Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Yanni I am not.  But it was nice to get a nod of recognition by getting this track moved on to the next step of possible usage.  The pitch called for:

NEW AGE INSTRUMENTALS as calming and tranquil as any Yanni, David Arkentsone, or David Lanz track are needed by the Owner of an incredibly successful Music Library. We just started working this company a few months ago. They’ve got tons of placements in some of today’s hottest TV Shows, Films, and Commercials. Your tracks must be engaging and compelling from beginning (no long intros please!) to end through use of sophisticated grooves, creative sounds, and an interesting arrangement. They’re looking for melodic instrumentals that will leave the listener feeling as though a sense of peace has gently washed over them. We’d advise that you stick to one central motif, and keep it moving forward by adding new layers and interest as you go. All tempos will be considered. 

I and my primal screaming self (who you hear way down in the mix) submitted this:

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Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

The pitch called for:
GUITAR-DRIVEN RIFF ROCK INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Publisher who’s placing tracks in an upcoming Feature Film. He’s looking for virtually ALL styles of Riff Rock for this one. Quoting the Publisher: “Classic Rock like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin will work. Current Rock like Jet, or The Hives will also be cool. I’m even open to aggressive Heavy Metal and Grunge, as long as there’s a big juicy guitar riff on the track. The most important thing is that the instrumentals have an edgy attitude that will work in both suspenseful scenes, and in action scenes.” He wants your tracks to sound like authentic band songs, not like under-sore that has been composed for scene. 

I had just the track for it!

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I modeled "Ocean Strut" after this song. Perhaps you've heard it?:

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

I Love NYC

Dear Taxi Driver, I know why you just quickly rolled your window down and then back up. Love, Audra(holding her nose in the backseat)
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) June 18, 2013

I Love NYC

"BRING IT" - Track of the Week

Purposely crafted this instrumental track to sound like classic rock in the vein of AC/DC for a pitch. It also has seemed to acquire a Free/Bad Company vibe. I had fun getting the guitar tones and drums to "sound like". I heard in a panel once about putting a little bit of distortion on the drums so that's what I done did!
Bonus: There is cowbell in this!
All instruments performed by me. Recorded and mixed with Logic Pro on a MacBookPro.

*** LYRICS ***

[Insert yours here]  ;)

"BRING IT" - Track of the Week

Object Writing - Banister, Perforation

Continuing with the writing exercises.  You can read them if you like. These are unedited, you're given a word and you just go for 10 minutes! I try to do one most mornings, even if I have to run off to do something other than seriously working on a song.

BANISTER

The banister wound up and around the staircase like a coiled cobra into the white-ceilinged sky.  Black iron vertical spokes connecting bottom to top.  He wheeled around to take flight step by step, pedaling his courage to climb to the next floor.  Hand on semi-smooth, ice cold rail of coal black.  Blinding light from a little window way up high, the sun looking in on his hesitant ascent.  The noisy tussle of movement overhead of the spacious entryway had deceased and left only curiosity to fall upon him like rain and wet his appetite for mystery and careful exploration in the cavernous, so-called empty rooms above.  The banister urged him on hand over trembling hand.

PERFORATION

Her comment created a perforation on his thinking.  A surgical-sharp blade of wisdom cut into the fleshly center of his so-called logic.  Bleeding words of amazement.  He never felt this way before.  Thought this way about the problem before.  A much needed cut to the core of his viewpoint.  Scissoring ideas around the holes of his argument.  Tiny incisions like a biopsy surgeon's skilled handiwork were her phrases of healing encouragement.  Oozing release of anxieties like a squeezed snake bite wound.

Object Writing - Banister, Perforation

I Celebrated iPad 2uesday!

Tonight will be the first night I do a gig with my new touch-screen friend. Through the years (pre-Hotel California and a little during) I've collected a ton of songs lyrics and chords to sing wherever - solo gigs, duos, etc.  And now the page-spilling-out-onto-the-floor days are over!  All tunes are all transferred over to an iPad 2 using an application called, "My Lyric Book". 

Yes, it arrived on a 2uesday!

Before..............................................................................................................AFTER!

I Celebrated iPad 2uesday!

"A GIRL AND HER DOG" - Track of the Week

One summer day at a New Jersey park for load-in and soundcheck, I spied, across a wide open green expanse of park, a....girl and her....dog...interacting under a tree.  Purely on thinking it was a good title, I went from there with any kind of story line this song might take.
All vocals and instruments performed by me.  Recorded and mixed with Logic Pro on a MacBookPro.

***** LYRICS *****

A GIRL AND HER DOG

Looking out across the green
Not a soul to be seen
Just a girl and her dog

Just like any other day
Till my thoughts began to stray
Toward the girl and her dog

 We spend our lives tugging on the leash
 Whatever's out of reach looks so inviting
 We wag our tails until the bitter end
 Every now and then we think get our way

I turned away to watch the clouds
Dancing shadows all around
The girl and her dog

CHORUS

Like a bulldog with a bone
I can't leave well enough alone
And so this song
About a girl and her dog

© 2012 Steve Probst

"A GIRL AND HER DOG" - Track of the Week