I have been writing songs for many years.. My work samples that I am presenting are parts of songs written in that last five or six. My work is impressionistic rather than consciously thematic; and the songs are reflective of the particular time/space coordinates of that place in my life. Songs written when my son was born are very different from those written when I was breaking up with my ex-boyfriend. I have recorded CDs worth of songs, nine of which have been released. My creative process has thus far followed this process: I hear song fragments in my head, and I hum them, embellish them, write down lyric strands. When several songs are whirling around in my head, and the fragments become more intricate, I feel it is time to take them from the ethereal to the material.
I would describe this step as downloading the melodies, beats and lyric couplets from my mental hard drive. Usually I will play the piece, without a complete lyric, on piano, and I write out a simple chord chart, and offer it to band members to play. I will usually fill in most of the blank spaces in the lyric before rehearsal. More recently, using a Garageband program, I have found a new way to show new work. I upload a tape loop and then play a piano part, to indicate key, tempo and song structure. Then I overdub scratch vocals to the computer. Once those are complete, I will send the songs via Skype, or per snail mail, on CD to the musicians in my live band. They will listen, and practice a rudimentary form of the tune. When we get to the rehearsal room, we play the piece together. This is where suggestions are made. I work with extremely skilled players, who are able to embellish the piece, in their own style. A simple bass line will be made more rich by the bassist, and additional guitar lines and sax lines are suggested. At the end, a song is ready for live recording and/or live performance. We first lay down basic tracks together, bass, drums, guitar and a scratch vocal. Overdubs are next. A keyboard or sax is added as needed, as are backing voices. Solos are added. Then the permanent lead vocal is put on, and then the piece is mixed.
