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.

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.

Welcome To the Blog. Today we're talking about songwriting and composition. I've been capturing ideas for an irish Jig.

We started off our run by approaching the plan with a song idea.
​Three parts, we'll call them parts A B and C. 

The main lick. the kind of lick that was meant for a Tenor banjo. We didn't have much else to go-on Except a sloppy old recording found in the Archives. So knowing only the root of the song was a  big-ol' D chord, we set off to lay down some Banjo tracks.

An ascending lick with a change of tone-centre. It took me a minute to figure out what was happening, but if I could add an A-chord over top of this new riff, It could bring a much-needed change of energy to the song. I'll figure out the exact chord-progression during my practice session later. For now, It's a good idea, lets capture it...

This part came later. Paul got back to me with a new idea for an outro for the song. This one feels more like a slow-down after a late night celebration. He wrote the part for the mandolin... Sounds great! lets do it.

Same idea, new theme different instrument, but hear how it sounds on that banjo too. lay these down on separate tracks, to see if we can combine them in cool ways later. 

So Last week, I was working with Ol'Brother Paul on the 'Paulcast' 2nd season. We're switching up the format, which will follow the progression of a song through the recording process, while talking about tips/strategies for how to record a song with less frustration.

We've picked an old idea Paul had for an Irish Jig back in 2016-2017 using tenor banjo (or in this case a banjo with the drone string removed.)

Until this point we've been kind of using the term 'Jig' and 'Reel' interchangably, but this got me thinking what's the difference? They are two separate words, so they probably mean two different things. okay google what's the difference between a jig and a reel?

So 'reel' short answer... The main difference is in the timing. Jigs being in a 6/8 time and a Reel being in a 4/4 time.  So to answer my own question, the song we are going to produce is actually an Irish Reel. 

Hey guys, so for what it's worth i've decided to split Gene Media into two 'niches' with the feeling that Songwriting is one category, and Music production fits in another. So what does that mean? better sorting of playlists on youtube, and separate analytics on the backend. Should make it easier to keep track of what's working and what's not. #systemssuccess

Lyrics: 
All this talk of the waiting time
let me get it right
cause all along the waiting time I tried
and no I never want to settle 
standing on the waiting line
So I'll Decide for one

If there's movement let it ride 
Listen to their lies
While all along there's waiting
I watch them bide their time
and no I never thought of quitting 
Ah I'll just get it right
and if it's got kinetic motion
maybe I'll just stand aside
and no I never want to settle 
​standing on the waiting line
So I'll Decide for one
- - - 
Wanna stop hanging round with evil
stop worshipping heroes

Special thanks to:
Paul, (drums on first half)
Curtis from Stolen Signs. (drums on second half)
Levente (keys and organs)
for the skills and contribution.

I sat down the other day with Singer/sowngwriter Doug Maxwell for some video. One of his Originals by the way, and  an excellent story too. 

Here's how he describes it...

"This song commemorates a 1962 road trip my mother, sister and I took. I was just turning 11 at the time and living in Florida. This point in time was the end of innocence, both in my life and in world affairs, as I have come to understand them. The vast glacier we hiked to in Glacier Natl. Park no longer exists, only one example of vast change. Many thanks to Gene Media for invaluable assistance."