Sun High: Shadow Small

Even though I’m releasing a new song every fortnight, they‘re usually composed with several years between them (and quite often decades).

As with many known bands and artists that’s been around for many decades (also unknown artists), one usually goes through phases, as with life in general.

After dense productions, one might be inclined to do something minimalistic.

One record can have the agenda of “capturing raw live energy” while the next one could be attempting to have “no foot in reality at all”.

«Sun High: Shadow Small» (and the rest of the «Cameron» compilation) was recorded at a time where songs like “I Am A Snake” was frequently performed. And it was natural to aim for something different, in the creative space between shows.

With me on the recording:

Geir Arne Ose: Acoustic Drums

Sign Reader

Sign Reader is the second part of a larger work called “Cameron”

The song has been through extreme changes over the years, and is probably the song that has changed the most (of the songs in the “Cameron” collection).

And many of them have been changed a lot.

Originally it was full of arpeggios (notes) and syncopation (odd rhythms). And it had an entirely different statement and mood.

It had choral soundscapes along with African, and Latin parts.

Now there’s not much left of that, replaced by simple guitar chords and voice.

And I really don’t know how, why or when. Actually I just realized it now, while trying to write something about it, in this blog.

But, I guess there are no final versions of anything in this universe anyway..

With me on the recording:

Geir Arne Ose: Acoustic Drums

Control Looser

Control Looser is the first song in a larger piece called “Cameron”.

Originally this work was composed with strings, horns and piano (in mind). But at the time; the reality of recording an entire orchestra was technologically, practically and economically; impossible.

Instead, I recorded the whole piece live, in one take.

These days, studio production are quite different! After working with orchestral arrangements on a daily basis for years now, I still find this recording to be more interesting as it is (compared to the denser, and polyphonic orchestrated version).

There is something about playing tones intended for a specific instrument, with an entirely different one. It can make it more original and interesting.

So, what once was a technical and financial limitation, now contributes to making these songs more “exotic”.

I also went for a more grounded and old-school kind of approach, with minimal audio processing, and few instruments

On the session with me:

Geir Arne Ose: Drums

I Am A Snake

This release is based on a live performance with my band Woo. I composed “I Am A Snake” specifically with live shows in mind, which I often do.

However, most of the song, and it’s ideas was made without instruments (meaning in my head), in form of daydreaming, and a bit of wishful thinking.

I more often than not, compose without instruments. It’s more liberating that way.

It’s less stressful to think about work, than actually doing it. And I believe many songs would not have been made, if I would need to tackle all physical production and arranging aspects at the same time.

Also, you need the right person to play a song. Someone who understands it, and so many of my songs was rendered unplayable, without the right people in the group.

At the time, when daydreaming, I wrote ideas down on small post-it notes. I have thousands of these, along with a bunch of small yellow notebooks.

Musicians with me on the recording:

Geir Arne Ose: Drums

Reality Dive

Reality Dive is a song that I fooled around with in my band “Woo” but was completed and performed first under the “Ninth” flag.

It was pretty engaging at live shows, and we used to extend it with long dynamic improvisations.

Improvisation was always my favorite thing to do, as you could kind of play on the energy of the audience and the vibe shared in the room.

(My least favorite thing to do, is working in the studio;)

Aim Practice

Aim Practice is a short piece that I used to play, at rehearsals with my band Woo.

Usually it was followed by a song; which will be presented here next week.

Aim Practice was a simple and fun kind of song to play. And one of those songs that was, just as often played on an acoustic, or with a different arrangement.

So it was weird to choose what kind of arrangement to go for, as it had none, and shouldn’t have.

Before The Storm

“Before The Storm” was composed around year 2000.
It was recorded in 2001, it still takes my breath away sometimes; when I look at the song (session files) folder and see songs in progress for such a long time. 

It is also kind of overwhelming to try to improve some of these recordings, without ruining the mojo, or the original intent.

It’s important to try to keep the freshness and nerve of a newly composed song. And to illustrate this, I’ve included to extra versions of the song. The original recording from 2001, and a remixed version from 2014, along with this release. 
(And honestly I’m not sure, which I one prefer)

I remember getting a lot of credit for this song, at the time, and so it was used to promote the band in music business settings, and to pretty good effect.

When I wrote and recorded this song, It was intended to be released on an Ep called “Suntitled Playlist” with my band “Woo”  

The string arrangement on the song is played with a violin bow on an electric guitar. 

With me on the recording
Geir Arne Ose: Drums