This week has passed in a bit of a blur…
I have just recovered from a cold, which rendered me temporarily unable to sing, so I have been concentrating on instrumental tracks. I cut one of these together earlier in the week. It is called ‘Ocean’. When I heard it thru for the first time, I thought: ‘no-one else in the world could have written that‘. It is totally truthful, totally unusual and completely mine. For better or worse, you will have heard nothing like it.
Now I am all the way better, I am jonesing to lay down some vocals on these tracks; which is really the most fun you can have with your clothes on…
That said, I have on occasion recorded naked. ;-)
When I sing I don’t like to use headphones. I feel they create a barrier between me and the music. I like to live inside the little worlds I have created for myself. So I set everything up beforehand; the space, the studio, and my little cage of microphones. Then I sit and centre myself. When I am ready, I play the pieces thru my studio speakers and capture whatever voice naturally happens. It is a very simple setup.
A local filmmaker came over to the studio to interview me. I had no idea how it was going to go.
It turned out to be an absolute joy. I didn’t for one minute feel like I was being filmed or interviewed. It was more like: a really good and deep long form conversation. The footage is going to be cut together with some of my music, and will be posted here, sometime…
I definitely have more of an idea than most of what this album will sound like, but do not disbelieve me when I tell you that: I still don’t know for certain. And that’s a good thing. ;-)
Part of what keeps the process alive for me is: constantly remaining open to the music and following wherever it wants to go. As soon as I try and direct it, the process becomes inert and lifeless. What this means is: even in these last 3 weeks, a lot can change.
All that said, when this music is released, it wont belong to me anymore. I really feel that. It will belong to whoever is listening to it. It will belong to whoever has love for it in the moment.
It will belong to you.
[19 Days Till Release] ;-)
My name is James Radcliffe and I am a 100% audience supported independent artist. If you like what I do (and can afford it) then please consider buying some of my music. Each purchase really makes a big difference to me and 10% of every sale goes to a charity which: houses, feeds, clothes, and educates orphaned children in Nepal.
Also, every month I send out a newsletter packed with Interesting and Exclusive Things. If you sign up today you’ll also get 3 FREE tracks of my music as a welcome gift.
And lastly, if you’d like to find out what I’m up to on a more day-to-day basis then here is my brain on Twitter:
Good luck with your new album. :)
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Why, thankyou very much. ;-)
That is really nice of you.
I really enjoyed your post on coming out spiritually, and am impressed that it is bilingual ;-)
Good luck with the writing,
– J
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Gracias, James. :)
Blessings,
Liz
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You are most welcome, and thankyou again,
– J x
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Good luck with the release!
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Thanks very much. Everything is going well.
It is crazy intense…but in a good way ;-)
Hope you are good,
– J
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oh heyy! that’s amazing! Glad to see this happening for you :)
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Thanks a lot my friend, it is pretty cool.
Mostly, I am just focused on doing the work, it is a pretty amazing time for me right now.
Thanks for stopping by,
I wish you well,
– J
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“I like to live inside the little worlds I have created for myself.” I can very much relate to this. The creative process is so personal, but I think it’s that personal connection the artist has with his or her work that makes the final product unique and worthwhile. And as for the music belonging to listeners after it is released, I understand that, too. The music has a particular significance to its creator and then gets to take on new significance each and every time someone hears it, which I think is pretty darn cool. I’m glad you’re over your cold and doing well. Best of luck with finalizing that album! I look forward to hearing the end result. =D
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Wow, thanks a lot I really appreciate it. I am into the Time of the Crush now, so I am enjoying the mega focus that comes with that.
You are so right, it is definitely our own uniqueness which shapes creativity into our own expression.
I really enjoyed reading your message – thankyou,
– J
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I meant to say when I first read this that I love how the track no one else could have possibly written is called ‘Ocean’. Oh, how we love the sea ;)
(Totally came back just to say this)
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My beautiful friend! ;-)
I have just finished listening to my uber-rough version of the album… It went very well ;-)
I will mail you sometime way after midnight. Maybe I am a wizard after all…
– J x
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I’m glad to hear it. Maybe? There’s no maybe about it. You ARE a wizard ;) I expect you to take month-by-month pictures of your beard growing to the floor, by the way ;)
Yeti hug! x
(Would that be like a bear hug, d’ya reckon?)
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Hug? That’s awesome. Yeti is WAY better than bear. I like your new picture ;-) (Very un-yeti-like tho…)
You Shall Not Pass! (you can totally pass – just trying out the voice y’know?) ;-)
My other emails will be more sensical (is a word) that the previous one.
Hug Back, x
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Why thank you ;) Were you expecting me to resemble Chewbacca in some way? I can change it, if you’d rather, to a picture where yeti hair explodes from the four corners of the frame.
Ha. What is your wizard name? James the… Sleepless? ;) That doesn’t sound like a very powerful wizard. So maybe not.
I trust you shan’t disappoint. I expect BIG things from this email ;) (not really, but shh) x
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I call your bluff on the yeti picture ;-) Do it!
My wizard name would probably be something like: ‘SpindDrift the Impossible’….maaaaybe…
Expect BIG THINGS, MASSIVE THINGS!
(do not expect big things) ;-)
x
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Ahaha, I would change it, but I’m not sure you could handle full-on yeti ;)
Any particular reason why ‘SpindDrift the Impossible’?
x
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Aha! Wussed out. Never go full Yeti – I understand completely.
I’m not sure… Maybe, 6:22? ;-)
xx
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It takes a special kind of person to embrace the yeti.
Ha, 6:22 makes another appearance. It’s all right, I’ll excuse you ;)
xx
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I fully embrace the Yeti.
;-)
xx
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Glad to hear it ;) x
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‘nnngggg’ this morning. Now, good. ;-)
x
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Is it bad that ‘nnnggggg’ makes me laugh? I think it might be, given it’s not a particularly good noise ;) Glad you are no longer ‘nnngggg’, though.
My whole day has been one, extended sigh. *SIGH* …
x
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Boo. That does not sound good.
But I am glad that my PAIN amuses thee. ;-)
x
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Nah, it’s fine. Just sigh. You know how it is.
Haha, I’m sorry! Now I feel bad :( (’tis a teeeeny weeeeny bit funny though ;) )
x
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Don’t feel bad, it’s totally funny, I was just poking you. ;-)
x
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Aha, well don’t ;) x
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I will never call you by your full name again. ;-)
x
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Haha! Full name = bad mood ;)
I’m joking, of course.
x
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I totally understand.
Henceforth you shall be known either as ‘Yeti girl’ or ‘Dances with nnngggggg’. ;-)
x
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I still think of drunk bees when I see ‘nnngggg’. I can dance with drunk bees. Why not? ;) x
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Weeeeeeell, are they happy drunk, or angry drunk? Because…with the one group, no problem. With the other…. ;-)
x
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Pfftt, who knows. You tell me – you are the ‘nnngggg’ man, after all :P x
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But the bees are yours. ;-) You are the mistress of the Bees. What are you feeding them?
x
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Are they? Then I guess I’ll feed them nectar ..? I’ll frolic through a garden of flowers and dance with my happy bees. I’m a lot of things, aren’t I? ;)
x
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You are legion.
I will think of you. A Yeti frolicking – under a widescreen sky.
– J x
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Legion makes me think of Red Dwarf.
A yeti frolicking is quite the amusing mental picture… x
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YES! Red Dwarf!
Well done ;-)
‘I’ve lost your watch too…’
– J x
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Why do I feel as though you’re testing me? You’re making me nervous ;) x
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;-) Don’t be nervous, everything will be fine.
– J x
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Well isn’t that reassuring ;) x
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I aim to please. ;-)
x
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I do not doubt it. x
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;-)
x
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Is it January 31st yet?
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Is it January 31st yet? :-/
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Not sure… totally haven’t been keeping track AT ALL! ;-)
Hope you are well my friend,
– J
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It has been a pleasure to follow your journey here. You are such an inspiration and your passion is pure joy to witness.
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Thankyou so much, that really means a lot to me, especially now, at the Time of the Crush ;-)
– J
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Love your process of creating. Like your music, you are being authentic to what your heart feels. I love it. I create in a similar way.
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That’s good to hear. I am glad you reached out and connected.
More power to you! ;-)
Thanks again,
– J
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Thank you for the like. Best of luck for your album! :)
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You’re welcome and thankyou very much. It is now the Time of The Crush, so things are getting cooler and more interesting. ;-)
Hope you are well,
– J
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Nice to see you back in here and good that you surrived the cold. Looking forward to hear your music.
Irene
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;-) Thanks a lot! It’s nice to be seen.
How’s everything coming with you?
– J
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Good thanks. I’m creating jewelry and a lot of other things, as I will show in here, when they are ended.
Irene
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That’s cool. I love the craft of jewellery making. I have a few friends who do it as a profession.
Really good luck with that! ;-)
– J
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Thanks :-D
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;-)
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You’re still smiling =)
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I am totally smiling. It’s a good time right here. ;-)
How are you?
– J
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I could always be better but I’m alright. How is your album coming along?
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Album is coming along really well. Am just doing a rough mix today, will record next few weeks, then done! ;-)
(Which I am looking forward to, alot.)
Glad to hear that you’re ok, and I hope that shit gets better ;-)
Nice to hear from you,
– J
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Am enjoying reading about this musical, mystery tour you are on..
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Thankyou, that means a lot to me. I am glad you like it.
It’s pretty good from this angle too. ;-)
– J
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