[habiTat]

Hi guys,

I've been super busy lately but I wanted to get some opinions/ideas on this. I am going to be developing this one with Michael and it'd be interesting to get some feedback on how you think it should be done.

I recorded this, initially just to help me remember the melody idea, I recorded it while sat in my van (you can hear the engine in the background) using my iphone. When I got home I listened again and thought I'd drench it in reverb to see how it sounded, I hope it helps give the idea..

https://soundcloud.com/whitewinter-habitat/the-lights-initial-idea

The Lights


By light of aurora we're frozen
Crystalline beauty is there
The angels they danced in the distance
Ohh the cold winter air

A ramshackle building is warming us
A fire of life deep within
The animal furs are adorning us
Ohh cold air on my skin

The lights.
danced.
on.
Don't turn around.
'til.
They're gone.

The lights.
Danced.
On.
And on..........

(Drums/instruments build)

The dawn of the day is approaching us
But I know the sun will not rise
A broom star emerges and dazzles us
We cannot trust in our eyes

Like some kind of well defined reverie
A dream never rooted in truth
Soon to be far away memory
Justice-less image as proof

The lights.
danced.
on.
Don't turn around.
'til.
They're gone.

The lights.
Danced.
On.
And on..........

No sooner had
They danced for us
Like ghosts they fade away
Nothing left
Just universe
The lights no longer play.

The lights.
danced.
on.
Don't turn around.
'til.
They're gone.

The lights.
Danced.
On.
And on..........

[diademgrove]

I really like this. I'd leave it as an acapella. I can't see how instruments could make it any better. I think the vocal at 1.49 should be re-done, there seems to be a little quiver that doesn't sound right to me.

I like the reverb but I'd restrict its use to just the chorus.

I'm impressed.

If you disagree please ignore what I've said.

diadem

ps sorry the post is short but I'll got some campaigning to do.

[Dave Bradley]

Lovely stuff! Keep it a capella...but...arrange SATB harmony parts and recruit some other singers to those...could be a wonderful Winterval song...

[beckylucythomas]

This will be wonderful re-recorded! Could be quite lord of the ringsy.... I agree it sounds wonderful acapella, and i think you should keep at least the first half that way with maybe just the addition of a bodhrán or something. You could start to add in other instruments in the second half if you want to build it up into a really dramatic piece. But I think definitely keep at least some of it super simple.

[hardtwistmusic]

I like it a-capella too.  btw.... FEW people can keep time like that with a-capella songs.  That's a rare talent.  Don't take it for granted.  Appreciate it greatly. 

Anyway, while I like the A-capella version, I can sure see how sparse accompaniment could benefit it. 

I can "hear" a subtle pan flute throughout, and some guitar (or piano) very subtly and gently strategically mixed in to add drama in selected spots.  No drums (in my head) but maybe a bit of recorder to supplement the flute in spots. 

The key is to not let the instruments interfere with the vocal. 

That's how it sounds in my head anyway. 

[habiTat]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to listen

In my head I'm hearing an accordion coming in after the first chorus, with a further build of folky instruments as it progresses. I'm glad you like the a-capella thing, it was never intended this way but it does seem to work for this track.

btw,  @Sciencebase, what is SATB?


hab.

[Alan Starkie]

This is great habitat. I really enjoyed this song. Totally agree with the general consensus that it works fine as an Acapella track. I'd like to put music to the lone vocal. I'm sure I'd surprise you.

Idea started floating around as soon as I started listening.

There's something a little melancholy when it ends and you can still hear the engine chugging on.

Well done.

Alan.

[jmacdon]

Hi Hab -you know i'm gonna have to write a melody to this 

[habiTat]

Hi Hab -you know i'm gonna have to write a melody to this 

I'm very very much looking forward to it, thankyou

[tone]

I even like the engine noise in the background, kind of gives it a soap opera dimension which is quite interesting.

It's a really nice melody, and as the others have said, strong enough to be carried as an a capella performance. But I would like to hear some music or other sounds along with this, to help build the atmosphere.

I'm actually thinking more ambiance than traditional accompaniment - sort of in the vein of "The Ocean Doesn't Want Me" by Tom Waits

But it's your tune - you'll know best how to present it to the world. If this is the work in progress then I'll be excited to hear the finished thing.

[Jamie]

Love this, great singing, a bit of a celtic lilt to this. Although the acapella is very captivating I would start to build up with some acoustic guitar, pad and maybe flute type arrangement. Really good.
Cheers

Jamie

[habiTat]

Thanks Tone and Jamie,

I am actually thinking of recording it as one of my open mic songs, starting a-capella and then introduce acoustic guitar as the song progresses, if I can hold the tune well enough 

[tina m]

i cant believe this is the same habitat i knew last year ...you sound so confident vocaly now & i love acapella & that reverb just sets this of trifficly ...vocal got a tiny bit weak in the bridge bit but i thought it was tremendous & dont want to hear it ruined by guitars & stringed things... brian eno is who you need
your voice  sounded a bit like kaflas but hes not talking to me so thats unlikely

[Kafla]

Really brilliant Habi - can't really advise you much  as I think this is one that will definitely work best the way you normally produce them

I look forward to the finished version 

[montydog]

Oh.......my.........God........

Caco's idea is brilliant - bodran brought in half way would be superb. The song is utterly beautiful and doesn't strictly need anything. I can't hear the van - just keep it as it is and try adding a percussion as Caco suggested. This thing is mega - could easily be Christmas number 1 with the right publicity.

Bloody hell.....