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my biography

Until 2003 I only played and recorded cover versions of songs by Peter Gabriel, Genesis and a few others. Of course even then I´ve always saved musical ideas, melodies and small pieces that came to my mind while playing piano or guitar - not really expecting I would ever use them. In 2003 I started to develop some of those ideas to complete songs and I even started writing lyrics which at first felt very unfamiliar to me. In fact it still does - I have saved musical ideas sufficient to fill several CDs but let´s not talk about the effort writing the corresponding lyrics ;-) Probably I´d better change my claim that every song should contain some inventive lyrical ideas or at least have a slightly different point of view than the average radio song.

The songs in my profile are from 2004. They were recorded in my bedroom studio using Cubase VST. I´ve never been very good at recording and mixing so as a matter of fact I was never pleased with the final results. On the other hand I never expected that anybody else would really like what I had written so I didn´t see any sense in spending any further effort.

Another drawback was the fact that I never was very convinced of my own voice. Originally I intended to look for a professional singer and use my own takes only as a guide vocal so others get an idea of the songs. For reasons I do not know I´ve tried to keep the number of such "others" very small ;-) In fact I don´t think that I´ve played any of my songs to more than 5 people. Maybe the reason is that despite the positive comments I thought (and still think) that liking the songs is not very easy because they are so badly mixed and require a lot of imagination. Personally I never cared because my ears and mind kindly add every instrumental track that is still missing and correct even the most horrible mixing faults ;-)

During the last few years I concentrated a bit more on expanding my vocal skills and becoming more self-confident when singing. I got some tailwind from my first "test recordings" after at least two years and a few unexpected inquiries at our local Karaoke bar (shame on me, but at least some audience and feedback) if I´d be willing to perform at weddings (Some asked me after I had done some lost-bet Eminem performances so this doesn´t really count as singing - but anyway!!! ;-) I wasn´t willing btw). So I finally decided it is a waste to leave all those songs in the unfinished state they are still in.

Reading about this contest was the final impulse that I needed so I bought the latest Cubase Studio 4 and a few books about recording and mixing. Unfortunately I am quite sure that my spare time won´t allow me to learn the necessary basic recording techniques and finish some new recordings in time. So in order to avoid missing the deadline I decided to take the recordings that I already have and publish the songs in their very unfinished state. After all it´s a REAL WORLD contest and I´ve always dreamed of seeing those studios at least from a distance. Probably I would blame myself forever if I didn´t at least participate. My hope is that other musicians´ ears are as kind as mine and adjust everything that needs to be adjusted ;-)

my sounds

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Title: Distant Windows

Description: (Rough Demo) My original intention was to write a song based on the sound of the AT-AT snow walkers from "The Empire Strikes Back". They create a dark and uncomfortable atmosphere which is contrasted by the bright sound of the bells in the style of the Commodore Amiga Soundtracker which was my first "recording" software about 18 years ago. The lyrical idea is based on the fact that from my desk at work I can see another building with many windows which are only transparent as long as the outside is dark. The building is close enough that I can tell the people moving inside. I only had to add the question "What if amongst the people working there was someone very close to me?" and mix it with a few details about a good friend and fellow worker whose departure really left an empty space in my office: One of the few lyrics that where very quickly done :-) The mixdown of the song is horrible. Looking back those years I don´t know why I put delay and reverb on every instrument so that there is one single wall of noise. The guitar tracks are missing and the percussion track is only a guideline. I don´t like the electric snare drum anymore... and so on! This is one of the first songs I will have to re-record as soon as possible... Lyrics: Early morning, the light still low - Some sad tune on the radio - Those distant windows they all look the same - But there´s one that sets my heart aflame - When it´s still dark outside I see the light shining over from the other side - Only for a while you seem so near - For a while everything looks so clear to me - - - I see those people ´round you passing by from my window like a distant spy - Here in this fortress that you left so blue I sit and wait to catch a glimpse of you - Only for a while I see you clear - Too soon the daylight makes you disappear - Those tinted windows soon reflect the light until you fade behind a gloss of white again - - - Around here everything is still the same just like the day when I first heard your name - All that was common now appears so new since I have to stay here without you - Sometimes I see your picture everywhere - I see you smiling to me from your chair - When will those mem´ries finally set me free? Those bittersweet mirages haunting me - Every place here tells a memory, Every thing around is like the key to pictures ruling me from deep inside where only agony and tears reside - In my drawer still that photograph from a time when we both used to laugh - Now that my days are like an endless trial at least to see your picture makes me smile again - - - From now on we´ll be walking seperate ways - My hopes and dreams replaced by empty space - The happy thoughts and feelings driving me now will collapse to wreckage and debris - The peerless time with you has gone too fast - One day you´ll be a shadow of the past - But though I must pretend and try to hide the memory of our time will live inside of me

Title: One Way Flight (Pour Cuisse)

Description: Rough Demo, please ignore the painfully sharp mellotron sound ;-) This one´s written from the perspective of a very good buddy of mine whose love of his life disappeared back home to canada without a note. He kept talking about her for years so after a while I knew the whole story as if it was my own... Actually he intended to send the song to her but finally decided not to do it. Why should she come back to him only because someone elso sings a love song about her? I know the mixdown is bad (especially the mellotron is too sharp). I will fix it as soon as I will have made friends with my newly updated Cubase version which seems to be very different from my previous one. Lyrics: All the countless names of the ones who wrote still read like "You have got no mail!" - Another hopeless try for just this tiny note Remains without avail - Every time I speak of her I hear my best friends say "She´ll be some lucky one´s pretty little wife!" - Though I can hear it loud and clearly I must find a way just to get this sign of life - Chorus: I hope that she got everything that she was dreaming of when she took this one-way flight without me - And I know all the miles and time could never change my love though it´s no longer me she´s thinking of at night when she´s looking at the stars above - When I first saw her all I wished was meet her eye to eye - Throughout the night I´d lie awake - But then my valour just to ask her was rewarded by those special hours by the lake - From the first moment when she talked I felt my heart ignite - Her gentle smile, her hair of brown - With every word she spoke I´d sworn a ray of sun would light the face that never wears a frown - Chorus: I hope that she got everything that she was dreaming of when she took this one-way flight without me - And I know all the miles and time could never change my love - Though it´s no longer me she´s thinking of at night when she´s looking at the stars above - - - When we talked about the future, when we planned ahead I hoped we planned for her and me - But my illusions only lasted till she turned and said she´d have to stay beyond the sea - With every passing day since then my chance is sinking low - Not only miles are in between - But all the same I hope it´s not too late and time will show it´s "Hasta luego" and not "Goodbye, Christine" - Chorus: I hope that you got everything that you were dreaming of - When you took this one-way flight without me - And I know all the miles and time could never change my love - Though it´s no longer me you´re thinking of at night when you´re looking at the stars above

Title: The Center Of My World

Description: (Rough Demo) This song actually was written as a rock song but while recording I thought a soft version could sound adequate as well. I will record the "original version" and re-record this one (with a little bit less "softener" ;-) ) as soon as I find the time. Lyrics: I was staring at the ceiling sadly thinking of you - In the middle of the night - Just when you call to say you´re out in your car and you´d drop in to take me on a ride - On the way to the beach the moon is bright - Your face is touched by silver light - Your hair of gold and your little red dress on - I was saved by an angel of the night - - - Chorus: All my dreams in life so precious and important all at once appear like someone else´s dreams - The day when you arrived in the centre of my world I felt the magic of the way you´d change my life - - - We´re lying on the beach in silence gazing at the stars - I´m slowly longing for your hand - When a swarm of shooting stars appears for us to wish upon I wish this night will never end - We hold each other tight and watch the ballet of the waves - A peaceful calm engulfs the shore - The way a blue night took a turn appears too perfect to be true This night outmatches all I´ve known before - - - I´m torn up by the endless days and nights when you´re not there - Life is a roller coaster ride - But when my flame of hope is dying in the dark I know you will be there to be my light - When I need someone to talk to you´re my buddy, my best friend - When you feel alone you call my name - And ever since the day you changed the meaning of my life I felt my world will never be the same

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my influences

Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Paul Simon, John Watts

my gear

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my blog

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pg72 has not written anything yet.

my friends

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• 
  Eduard
• 
  Fireman
• 
  Michelle...
• 
  Cynthia
• 
  Cacique97
• 
  ACSS
• 
  aeronaut
• 
  Indus
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  Live Ull...
• 
  warmer
• 
  mana
• 
  tuer14300

my comments

view all comments (5)

HUMANOISE | about 1 year ago

Hi,

I could open my window again, and also I could have a Dream again!!
Thank you for you gave us nice music

I wanna be your friend
Wish your luck
Seeyaa
HUMANOISE.

Richard Thomas | about 1 year ago

Hi pg72, long time no see…
Came by to listen to your songs again and vote. I like them very much. 'The Center of my World' is my favorite, though. Hope you'll find the time to vote for me too, if you like my songs.
Cheers,
Richard

Fireman | about 1 year ago

Hi pg72
I have just reproduced, remastered and reloaded all my songs. If you have the time to spare please come over,listen and tell me what you think.
Take care!

arti31023 | about 1 year ago

Yo, pg ... I wonder what happened on page seventy two? Dude, I liked Distant Windows; the musical stylings, rhythms, and vocal reminded me of Ultravox (Early '80's band). Keep expressing yourself. Keep learning your craft. Good luck, pg.
artie31023

Fireman | about 1 year ago

Yours is the best biography I`ve read here at MI7 (think I`ll better go back have a look at my own) and I like the details of what inspired you to write each song. Don`t worry about the production, the only way to learn is to try (at least that`s what I think). Your voice is not bad and your songs are special. Keep`em coming.

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