I used to love video games when I was a kid, but Super Nintendo was as far as I got.
These days, I’ve been trying to catch up with the latest stuff since I’m working with Alebrije Estudios, a new video game company that is developing a game called MicroBiotics.
ATTEMPT #1: Video Game Night
Alebrije team leader and programmer Jorge Monterrubio patiently watched me struggle to play a few games like Braid (gorgeous!) and Final Fantasy (I’m speechless!). After about 10 minutes, I was so frustrated by my lack of skills that I gave up and let Jorge play while I listened and watched for the interactive elements of the music. It was lovely!
ATTEMPT #2: YouTube Video Game Night
Watching videos of other people playing video games. I think this approach is best for someone like me… hahaha! Diego Guerra, Alebrije’s Concept Director, showed me this AMAZING video of a Swedish guy named Fredrik Larsson, who performs an acoustic version of the music from The Wind Waker (Legend of Zelda).
Yesterday, I got a chance to write with my good friend Alder.
Besides writing great songs, Alder is an amazing guitar player. He came up with tons of chords I didn’t even know existed! You should have seen me trying to keep up with him, it was a little sad.. hahaha! But, I learned a lot.
Alder tends to use what I like to call “Spider-Man Chords”… Those are chords that spread across 4 or 5 fret rows on the guitar, which means your hand is stretched out in a very uncomfortable position. Alder makes it look easy… I just look like I’m in pain… which is totally true.
We worked on a soft, acoustic song called, “I’ve Always Known”. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post a recording of that soon.
Check out Alder’s website. He has written many songs for indie films and just released an album called, “Long Way Down”.
I’ve written about 8 songs in the past 3 weeks. That’s a personal record! hahaha! It’s one of the benefits of cowriting.
Life has been pretty cool lately. I’ve been going to cowriting sessions almost every day with several songwriters here in Los Angeles. At first, I was skeptical about doing this… I thought that writing that much would make me feel drained, but the opposite is happening.
The more I write, the more I find stuff I want to write about. I’m loving it!
It’s so different to write with other people. I have to make a constant, conscious effort to not feel awkward about sharing my ideas even though they may not be good. You NEED to say what’s on your mind otherwise you won’t get anywhere! And everyone has been great about making me feel comfortable, which I really appreciate. Kindness and honesty. Those are important things to keep present at all times when you write with other people.
Another great benefit of cowriting is that you get to learn about the other person’s songwriting process. This is one of the best ways to grow as a songwriter. You take what you learn from others and strengthen your craft.
Alrighty, back to my coffee and updating the website.
I hear music inside my head. Whether I’m reading, walking, watching a movie… sometimes, I start hearing quiet melodies. I sing them out loud as soon as I make out the notes. If singing a melody makes me feel something… anything, then I know it might work for a song.
Melody leads me to words. Words that describe what the melody makes me feel. These words shape the idea of the song, and lead me to a story that brings them all together.
Eventually, I get to my favorite part of songwriting: You can find all sorts of ways to say the same thing. So, how do you know when the lyrics are right? I get goosebumps. Seriously. I get chills.
And that’s one of the best feelings I know.
Here’s a video of a song called, “Where Did You Go?”. The lyrics are not finished, but the music is. Even if some words are missing, I feel the melody carries the sentiment. When Alex came to Monterrey a few weeks ago, we played it (well, I played it and Alex improvised). I’m not in a hurry to finish it. When it comes to songs I write for myself, I don’t push lyrics. I’d rather it take me a year to write a song than write something I don’t mean.
I’ll let you know as soon as it’s done. (lyrics start at around 52 seconds)
Have you guys seen this movie? It’s called Once, and it was directed by John Carney. The story is about two songwriters that meet and become friends. The sountrack is made up entirely of the songs these characters write.
I got to watch it a few days ago at a screening by The Society of Composers and Lyricists. I’ve mentioned a few of their events before. The SCL screens movies, usually before they are released in theaters, and afterwards they hold a Q&A with the composers.
I love attending because you always get little insights, or anecdotes about the making of the film that you wouldn’t have heard otherwise.
The interesting thing about Once is that the movie’s two lead actors also happen to be the two singer/songwriters who wrote the soundtrack. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It was kind of bizarre that after watching these characters on screen for over an hour, they both suddently walked into the theater and sat down for a Q&A.
Watch this movie. The songs are unbelievably gorgeous. If it’s not gonna play anywhere near you, then go to their MySpace profile at myspace.com/oncethemovie and listen to some of the songs. Start with one called “Falling Slowly”. I LOVE IT.
It’s the kind of film that makes you want to go home and write music.
Isn’t life so much better when you’re working on a project you really, really like?
I am so happy that I got to write music for this short film.
I love the concept and it looks absolutely amazing. The camera never moves. One shot. That’s it. One set, too. A bed. What you see in this picture, that’s where the entire film takes place. Three characters, three different bedsheets for each of their rooms. And it works.
I wrote some instrumental music and a song for the end credits.
Going to screenings is always the best part. After hours and hours of watching and working on the film on a computer monitor, it’s incredible to look at it on a big screen. I’m glad I was able to go with my parents. Their support is one of the most constant things I know.
Last weekend, I attended ASCAP’s “I Create Music” Expo. The event was kicked off with the 2007 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, which took place in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
The Kodak Theater is the home of the Academy Awards. It’s gorgeous, and as soon as you step inside, you get the feeling you should be in your best behavior. I even wore high-heels. (Lie: they were tiny, low heels, but even that should be enough to make my mother proud… Don’t get me wrong, I think girly shoes are pretty. I just don’t like wearing them.)
The ceremony was so much fun, with performances by the All-American Rejects, The Fray, Anna Nalick, and Nick Lachey among others.
I love The Fray. Well, I think the entire world loves The Fray… but, that voice… It’s simply stunning and different. I didn’t even want to breathe because I wanted to listen to absolutely every second of that performance.
The rest of the conference rocked. I learned a lot and met some very cool people.
A few days ago, two good friends invited to me a concert at Disney Hall, which is known for it’s unique architecture and brilliant acoustics. I was psyched. I think I said yes before they even finished inviting me.
The concert was hosted by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg who were there to talk about the history of Film Scoring. Specifically, the music of Bernard Herrmann (who worked with Alfred Hitchcock on movies like Psycho, Vertigo, The Birds, etc.) and John Williams ( composer of the famous Jaws theme, Star Wars, and pretty much anything you can thing of… the guy has 18 Academy Award nominations. He’s insane).
The music was performed live by the LA Philharmonic… and wait, it gets better. Conducted by John Williams HIMSELF!
I’m surprised I didn’t take a paper bag with me in case I hyperventilated. It was fantastic. For some of the pieces (Indiana Jones and ET among others) they projected the film on a big screen and Williams conducted the orchestra live, following the picture.
I cried like a baby.
I think that’s the only reason I have never been a big fan of ET. It makes me bawl. hahaha!
ATTEMPT #1: Video Game Night
Hey, guys! 
Yesterday, I got a chance to write with my good friend Alder.
Have you guys seen this movie? It’s called Once, and it was directed by John Carney. The story is about two songwriters that meet and become friends. The sountrack is made up entirely of the songs these characters write.
Isn’t life so much better when you’re working on a project you really, really like?
Last weekend, I attended ASCAP’s “I Create Music” Expo. The event was kicked off with the 2007 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, which took place in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
A few days ago, two good friends invited to me a concert at Disney Hall, which is known for it’s unique architecture and brilliant acoustics. I was psyched. I think I said yes before they even finished inviting me.
The music was performed live by the