There now exists a comprehensive list of all the songs I am currently selling #Grind http://ow.ly/aqM3y
EDIT: Fixed song links http://andyjoseph
EDIT: Fixed song links https://andyjoseph.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/sun-rise-on-creativity-and-business/
Sun Rise on creativity and business.
There is always work to be done in this musical world, new approaches to be learned that aid in overcoming age-old problems.
New on my plate is busking – playing out on the streets. This has been a completely positive experience, learning how to hustle and make money with my art by putting it to work has taught me a little, but revealed how much I still need to learn.
~Thankfully, life offers teachers~
Oscar Yanez has entered my network as a master to my apprentice – He is a long time industry professional, and a great role model.
Forced to slow his roll 5 years ago by liver cancer, Oz has been slowly finding his way back into the industry by going to school at the Art Institute and through Minneapolis’ vibrant open mic scene.
This year, Oz is producing a compilation CD that will benefit local food pantries – It will feature both local and international artists. This is Oz’s second year producing the benefit CD, and his outlook is optimistic.
His love for music shows through his attention to detail, working with him as a producer has introduced a completely new aesthetic to my own art. He also makes sure I do my homework – choosing to pass me a 236 page technical manual instead of the answer.
Here is a prime example of the aesthetic growth in my own art:
About People/Not About People
Working with Oscar has given me the confidence to value my work. I’m selling an original album that was recorded live at the Depot in Hopkins MN, along with a single (Folsom Prison Blues in C) from the same show, a sampler CD featuring a wide array of my work, and now, BetaFish. Finally, I just became the host of Mpls’ Nicollet Coffee house on Monday nights from 6-9:30pm.
That’s it – Thank you.
Andy Joseph
Part one of MPLS Open Mic for MTN starin
Part one of MPLS Open Mic for MTN staring Oz Yanez, Neiko Marquez and myself. Show some love! http://ow.ly/amTDM
MTN Appearance
Yesterday, MTN opened studio A for Minneapolis Open Mic’s host Phillip Farmer and a slew of local talent. With a modest set up, 2 half hour episodes of live material and interviews were recorded. The episodes will air this Friday, the 20th on cable channel 17.
A big thanks to Phillip Farmer for making the show a reality.
Tu B.I.G.
Today’s update is brought to you by José Myerchin, Producer and Engineer. He is kind enough to write about his experience producing Tu B.I.G., a funky hip-hop ballad about two tragic and unsolved murders.
~The toughest thing about producing for someone else who comes to you with a project is keeping in mind their vision, finding a way to empathize with them and incorporate/hybrid/fuse their vision along with yours or even to not stray too far away from theirs & making it entirely your own. I felt like that was my responsibility when Andy presented me with the song and asked me to produce it for him. Instantaneously the ideas started flowing and I began to develop my own rough idea towards a final big picture for the project all somewhat based off the many influences I believed to fuel Andy’s style. Keeping in mind that this was someone else’s song/project/vision etc., I had to ask him what he wanted it to sound like. After he told me, I completely disregarded my previous idea for the vision of the project, as it was completely different that what I originally come up with. He asked me to make it hip-hop-y, (it’s a song about the deaths of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.) which excited me as a Hip-Hop fan but also surprised me because I didn’t expect that to be Andy’s style at all. So my goal was to incorporate hip-hop with my understanding of the musical style and influence of Andy Joseph.
The other thing that was tough about the process was my haphazard decision to use Ableton. I dove into the software that I had never used before as I was trusted to complete a project with my best knowledge and skills. But it all worked out as I learned to use it and developed a love for it. Oddly enough I did all the production and tracking in Ableton. I know you might be thinking why not track in Pro Tools? Well that’s just how I did it and it worked nicely. And I did most of the mixing in PT anyways.
I couldn’t be more grateful and happier with the talent of the featured guests I brought in to add their flavors to the concoction. This wasn’t the first time I’d asked Dillon Marchus to play bass on one of my songs; he is a phenomenal musician. I just let him do his thing for a few takes and then I took samples from each creating loops for the whole song. The vinyl isn’t digital believe it or not I had the wonderful female turntablist Kristina Langley come in for an evening and I went through the same process as I did arranging the bass. Big thanks to Walter Chancellor Jr. on the sax. Really made the rest of the song come alive, when the lyrical content was about death. That’s my joke haha funny.
The most stressful thing was the long hours put into the project. Even though I was going to sample the takes I tracked and put them together to create “one awesome take” – I had to love their takes, they had to love their takes. It was hard and took a long time to find those and say “Okay I have it, I love it, I can work with this” and have them be satisfied at the same time. That’s my most favorite part of any project though whether I’m producing or engineering; being in there and hanging out with the artists not allowing them to get into their own head and bringing the best out of them to capture that perfect performance; the performance that makes you say “fuck yeah that’s gonna be in my song” I guess depending on if it’s your song or not but still experiencing that is my favorite. Mixing is the most strenuous part I think. Finding the perfect sounds, sonic, sonic and musical balance. Then knowing when to back off so the things I add won’t take away from the song rather than make it cooler. There were several things I wanted to do to the song still, I thought there was mucho mixing left for it but I brought Andy in to help me finish and give me ideas and his reaction then his blatant statement saying I think it’s finished I don’t think there’s anything left to do told me that the things I wanted to add were simply because I wanted to strive for perfection or do everything I thought I possibly could do to it. But in the end it perhaps would have taken away from the song itself and only added to the hours upon hours I put into it. Despite the conflicts and issues that make you want to put your head through a wall, I had so much fun with the project and really glad Andy asked me to do it for him. I will forever cherish the experience.~
Thank you José for all of the time and effort you put into making this song sound crisp and professional.
#SFSU is coming your way people! Make sure to check out Facebook.com/amusicallife for youtube videos, upcoming events and random musical gems from the past and present!
Thanks for reading,
Andy
Annabel…
… is the leading track on Songs from Society’s Underbelly. It is instrumentally simple, featuring only a doubled guitar part and a lead vocal.
This song is interesting because of the breakdown, and the long delays and reverbs that fill out the simple rhythm.
The vocals are first being sent through a short reverb followed by a long delay:
After being processed individually, the affected vocal meets up with Acstc Gtr 2 and both are sent through a long reverb:
This keeps the sound scape rich.
The Acstc Gtr is left untouched until the break when I send it through a filter delay, and then selectively through another simple delay (utilizing 2 return tracks).
Filter Delay:
and Simple Delay:
I sent the Filter delay out through the long reverb with Acstc Gtr 2 and the affected vocals, liked it, and kept it. After automating sends, Annabel is sounding vibrant and lively.
Also! I am going to begin fundraising to print physical copies through Kickstarter. Any amount helps, and specific amounts come with gifts ranging from a hand written thank you card to a concert in your home for you and your friends.
#SFSU
Andy Joseph
The Motions
This song is unique on the album because it features the Sitar and Tambura.
Creating an ambient bed with space for a heavily syncopated bass line was the largest challenge of this song.
Affecting return tracks is one way to easily maintain balanced levels when it comes to ambiance.
Thanks everyone for reading, any feed back or questions is strongly encouraged!
Songs from Society’s Underbelly.
Spread the word!
Andy
Madison Open Mic Calendar
I’m back in Madison this week, and I need some support as I break into the scene. Check the schedule below and come hang out when you can!
Thursday – Memorial Union (Der Rathskeller) 8 p.m. 800 Langdon St.
Sunday – Mickey’s Tavern 10 p.m. 1524 Williamson St.
Monday – Mr. Roberts 10 p.m. 2116 Atwood Ave.
Tuesday – Brocach Irish Pub 9 p.m. 7 W Main St.
I look forward to seeing y’all, it’s been so long!
Andy
a musical life 