10 Little things
Man, this CD project is hanging over my head majorly… I will do things a bit differently next time (yea, I have tracks and ideas already…)
1. DON’T SET A RELEASE DATE UNTIL ALL THE SONGS ARE RECORDED AND EDITED.
That seems to be my big problem with this CD. I have a January 1st, 2005 date to keep. Its a double edged sword, however, as it keeps me from blowing it off and just going to parties and drinking and doing homework, and socializing… yea.. double edged with a vengeance.
2. Don’t make album art until the album has some music.
I came up with from pretty bunk album art before I even had a single track. Yea, I don’t even wanna talk about it actually.
3. Money
Money causes all sorts of problems. In order to get the packaging I want, I need to make 1000 units, which costs ~$1,600, which I don’t have. Also, paying people that appear on the album seems like, unless handled gently, could possibly cause problems. It hasn’t yet, and don’t think it will (one person took the offer, the other didn’t, and even if he did, he more than deserves it).
4. Direction
Its a good thing no one comes to my recordings other than the people recording, because everyone would see my complete lack of creative direction until the second that someone asks the question, “so, where do you want this song to go?” Yea, I guess I need to plan it out a bit more, but I feel that often stifles a musicians natural creativity; I like to let people just flow with what they feel works (which is how I write most of my songs, which explains their often random seeming construction). I may or may not have a unifying direction for my next work(s) — get over it.
5. Keep the social life.
Because I foolishly set a release date a tad too soon, my social life has suffered. I spend most of my days and nights editing and recording nowadays. Hardly do you see me at Delta Chi parties, or chillin’ in my living room. Eh, partying is overrated, and TV sucks anyway, so how cares, right? Wrong. TV sucks, but meeting people rules (btw: if you are just joining us, it seems I may have met someone…)
6. Lose the job
Optional, but during those last few weeks of hectic recording and editing, it seems having to shave and wake up at a reasonable hour is becoming a bit of a drag.
7. More Sex.
Again, optional, but I think my songs would be a little less depressing and a little more fun if I got it on a bit more.
8. Eat, you nerd.
Yea, I have lost my appetite a bit, since I never eat anyway, and now I am recording and editing all the time, so the appetite has suffered. Taking breaks for meals is essential.
9. Get out more.
Again, back to the release date; not setting it too soon allows time to get out and climb rocks more.
10. Have Fun
I had plenty of fun, and plan on having more, after a good, long 6-9 month break from recording , during which time I will be promoting, and having fun at jam sessions and possibly gigs from time to time. Who knows?
ok, so I lied… 11 little things.
11. Don’t alienate friends
I think what friends I have that don’t really understand me get a tad annoyed by my constantly sending them cuts and mixes to listen to. Next, no one but the people recording get to listen before hand (and close friends and family, of course). This may server two functions: 1) keeping friends whom I consider “not entirely close” friends happy with me enough to continue their “not entirely close”-ness, and 2) creating a real desire to buy the album other than to get me to shut the hell up. 
