Ellis Easley - Day 3 recording at the river

It’s the evening of November 4th and I’ve got three songs fully recorded (albeit roughly mixed), which I’m feeling great about.

Yesterday was election day, which means that, from my limited interaction with the world - i.e. my wife and a bit of social media - there’s a general blanket feeling of anxiety weighing on a lot of people. It’s like a palpable smog passing through. And while I’m certainly not apathetic, I also recognize that my energies right now are best spent on a.) positive productivity and b.) things I can control. So I count myself fortunate yet again, that I’m here, keeping my distance from gloom and immersing myself in cathartic creation.

Today I finished a song called “Living With Yourself.” Ironic to how I started this blog entry, “Living With Yourself” has a bit of a gloomy undertone. It’s about the constant on and off struggles one may have with their thoughts while they’re alone. The different versions of “you” that visit and leave at leisure. It’s a little spooky. But not so dark that it’ll pull you under.

One of the things I love exploring, especially when doing something as fresh as a new album, is starting with some kind of instrument track that has no business (on its own) being a part of my genre. But you make yourself start with it. And then every other facet of your sound takes that black sheep and molds around it.

I hope I’m not losing you here.

I started with this big, bouncy, swinging drum beat that is carried heavily by a booming floor tom. Sounded wild. Sounded like I’d never expect one of my songs to sound. But lo and behold, I got hold of it and added some stretched out synth bass, whining swelling synth strings, and then found the voice.

And now this song’s a doozy. Might be one of those that people either love or hate.

So, on Wednesday evening at 5:35 p.m. I am sitting at the river park, completely alone, writing this as the sun sets. Can’t wait to get back and make something new.

EE