“…but slowly we’re learning”
I feel like a broken record but I have to say it, what a busy month! I know I start every blog this way, but it’s a pretty common theme in my life. Between my son starting school this month, obligations to my bands, and a hectic work schedule, I haven’t found much time to write, let alone record. So, in typical January Through December fashion, this song was completed on the same day as I wrote this…the last day of the month!
This month’s song started with scouring through some old demo recordings where I found an acoustic guitar part that I liked. I took the best bits and looped them before building a beat to accompany it. When making the beat I realized that the guitar loop was not perfectly in time. Most people would fix that but I liked it, and consequently had to play the drum loops manually. This gives the overall feel a sway that I think lends itself to the song. I piled on some synth parts and a piano before adding some ambient-noise tracks with my monotron and an e-bowed electric guitar (the jarring noises in the intro).
After finding a decent vocal take and adding a harmony part, I had taken the song as far as I could on my own. So, I brought the tune to my friend and bandmate, Adam Kierstead, who added two beautiful electric guitar parts and some bass. I had Sean Boyer reverse one of my guitar licks to use in the intro while he was mixing, which I think turned out wonderfully.
Lyrically, this song deals with being in a place you know is not right for you, but being afraid to change. Something we’ve all dealt with at one point or another, I’m sure.
So, with 17 minutes to spare, I present to you….
Any Direction But Home
(to download, right click and select “save as”)
My sincerest gratitude to Sean Boyer for mixing the song, and to Adam Kierstead for lending his talents.
Note: This song is also available in both .WAV and FLAC formats. If you’d like a copy in either format, please write to clintoncca@gmail.com