I will say that last month did not go as planned. The first few days I had great hopes of recording an album during the month of February but they just dwindled as the week(s)/month went on.

In 1997 I tried doing the RPM Challenge with a few friends (online). I few songs had been written before hand, but we started working on one in particular (which had been written during the month).. that was about as far as we got, recording just that song. Mind you we finished recording the song about a year later. The song deserved the time we put in to it. And I think that’s where I went askew with this year. The first song written / chosen to record is a really good one and you want it to sound GREAT.

Initially I had planned on recording all instruments myself (drums included). However on the first or second night I started to have problems with my Ashton Drum Pads. The plan was to connect them to my computer and using them to ‘trigger’ better sounds in the computer. I don’t know if it was the sensitivity (ie having to bash the ‘crap’ out of the kit to get the right sound), or something else that mean’t the drums just weren’t working for me was a major set back. The irony, what I had tried to record actually sounded pretty good whilst playing live.

After that night I thought I would enlist the help of a drummer who’s helped me out before, and if I could get him a bassist who had also helped me before, but my drummer didn’t appear to be online for the early part of the month, so I just gave up on that idea.

The final thought was an acoustic album. Then came one day of enthuiasm and recording then my motivation died.

So I’ve decided to turn RPM (Recording Project Month) Challenge in to RPY (Recording Project Year) Challenge. Less pressure leading to a higher quality album.

As I record songs I’ll put them up here. So keep and eye / ear out.

When I got home I wanted to record something, so I picked up a lyric which I wrote earlier and gave it a rewrite, it’s no longer called ‘If Only’, it’s now ‘Back Then’.

The track is very much a WIP, the drums aren’t right and the organs / lead guitar / bass needs work.  I’m almost 1/2 tempted to ask a few friends on a forum I’m on give me a hand cause I think this song could really shine.

Apologies for the mix… Back Then

Back Then Demo mp3

Lyrics and Music Copyright Daniel Porter 2010

Let me know what you think.

I’m not too sure if I’ll bring a few songs out of the closet from my old lyric books to get my started.  I think I might just do a couple of writing exercises tomorrow -morning, lunch and ride home to see if I can come up with something to record tomorrow night.

Althought I do want the first track on the album to be an instrumental… so that might make it a bit easier

Tonight I set up my ‘studio’ area, got my microphones out, guitars arranged, connected up my sound card and my drum pads and tested everything to make sure it works.

There is a slight hum in my monitors (speakers) but aside from that everything else is ready to Rock’n'Roll!

What I was referring to is the  The RPM Challenge.  The challenge is really simple:

Record an album in 28 days, just because you can.

This page goes in to more depth, such all no previously released material can be used and all recording must be done in February.  They do encourage you to write all your songs during February.  That part I won’t be following 100% (as it’s only encouragement), cause I know with that time won’t permit.  I have a few lyrics which I already have which are either WIP or very close to Finished.

So I’ve signed up – this is me.

So from February 1 expect frequent updates here (and probably on my twitter).  I’ll post my WIP recordings and Final versions of songs on here and just the final versions of my songs on RPM’s Site.

There we go! It’s in writing

A few years pass and one night I’m looking for something to record.  So I put down a scratch track of this song, just me, guitar and a bad MIDI drum kit.  I put it up on one of the Forum I’m a regular on to see if anyone wanted to add to the base track.  I wanted to keep it relatively acoustic and laid back, ie no electronic keyboards or rock drums etc.

From my scratch track ‘dispelled_myths’ turned up offered a Piano track.  Not listening to his track, another membery ‘Max Output’ recorded a Bass track for me.  And then after a little nudge from a friend who I’ve worked with before on the site, ‘drmscp’ recorded a drum track.

Even though the Bass and Piano were tracked without listening to the other I think it turned out quite relaxed and nicely.. like we were all sitting together when in fact the Pianist is in Ontario (CAN), Drummer in Texas(US) and Bassist in Maryland(US) and myself in Sydney (AUS).

Download: Daniel Porter – I Miss You.mp3

Lyrics:

I Miss You

When it’s cold and windy outside,
and your not here.
All I can hear,
is the refrigerator running in the kitchen,
the sound of my heart beatin’,
and the lonleness of you in my mind.

What are you feeling when your away?
Are you feeling the same way…. that I feel?
Cause I miss you,
yes I do,
yes I do.

The clock is counting the seconds,
of every minute,
of every hour,
that your not beside me and I think I’m
going insane the way I’m feelin’
Just missing you. Yeah, that’s what it is!

What are you feeling when your away?
Are you feeling the same way…. that I feel?
Cause I miss you,
yes I do,
yes I do.

I get a call from you to tell me,
your on your way,
and you miss me,
and you’ll be home just as soon as you can
because you missing me more than
I’m missing you.  Hell, how would you know?

What are you feeling when your away?
Are you feeling the same way…. that I feel?
Cause I miss you,
yes I do,
yes I do
yes I do
yes I do

(c) Daniel Porter 2008

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If you do download this song, please comment and let me know what you thought of it.

But the last week or so my son (2 1/2 now) hasn’t been getting much sleep of a night… I’ve been saying up late with him.

Today at work when I wasn’t thinking (ironically) a got an idea of taking a retrospective look at life.. and I jotted down a few lines, some made it in to what I’m posting below.

But would love to hear your thoughts if you like / hate the song.

I’m think I’m going to keep on writing first drafts for a month now and then go back at the end and see which ones I should record.  But for now, here is “If Only”

If Only

Reading my diary
from the summer of 92
I was surprised at the things I said,
and all the things I used to do.
Well the world has changed a lot since then,
since I wrote those words with my pen.

Back then,
I didn’t have to worry about phone bills
And if I wanted adventure I got my fills
I did some stupid things I will say that
A few times I wore my dunce hat
But if only,
I knew then what I know now…

I had a girlfriend
Who I hardly knew
I wrote her letters everyday,
that ended with I love you.
Giving those words away freely then
Didn’t mean anything in the end

But back then,
I didn’t have to worry about paying the rent
I didn’t have to work for the money I spent
I’ve got my parents to thank for that
And they know one day I’ll pay them back…
But if only,
I knew then what I know now…

Bridge
Now the world hasn’t been the same since 9/11
When innocent people were sent to heaven
Cause we live now with a constant worry
And seem to travel everywhere in a hurry
Taking life a little to fast
We’re just another person in the cast

But back then…
I didn’t have to worry about a child
And now my days are over from being wild
All those speed humps that got in the way
Shaped me to be the man I am today….
Cause now, I know more than I knew then

Now I know more than I knew then

(c) Daniel Porter 2009

But this post came from a suggestion from a twitter ‘tweet’ by @RavenousRaven

“Get off Twitter right now and go and write a song! Go on – yes now! You have 1hr to finish the 1st draft. Go!!! ”

Well I didn’t do it at the time, however I sat down for about 45 minutes and came up with the Lyric below.

My initial rambles which lead to the song were:

I want it to be fun.. not sad… positive song in this depressing world

happy thoughts – sunny days

Feel Happy again
Like standing in summer rain

The last line, actually the last two words gave me the idea for the song.  And it then progressed in to what one of it’s first drafts.  The first verse came out first, then the bridge and I wrote the other two verses after, one before and one after the bridge.  Would love to hear your feedback through here or twitter.

I present the lyrics for “Summer Rain”

Summer Rain

Everything in this world seems to be getting me down.
Wether it’s the news or the economy
that’s all heading towards the ground.
All I have to do to make me happy again is think..
About standing in summer rain.

Don’t want to work but I need the money to keep me going.
I don’t like the job but to me it’s easy,
but I feel myself slowing.
But to make me feel better again I just think
About standing in Summer Rain

Bridge
Those warm drops of water, hitting my face
with rays of sunshine, shining through with grace
My arms wide open, welcoming it all
rain drops racing to the ground I watch you fall…
Sweet Summer Rain!

Instrumental break

I’m always the happiest when I’m home with my family
And even more so on Summer holidays
I’ll play in the backyard happily
And when it rains we’ll stand there with our arms wide open.
We’ll be Standing in Summer Rain

Standing in Summer Rain
Standing in Summer Rain

(c) Daniel Porter 2009

The original was myself on acoustic guitar, vocals, a ‘lead’ guitar and a ‘synth strings’. This is just myself and a guitar, with a secondary guitar playing some leads (also played by myself).

Download: Daniel Porter – True Time.mp3

Lyrics:

True Time

There’s a journey,
we all must take one day.
Some people take it early,
and others late.
And when the True Time comes,
you don’t have a say.
All your suffering,
gets taken away.

Some babies,
don’t even live a day.
Their lives,
taken prematurely away.
And when the True Time comes,
you don’t have a say.
Some things in life,
are just unfair.

Old age,
Will never escape the young, that’s for sure!
Disease or disability,
The type you make or the type you catch.
And when the True Time comes,
you don’t have a say.
Life is too short,
everybody says.

You say goodbye,
to a body but not the soul.
It lives on in your heart,
for as long as you live.
Then when my True Time comes,
we’ll be together again.

(c) Daniel Porter 2000

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If you do download this song, please comment and let me know what you thought of it.

Download: Daniel Porter – Feelings Don’t Just Disappear.mp3

Lyrics:

Feelings Don’t Just Disappear

It don’t mean a thing,
everything you say to me .. no.
So now I’ve stopped listening,
and I’m started to walk away…. again.

And so why do I feel this way?
Because I don’t know what to say.
I’m somewhere that I’ve never been, before,
And the feelings, they don’t just disappear.

Lonely nights at home,
thinkin’ about you all the time.
I called you on the telephone,
and left a message for you to call me back

And so why do I feel this way?
Because I don’t know what to say.
I’m somewhere that I’ve never been, before,
And the feelings, they don’t just disappear.

I never got the call back,
I was never expecting you to.
We could always try and get back,
but we never get anywhere ..no we wouldn’t

And so why do I feel this way?
Because I don’t know what to say.
I’m somewhere that I’ve never been, before,
And the feelings, they don’t just disappear.

(c) Daniel Porter 2000

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If you do download this song, please comment and let me know what you thought of it.

Download: Daniel Porter – Circle Goes On.mp3

Lyrics:

Circle Goes On

In my arms,
you are safe here.
Away from harms,
I will protect you dear.

But oneday you will be,
out on you own.
And i hope for you,
there will be someone at home.

For you to hold,
In you arms.
And protect them,
and keep them from harm.
Like I did you.
The circle goes on

(c) Daniel Porter 2007

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If you do download this song, please comment and let me know what you thought of it.