The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Ugh. The job is killing me today.

QotD: Do you prefer to be in a band or do you prefer to work solo?

QOTD -I love being in a band, but work much quicker solo. While it's nice to see your own vision, or whatever, come to fruition, it's a great thing to blend sonics and ideas with others.

I'm off to work a double shift: 3PM 'til 8:30AM. Hoo-wee!

Too easy. BAND.

I think, nowdays, solo.

Unless I had a band where everybody did exactly what I told them to. That would be good.

Maybe a band of clones.

QOTD: A band, for sure. Solo studio recording is like masturbation. Sooner or later you need you need the real thing.

QotD: I have never been in a band, so I couldn't tell you which I prefer. However, I do rather like working on songs with 1 other person. It's better than solo recording. Even tho, technically I'm still solo recording... hrmm... I give up.

Depends on the band, this one looks pretty good:
http://www.theorientaltheater.com/image ... -28-09.jpg

qotd: I've liked playing in bands, and solo recording is kind of depressing. So I guess that's my answer.

The right band > solo work
a band of lunkheads < playing solo

slats wrote: a band of lunkheads < playing solo

Sam's really not that bad once you get to know him

Paco Del Stinko wrote:QOTD -I love being in a band, but work much quicker solo. While it's nice to see your own vision, or whatever, come to fruition, it's a great thing to blend sonics and ideas with others.

This.

Caravan Ray wrote:

slats wrote: a band of lunkheads < playing solo

Sam's really not that bad once you get to know him

No offense intended.

I love playing with a band way more than I love playing solo. As far as Songwriting, though... I don't know, I only played a very marginal part in the creative process of the one band I was in that did originals. I think the way my creative process works, I have a difficult time getting ideas to the point where they're tangible enough to pitch to a band.

...I know it sounds stupid.

ujnhunter wrote:QotD: I have never been in a band, so I couldn't tell you which I prefer.

Well, you seem pretty fond of cock.

I like collaborating with people but I seem to only ever get stuff done on my own. I have this pathological need to be self-reliant, I guess.

QotD: I'll definitely want to write and play original music together with others at some point, so far I haven't. Anyway, from my current situation, I can definitely see myself continuing on the solo path. Especially once I earn enough money to expand my collection of instruments and gear.

QOTD: Both have their advantages and drawbacks. I'm unisoundual.

DRC: Weird dream I woke up from. Was snowed in at a flop/crash pad/squatted house where I was going to be playing a gig. Went to the room where my gear was, to get tuned up or something, and Caravan Ray was in there (real skinny, like 50 pounds lighter than he was in 2006) warming up on a short-scale Beatle bass with only two strings that he had tucked under his chin and was bowing like a violin. Wild growly sound. He grinned kinda wickedly, and then the dog's barking woke me up.

Guess I wish I could make it out to New York, eh?

QotD: I've only been in bands as a musician supporting someone else's songwriting. Which is a lot of fun but also slightly limiting. My favorite situation was where I played bass and sang backup vox for a frontman/songwriter, but then we'd fit a couple of my songs into each set. I think the audience appreciated the variety of a second lead singer... plus it was personally fulfilling for me to tribute creatively as well as musically.

I play bass with two other guys right now. Kinda powertrio mixed with surf punk. The project is still out in the woodshed, but it's a lot of fun so far.

Henrietta wrote:I play bass with two other guys right now. Kinda powertrio mixed with surf punk. The project is still out in the woodshed, but it's a lot of fun so far.

I love that stuff. At the moment, I play with a couple of my surfing buddies. One is my old bass player and the other guy is a drummer I played with in high school. We only get together once or twice a month and we only play for our own enjoyment and who ever happens to be hanging around.

I enjoy both quite a lot. But in group situations I tend to enjoy having a fair amount of creative control - so it's probably better if I mainly work alone

Ross wrote:I enjoy both quite a lot. But in group situations I tend to enjoy having a fair amount of creative control - so it's probably better if I mainly work alone

You'd be totally fine directing a group! It's just a matter of finding the right people who are perfectly content with that dynamic. Not every musician is a creative type. It seems like you have a strong sense of how your music should flow and how the end result should sound. It's prolly much easier for a backup musician to be 'directed' by someone who has a clear vision, rather than by someone who doesn't.

I think most people here at SF are more band leaders than not. Otherwise we wouldn't be here week after week making these full musical compositions. I've tried to get my other musician friends involve in making music and they fizzle out after a song or two. I can't even get them interested in coming here to Song Fight or record for the titles. But, they are always ready to get together and jam or fill in for a show.

Also, from my experience, it is really hard to have multiple band members writing. Now, if everyone sings their own written material and can direct the music, then it can work. But the best band is one that each members focuses on his/her part and each other member can depend on him/her without thinking twice. You are only as good as your weakest band member.