Ever since the early days of the cassette tape, people have been making mix tapes. They are, and have been, viewed as an artistic expression. A well crafted mix tape can become a statement rather than a crude piecemeal of songs you _like._ I know friends who would agonize on their mixes and even craft special _crush mix tapes_ that were the ultimate in expression, the thought being that the right mix of _Replacements_ and _Elliott Smith_ would drive the opposite sex into a feeding frenzy of lustful thoughts.

These mix tapes were often recorded from CDS when available and album art was always a necessity. For every good mix, there was a great cover. The albums became like children and would always be put on at parties as a symbol of pride.

However, nowadays mix tapes have fallen out of the limelight. Now everyone has CD burners they just make a mix in iTunes and presto change-o there you the coolest music ever heard on the ugliest shinny disc you have ever seen. Sure there’s the whole copyright issue, but I’m of the mind if you give someone a mix CD often times if they like an artist, they’ll buy the album… or see them in concert… or try to sleep with them… whatever… Putting somebody on a mix CD isn’t copyright infringement, like the RIAA says, it’s free advertising. Sharing an entire album is a no-no, because that is stealing from the artists and none of us would ever do that… right?! Regardless, the mix CD while a great invention always look like poop. I am therefore suggesting that everybody who reads this site to spend a little time on the next mix CD you make, either for yourself or someone you love. Make it count. Make it sexy. Make it rock.

I have been holding off on recording, because I have been waiting for my electric guitar, which I have on backorder, to get to me. It’s absurd really, waiting for a piece of equipment to be creative! As if the guitar were the inspiration. Instead I decided to just get down to it and if I need to I can re-record it later.

Let’s go back to the beginning, I found from my first song _Forgive Me Love_ that my tempo was too slow and made my vocals seem stretched and forced. I learned from my last song _The Argument Dance_ that when I thought about vocals too much I got overly obsessed with recording them right. I kept on recording and re-recording parts in order for them to sound perfect and it just made them seem tired.

*New Thought*

This weekend I deliberately began recording without an idea formalized in my head. Determined to get an entire song finished, I started recording and didn’t look back. My first takes were all I used for my guitar. Vocals were a bit trickier and since I was making it all up on the spot I had to make revisions, but I tried were applicable to keep my first takes. In the end I think the song is a jumble of all the music I have been listening to lately. Anyway, you might look at it as a departure from my last attempts, but really it’s just a speed up and a bit of distortion on my vocals.

My vocal style is a mix of different influences. In reality I was attempting the verses to sound as though I had been drinking and my confidence being gained from the bottle. In the chorus a loss of control. The bridge ending in pleads and a loss of the verses confident overtones.

Well enough of this _jibber-jabber_ on with the show

“Were I Stand.”:https://www.upthetree.com/media/wereistand.mp3

Our good friends Steve and Amy just got a new cat and we’re all very excited. It’s a gray little thing and Amy promises that she’s a princess.

_But that’s what all mother’s say._

What’s the name of your… pet?