I’ve called this song sketch ‘Genevieve’. I started it on the 5th May and added to it a few days later. Please update Flash Player to view this video.

The visuals are snippets of stuff I have lying around on my laptop that I collected just for this occasion.

NOTE ABOUT THESE CLIPS

One of the ways we start composing new songs is with a simple musical or rhythmic sequence which I ‘jam’ melodies over until I’m happy I have something that has meaning to me. I thought these song sketch ideas might be of interest to some of you and so I’ve decided to make little movies of some of them and post them up. They don’t all mutate into finished songs, those that don’t often spark off other ideas which we develop in other ways. The pictures are generally recorded with miscellaneous portable implements I carry around with me for spur of the moment things. Please feel free to sign up and leave your comments and please remember that all the material is copyright.

Hi Tasmin,
It’s Ross here (I occasionally emailed you when the Message to the Magnet site was up although you probably don’t remember!)
I hope you dont mind me leaving some thoughts on the sketches.

Genevieve seems to me to have two distinct parts to it. The drums ‘march’ bit and the almost medieval, earthreal section that comes in about when the butterfly and the owl show up on the vid (love the vids btw!)

I cant make out the vocals but just listening to the melody of your voice gives a certain shiver at that bit. I think if some airy accoustic guitars or some sweepy synths could be added…

Have you heard of “Chicane”? I think the type of syths and chords that Chicane uses on his earlier material “Far from the Maddening Crowds” and “Behind The Sun” could add a lot to this track. Thats if you want to go in that particular direction with this track! )

Hi Ross,
Yes, I do remember you. I hope you’re keeping well.

I’m not sure what way it will develop yet, but you’ve given me somethings to mull over. Cheers! for that.

Tasmin

I like it when songs spark emotion. Especially as we were discussing spirits last night…

I love the synth on your voice for Genevieve.

I’d LOVE to see this as a longer sample as a additional track or B side… and if remixed by J, I can imagine it as a hypnotic trance… great!

t.

It’s actually really odd commenting on pure ‘ideas’… as they are not formed, and they are very personal to an artist… it’s like giving an artist feedback on a partially painted painting. I hope that you (T&J) only take our comments as equally unfinished conclusions… ideas, rather than critique… sparks rather than polish…

Using the video with the music is really powerful… I always remember Bjork recorded samples on beaches and car parks… using her observations…

Some useful words for future observation:

Rage

Sporadic feeling

Jealousy

Are there any car parks near you T&J? You would find each of these there!

t.

Hi Tony,

That’s okay I like the feedback, so please do keep it coming. It’s very much appreciated.

Just the local supermarket for car parks and I can see what you mean.

Thanks for the words… You’ve reminded me of something I used to do to overcome my block. I’ll write a new blog note about it.