I really like it! It flows very well, has some memorable hooks, and a good sense of dynamism and drama. One thing I would maybe look at is how it starts, it's a bit abrupt and sounds like a loop; music played by people doesn't normally start like that. Also it ends abruptly. But I could imagine a party full of people bouncing around to this.
Here is one of mine if anyone would like to listen to where I'm coming from:
Nice work Daniel! I listen to a LOT of electronic music, mostly without lyrics, so I felt right at home with your first track. I loved your use of transitions, and think that perhaps shortening a few of them might make the transitions more interesting and prominent. Like you mentioned about the interplay between repetition and novelty, an abrupt transition will keep the novelty up for me, as I can't necessarily predict where the song will head next because the timing is shortened. Right as my brain says, "A ha!, I've got it," BAM! You switch it up. So impressed with your first song. Can't wait to buy your 2024 release, "Liminal Hymns." ;-) Seriously, keep it up! Thanks for this unexpected treat today.
This is so much fun, thank you for sharing! I love electronic music, maybe you can come to movement detroit this year? :D
My 4 y.o. daughter loves it, I like it a lot. I think you could start it a bit slower to build up and maybe the overall length a little shorter, keep ‘em coming back lol
Totally enjoying the constant backdrop of acoustic drumbeats with electronica sounds in Z you say in a tension between famiariry and fusion, or maybe that's how I hear the playful interact!!!
Daniel, I have such admiration for you and your always-evolving-in-exciting-ways nature and this post AND SONG only re-confirms/deepens that admiration.
For me, I consider my artistic strengths as writer first, but I've long enjoyed creating music, from fiddling away on my acoustic guitar and improvising lyrics to, like you, staying up into the wee hours, perhaps enhanced by a substance or three, generating tunes on my iPhone on the GarageBand app. It's an AMAZING world to explore and your post also inspires me not only to continue exploring it but to share what I create, as well.
Because, really, who knows? Perhaps what we come up with will delight others? I certainly found my evening bike ride enhanced by your creation.
And last, a funny story that relates to your post. I'm a teacher in Japan and one of my many gigs is teaching an after-school English club to elementary school kids. Anyway, several months back, for some reason I found myself sharing a silly song that I'd made on Garage Band a few years ago and the kids LOVED it! They nagged at me to put it on YouTube so I finally did. Thus, without further adieu, I present to all reading this the power of mikans (Japanese for Mandarin oranges) and "Mikan Madness"! (Nothing like a hip hop beat, a simple funk bass line and a voice sampler!)
This track was not what I was expecting and was super fun to listen to! I love how GB makes writing and producing music so accessible for "non-musicians"...but I certainly wouldn't put you in that category! Curious now what kinds of music draw you in as a listener more generally and what attracted you to this genre (for lack of better description)? Or was it the ease of the tools that led to this sonic collage of swirling bits and hypnotic pulses? I enjoy artists like Tim Hecker that digitally destroy recorded audio through processing, dithering and effects, thus completely reinventing the original sounds into something novel. Sort of a companion to Aphex Twin's morphing, hyper-rhythmic machine elves.
Don’t love the track, but I love making music myself for fun, and do it often, so I support this impulse. I want to buy a looping station to play with.
Would love to know what the other readers of this Substack listen to and if we share musical taste.
My current musical obsession is Tim Henson (ultra-future-being) and his band Polyphia.
I'm impressed! It made me feel surprisingly happy, it was really good by the way, and I LOVE that you shared this... at a time when I am thinking about my own artistic expression. Inspired!
I like it! It's very danceable (that's always good) and I like the jazzy interludes. If I were to suggest any additions or changes, you could try a deeper, stronger bass line throughout, but that's my personal taste. Garageband is a lot of fun! You could also pick up an acoustic percussion instrument and play along with your creation. Electronic is awesome, but there's always something to be added with a real person behind a traditional instrument of some sort. Keep at it. I'll look forward to your next piece.
I really like it! It flows very well, has some memorable hooks, and a good sense of dynamism and drama. One thing I would maybe look at is how it starts, it's a bit abrupt and sounds like a loop; music played by people doesn't normally start like that. Also it ends abruptly. But I could imagine a party full of people bouncing around to this.
Here is one of mine if anyone would like to listen to where I'm coming from:
https://guyjames.bandcamp.com/track/white-horses-of-the-wind-fairytale-mix
thanks!
Nice work Daniel! I listen to a LOT of electronic music, mostly without lyrics, so I felt right at home with your first track. I loved your use of transitions, and think that perhaps shortening a few of them might make the transitions more interesting and prominent. Like you mentioned about the interplay between repetition and novelty, an abrupt transition will keep the novelty up for me, as I can't necessarily predict where the song will head next because the timing is shortened. Right as my brain says, "A ha!, I've got it," BAM! You switch it up. So impressed with your first song. Can't wait to buy your 2024 release, "Liminal Hymns." ;-) Seriously, keep it up! Thanks for this unexpected treat today.
This is so much fun, thank you for sharing! I love electronic music, maybe you can come to movement detroit this year? :D
My 4 y.o. daughter loves it, I like it a lot. I think you could start it a bit slower to build up and maybe the overall length a little shorter, keep ‘em coming back lol
Totally enjoying the constant backdrop of acoustic drumbeats with electronica sounds in Z you say in a tension between famiariry and fusion, or maybe that's how I hear the playful interact!!!
Love it and certainly would like MORE. Cheers
Daniel, I have such admiration for you and your always-evolving-in-exciting-ways nature and this post AND SONG only re-confirms/deepens that admiration.
For me, I consider my artistic strengths as writer first, but I've long enjoyed creating music, from fiddling away on my acoustic guitar and improvising lyrics to, like you, staying up into the wee hours, perhaps enhanced by a substance or three, generating tunes on my iPhone on the GarageBand app. It's an AMAZING world to explore and your post also inspires me not only to continue exploring it but to share what I create, as well.
Because, really, who knows? Perhaps what we come up with will delight others? I certainly found my evening bike ride enhanced by your creation.
And last, a funny story that relates to your post. I'm a teacher in Japan and one of my many gigs is teaching an after-school English club to elementary school kids. Anyway, several months back, for some reason I found myself sharing a silly song that I'd made on Garage Band a few years ago and the kids LOVED it! They nagged at me to put it on YouTube so I finally did. Thus, without further adieu, I present to all reading this the power of mikans (Japanese for Mandarin oranges) and "Mikan Madness"! (Nothing like a hip hop beat, a simple funk bass line and a voice sampler!)
https://youtu.be/JsDXr4ySE0s
thank you!
This was fun! Thanks for sharing! Now I need a mikan... :-)
Glad you enjoyed it. And yes, mikans are delicious!!
Very groovy and fun Daniel!
Surprisingly upbeat, dancecible, and tame, from a mind that is the opposite.
Love it!
okay! now we need you rapping over this and it's done. when's the mixtape coming out. we need more. you're killing it daniel.
This track was not what I was expecting and was super fun to listen to! I love how GB makes writing and producing music so accessible for "non-musicians"...but I certainly wouldn't put you in that category! Curious now what kinds of music draw you in as a listener more generally and what attracted you to this genre (for lack of better description)? Or was it the ease of the tools that led to this sonic collage of swirling bits and hypnotic pulses? I enjoy artists like Tim Hecker that digitally destroy recorded audio through processing, dithering and effects, thus completely reinventing the original sounds into something novel. Sort of a companion to Aphex Twin's morphing, hyper-rhythmic machine elves.
Kudos. You're a producer. Very danceable. Interesting bridges. I liked the snake rattle.
almost has this 70s vibe, head rocking side to side kind of thing. and then the whoooshy flute comes in. I like it! Fun. upbeat. good for you!!
Don’t love the track, but I love making music myself for fun, and do it often, so I support this impulse. I want to buy a looping station to play with.
Would love to know what the other readers of this Substack listen to and if we share musical taste.
My current musical obsession is Tim Henson (ultra-future-being) and his band Polyphia.
And I haven’t shared my own music anywhere, but I sing on this track. Which I hate it now, but there it is.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6Ihf6H1wyWy5LetBU3RXSI?si=GWSVoHTqQaKX6Vpuanyx8A
I'm impressed! It made me feel surprisingly happy, it was really good by the way, and I LOVE that you shared this... at a time when I am thinking about my own artistic expression. Inspired!
Very cool, tripping right along !!! Opens a new dimensional matrix for the muse to flow. Enjoying its whimsy sidestepping itself.
Mahaloha, jeff
I like it! It's very danceable (that's always good) and I like the jazzy interludes. If I were to suggest any additions or changes, you could try a deeper, stronger bass line throughout, but that's my personal taste. Garageband is a lot of fun! You could also pick up an acoustic percussion instrument and play along with your creation. Electronic is awesome, but there's always something to be added with a real person behind a traditional instrument of some sort. Keep at it. I'll look forward to your next piece.