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less is more vs elaborate productions

2/29/2020

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is less really more?

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On the topic of song-writing. Like, how do I know if my song is finished? Do I really need to add more to this song? Whats the bare minimum I need to have a 'complete' sounding production.

production goals based on genre and influence


A great productivity expert once said "begin with the end in mind." In this I am a firm believer. When you set off to expand on your new song idea, do you consider the end result you're trying to achieve? Are you writing an alternative-rock song, but calling it Progressive rock? What is the difference between the two? Differences in structure? tone? Why doesn't my song ever turn out the way I intended?
These are all heavy questions. Sometimes the best thing to do if you're inexperienced is to just try it. I remember the first several dozen tracks I set out to record were meant to be something different than the product I ended up with... Sure, they still sounded okay, but why did the end-result not match my expectations? 

how little can i get away with while keeping my song full?

Alright, lets elaborate a little more about minimialism in music production. 
What tools do you have available? are you working on a two-track system with limited resources, or do you have access to the worlds top studio facilities? and if you do, how much of that stuff do you actually need?

I am a firm believer in the power of a great performance over a complex production. in Spending the extra time in the song-writing phase + even during the pre-songwriting phase to understand what you want, and why you want it. another creativity expert once said that "restraints can be a catalyst for creativity."  It's not always a bad thing to put yourself inside a box. Sometimes restricting the amount of travel outside the boundaries you create going into the project can allow for more focused and productive creativity within them. 

when adding too much begins to take away

Are you on your umpteenth mix? have you been tracking this album for over a year now? Do you have more than 6 plugins on each track? is your solution to make it sound better by adding more? I've heard these sentiments echoed many times from many self-produced songwriters. It's hard to detach  sometimes, This album has to get done right, I get it. 

If this situation sounds familiar. perhaps its time to step back for a moment, let it rest and come back with fresh ears. When you return to the project, look at each element of your song and really ask, is this necessary? what was this (instrument, plugin, mix) accomplishing. If i remove that element in this spot of the song, will it be missed? Does my song really need 1000 digeridudes or can i get away with just three of them?

how to get more with less

I wish I could conclude this blog by saying "here is your answer, do this and you will be able to get more with less." The problem is that it's music, and in music things are more fluid. It's something we have to discover for ourselves through experience. A wise business man once said "practice is about making mistakes and gaining experience" to me this means, don't be afraid to try to fail and then to try again. We're only human. It can't always be perfect all the time and thats OK. 

Don't be afraid to try and fail
But never be that guy who fails to try!
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Is there anyone who can help me

2/22/2020

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No man is an island. Even if you think you are DIY hardcore, finding like-minded folks who can help you goes a long way.

A support network

Maybe it's just me but personally, I find it a lot easier to get things finished when they're for someone else. Someone needs help with something, and I've offered to help them, it's a lot easier to get motivated to get the job done than if it was a personal project where I have nobody to please other than myself.





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whats next?

2/15/2020

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Starting with the easy thing or the hard thing? that's up to you to decide. I'd recommend knocking back the easiest tasks first, the ones that would take the least time to accomplish. The more difficult tasks might require some incubation time, new skillsets, or a network of friends to help you out.

Do the work

avoiding  procrastination

Something is better than nothing
It doesn't have to be perfect
You'll get better with time

See a door, open a door, you don't have to step through it right away. Check to see what's on the other side. If you see potential there, then start moving.

the decision to take action - It starts with a choice. Remember the words we use in our own minds carry weight.

The language we use in our internal dialoge affects our reality. No seriously. No more of this Someday i hope to ____. A better line of conversation is I am ____. These are called affirmations, and next time you catch yourself using language like hope, want, trying to, etc. Catch yourself and think about it for a moment. Are you trying to do something? or are you Doing it?  

​going through the motions - Consistency of effort

once you understand what you want, the next step is to follow through. How many artists I know don't do this. I was guilty of it myself. It's called Failure to launch syndrome. I get it, it's easier to just push your ambition aside and play some video games. Next thing you know it's 10 years later, and have to bust-ass to make up for lost time. If you're not doing something every day, start with 1 thing. If you're already doing something every-day, then start doing 3 things every day. It'll take dedication and preparation, but you can do it. Start Now.
Putting first things first
what's More important?
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whats more important?

2/8/2020

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There are only so many hours in a day. How are you going to use them?

Identifying problems
​&
understanding what's coming up


maximizing productivity

An inbox for ideas

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If you have creative ideas but never actually pursue them, Can you ease the burden by capturing the ideas for later? This is the way I approach blogging and songwriting. When I have an idea, I'll add it to the list (i keep a notebook nearby so i can quickly captue the idea.) Productivity expert David Allen says "the head is for having ideas, not for holding them, so if the muse strikes you, but you don't have time to do it right now, save the idea for later by capturing it.

  • Pen-and-paper
  • Evernote
  • Voice Memos


blind-spots

through a different lens (camera lens example (wide angle vs reg))
​through the lens of 6 thinking hats
through the lens of an outside perspective (ask someone)

Batch processing

With your list of ideas, you can sit down when it's your creative time, draw from the list, and begin to flesh them out. I do this with Blogging, social media, and songwriting. It works equally as well in all these areas. My sunday for example, is blog day. I make a point that no "real work" is done on sundays. They're for me to rest and re-charge. So I kick back with a cup of coffee, open my inbox, pick something and start writing. I'll get two or three articles done in short order because the ideas have been percolating for a while already, and before I know it, I'm already ahead of the game. No more stress thinking "oh shit, I still have to write my blog for the week, but i didn't have enough time."

All those mundane repeating tasks...

Long slow Burn?

Some projects are too big to do all at once, some are slow burners that are going to take time to build momentum. So how do you handle projects like these. Don't panic. I have to constantly remind myself that It's okay, even if it feels like things are moving slowly and as long as I haven't lost hope or given up, I'm putting in the effert that further the project so as long as I continue to put the effort, it'll happen. There's no point rushing and getting stressed about it.

A Short burst of focused productivity

This is the part where you pick one thing, Pick a time to do it and GO. No cellphones, no Distractions, no Excuses. Tell everyone who would otherwise distract you from this task that you're in DO NOT DISTURB mode. When you go into your focused creativity, be ready with a few simple tasks that you want to accomplish. 
Free PDF resources
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paulcast 37

2/1/2020

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your word

2/1/2020

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speaking the truth into existence 

and actually living it

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Don miguel ruiez the four agreements: The first agreement. 
Thats not the whole picture.
Combine that with follow through. 
A truth in word only is not necessarily the truth
A truth in word plus action combined is the best thing you can give to another person.

Have you ever told someone else you were going to do something then turn around and ghost them with no word of warning, no heads up? Its not a recipe for trust; granted, maybe you had your reasons,  but why the lack of communication?

We arranged to meet on a Wednesday, you mentioned on Tuesday that Thursday is better, okay no problem. I'll shuffle around my commitments and Ill do my best to make it work.  Thursday rolls around, its 5 o clock and im expecting a call. No call. 7 o clock. Maybe somethings up. I have no way of knowing. 9:00? Fuck it. Ive got no patience left, and no trust left either. im going to sleep. Maybe ill get that call, get up, and head out for the meeting. It's important to me so i don't mind. Well I'm writing this article so maybe I do... 

I arranged to meet up with someone else that same week. "Hey bud, ill be in town in two weeks, let me know whats happening so we can catch up." 
"Sure, sounds good."
The week before. "Okay man, gonna be in town next week, we still good 2 go?" 
"Yeah buddy, its my birthday soon, lets celebrate."
"Awesome cant wait."
The day before. "Hey, what are you doing on sunday, I'll be rolling into town then."
"Oh, I'm in Victoria until Tuesday." Shit.
"Alright, let me know when you get back. Heres my number, text me because i have no wifi on the road" Hmm maybe my friend doesnt realise how important this is to me. Can't be deliberate betrayal right? Please tell me its not that.
So Wednesday rolls around, then Thursday, then Friday and I have no patience left. I mean, I get it that you have your own life, and maybe you're dealing with some shit and thats fine if you are. At least tell the person who is counting on you what is happening, maybe he can support you. Maybe you didn't stop to consider that this other person has their own shit to deal with too. Maybe he put a tremendous amount of energy into it and you just ghosted the fuck out of him. You can fuck off. I no longer tolerate this type of behaviour. 

To me, a word spoken without being backed up with action to support it is the same as lying to another person's face. Its a betrayal. Its not the mark of a mature human being, let alone a successful one. I pride myself in doing exactly what I say I will do - when I say I am going to do it. Is it wrong that I should hold others to the same standard?

When being an excellent judge of character, one should watch for this type of horseshit. People who do this make me sick with stress, and while i understand that we're only human and we can't be all perfect all the time, at least try to have the decency to try just a little bit. I mean seriously, grow the fuck up. If you told another person that you're going to do something, either follow through, or pick up the phone (or get on whatever text messenger) and tell them that you can not commit. Do not jerk people around. Its dishonest, and its a good way to extinguish all loyalty that existed.

TL:DR
Say what you mean, do what you say. Do this to keep relationships healthy.

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    Cody Gene is an Independent Record Producer from BC

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Gene Media Creative Studio is the  Production Facility  of Indie-Rock  producer  Cody Gene.
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 Gene Media Creative Studio  is located near 100  Mile house BC.   Focused on providing A/V Support For  Artists

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cody@genemediacreativestudio.com
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