Sway The Stars is a working title for my second Album release.There was a big learning curve in releasing my first album "Bucket List". Up until that time I had never had anyone else involved with working on my music, I had never been in a studio, and I have never had a release like that. I am proud of my work on my first album, but I still feel like I was only scratching the surface of my musical identity, and my melodic insignia. Since the release I have only been more dedicated to finding the perfect harmony between the lyrics, notes, phrases, instrumentation, and presentation of my artistic vision to help take another step forward in music. This will be apparent in my second album, "Sway The Stars". My Next Album, "Sway The Stars" is going to use my past experiences and inspirations and meet my future aspirations and expectations.
I want the album to center around the message of being in control and responsible for our own fates. When the stars don't line up, you change their patterns. You use your imagination, or cause them to dance with music, or connect the dots a different way. In some way every song on the album is meant to encourage individuals to take their life into their own hands and be their own individual. I can't wait to be able to bring this project to life.
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There are a lot of ways to write a song, and every artist kind of has their own routine for it.
Curious to hear how my fellow writers and/or artists go about their own writing process. Post in the comments! For myself I tend to focus on flow first. I often create a chord progression before any lyrics or melody that fits the mood I'm in. Then I try to sing to it and see what comes out. Rather than be nit picky at every moment, I usually impulsively grab the first line or notes that feels right and run with it. My style is very similar to a writer that uses stream of consciousness. Its also a great way to vent, and clear up those ideas that we tend to over think. You'd be surprised what comes to be when you just let your brain and heart simultaneously leak out over a few pretty chords. I feel this really helps my music to be honest and sincere. The only disadvantage is often the words that come out this way become incoherent and indirect. So next comes editing (A Lot of Editing). I like to think of it as disciplining the creative mind. You let it all go unchained and unfiltered, and then you just edit! How Do You Write? Have you heard it before? "Image is everything". Its not my favorite line, but I get it. With social media being at an all time high, image seems to be even more important to people in today's society. I just don't think it should be the forefront in how we judge music.
I get that musicians are labeled as "entertainers", so its nice to have something pretty to look at and something pleasant to hear at the same time. but if you could only have one and we really had to decide on what matters most in music...What would be more important to you? Image or Sound? Should we focus more on our outfit or our tone? our thumbnail images or the perfect melody? How pretty our band mates are or how well we play together? Our music-video or our MUSIC? To me the answer is obvious...but the reality...I'm not so sure. Maybe its all a case the video really did kill the radio star. Thoughts? I want to preface by saying, I believe ALL music is expression, and music is art. I know Music is subjective, and All styles of Music "have their place"When I was younger I used to listen to music on the radio, and be able to pick out each instrument. And I used to love hearing how everything was working in perfect harmony. I'm finding it harder and harder to do that these days with all the synthesized computerized manufacturized kind of sounds I hear on the radio. Jason Mraz even said it in his song "Quiet" on his latest album release. The lyrics went: "Everytime I hear music, They've added more stuff to it, things are always moving to a futuristic place". So I know I'm not entirely alone in this feeling. I'm sure other artists probably share a similar opinion on the matter. My greatest inspiration has always come from stripped down, unplugged, raw music. It wasn't even always "musically" perfect, but it was human. I think that is what it all comes down to.... That human element in music. The kind that is honest, sincere, and we can connect with. Now don't get me wrong, I entirely respect electronic music as an art-form. I even have a synthesizer blended in my song "Call The Sun". And there are plenty of songs that blend the computerized and human elements very well and creatively. And I may even decide to use these kind of sounds again in certain songs in the future. I guess I just am worried that music will someday be taken over by ROBOTS!!!!! That with constantly moving forward in this direction, that we might lose the human element all together someday. That there will be no blend, just robots. Can you imagine a world where our musical superstars and idols are Optimus Prime, C3P0, or Wall-E??? Maybe we are going to need to have a musical showdown against the Robot Bill and Ted? I think the real thing we need to do is....Put every musician in an acoustically sound room....no effects....no chords....no computers...and get to the heart of the music and that human connection. I think the true measure of musical talent should be when we strip all the effects away. What Do You Think? Can you imagine a world where our musical superstars are So Today someone handed me this giant packet...It happened to be a casting application for "The Voice". Now I'm a fan of music, I'm a fan of singing, I'm a fan of the show. This isn't the first time someone told me I should try out, or suggested it to me. Its also not the first time I've considered it. First off I'd like to state that this packet is about 30 or so pages long. I've never seen anything like it. Even filling out the paper work is already a big time commitment. And I actually have considered trying out...The main thing is up until recently, I have always been more of a songwriter before anything else, and the Voice doesn't grade you based on original music. However, now that I've actually done research and taken lessons to improve my voice, I have become more confident in my singing in general. I'm also getting "hungrier" for musical success, and I'm on that "do or die kick". So maybe I should... I figure if I'm going to be a dreamer, I might as well dream BIG. and I like to believe if I can dream it, I can see it. If I can see it, I can chase it. If I can chase it, I can catch it. And if I can catch it....then that would be pretty freakin sweet. Plus...theres always the chance that I get to meet Shakira. :-) What do you guys think? Should I go for it? If You Can Dream It, I did it, My Website is up, my album is out and my name is out there...At the end of the day I appreciate all the feedback and responses I got to my album release. It means a lot to me to have loyal fans and people who know the words to my music, or make hikes out to Worcester on a Monday night to support my show. A lot of people have asked me what my inspiration is for calling the album "Bucket List". There is really a long version and a short version to the story...
If you don't know what a Bucket List is, its a list of all the activities you want to do before you die. I've been playing music for about 10 or 11...or 12...or a bunch of years. Having my own album as you could guess was a major goal of mine and one of the top accomplishments to put on my own personal "Bucket List". Thats the short story... The long story is that I've always believed my life would be measured at the end, by what I have left behind. The people I've affected negatively or positively. By the mark that I made in the world. Essentially a lot of people think our life is over when we die...or YOLO as they say. but I've always believed that we can live on long after we die by leaving a trail for others to see or follow. Bucket List is my trail...My Journal...My passion. Its what I leave behind, its my mark, and its what makes my life eternal. My CD is gonna be alive long after I'm gone. I like to hope this isn't my last album...and I'm not saying I want to die any time soon. But having it out, means that I've done it, I'm on the map. EXTRA INFO: My next Album's Working Title is "Sway The Stars". Would love to hear from you guys! Sincerely, Seth Balestrieri |
AuthorThe official blog of the artist known as Seth Balestrieri Archives
March 2015
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