Song #5: Petals + Roses

This week's song is super chill and inspired by Elliott Smith (especially the double tracked vocals and guitars). It's about boldly going into a relationship without knowing what the outcome will be. I'm not really sure where to take this song in terms of additional arrangment. Any ideas?

Song #4: Outside

This song is about admitting that you are wrong in a relationship. The approach to this recording I've had in my head for a long time (kind of early Coldplay maybe?) but is there another way to approach the song that might be better? Also, does it need some harmony vocals?

Song #3: The Golden Age

Another old song written back in 2003. It's about where we've come as a people and how we define progress. I kept the instrumentation sparse with just a piano and vocal. It's influenced by Coldplay and Aqualung (and now that I think about it, John Lennon). Do you like it sparse or should I add some drums to it? Maybe a cello?

Song #2: When I Was Young

Here's a ditty I wrote back in high school (10+ years ago!) and finally got around to recording it! It's about  the time when you are a kid and anything is possible. It's heavily influenced by what I was listening to at the time: REM and Oasis. Please give your suggestions on what I can do to make this song better.

Song #1: 4th of July

Seeing as we just had New Years Day, I'm starting things off with a song about a holiday (although this holiday is still 7 months away, but the sentiment of celebrating a fleeting moment with fireworks remains the same). The production is inspired by the Pinback. Please give your suggestions on what I can do to make this song better.

The Start...

This is the beginning of a new project. The challenge is to record 50 songs in 50 weeks! Every monday I will post a new song recorded from the week before. The goal is to get input from friends and strangers on what I can do to make these songs better (for example, record a version with a piano, add a harmony vocal, change around the melody, cut out a verse, delete it and start over, etc.). I will periodically post new versions of the songs based on people's suggestions. For those you reading this who are into recording, if you come up with a cool part for one of the songs, you can email it to me and I'll do my best to incorporate it in the next version of the song. During the week, I will also post lyrics, pictures, videos, write about music that inspires me and whatever other fun things I can think of. At the end of the 50 weeks, I will come up with some sort of voting system to let people help me decide what songs will end up on my future album. I'll also come up with a Kickstarter at some point if you'd like to donate.

So there it is. I'm committed. 50 songs in 50 weeks! The first song will post on monday. Stay tuned!