Write. Record. Experiment. Reflect. And Repeat. That’s basically where I’m at musically – as the faithful few readers of this website probably know. But I’m no longer so content keeping my experiments to myself so I’ve decided, what the hell, let’s put up some works in progress. By works in progress, I mean you’ll likely hear these songs again when they’re better. Then you’ll hear them a few more times and possibly get sick of them.

I’m not promising finished.

But you’ll be expecting it.

I’m not promising professional.

But you’re already hoping for it.

I’m just promising to honesty and a little insight into the writing process of a songwriter/vocalist/guitar player whose music has often been described as good, but hard to market.

So here’s where can checkout a few ditties from the mountain of songs I’m getting a bit closer to finishing:

Writing is progressing smoothly this week with lots of progress on the lyrics to three songs and the writing process looks a bit like this:

Quite often things are messier than this, but this isn’t the first draft and many of the lines were already written in my head while experimenting with melodies.

Feeling pent up musically so I’ve decided to start sharing things I’m working on while I’m working on them, warts and all. Risky, I know, since this might leave a lasting bad impression, but what the hell, it’s not like I’m selling these songs (at least not yet).

So that being said, things are coming along slowly but surely.

Recently came the realization I needed to put aside recording and playing long enough to get some lyrics done and tonight I rounded out two songs: “Rock. Don’t Stop” and “Living Out the Fantasy”. I threw down some scratch vocals and here’s out one of them turned out:

Like many songs these days, these one had a code name: “Kasabian”. Took a lot of inspiration from the band (Kasabian, if that wasn’t already obvious) and a slew of late 80s, early 90s British bands like Charlatans UK.

Much work to be done, but the basic ideas all seem to be there.

At this point, I might not bother giving estimates on when I’ll release a new CD. I’m apparently in the groove and the writing is too good to stop so releasing songs as they’re finished is likely the only way I’ll get something out in a reasonable time. I’m getting there, but new ideas keep derailing the schedule.

A few titles that are edging to completion:

• Rock, Don’t Stop
• Living Out The Fantasy
• Pulls You Under
• Gets You Excited
• Get High
• Why Is It

I’m in love with all of these and it’s taking a lot of restraint to not post even a few seconds – but I’d rather wait till the tracks are as final as I can make them.

Have a nice weekend, everybody!

As you, my friends and supporters, might remember, recording had been delayed due to sound issues in my new abode. I can’t say I’ve 100% solved them, but workable solutions have been found and recording has resumed. In the time it took to tackle these issues, I’ve thrown out a number of contendor songs and have written more towards a particular vision which seems like it could be realized.

My vision for Ashen Mix and its songs are roughly as follows:

• Dance beats
• Drum and bass oriented songs
• Low volume vocals (as much as possible)
• Less woe-is-me or damn-I-suck-so-much type lyrics (try and have fun)
• Make the guitar do damn near anything
• Keep it all lo-fi and digital

So that being said, here is a link to an MP3 of the first song that really sums up Ashen Mix: “There Goes”.

Download: There Goes (MP3)

I hope you’re all having a great year so far and hope to see you at live gig real soon.

Setting up the studio in L.A. has not been without it’s challenges. New apartment with new sound issues… guess I was spoiled in the last location. So while I’ve been hunting the source of all these noise issues, I’ve been writing and that’s put me on a better path.

Over twenty songs have been sketched out for Ashen Mix so far, but unfortunately most – despite how amazing they might be – don’t quite fit the vision. Seven, however, do and only one has been shared so far (“There Goes”). I’m inclined to stick with these seven and put them online as some sort of collection (“E.P.” seems weird without a pressing), maybe sharing them as they’re completed.

Hopefully this weekend I get the noise issues resolved and proper recording can continue so we can get to the sharing.

Don’t get the wrong idea – I’ll be living there. Already am, as a matter of fact, but recording is still on hold while we search for a more permanent residence. Excited to be here and with all the energy of Southern California, I’d be surprised if that all doesn’t have an influence on the music.

However, not all is wine and roses. U-Haul got robbed during our move and both Weszt-era Guild Jumbo 12-strings were stolen along with a Variax which we used to duplicate the sitar and other studio only sounds. A lot of love and history in those acoustics and a terrible way to close a chapter. I try not to think about the loss. Still doesn’t seem real. We will try to replace them, but how can you replace things like that? At least my bass and Fender Strat were in the other car.

So for now, I’ll be focusing mostly on lyrics, new song ideas, and getting used to Los Angeles. Big change from Corvallis, Oregon, I assure you, but a good one. I’m more than thrilled to be close to rock bands again. Ready to rejoin them.

That’s about it for now.

Unfortunately the Ashen Mix sessions are on hold for the moment as I relocate to a new home and state. More on that soon.

Despite travel, a massive head cold, and an ear infection, writing continues. I’m collaborating a little as well with an old friend so that’s added a new influence to the mix (*cough*) which so far has produced exciting results. I’ve got several new songs going, though I’m taking the opportunity away from the studio to focus on lyrics and other ideas.

For fun, can you guess from this picture where I’ve been lately?

Yes, I actually have blistered my fingers trying to perfect the guitars for the new recording.