FAWM: "Hanging On"

Hanging On

2 weeks ago by @guatecoop

Hanging On

guatecoop

00:00

Liner Notes

#synths #I-Dont-Know #liveinstruments #needsvocals
This started as an arpeggio on my MicroFreak, which is great. I thought that I would be doing more on that, but I just couldn't get the vibe. So, I switched to a Typhon. Nope. The Minilogue XD is what it took. From there, it was fairly easy, but the timing of it all was the trick. I then put on some drums and then figured that it needed some more low end. In the end, I like it.
The title of this comes from times like right now....I am feeling like I am hanging on by a thread and don't really have my place. Here at home, I feel safe (not quite happy and certainly not joy), but I just feel a bit out of sync with many people outside of home. I don't need constant interaction, but I have to know who my people are and that we are connected. I also think that the social/political climate and (terrible) goings on here in the US is really weighing on me. We can't do a whole lot about it and the reality is that there are some 80M people who think that this is just great--including some of my in-laws.....So, it is just challenging right now and it may be making me question why this song is important at all.
I played a Arturia Microfreak, Korg Minilogue XD, Arturia Drumbrute Impact, a 70s Tiesco bass, and my drums (I LOVE my new ride cymbal- Meinl Byzance Extra Dry).

Lyrics

Nope. It's all yours, but just check with me first.

Comments

@afterschoolclub 1d

Oooh, loving some of those synth textures. Getting Yamaha CS-80 vibes from some of it. I wonder if that's all the Minilogue? Sounds absolutely superb. Musically this is right up my street too. Engaging and cinematic. Excellent!

@chill4matt 1w

I hear that dry percussion. And you're making everything sound lucious with those amazing synth sounds. Love the way you have arranged the sections here. Makes me want to break out my synths!

@airbagtester 2w

Richly layered. This song motivates me to do more with keyboards. Parts of this remind me of living in Baltimore, when I listened Ladytron quite frequently. I love that descending riff at 1:39 with the birds - that is very refreshing and light. A nice thoughtful space in the middle like the sun coming out on a nice walk in the woods. This song is important because I got enjoyment hearing it. Thanks!

@karan 2w

Sometimes "just hanging on" creates wonderful tunes. I hope that your music will continue to give you the strength to weather the current storms.

@jerrypettit 2w

A genre of music I always enjoy listening to (and have even watched a few "How to" videos on), but that just seems...beyond me. Clearly not beyond YOU--you've got it mastered. Terrific job! ❤️

@mtmelodie 2w

a slightly dystopian soundscape, with some nervous hope bubbling below the surface, I've been curious about the Dreadbox Typhon, a friend has it so been thinking i should borrow it and give it a spin, the dry ride fit's perfectly in the mix, but I didn't really think you used the whole drumkit until i read the full liner notes, the Tiesco bass has a almost synthbass quality too both from the tape/flats and the playing, imagined at first it was the Typhon or the XD at first

@gm7 2w

Great sounscape. I always enjoy synth sounds very relaxing and the bird sounds, now that an ear treat. Cool stuff.

@haim 2w

interesting track. cool hi-hat sound and playing. the synth sounds great. the cymbals sound really good in the mix, no harsh sounds, pleasant drums sound. cheers.

@tcelliott 2w

Those birds are lovely. I was trying to mess with a soundscape idea this afternoon and I realize that it's both harder than it sounds and much easier when I leave it to other people. You go after it with a different tact but much better results.

@sheslin 2w

I am digging the percussion and the awesome delay that is creating such a cool soundscape. The bird sound effects section - love it around :50 - almost like a little meditative palette cleanser before the nest musical course! I like the kind of circular feeling to the more musically dense parts. Oh yeah back to the birds and some space. Ha just scrolled down and I basically said the same thing as @kvnwoodruff unintentionally 😄 This was such a treat for me ears - thank you Mark!

@kvnwoodruff 2w

This is a cool soundscape, and I dig the percussive drumming. Meinl makes some KILLER cymbals. I got a super dry jazzy ride a couple years ago (Bosphorus turk series) and it's totally transformed my approach.

Try to take it easy on yourself and immerse yourself in music. I think art is going to be the way through this disaster period, and hopefully the ignorant in-laws will come around (I'm not holding my breath though...).

@kosch 2w

The depth and edge here is awesome (coupled with having read the liner notes) that coveys an uneasiness - It sounded to me like it was vinyl spinning on an old turntable in a dark basement (I swear I could here the distinctive "crinkle" of the record)

@aeye 2w

You gave this a calm yet eerie feel. Kinda like on top it's ok, but there's something really just wrong underneath of it all. Might be unintentional, but it works ( And it absolutely reflects how you and a lot of us are feeling). I like the bird samples in this, initially didn't expect that but it's great.

@rockstarsmd 2w

This is beautiful and a little dark… just like the current times… Here’s hoping our new music makes things just a little bit less horrific. Fingers crossed!

@fearlessflight2014 2w

Can I have a crack at putting a simple vocal on this, Rob? I love how it swells in waves and all the layers are just so gorgeous!!

@bradbrubaker 2w

This is great. Let me know if vocals ever get added because I was trying to listen to see if I felt inspired in that way and felt a bit stumped. Not that it needs it, just saying.

@nicetrip 2w

I loved these atmospheric and eerie synth sounds. The birds field (?) recording is so much in place. Great downtempo track, not sure if vocals are needed here at all…

@billwhite51 2w

i have felt alienated for more years than i can count, and this music expresses the out-of-sync-ness of it all. i think it is a common phenomenon when a new century pushes the remnants of the former one aside.

@karlsburg25 2w

Rob i hear you and feel you, and i adore the way you've reflected those feelings in such a etheral soundscape. Writing has a way of reflecting things that words definitely can't and you've done that here. Brilliant. And i feel of course we are all connected on this planet, and when there's any upheavel of course we feel it, so its important to just keep it simple, look after ourselves. I've faced backlash on opinions and people and it can be hard, especially when its people close to you. And i can share to you, you're definitely not alone matey. Loads of energies to you and gratitude for reflecting those feelings so perfectly in this song

@dreamscuba 2w

I really enjoyed listening to this piece. I also have a MicroFreak, which will appear this FAWM. I liked the birds that came in about 2/3 of the way in. I hear you on hanging in… seems a bit of a global thing.
Great instrumental.

@coolparadisoMod 2w

sometimes all we can do is hang on! I like the whole vibe almost coming up to crescendo! modern day cathedral music!

@bijou 2w

What a very cool vibe you have created here. All the sounds are so warm and makes me ears happy! I like the busyness and then the birds come in, switching back and forth from chaotic to peaceful.

@richaaaay 2w

That ride cymbal is taking me for a ride. I relate fully with your liner notes. My favorite was the birds part with the synth, the bass drum and cymbals. Gotta just hang on…

@zecoopMod 2w

My earphones are singing and dancing with all the sound going on here. I also am feeling pretty out of sync and although I am coming up with ideas, I'm kinda struggling with both technology and momentum. This was great and sounds fun to experiment

@eargoggle 2w

Such good sounds here! I love that reverb-y bass, whichever one that is...and that high part too, maybe that's the minilogue? Anyway these are great sounds and I agree that your ride sounds great! The whole thing has a kind of haunted vibe which I like. And I hear you on the feeling out of sorts...I've been wondering why I've been feeling scrambled and depressed and there's all sorts of reasons but the fascist takeover of our government is sort of a big black cloud getting in the way of everything isn't it.