Feb 13, 2007

Music Thoughts

I've been thinking about the direction I'll head next in the future for writing and recording. I've been writing down ideas here and there lately and I really enjoy this time. There is nothing I have to complete at the moment and I can just let the creativity flow from a 3 min. idea to a 3 second idea. I don't know if I want to write something that would sound like "Thira part 2", at the same time, I really enjoy the sound on the album. I also enjoy the sound on the first. Maybe it will be a combination of both or something new all together. I would like to record a very calm relaxing type of album someday too. Maybe guitar and synths and/or some light percussion.

I've also thought about playing a different guitar for the next album or sometime in the future as I've played the one I have for 10 years now. I love my instrument but sometimes playing a new or different instrument gives you a different perspective and/or new ideas and it's nice to take a break. I thought about that when I went up to Ottmar's studio last week to record on one of his new tracks (which is fantastic by the way) and tried one of his guitars. It was a beautiful flamenco guitar, I see what he likes. When I played it, I felt inspiration for writing new material right away. I love moments like that.

7 comments:

Adam Solomon said...

Man, the DeVoes are gorgeous, my teacher has one (also a blanca) and I got to sample it...ahhh...glad to see you're blogging again. So is this the new deal, write, like, 100 posts in a day, stop for a month, repeat? :P

stephen duros said...

haha, yeah, I think thats the plan Adam. Wait for 3.7 months and then post 43 posts in one day. Actually, sometimes Im not really sure what to post, if there is anything you would like to hear about let me know but you will have to wait to read it for a few months when I post another 43 posts on that day. haha

Yes, the DeVoes are great. I think the same of the GVR guitars as well. It would be nice to have a DeVoe in the collection someday, I see why artists play them.

Borya said...

One thing about OL I really like is the diversity of his work (although the remixes could be more chilly, but that's only my taste). But Ottmar as well once stated that he could have made an even bigger fortune recording albums like NF a couple of times. As a fan, it will be interesting to witness whatever direction you'll take.
As a person who is a lot about writing, I must say that I always felt different, that the approach was different depending not only the tool I was writing with but as well the space I was in, if I had a view but as well how the room was furnitured. At the moment my computer is in a cave and I'm starring through a window at a white wall with a grey spot on it when lifting my head. It's very depressing and I'm welcoming the day I can move my stuff out of here.

stephen duros said...

Borya,

I agree, the space that you're in definitely makes an impact. I think as an artist it's very important to take in your surroundings, weather, food...etc. I recorded both albums in Los Angeles. It will be interesting seeing how things sound living in Santa Fe now. I know it won't be an direct copy of Thira but I think that there will be a certain sound that both albums have in common. I think there are some definite influences in my music, at the same time I think my approach is very original.

Yes, OL has a great diversity of work and it is inspiring to me, to keep creating and being open to new ideas and experimenting. The song Azhar was an experiment. I had read something that OL wrote once on his journal and I tried it with Azhar.
At the time wasn't sure if it would be a track on the album.

Another thing is, I love the creativity involved with SSRI. playing live with Luna Negra, every night is a new adventure for me and I'm sure everyone in the band. Lot's of improving and a lot of things you'll never hear twice. I think that's exciting and as artists we're allowed to express our selves so much more then with sticking strictly to only a format.

Adam Solomon said...

Interesting! Do you remember what it was you read (or maybe do you even know which post) that inspired Azhar?

FYI, Azhar is easily my favorite track on Thira.

stephen duros said...

Oh, cool. Thanks Adam, glad you like it. You'll find the post in the March 06 archive. The post is titled

Recording
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006

Just go to the archive and scroll down a bit. When you see the world map you'll know your getting close.

Borya said...

Hey, how fantastic to read more about this here! I noticed that you commented in OLs blog the other day. You can see the last 5 (or so) comments somewhere on the sidebar there. That's how I found it + put it in the Fan blog afterwards. I wasn't aware that the conversation was going on here. It's great to know, I enjoy knowing a bit about the background of a song or the creative process. So thanks for letting us know!!

And thank you as well for the long answers on our comments!
I'm following Ottmar's diary entries for some years now + what he told us about touring, rehearsals etc. always was pretty exciting to read. The day I went to see him in Westhampton in 05 I passed the theatre there during the afternoon but walked on to the beach since it was pretty much time left before the show. Later Ottmar talked about having tried out Bethlehem/Tijuna with the group which he added to the setlist a few days later. Oh, I so much would have liked being a mouse in the back part of the theatre then!

And yes, I think we all who got to know you + your music this way will wait curiously + excitedly how your future music will sound - and if there's some Santa Fe in it. :)