Back in 2012 I was invited to take part in an artist residency program for an NYC based company called Butter Music. Butter is a creative collective that specializes in music and sound design for film and television (among other things).
My challenge was to write and record 10 short songs for the eventual use in some ad, TV show or movie. This meant that they should sound like songs I would naturally write, but with a focus on having a positive/uplifting/hopeful/emotional vibe... you get the idea.
Easier said than done. I wasn't very aware of it at the time, but I tend to write melodies that often move downwards. My chord progressions often lean towards the minor side of things. Okay, so maybe I listened to a few too many Elliott Smith records the year before.
This process forced me to really think about the way I write music. Up until that point my creative output was based purely on inspiration, without much intention. I knew what I wanted, but if I had to change it (for whatever reason) I couldn't do it very convincingly. I don't know if I totally succeeded in writing the correct kind of music for that program, but I definitely learned a lot from it.
Prior to that I was a house painter. I hated my job. Music was my release and escape from it...Now music is my job. I am a freelance composer. (How that came to be is a story of its own, some other time)
I've learned how to write with intention. I'm not saying that I don't write from inspiration. Inspiration has always been like a spark. It's good for starting a fire, but if you aren't prepared to handle it there is no telling what it's going to burn. It's wild. If you're reading this and you're somebody who creates any kind of art, you know this. These days I feel better prepared. I'm still learning, but I now know that you don't need a spark to start a fire... and if one falls on my lap, I know what to do with it.
I have compiled 4 of my favourite tracks from that artist residency program into an EP that I want you to have. It's good, I'm proud of it, but it's different from anything else I have ever put out. I also have a full length album coming out this year. In many ways it will be the antithesis of this EP. The stark difference between these 2 projects made me wonder weather or not I should release this EP at all. Often bands will put out an EP before an album as a sort of teaser to the album. This is not that. However I am proud of this material, and I think it deserves to be shared.
I'd like to thank my friend Ian Jefferys at Butter Music. I learned so much from him during the writing/recording process of these songs. This man knows music! It wasn't easy, but he stuck with me. Thanks Ian!
I'd also like to thank my friend Ryan Lott (Son Lux) for connecting me with Butter Music. So much has changed for me in the last few years because of his kindness. Thanks Ryan!
I'd also like to thank YOU. Whoever you are. Thanks for reading this. I hope you enjoy this EP. I want you to have it for free. If you love it, please share it with everybody you know. Thank You!
Much love - Andrew
Somebody Loves You - EP
My challenge was to write and record 10 short songs for the eventual use in some ad, TV show or movie. This meant that they should sound like songs I would naturally write, but with a focus on having a positive/uplifting/hopeful/emotional vibe... you get the idea.
Easier said than done. I wasn't very aware of it at the time, but I tend to write melodies that often move downwards. My chord progressions often lean towards the minor side of things. Okay, so maybe I listened to a few too many Elliott Smith records the year before.
This process forced me to really think about the way I write music. Up until that point my creative output was based purely on inspiration, without much intention. I knew what I wanted, but if I had to change it (for whatever reason) I couldn't do it very convincingly. I don't know if I totally succeeded in writing the correct kind of music for that program, but I definitely learned a lot from it.
Prior to that I was a house painter. I hated my job. Music was my release and escape from it...Now music is my job. I am a freelance composer. (How that came to be is a story of its own, some other time)
I've learned how to write with intention. I'm not saying that I don't write from inspiration. Inspiration has always been like a spark. It's good for starting a fire, but if you aren't prepared to handle it there is no telling what it's going to burn. It's wild. If you're reading this and you're somebody who creates any kind of art, you know this. These days I feel better prepared. I'm still learning, but I now know that you don't need a spark to start a fire... and if one falls on my lap, I know what to do with it.
I have compiled 4 of my favourite tracks from that artist residency program into an EP that I want you to have. It's good, I'm proud of it, but it's different from anything else I have ever put out. I also have a full length album coming out this year. In many ways it will be the antithesis of this EP. The stark difference between these 2 projects made me wonder weather or not I should release this EP at all. Often bands will put out an EP before an album as a sort of teaser to the album. This is not that. However I am proud of this material, and I think it deserves to be shared.
I'd like to thank my friend Ian Jefferys at Butter Music. I learned so much from him during the writing/recording process of these songs. This man knows music! It wasn't easy, but he stuck with me. Thanks Ian!
I'd also like to thank my friend Ryan Lott (Son Lux) for connecting me with Butter Music. So much has changed for me in the last few years because of his kindness. Thanks Ryan!
I'd also like to thank YOU. Whoever you are. Thanks for reading this. I hope you enjoy this EP. I want you to have it for free. If you love it, please share it with everybody you know. Thank You!
Much love - Andrew
Somebody Loves You - EP