How One Guy Sounds Like a Band
A few days ago, I sent Steve Weeks this question:
Many of the records we get where one guy does all the instruments sound like it, and in a bad way. They just sound like a bunch of separately-recorded tracks played together.I thought y'all might find his response interesting:
But I didn't realize until relatively recently that you played everything on your records. They really sound like an ensemble - a really good, tight ensemble.
What is it that's missing on those other records? Is it just production tricks? Why do your records sound like a real band?
Thanks! I always worry about the limitations of being a DIY musician, so it's really encouraging to hear from you that the overall ensemble flows well for you. I really appreciate that feedback.Thanks, Steve!
I honestly can't say what it is that I do different than other folks. A few things that might work in my favor are:
I love to experiment around with different instruments and parts on my songs. You wouldn't believe how many tracks don't even make the cut. When I'm working on a tune, I tend to sit around and "jam" with different instruments and try out different vocal parts. I play guitar solos through the entire song that I know from the get-go will never be on the final version, but it's just so fun! So maybe by the time you hear the final tune, you're hearing some of that jamming? There's a "lost" banjo part to Kiki Kangaroo, a "lost" piano in Xaver Xerxes, and I came close to cutting the electric guitar in Someday.
I re-do parts a lot. I'll put down a basic drum part just to have a beat, then record a guitar part, then go back a re-do the drum part so that I'm jamming with the guitar, then decide to re-do the guitar part to be more in vibe with the new drum part. You get the idea. Still wondering why it takes me 2 years to put out a CD? I'm a knucklehead sometimes.
There are certainly lots of guys that are one-man-bands that do it WAY better than me (Beck, World Party, NIN, Self, Sara McLaughlan)... it's no wonder that I'm in awe of these guys. Jon Brion is my hero.
The reason that I perform all the parts is due mostly to the fact that I have to record at night after the kids are in bed in a little room off of my kitchen... and often in 15 minute spurts. Not very conducive to working with other musicians. Also, I have to admit that I'm slightly intimidated by real musicians.. always have been. I can't really read music too well and understand nothing of music theory, so one of my biggest fears is to be jamming with a musician who says "Let's do 13-bar blues in A# augmented minor with a modal progression..." and I'll be found out for the faker that I am. :)
At the end of the day there's a pride in doing something yourself, and it gives you a great opportunity to learn new stuff. Instead of calling a studio percussionist, save up your money for a Djembe and Bongos and play around with them until you find a beat that works for Zed and Zoey. I'm sure doing your podcast you know what I mean. You've probably learned a lot about computers, recording, broadcasting, speaking, timing, interviewing etc. Someday when you're hosting America's Top 40 on the radio [Ed. note: Good lord, what a frightening image], you'll have people doing all that for you, but you'll be glad you did it for yourself once :)
More information than you wanted I'm sure, but you're the first person to ask.
Permanent link • Posted at 2:06 PM
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7 Comment(s):
I'm always amazed by one-man bands, especially those who do it so well that you can't tell.
Recently I was talking with kids' artist Eric Herman and was shocked to hear him say that he played most of the instruments on his CDs. A few things, like drums, were from sampler CDs (that's Mick Fleetwood drumming on Eric's Snow Day CD). He told me it's mostly a matter of time and money. Personally, I couldn't really tell, as his music is so well produced. And my kids, well, they don't care where the instruments come from. They just love the songs.
Hey Phil, thanks for the kind words. But Invisible Keith is gonna renounce you as a friend if you go around saying stuff like that. It just so happens that he is verrrrrrry heavily influenced by Mick Fleetwood... (right down to the tone of his drums) :o)
Great post, Steve! There should be no question that you have a real band with real musicians... they just all happen to be named Steve Weeks. It makes me wonder sometimes when I've heard people imply that one person recording all the various parts of an album by themselves or using samples or loops or synthesizers is somehow less talented or less legitimate... as if it's easier to just do it all yourself than to hire others. What matters most is what it sounds like, not who did it. If you're a musician, then your music is made by a real musician and it's "real music", no matter what's in it.
The reason that I perform all the parts is due mostly to the fact that I have to record at night after the kids are in bed in a little room off of my kitchen... and often in 15 minute spurts. Not very conducive to working with other musicians.
Ha! That sounds so familiar. Most of the recording on my albums is done in several of those 15 minute spurts. Also with the re-doing parts thing... Sometimes I've actually recorded someone else on an instrument but didn't end up using it because something else had changed in the arrangement and it no longer fit.
In my case, I do really enjoy working with other musicians (non-invisible ones, too) as much as possible, but yeah, it is partially a question of time and money, and it's also an aesthetic thing... I'll do what I can on my own unless there's someone who I know has a real particular style or sound that is needed for a part on a song.
Thanks for chiming in, Eric!
I should make it clear that I don't think of folks who play everything themselves as less talented or legitimate -- indeed, it's at least somewhat the opposite; the reason I asked the question is because I think it is harder to make the one-man band sound like a full band (made up of people with different names, DNA, etc.). I could just have easily sent the question to you, Eric, since I think you pull it off really well too -- I just happened to be listening to "Zed and Zoey" when it popped in my mind.
There is something about a full band playing live that is special and probably not reproducible by one person, but it's not necessarily superior. And of course, very few "full band" albums are actually recorded in anything like a "live" way, anyway.
Oh hey, Bill, I definitely wasn't suggesting that you had ever said anything like that. I'm thinking of other things I've heard and read over the years. And yeah, you're right, there is also the opposite positive regard for people who play all the instruments on a recording, so that's cool. I remember being nothing but impressed to find out that Paul did that on... ah, gosh, one of the White Album songs, wasn't it?
There is something about a full band playing live that is special
No doubt. And on recordings, too. But there's also a lot of good music that was put together by a single person. Music can be very collaborative or just one crazy artist splashing paint on a canvas.
Anyway, I'm glad you asked Steve about that!
Thanks for the post, Bill (and the commenters, too).
I also think it's interesting to hear artists that typically record everything themselves play with a full band.
I think Monty Harper's recordings are similar to Steve's and Eric's, but hearing him on "The Great Green Squishy Mean Concert CD" is an entirely different experience, as it's recorded live with a full band.
This is so interesting. It's pretty amazing to find out how a song is built, if you've never done it. I'll bet there's lots of ways to do it. Can you imagine the work that goes in to writing, arranging and playing ALL the instruments on your own record?! And then putting it out there for people to listen to! Man! Work, skill, talent, GUTS!
Talk about AWE. I'm in awe of Steve and all these great musicians who do it themselves. So brave and wonderful.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Bill.
Thanks for the kid words of encouragement Eric! So I have band members all named Steve Weeks huh? hmmmmm... we'll we're walking right into our band manager Steve Weeks' office and demanding higher pay! I can't believe we've only been receiving one person's wages! :)
Take care,
Steve
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