CD Project Update #21 – A Revised Timeline

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Corey Stewart

I was in the studio on Wednesday (23rd November) and completed the backing vocals to “Don’t Turn To Me Now”, “Jigsaw” and “Seeing Stars.” I’ve only got the backing vocals for three more songs to go and all the recording for the CD will be done.

Man that is going to be a load off my back but of course that doesn’t mean that the CD is ready to release.

The next step after recording is for the tracks to be mixed down and balanced by Anthony Stewart. After discussions with Anthony about this, we’ve worked out that this next process is looking like being finished by the end of February 2012.

While the mixing of the tracks is taking place I’ll be making sure that the artwork for the CD will be completed by the same time. Once this is done we are then well and truly on the home stretch.

With the mixing and the artwork completed, all that needs to be done is for the tracks to be mastered by Neville Clarke at DiskEdits and then for the physical product to be printed and put together which will be done by Alec Gheude at Pro Advanced Media.

Only after all of that will I then have my own debut CD in my hot little hands. I’m anticipating that this will happen by the end of April 2012 so there’s a little bit more of a wait ahead for me but I tell you what…

It’ll be well worth it.

Peace,

Corey

CD Project Update #11 – I’m Past The Halfway Point

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Corey Stewart

Next Wednesday I start recording my CD again after a 7 week absence primarily due to my recent illness.

I’ve got to admit though, I’m feeling a little bit nervous about getting back into the studio.

I mean, just thinking about it makes the little voice in my head come up with all sorts of excuses not to record and throw in some good old fashioned self doubting negativity for good measure.

Such as…

“It’s been a while, are you up to it now?”
“The break was too long, might as well give up now?”
“You’ll never get your CD finished”
“You said you’d have your CD finished by your birthday. You’ve FAILED!”
“Forget about your CD, just play covers, thats where the money is”

Oh, it just goes on and on and on. How much of it I take notice of depends on how I’m feeling on any particular day but thankfully today, the little voice is talking bullshit so I’m feeling okay.

I’ve actually worked out that I’m past the halfway point in the recording process so I’m starting to think about what I’m going to do about getting my CD out into the wider world and how I’m going to sell it.

Just like every other songwriter before me, I’ve now got to answer the age old question for myself…

“I’ve recorded a CD. Now what do I do?”

As having a CD marketing, distribution and selling strategy is essential in ensuring that not too many boxes of my CD’s will live under my bed, I’ll be spending some time working on that and sharing with you what I come up with on this blog.

At least doing it this way I’ll have something in writing

Peace,

Corey

CD Project Update #3 – Bass Tracks

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Corey Stewart

I went into the studio yesterday to put down some bass tracks. Got through 12 of the 18 songs and will finish off the rest of the bass tracks as well as getting a start on putting down some acoustic guitar tracks in a fortnights time.

My Music Man Stingray 5 + Eden Nemesis RS 400

I found that doing the guide tracks to a click at the beginning of the recording process has made it easier to put down some bass afterwards. I found it a very enjoyable experience.

Recording this CD has really got me thinking about my relationship to music as a whole which for a long while it’s been best described as a love/hate relationship.

I think because music is the means in which I make my living with my cover band FIGJAM playing around the traps I was starting to look at music as a job rather than a calling, a passion in life and that was getting me down. Recording this CD has reignited my passion in a big way and has rejuvenated my creativity.

Im excited about the possibilities again.

Anyway, the bass tracks so far are rock solid and will provide the foundation needed to produce some great songs.

Peace,

Corey

Help Me Choose The Songs For My CD

Posted on July 10, 2010 by Corey Stewart

I must confess. I have a bit of a problem that needs to be solved.

I’m recording 18 songs at the moment but ideally I want to release a CD with 12 songs on it which means 6 songs have to be left behind and I’m a little stuck on what songs to choose.

This is where I need your help…

I’ve put up all the recorded guide tracks of the 18 songs on my CD Project page and all I want you to do is to have a listen to the songs and give me your feedback either by contacting me directly or, commenting on the page.

I want to know what you would or wouldn’t keep on the CD and if you have a reason for your choices you can put them down as well, the more information, the better as far as I’m concerned, let me know what you think.

The 18 songs that I’m recording are as follows:

All Good Things Must Come To An End
Back Of My Mind
Billboard Angel
Don’t Turn To Me Now
Don’t Want To Let You Go
Girl Like You
Half Hearted Man
Jigsaw
Just One Kiss
Leave It All Behind
Long Drive Home
Missing You Already
Mountain Top
Nothing Stands In Your Way
Seeing Stars
Shadows
We Can’t Be Together Anymore
What Have We Got To Lose?

I realise that this list may not mean much to some of you at the moment, especially if you’ve just discovered this website and you don’t know me from a bar of soap but please be patient, have a listen, I promise I don’t bite.

I am really excited however, about giving everybody who visits my site an opportunity to have a say in what songs should be on my first CD. A little bit of interactivity goes a long, long way.

Peace,

Corey

Listen to all 18 songs