I managed to finally upgrade my Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 Ultimate (retail) yesterday.  The install is smooth enough that I was able to get the OS configured, audio and equipment drivers installed, along with Ableton and Reason installed and ready to go.  Smoooooth! I can work on music tonight, if I weren’t so busy with wedding planning and chores ;)

I’ve been working pretty hard on refining my tech/house chops.  Making some tight-yet-deep sounding drum patches, synths, and nailing down the mastering chains to apply to what I can best describe as tech-house and chill-house genres.  The house music is fun to make, but as I was reminded the other day, I’m still being tugged on by my love of trip-hop/downtempo work.

A collection of such songs, is still  on the stove.  With a number of lyrics written down in my notebook, and only when I have time after taking care of some uber-important personal matters, I’m ready to knock out 3 of the vocal tracks.  I’ve resisted EVERY urge in my body to post the instrumental mix-downs on Soundcloud, as the impact of hearing the music with the vocals will express the true emotions and depth of the work. It just wouldn’t be the same without the vocals!

I’m not sure where the house and tech music is going. Some of the tracks from November of 2009 and onward I very much enjoy, and I suspect they will end up on a few different releases (some free, some not).  I do hope to have some stuff be published by interested record labels in 2010, but that remains to be seen.

Spring is going to have such a dramatically positive effect on my creativity level. I can already tell that I am in a more positive mind set now that we have had some sunny days here in Seattle. The past weekend was incredible, but I wasn’t able to schedule any studio time to work on music.  I still gain the inspiration and positivity for use at a later date, however, so I’m not put off when I’m unable to work on music when I want to ;)

Hmm.. let’s do a “project recap”. This is taken off the top of my head since I’m not in the studio right now. This doesn’t include a number of tracks that are being re-visited, completed, and prepped for release (stuff from 2007-2009 that began to collect dust!).

Trip-Hop & Downtempo

• This Modern Depression – lyrics written, music 90%, needs additional guitar work.
• Torch – lyrics written, 1st cut done, music written. Needs mastering and final vocal recording.
• Grace – lyrics written, music written. Needs re-mastering from original release (“For the Cure 2008“)
• Conversation with the Passing – lyrics in progress, music 80%
• Forward – lyrics needed, music is at 95%, needs EQ/mastering
• Aces High – lyrics in progress, music is at 90%, possible guitar work needed.
• Envisioning the West – lyrics in progress, music is at 90%.

House (all flavors) & Tech

• Caramel (house) – music complete
• Sunday Afternoon at the Teahouse (chill house) – complete
• Clouds at Night (chill house) – complete
• Long Drive Back (prog house) – needs EQ work
• After the Storm (prog house)  - complete
• Human Afterall (prog house?) – Needs EQ work
• Sensor Blind (Original Mix) – complete
• Sensor Blind (Ambient-scape Mix) – in progress
• unamed project (chill house) – in progress
• another unamed proejct (chill house again!) – in progress
• Like a Bad Habit (tech, vocal) – music complete, needs EQ/mastering, lyrics
• Orbiting Over Seattle (tech) – Complete
• Vapors (tech) – music 70% done
• Welcome Back the Warmth (tech, vocal) – lyrics partially written, music complete.

D&B

• This World – 95%, some minor EQ/mastering adjustments. Slight FX adjustment on vocal hook.