Taking a different way to work

Well in between recording sessions for Short to Ground (which are sounding kick-ass BTW) and my day job (we hired more staff finally...Hooray for regular scheduling!), work has begun in earnest for the next release to be titled: Someday Your Playground Will Lie In Ruins. The rough sketches are sounding different, and I've changed my methods a bit. While the 6FUTR tracks were primarily sample based creations, this time around I've started using a handfull of software plugins. Nothing from any of the majors, more boutique stuff, and I'm really looking for different ways for developing sounds besides the old OSC-FILTER-AMP model. Case in point is Synplant. Instead of the traditional knobs and sliders, you get seeds, branches, and for deep tweaking a DNA double helix!

Sampling is still going to be my main production method, but sometimes you need to change up a bit .For example, a lot of the drums are being done in a virtual analog drum machine (Although I must admit, half the time I'm bouncing down the audio and chopping 'em up into samples anyway). I haven't touched the bass guitar yet in the writing stage of this, and I'm not sure I'm going to be using it this time. Also the turntables are taking a backseat right now, though I'll probably try mixing down with them like last time, and I plan on using them as a key part in a live performance if it ever gets that far.

The point is change may not necessarily be good or bad, but it keeps things interesting. And if I can't be interested in my own music, no one else will be either.
 

Here we go again...

You may have noticed a different logo taking up space at the top of the blog. That was done by the guy behind Deadsilent Productions. My lovely and hyper-intelligent fiancee (finally learned how to spell that word) introduced me to him. He does some great atmospheric shots as well as portraits. We hung out for a bit and I've got him working on some photo/design ideas.

"But wait," you ask."Photos and designs for what?"

Well, in a fit of masochism, I've given myself a deadline for another EP by Halloween. (Don't ever expect a full LP from me. I don't have the attention span.) So  in between working on an album with STG, 10+ hour days at my job, DJing a friends wedding in August, AND finishing up the final versions of  6 Feet Under The Radar, I took it upon myself to try and release more stuff in the months to come.

Forget the PayPal link. Send me medication.

Where you been lad?

Ok, It's been a bit since I posted and a lot has happened. Sadly damn little of it has to do with DMK. I've been working longer hours, had a laptop meltdown (leading to the new one I'm currently typing on), and definitely not sadly, I've gotten engaged. Again. (this ones totally worth it though. :) )

As far as music, my band Short To Ground, has taken priority recently. Replacing parts that were used in the live show at the beginning, with new, original sound design, which means not only that we don't have to worry about copyright infringement for the album, but that I also had to re-learn new parts. I had to do this in a hurry because tonight we're recording a short set and interview that will air next week on WLUW 88.7 FM in Chicago So dust off your radios and attach your foil or wire hanger to the antenna and grab an earfull. If you can't get the show where you are here's a sampling of tracks on SoundCloud:



I haven't abandoned work on finishing up the final versions of the 6F.U.T.R. material, and I'm coming up with sketches for new material, but life gets in the way sometimes and is slows down the work. But I (and my brilliant fiancee) came up with an idea. We're planning to go on a Diabetes walk in October, and instead of selling the handmade cover discs on Etsy, I'm gonna give them as a thank you to the people who pledge money to sponsor us. (Not to mention this gives me a decent excuse to expand my deadline. It's a wonderful thing when you can disguise slack as a moral/ethical action. :) )