I spent much of last week listening to a lot of My Bloody Valentine… the epitome of a genre now called ‘shoegaze‘ or ‘shoegazer.’ The term apparently comes from the fact that the guitar players in bands like these were the ‘anti-guitar heroes’ and instead of putting on a show of guitar pyrotechnics, they would simply take the backseat and look to their feet…essentially gazing at their shoes. In My Bloody Valentine’s case, they (Kevin Shields mostly…who did later wrote major portions of the Lost in Translation soundtrack) created giant walls of white noise and layers of distorted reverb-drenched guitars.
So what does that have to do with anything? Last week I put up a very basic guitar track (‘Second Take’) of a chord progression in 6\8 I came up with. Feeling a bit writer’s blocked as to what direction to take it, I decided not to touch it for awhile. Well I didn’t completely leave it alone. I took the same progression from last week’s song and changed it dramatically.
As you will hear, the song, now titled creatively, “Third Take,” is now a mush of reverby, crunchy distorted guitars, muddy and loud. But the more I listen to these layers, the more I begin to hear a beauty in the distorted harmonies and simple melodies. I am planning on writing a vocal part that is higher in register, maybe somewhat filtered in the way Sparklehorse or Kevin Shields might sing…and really go with the genre exercise.
Something very cathartic about laying the distortion on thick. Anyway, what do you all think? “Third Take version one.”
[audio:https://hellocomein.com/soundbox/hellomusic_mike/ThirdTake_v1.mp3]UPDATE: This morning I added a few things to the mix, but changed it just enough to have it take on some new shape. Here is Third Take v1b.
[audio:https://hellocomein.com/soundbox/hellomusic_mike/ThirdTake_v1b.mp3]Here is a checklist of things I need to add:
1) a few more reverby effects and things to make the layers a bit smoother around the edges2) real drums
3) bass?
4) vocals
anything else?
Do you have any more updates on this? I’m ready to add drums…
I think it needs something to help differentiate the sections… well, I bet lyrics will help. But I love the reverbed out style. Can you map out the structure for me (verse, choruse, etc) to help me track what part of the song I’m in?
I think it could use some layers that cut through… like I think a glockenspiel line that doubles the single note guitar line. Or piano chords on the first beat of each chord change towards the end. I can add the piano if you think it’s worth a try.
1) no more updates recorded yet…still writing my vocals
2) i think the vocal sections will help differentiate the sections but there is a very definite form to this song’s structure. there is an intro, verse, bridge, chorus, intro, verse, verse, bridge, chorus, vamp, chorus. later i will write out the chords for you in the right structure once i remember what key i put it in (used a capo and open chords originally)
3) i think i might have a few layers cut through..with headphones you will hear some synthy stuff way in the back that i might bring out more. but in some ways i think i want to avoid much pop melodic content in lieu of simple muted high ranged vocals. the style of this genre really de-emphasizes the direct melodies besides the vocals in favor of a large wash of noise and sound. I really like the subtlety the different guitar parts (and there are at least 4 guitar tracks here and soon maybe more) take on when layered on and on. it becomes very dreamlike and surreal.
btw have you guys listened much to the band My Bloody Valentine. if not, allow me to give you guys the album Loveless…its a classic early 90s indie rock dream rock album. plus sofia coppola likes them in her movies.
I should clarify… totally understand where you are going with the style. I think could just use some clarity in a couple parts, but I actually think it will solve itself once vocals are added. No need to take away the washed out sound.
Okay here is the form for Third Take…(i think this is right let me know if this doesnt look\sound right when you hear the music)
CAPO on 1st fret (therefore all the chords you see will be actually up a half step)
INTRO
A Em A Em
||: / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
second time through single guitar line plays
VERSE ONE
A Em A Em
||: / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
play this a total of 2 times through
BRIDGE
D D/F# E E/D E/C# E/B
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
CHORUS (all choruses have that single note melody too!)
A D A D
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Bm D B-
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
D E D C#m Bm
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
INTERLUDE
A
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
VERSE TWO
A Em A Em
||: / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
play four times total here
BRIDGE
D D/F# E E/D E/C# E/B
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
CHORUS
A D A D
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Bm D B-
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
D E D C#m Bm
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
VAMP
A
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
A D A D
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
LONG CHORUS
A D A D
||: / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / :||
play twice total
A D Bm D
|| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Bm D E D C#m Bm
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
VAMP OUT ON A MAJOR
hmmm…this didnt exactly come out like i thought it would… those smileys are lame. sorry about that.
i will disable smileys.. cause they are lame ;0
and its done. we are rid of them for all eternity.