Dance with Me
February 6, 2015 10:51 AM
Reggae made with the infectious Caribbean enthusiasm of Leonard Cohen
Over the last year or so, I've been writing reggae songs. This is a pretty remarkable fact, but it's true. I decided I wanted to try, but I didn't want to pretend to be from Jamaica or anything -- instead I have been using some of the "rules" of reggae and fused that aesthetic with a more somber vocal delivery.
This was the first song I made in this style. I tried to invoke a bit of Leonard Cohen somehow, which is difficult for me since my voice is not very deep... so the result is a kind of hushed singing, I suppose.
One freeing aspect of writing reggae songs for me has been that, because it's somewhat ludicrous for me to be doing it at the outset, I feel less obligated to write deep or complex lyrics. In fact, I'm shooting for "poppy" stuff -- so it's about dancing and bikinis and going out and stuff. Fun!
If anyone has a chance to listen, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
Over the last year or so, I've been writing reggae songs. This is a pretty remarkable fact, but it's true. I decided I wanted to try, but I didn't want to pretend to be from Jamaica or anything -- instead I have been using some of the "rules" of reggae and fused that aesthetic with a more somber vocal delivery.
This was the first song I made in this style. I tried to invoke a bit of Leonard Cohen somehow, which is difficult for me since my voice is not very deep... so the result is a kind of hushed singing, I suppose.
One freeing aspect of writing reggae songs for me has been that, because it's somewhat ludicrous for me to be doing it at the outset, I feel less obligated to write deep or complex lyrics. In fact, I'm shooting for "poppy" stuff -- so it's about dancing and bikinis and going out and stuff. Fun!
If anyone has a chance to listen, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
posted by edlundart (5 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
This is cool. I kept thinking it sounded muddy but couldn't put my finger on it, then realized it's the hi-hat ticks. They seem dull, but everything else has plenty of high frequencies.
The Cohen treatment would be complete if the lyrics were like
Let's go out dancing
And bare our souls
Let's go out dancing
While the church bell tolls
Just a thought.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:18 PM on February 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Cohen treatment would be complete if the lyrics were like
Let's go out dancing
And bare our souls
Let's go out dancing
While the church bell tolls
Just a thought.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:18 PM on February 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hahah, we are the music makers, stay tuned... one of my other tracks has some sweet brass in there.
Johnny Wallflower, thanks for the note on the hi-hat, I'll re-listen with that idea in mind. I also plan to sharpen up the vocals a touch through EQ.
And your Cohen lyrics are spot on!
posted by edlundart at 8:00 PM on February 7, 2015
Johnny Wallflower, thanks for the note on the hi-hat, I'll re-listen with that idea in mind. I also plan to sharpen up the vocals a touch through EQ.
And your Cohen lyrics are spot on!
posted by edlundart at 8:00 PM on February 7, 2015
Mmmm.. very nice. I've always liked your music. Elevate and Maroon for Red are two perennial favorites.
I'm enjoying the fusion of that reggae lilt with edlundart smooth vocals.
posted by jaruwaan at 4:57 PM on February 12, 2015
I'm enjoying the fusion of that reggae lilt with edlundart smooth vocals.
posted by jaruwaan at 4:57 PM on February 12, 2015
Thanks jaruwaan! It's always super nice to hear people reference songs I made in the past -- it's surprising to me that anyone is aware of them enough to remember they're mine. Glad you enjoyed this new direction as well. Will post another reggae tune!
posted by edlundart at 9:52 AM on February 13, 2015
posted by edlundart at 9:52 AM on February 13, 2015
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posted by we are the music makers at 4:20 AM on February 7, 2015 [1 favorite]