Since my 43rd birthday I made the goals of writing and producing a song each month as a demo and a cartoon a week. So far I’ve kept it up for the last 9 or so months. Here are the latest creations:
And from my cartoon blog:
Cheers…
06
May
17
Update on the Year’s Goals…
30
Dec
16
Last Track for 2016
Happy New Year to all. It’s been a bit of a sad 2016 with the passing of Prince, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen among others, as well as the recent passing of Carrie Fisher… I suppose it’s only natural as the icons of the 70’s and 80’s age…
Anyways, I have just finished my last demo for 2016. Since turning 43 I’ve decided to work on a demo every month and put it up on Soundcloud (and Reverbnation). Maybe later I’ll try to make more professional recordings if I find the right singer.
So far I’ve held to my commitment: one song as a demo per month and one Munhwa Experience cartoon per week since going through my brief ‘mid-age crisis’. The latest demo is somewhat of a knee-jerk reaction to America’s election of Donald Trump and my fears for state of our planet -not just with global warming but general pollution problems. Personally, as an Australian, I’m also concerned about natural gas fracking and the damage it as on underwater reservoirs.
Anyways, he’s the song which I’ve uploaded on to Soundcloud and Reverbnation. I’ve written the lyrics below.
(Verse 1)
Once in a past time, I laughed and held your hand.
Once in an old world, we cared less.
Once many a day gone, we surfed a rising curve
Once many a day gone, we lived like kings.
(Bridge 1)
Now I see the wrinkles round your eyes as you just shrug your shoulders
Now we stoop and watch the streams go by
(Chorus)
Don’t look back now Keep on moving closer
Towards the future that’s stopped smiling at us
(Verse 2)
In the halcyon days, we lived on borrowed time
In the halcyon days, we roamed the world
(Bridge 2)
Now those days are gone and I’m alone and your whole face is fading
Now there’s nothing left but memories
(Chorus)
Don’t look back now Keep on moving closer
Towards the future that’s stopped smiling at us
(Bridge 3)
Now we’re treading washed up waters sliding down a downward curve
Now we feel the heat from blazing skies
26
Jun
16
A touch of colour…
Been a bit gobsmacked by the Brexit (Britain leaving the EU) – a lot of economic uncertainty projected in the papers. Being of Scottish descent, I agree with most of Scotland, that is they should’ve stayed in Europe -keep barriers down. But history moves on…
So I’ve started to incorporate a bit of colour into my cartoons. I think it’s an improvement, but will see. Here’s the first
And I’m half way through my latest song. I don’t think it’s my best, but it’s fun getting back into the swing of songwriting and arranging. And this is a song, as opposed to an instrumental, which I’ve mostly been doing lately. I only have a few more days in the month, so I’ll probably be a few days late. It’s called ‘The Stars Align’.
20
Jun
16
Back in the swing of things…
And I’ve started blogging on Munhwa Experience now with my cartoons… It’s a nice to start a new resolution by hitting goals (my goals as stated in previous post).
But working on the song isn’t so easy… I’m waking up 40 minutes earlier trying to get some guitar practice in, because I’m just not functional after work, whereas I’m fresher and more creative in the morning. I won’t finish the song by the end of June, but it should be done by early July, and then I’ll do another song in July. That’s the plan.
And the screenplay – I’m waking up another 40 minutes earlier again to get some time for that. That means the old 5am rise and shine. It’s a revision of a previous screenplay I submitted to BLCKLST which reviews and rates screenplays. After reading the faults and criticisms (as well as praise) from the reviewer, I’ve endeavoured to do a major rewrite addressing the main issues, and they are fundamental issues. Will it be a great screenplay? Hard to say, but it’s a learning process. All about the learning…
13
Jun
16
Struggling Muso Reloaded…
So I had a crisis over the weekend that spurred me to make some decisions on goals. And I admit that it’s a little crazy to have these goals and make this decision -but if there’s a strong enough influence then I say the decision seems fine to me.
So what are my goals? Well, I have a few creative interests -none of which have lead to significant success as such yet, but conversely all of them have potential for opportunities as well as the simple satisfaction I gain in the achievements of my creative endeavours. And the goals are:
<> Music – one demo a month (under the name Donak RV)
<> Cartoons – one cartoon a week (as Munhwa Experience)
<> One screenplay a year (under my own name)
And my progress as well as other musings will be monitored via this blog with a post at least once a week. Yes, I’m bonkers, I should focus on one thing. But I’ve tried that in the past without reaping the desired results, so now I follow my muse.
And what was it that spurred my crisis? Well, I turned 43 three, accompanied by the usual symptoms of a mid-life crisis. I guess my strategy is to keep busy.
I’ve just put a book up on iTunes which takes a satirical look at the DIY music industry. Here’s the book plug:
“Ever thought about making music your full time career? Or taking your band to the next level? Or seeking to break into the music biz? Edward Gobb, the fictional author of this book, may promise to have the keys to success or the secret formulae to make your dreams come true, but he’d be lying. However, if you can handle his uncompromising derisions and cynical remarks, you’re probably half way there!
Gobb’s Guide to Thinking you Actually have a Chance of Making it in the Music Industry is a satirical look at what it takes to make it in the competitive independent music business.”
09
Aug
14
End of a Blog…
I’ve decided to ‘decommission’ this blog as I focus my efforts elsewhere. I’ll leave it up for maybe 6 months or a year, and then if the view stats are limp will mostly likely delete the whole blog. I know I could just keep it up, but in this world of so much white noise on the internet, it bothers me that I’m adding to it if there’s no purpose.
Regarding my music and demos, I may start something under my muso name ‘Donak RV’, though it could be just a Facebook page or something. At the moment I have a presence on Twitter and Soundcloud which I will continue for my demoes…
I will continue the ‘Struggling Muso’ cartoon series over at Munhwa Experience, and you can follow it under the Strugmo category (or at http://munhwaexperience.wordpress.com/category/struggling-muso/). Of course you can buy the book of the first two annals from this blog on iTunes.
05
Aug
14
Strugmo TA9
02
Aug
14
Mastered track…
Here it is, a song I got professionally mixed and mastered. But I won’t sell it, it’s available for download on Soundcloud -too much of a hassle to put up on iTunes and other sites, often requiring more payments and fees while I don’t expect many, if any, people to pay to download it.
The name’s from a screenplay I’m working on, I guess it’s like an accompaniment in my mind.
Struggling Muso 