ps. My latest.
https://soundcloud.com/enemcy/better-than-ever
-
Hey @ScottLevi (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20495) , it's great to get your update... thanks for sharing it. Even better to hear you are feeling good about things. Music as therapy... yep that makes a lot of sense.
I used to love your unique style on here... "Marching Band" sticks in my memory in particular. Great that you are still getting creative from time to time and will post some more back here when the time is right for you. All good vibes to you in the meantime and thanks again for checking in to this thread dude.
-
Hi @PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034),
Thanks for the mention. I'm still around, still writing and recording and I do plan to re-engage with the forum and review/post new material once the autumn gloom sets in. I've just turned 60 which is taking some getting used to, I can tell you! Take care fellow forumites and I hope to be back very soon.
M
-
Hey @montydog (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18653) , thanks for checking in and excellent to hear you are still recording (and we'll get to hear some of that too at some point).
Congrats on the milestone birthday too! See you back on the boards sooner or later.
-
@montydog (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18653) - Woof Woof you Old Mony Dog happy birthday. Looking forward to hearing your new stuff.
-
@montydog (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18653) -- turning 50 was the one that put me into a depression. I had a very hard time believing I had any life left at all. Actually, now I'd be happy to be turning 60. It's all relative. By the way, when I did turn 60 I threw myself a big birthday party at the senior citizens' center. Lots of people came. Took away some of the sting.
-
@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) I'm aware that I'm late to this thread! I love this forum. The love and support you get on here is amazing. I'm grateful to everyone for there support. I' am now in a fully fledged band called Sebastian and Me with 3 other chaps who have made my music come to life. We recently played at a festival in Swindon which was awesome we played on the main stage and the nerves were insane.... But from that we were asked to support an upcoming band again in Swindon which went down amazingly. I have been dropping in on here from time to time. Hope everyone is safe and well.
Take care
Wayne.