I recorded this song in my closet in Chicago. I always envisioned the chorus of this song being sang/sung/singded/(not sure) by an old circus announcer of some sort. The little dude who stands in the middle of the tent with a megaphone.
The lyric about "swinging on the willow tree" in the chorus, is one of my earliest memories in life. When I was young I remember two little girls swinging on the branches of their willow tree wearing church dresses. I think they were my neighbors. It just always stuck with me, so I decided to put it in the song....Although, with the way memories work I may have stolen that scene from Fried Green Tomatoes, or Forrest Gump. Oh well. It's my memory now!
This song is fun to listen to with headphones because the guitars pan left to right at the beginning. For a time I was thinking the whole album may turn into a little jazzy swing thing in the style of Golden Days because I like that style of music so much, but my writing tendencies were too scatterbrained for that to happen....Maybe someday.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Gone Now
I've decided to give a little insight into each individual track on "The Great Unknown." I'm going to do this in chronological order just for the fun of it. Today's track is Gone Now. Let's get to the oldies!
This song was originally released about 5 years ago on an out of print album of mine called "My Memories and Me." This is an ex-girlfriend song in all it's splendor.
I added new vocals, backwards guitar, claps and foot stomps to the new version.
The opening riff is highly, HIGHLY, influenced by Edith Piaf. The initial idea was to combine the sweetness of a French song with the intensity of the alternative/folk/indie/nonsense that I do. The guitar is tuned low to high DADGBbD. I think the tuning came when I was trying to figure out the Edith arrangement that had violin, horns, and whatever else those crazy French people play. Stay tuned for more!
-Todd
This song was originally released about 5 years ago on an out of print album of mine called "My Memories and Me." This is an ex-girlfriend song in all it's splendor.
I added new vocals, backwards guitar, claps and foot stomps to the new version.
The opening riff is highly, HIGHLY, influenced by Edith Piaf. The initial idea was to combine the sweetness of a French song with the intensity of the alternative/folk/indie/nonsense that I do. The guitar is tuned low to high DADGBbD. I think the tuning came when I was trying to figure out the Edith arrangement that had violin, horns, and whatever else those crazy French people play. Stay tuned for more!
-Todd
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Alternate Album Covers
I worked with some great people on this album as far as designing and photography go. Paul Suzynski took some great photos for me in some risky locations. I'll save our breaking and entering story for a later blog.
Krista Block handled all of the graphic design for the album. This is the first time that I didn't design an album by myself and man does it make things so much easier! I never knew what the hell I was doing so it was great having her help to bring these ideas to light.
I posted the album cover a few days ago so I thought I'd post a few alternate ones that didn't make the cut, but I feel are still pretty freaking cool.
These two were taken by Krista's dad in Germany when he went on his own little road trip.
Krista took this one. We eventually used it for the inside of the cd.
This was taken by my dad. It's my grandfather's farm Jeep. Probably like the first Jeep in existence. Seriously. Gramps keeps it real. I think it runs on anger. It only starts when you're pissed at it.
As you can see I had some cool option so it was hard to choose. But I think we found a good vibe to go with the music. Click on those images to make them bigger. Happy Sunday.
-Todd
Krista Block handled all of the graphic design for the album. This is the first time that I didn't design an album by myself and man does it make things so much easier! I never knew what the hell I was doing so it was great having her help to bring these ideas to light.
I posted the album cover a few days ago so I thought I'd post a few alternate ones that didn't make the cut, but I feel are still pretty freaking cool.
These two were taken by Krista's dad in Germany when he went on his own little road trip.
This was taken by my dad. It's my grandfather's farm Jeep. Probably like the first Jeep in existence. Seriously. Gramps keeps it real. I think it runs on anger. It only starts when you're pissed at it.
As you can see I had some cool option so it was hard to choose. But I think we found a good vibe to go with the music. Click on those images to make them bigger. Happy Sunday.
-Todd
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Great Unknown (The Story)
I've lived in 5 states in the past 10 years. If you count how many times I've packed up my stuff and moved to a new apartment/house it totals up to at least 12 addresses. The highway and I have a special relationship.
If you count all of my releases since 2002 this album is my 6th. I, however, do not count the first 3 of them. They were more like experiments and helped me to discover myself....or my sound...or at least a reasonable haircut. I think that comes out to about 50-60 recorded songs.
The Great Unknown is the album that I've worked the hardest on. Many late night recording sessions took place with, I'm sure, many pissed off neighbors. This album was recorded in closets in Savannah and Chicago. Believe it or not when E. and I search for apartments one thing that each place has to have is: a giant closet. No I'm not talking about a "MTV Cribs" closet, but one big enough for me to get in it with my guitar. In Savannah I am kept company in the closet by a very friendly and quiet water heater. Also, there are plastic shelves that I installed in this closet with ZERO studs behind the drywall to hold them up. All of my shit has come tumbling down once or twice, but luckily not on my head. This is where I make my music. Pimping isn't easy.
These last two album "Headlight Sonata" and "The Great Unknown" are my road trip albums. I want people to take from them whatever meaning they want. In the next few weeks though, I'll be explaining where some of the ideas came from. I hope you enjoy them. There will be more stories and photos to come!!
sincerelyiris.com
sincerelyris.bandcamp.com
If you count all of my releases since 2002 this album is my 6th. I, however, do not count the first 3 of them. They were more like experiments and helped me to discover myself....or my sound...or at least a reasonable haircut. I think that comes out to about 50-60 recorded songs.
The Great Unknown is the album that I've worked the hardest on. Many late night recording sessions took place with, I'm sure, many pissed off neighbors. This album was recorded in closets in Savannah and Chicago. Believe it or not when E. and I search for apartments one thing that each place has to have is: a giant closet. No I'm not talking about a "MTV Cribs" closet, but one big enough for me to get in it with my guitar. In Savannah I am kept company in the closet by a very friendly and quiet water heater. Also, there are plastic shelves that I installed in this closet with ZERO studs behind the drywall to hold them up. All of my shit has come tumbling down once or twice, but luckily not on my head. This is where I make my music. Pimping isn't easy.
These last two album "Headlight Sonata" and "The Great Unknown" are my road trip albums. I want people to take from them whatever meaning they want. In the next few weeks though, I'll be explaining where some of the ideas came from. I hope you enjoy them. There will be more stories and photos to come!!
sincerelyiris.com
sincerelyris.bandcamp.com
The Great Unknown
New stuff on the horizon!!! My new album "The Great Unknown" is coming out very very soon. I just ordered the cd's a few days ago. Here is a nice review from Connect Savannah Magazine. Just click here to view it:
Connect Article
Here is a pic of the album cover:
Connect Article
Here is a pic of the album cover:
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