Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

[Alabaster]

Yargh, lol, I'd forgotten about Waves for Tay v.2. That song makes my hands ache just thinking about it, but it's a sweetie, as far as instrumentals go.

Thanks BG for taking such interest, and Maelstrom too, 'cause you'll never find an artist that doesn't do it (at least in part) for the reassurances from others. Y'all are how we deal with our demons, I guess, and hopefully the music or whatever it is is our way of helping someone else deal with theirs.

I'd like to keep this thread current without having to bump myself repeatedly...

So get to know me, ask questions, harp on the parts that effin' suck, lol, anything. Prove to me that JUB is (and can be) more than just porn sites and "rate my cock" threads.

You know where to find me

 

[Alabaster]

lol, "Your Summer Skin" is my current ringtone for that same reason, hahaha.

My voice, eh, not really any formal lessons other than what you pick up along the way through theater musicals. It's really a matter of heritage, I think. My mom and her family were all English and Scottish ballad singers, so there's always been singing somewhere in the house. I'm just lucky in that the regard, I guess. Although, if you look up a few posts, you'll see my friend Ben didn't think quite so much of the ol' pipes from what he heard. It's all subjective - I for one wish I could put more power into my baritone range but...you work with whatcha got, and I practice every chance I can just as a release. Always very flattered to be asked that, though.

That version of Eleusinian was lost on a hard drive crash, actually, but I'm pretty sure I could dust off the .wav files and put another one together.

Thanks for all the site hits and the sweetness you guys. This is why I love to do this...this right here. <3 Thanks

 

[Telstra]

you look good Alabaster.

Nice music, your vocal skill need abit more work/practice.

 

[Alabaster]

you look good Alabaster.

Nice music, your vocal skill need abit more work/practice.

Thanks Telstra, I'd say by now you can tell I appreciate any feedback, positive or negative, constructive or apathetic...you have my gratitude. My looks are one thing I'll never be happy with without the newest Photoshop Suite hard at work, but I try to keep a tidy garden when it comes to appearances - video killed the radio star, etc.

All are more than welcome to do so, as I want this thread to be a series of feedback, trial and error, and ultimately growth. I would really like this to become my musical equivalent of Code's fitness thread...although nothing I could perform would ever contend with Code (body and/or soul ). Hehe.

I'm thrilled you enjoyed the music - most hear the lack of hardware quality or the symptoms of poor mastering, rather than the supporting foundation for the words and melody - always my priority, even if it means a boring guitar track.

I'll address the vocals below, but once again, thanks so much for the time it took to listen and the feedback. Really can't put that gratitude properly into words.

I think that voice lessons would probably help you to strengthen and broaden your vocal range as well as refine your natural abilities. It would be an excellent investment and I think you'd be pleased with the results. I'm already fond of your singing, I wonder how much better it can get?

Keep up the good work Alabaster, I'm proud of you!

And I'm proud to know that you're proud of me! You've been like a tornado of awesome that keeps touching down around me. It's really hard to be discouraged with that kind of support. Good lord, BG, thank you. Thank you! Hehe.

Ok, back to bidness, since it ain't all compliments and thankses and ego and autographs. Maybe some day, without the ego.

You're both right in that I *do* in fact need vocal lessons. My mom tells me I should find a good contemporary vocal coach just about every time it comes up (and I can't argue with a professional speaker/singer that still has the right to slap me...). I can do traditional because it's more about story and emotion than precision. Maybe that's the best reason for lessons of all. Let the traditional style be like one way to tune a guitar, a more contemporary training be another.

The recording process is slowly coming to together - a result of almost a decade of collecting the right equipment, or saving enough money for the software I need.

So, since we're working with a university music department, might be a good place to ask around about vocal training...

Thanks guys...really can't say that enough.

 

[Alabaster]

I wasn't trying to be a dick when I commented on your voice, I hope you realize that, but I believe you have an awful lot of unfulfilled potential both in the range and the strength of your vocals, which can certainly be explored with some voice lessons. I just wanted to give you my honest opinion and honestly, you are very good, but I think that you can be even better.

Any honesty is both solicited and appreciated! I also agree with you entirely and gratefully, so no hard feelings by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm just thankful to be blessed with such a fantastic group of supporters - even if they aren't friends and fans like yourself.

With the way budgets are run on tour, it's more likely than not that I'll be my own roadie, barring any life changing music-miracles. But as it is, I still want the world...so hopefully, regardless of the roadie situation, there will be a welcome spot backstage for all of yas, anytime and anywhere.

 

[Alabaster]

lmao, you got yourself a deal just keep spreading the word!

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Droo, do you listen to Loreena McKennitt? And do you like nabs? Also, is cheerwine any good?


BG

Let's see, Loreena McKennit: will look up first chance I get when things settle down. I'm currently at a gas station somewhere in TN...almost home. *pant* Going to break 1900 miles on this trip from the looks of it. I'll give her a listen though.

Nabs: is that food? If it's sweet and/or habit forming, I'll venture a tentative yes. And it sounds like "abs"...I really like those. Hehehe.

Cheerwine: best drink evar. Mostly. Kind of a here-and-there affection for it. But yeah. I'm a sucker for anything that takes 12 hours of crunches to work off. (see above)

Next? Haha, take care kids.

 

[fetaby]

Saw the thread, recognized the name (jub addict ya know), listened to the vids.

Very nice. That kind of technical guitar skill takes years to master. My dad plays but he's no where near as good as you.

I've been reading in the above posts that you need voice work. Eh. Sounds fine to me.

Seems as if you hold back though. Don't hold back.

And most important, don't ever give up.

Where can we buy your music?

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Saw the thread, recognized the name (jub addict ya know), listened to the vids.

Very nice. That kind of technical guitar skill takes years to master. My dad plays but he's no where near as good as you.

I've been reading in the above posts that you need voice work. Eh. Sounds fine to me.

Seems as if you hold back though. Don't hold back.

And most important, don't ever give up.

Where can we buy your music?

First off, thank you! Name recognition AND compliments, hehe, doubly grateful.

I've played guitar for about 15 years, but didn't really bear down on it until a few years ago. The only really technical pieces are the videos, though. Partly due to a lack of recording resources, and partly just to show off...I mean...well, nah, yeah, Waves for Tay and Devil in a Word are there for a little wow-factor. The others are pretty simple in composition.

As far as holding back, maybe a little. Giving up, not a chance. You guys are kick ass.

I'm hoping to have something of a sufficient quality to distribute by early summer. Dunno if I'll actually charge anything for it though...we'll have to see how much said venture puts me out of pocket first. I'm weird about taking money for just doing what feels right.

Thanks again, and be sure to tell all your friends.

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Still loving me some musical Alabaster goodness! I can't wait for Staples Center...

LOL, BG I'm gonna show you how to tune a guitar and put you to work...

Thanks buddy. I can't wait, either, haha. Someday, dammit, someday!

Big hugs all around.

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Mmm...hoodies are sexy, lol.

I'm still looking into Operation Kangadroo, but since it's on the way I might as well take over CA first... *snicker*

Might be putting together some Traditional stuff out there anyway.

Remind me to keep you posted on that, btw.

Okies, hours of website crap to do tomorrow, so I gotsta hit the hay for tonight.

Be safe, peeps.

 

[fetaby]

First off, thank you! Name recognition AND compliments, hehe, doubly grateful.

I've played guitar for about 15 years, but didn't really bear down on it until a few years ago. The only really technical pieces are the videos, though. Partly due to a lack of recording resources, and partly just to show off...I mean...well, nah, yeah, Waves for Tay and Devil in a Word are there for a little wow-factor. The others are pretty simple in composition.

As far as holding back, maybe a little. Giving up, not a chance. You guys are kick ass.

I'm hoping to have something of a sufficient quality to distribute by early summer. Dunno if I'll actually charge anything for it though...we'll have to see how much said venture puts me out of pocket first. I'm weird about taking money for just doing what feels right.

Thanks again, and be sure to tell all your friends.

IDK... increadibly handsome singer/songwriter with amazing technical skills... I might keep you to myself. jk

And you shouldn't feel weird for charging. It's how it works? yeah?

Let us know when you have a CD or something we can buy. Yeah?

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

And you better charge some money for those CD's! I will come out there and spank you good if you try giving them away for free, you are too nice for your own good.

Ain't dat the troof, hehe, but then again, so are you...and I'm certainly not complaining where that's concerned, lol. And you don't need to use a good spanking as an excuse to visit y'know...

I might keep you to myself. jk

And you shouldn't feel weird for charging. It's how it works? yeah?

Yes! Finally, I can manipulate people into fighting over me! lol. All those years of practice have paid off at la...oh, "jk"...well. Maybe I'll just have to practice harder then.

And as far as charging for my stuff, we'll see. If I were starving for it, it'd be different, but I've got the Traditional songs to work on for now.

The arts (Traditional, historic arts especially) always tank during a recession, though, so maybe the singer/songwriter gig will be my paycheck someday.

I'm not opening this thread to political argument, and I love Obama for his eloquence and Liberalism (note the capital L, there...meaning the philosophy behind policy...look it up, it's a beautiful set of values), but the spending freeze suggested for 2011 has me a little worried. We (my mother, myself, people who carry on dying traditions in music and culture) get paid by people who win grants to further those things I just mentioned.

Your next assignment, I guess, is to look up the Traditional ballads from the British Isles and how they survived here and around where I live in western NC. That'll keep you busy for a few months, lol, and then maybe I'll have a contemporary album ready to go.

To sell or not to sell...again, all spankings and status quo aside, we'll see how I feel about price. One thing you can always do, though, is look around town for venues that might be interested - not in me just yet, 'til my recordings are better quality - but in my odd little acoustitronic style. The more you find and PM to me, the more likely a real tour as an independent artist becomes.

I can tell you my stories about record labels at a different time...sigh.

Anyway! Lots of love to you guys, and for all you lurkers in here, speak up, dammit. Even if it's just to yell "You suck!" or "Freebird!"

Still a free bump in the forums.

Take care, kids.
Droo

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Wait! Wait! You're a muscian too?! Could you be any more attractive?!

I love your music. it's right up my alley. I love that heartfelt, keening & yearning kind of alternative. It is a little rough, but Corny is right! A little studio and you're good to go!

Keep it up, you've got talent, kid. You'll go far!

Haha, I am indeed a musician - 'tis my excuse for being so friggin' paranoid and needy...and of course I could be more attractive, lol. That's why I'm still mourning the loss of my laptop and the Photoshop CS4 that went down with it.

Since I've known you through JUB for what, almost a year now, Antares, it does my heart good to see you posting on my li'l music thread. Now if we could just get the rest of the gang to weigh in...not naming any names, *cough* codejockboymrpickles *cough*.

I'm really glad you like it as unpolished as it is. Can't wait for all y'all (that's plural for y'all btw...) to finally hear the full versions I've got in mind. Soft strings here, crunch guitar there...I've got the stuff to do that much, it's just all the mastering software and outboard mixers, compressors, pitch correctors (bwahaha), and reproduction hardware that's keeping it all bottlenecked at the moment.

I should be practicing more too...maybe I'll do that now, since we're getting snowed in - again - as I'm writing this. I'm working on a new picking style as well, based on what they called "Carter scratch" back in the day. I'm trying to think of a way to describe it without sounding completely pervy but...ahh, eff it, you're mature enough folks.

Basically, it's a four-finger style, really thumb heavy, mobility-oriented right hand technique, using an open or (at times) downright wonky tuning. I loves me some unisons. Like in Waves for Tay, which has the 6th dropped down a full step and a capo-cheater at the 2nd fret, but only on the 3rd-6th strings. You should be able to see the cheat on the video. (Giving away my secrets, alas.)

I should stop before I totally geek out about it...

Thanks again, though. I really can't tell you how much this feedback means to me. It's still a rough year all around, but you guys are the greatest.

Love to everybody as usual,
Droo

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Atta boy, BG! Hehe, you probably won't see any of me in the Appalachian traditional scene...only been at it seriously for about a year and a half or so. My mom's in her 43rd. They get started young around here. 60+ acapella verses don't come easy, hehe.

I did get to sing at Chicago University last February, though, and a little stage time this past October in Jonesborough, TN (something like 2500 people, blew my previous record outta the water by about...2200 people, lol). But right now I'm happy to be coat-tailing where I can. You have to learn side-by-side...that way you're a keeper and not just a singer. Learning side-by-side also means they can slap you for missing a verse.

It's a lot of fun, when it isn't 10 days in the car for what an accountant makes in two days, but there's always something to be said for heritage, right?

Speaking of which, BG - shoot me a pm with a link to some traditional Greek music. I'm sure I could google it, but it seems you've got a genuine source.

For now, tho, gotta get on the road before it ices over again. Workshops this weekend, fun fun.

Hugs 'n' whatnot,
Droo

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

This god-forsaken snow...I have nothing but profanities in mind at the moment.

At times I just go into denial.

"What the hell are talking about, snow?" I'll ask, sliding sideways with the AWD and smart-brakes going crazy. "It's practically spring...see I found the curb, we're perfectly fine." (fishtails)

I might just hang onto my little hotrod Subaru. If there's anything left of it by April, hehe. I've got snow pics of it somewhere around here...

Anyway, the studio is slowly coming together. Hopefully I'll be recording by March - thinking about a "making of" video to put up on my networking sites. Seems doable, have equipment and likely enough time for 15-20 minutes, ish, of my neurotic solo perfectionist process. I'll have to shave, though...ugh. But I won't be recording into a headset microphone this time.

Anyway, working my tail off but haven't forgotten you guys.

Think I'll go pass out now.

Whatnots, tell your friends, hugs,
Droo

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Well...just lost almost 5 hours of recording roughly 1/3 of a new song for yas - had backing guitar and vocals down, mixed, and saved. Song called "My Little Lullaby" (one of my best).

Went to put down a guitar overlay and the bastard froze. Now my song's corrupted. Hurray.

Gonna go throw up, break something, and head off to bed now.

Sorry guys...was gonna be a good one, too. Sigh. Always an adventure.

Droo

 

[Alabaster]

Re: Fellow JUB Member Alabaster’s Music!!!!!!!!!

Those Aussies are sweet and sexy. Lol.


BG

p.s. this may sound corny, but every time I feel kinda down, I put your music on and I feel a little bit better. So thank you for that.

Yes, they are and no, it doesn't. The music of mine that you listen to was a labor of love that probably took 100+ hours for just what I have uploaded. That kind of statement validates a process that varied between tedious and awful, even if I am at times comfortable with the end result. In other, more zen terms, it prevents the doing from diminishing the did. So I should thank you for that.

Thank you.

 

[Alabaster]

lol, BG, then I shall hush, and consider myself thanked.


Love yas!

 

[talbot57]

Hi Drew, haven't forgotten about you, yeah, roll on Spring, though you've had it worse than us. Looking forward to seeing you recording again and a vid would be great. Best wishes mate.