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Hi, all: Well, here’s another new one, with a huge assist from rayc, who laid down the bass track for this song. A few production notes for those interested: —I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to go sound-wise with this one . . . but in keeping with my new approach of trying not to overspend my time on production, rather than auditioning endless RTs, I ended up going with a mash-up of two BIAB Styles: Spandex Retro Disco Rock and Zooms Prog Rock, the latter giving me some of the crunch I thought I needed in the chorus. —On the vocals, I kept the BGVs to a minimum, and found if I was much more aggressive on volume they drowned out the instruments, so hopefully I struck the right balance. Again, trying not to get too obsessive with hitting the sweet spot. In a demo I sent Ray early on, I found myself singing over the instrumental break, and I kinda liked it. So I kept it here, with the added bonus that the solo sits under the vocal and works (I think), where it might not if it were “on its own.” —Lastly, a big shout out to Ray for adding an awesome bass line. I think (and hope you agree) it really helps the song pop. Can’t thank him enough for his contribution here! Well, hope you enjoy the listen. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Stay well all! Deej Here’s the song:HARD TO KEEP LOVING YOU Here are the lyrics:I’m falling asleep Trying to keep My tired eyes from closing You’re out of reach I’m in the dark I’m waiting to see If you will be Here and home beside me But I’ve got a deep suspicion You won’t be for all my wishing So I’m thinking now that Something’s got to change You’re making it hard To keep loving you When I still do It might be an act I think I Read a book about it A way to attract Keep it distant and cool It may be just that Or maybe your heart Is really drifting Or maybe it’s indecision But whatever it is or isn’t I’m thinking now that Something’s got to change Should be no surprise How I’ve been wondering lately If you even know What you’re thinking of If you even really want my love Hey, it’s time Say your mine Or let me go And maybe I’m quite mistaken But baby my faith is shaken And here’s the band:Bass: Ray Cochrane Loop: House-Techno-Trance/Trance - kit3beat135b ev16 tempo.wav Loop: Pop-Soul-RnB/R n B - sweet_75_a drums ev16.wav RealTracks 1257: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRock8ths RealTracks 697: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockDirty RealTracks 4130: Guitar, Electric Rhythm, ProgRockTODistortedSync RealTracks 4131: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ProgRockTODistChorusArp RealTracks 4137: Guitar, Electric, Soloist ProgRockTO Ev 130 RealTracks 1265: Synth Pad, PopShiningSoft Ev 120 RealTracks 1644: Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHitsOffBeat RealDrums: SynthDrumsDisco^1
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Deej,
What a great song, great sound and great production!
I love your vocal - you really let it fly here. The solo with your sing-over is excellent.
Ray's bass really adds some nice propulsion.
I enjoyed every bit of this.
Bob
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That's a ripping vocal for a very nice song! Great production that allows the vocals to really shine all the way through. I'm a big fan of minimalist production for just that reason.
The Styles mashup sounds perfect and perfectly natural. Simultaneous loading of Styles should be a BiaB feature (if it's not already and just undiscovered by me). Ray's bass is perfect, too.
Think you absolutely crushed this one. Loved it!
BTW, been to the Mill Valley In-n-Out quite a few times while visiting relatives in Tiburon. It's a treat for us East Coast pilgrims...
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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This is a great song. Well produced with a fine bass part by Ray. The two styles work perfectly together. Very well written and arranged but the real star of the show is the killer vocal! You’ve got some serious chops! Thoroughly enjoyed,Tom
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Deej...another super song...man I love those "chugging" guitars...they really drive the song along nicely...so well written and performed...love the band and the vocals are so cool (as usual)...Ray did a stellar job on the bass line...no suggestions from me...a great rock song indeed!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Its all been said:
Super vocal!
Those styles worked very well together.
Singing over the lead was brilliant.
Ray's bass was excellent.
Perfect mix!
I also liked the chord progression.
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Deej56,
Sounds great! Bit different, in good way. Darker. Ace write and vocals! Ray's bass works really well and adds a whole new layer. Mix is super clear. Enjoyable listen and thank you for sharing.
Misha.
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Hi Deej,
This is a new favorite of mine from you. Love the style, arrangement, and performance. But, as mentioned already - your vocal is just so good!!!
Ray and I have collabbed on a couple of songs this year. He's great to work with. And his bass line is perfect for this - not fancy but strong and supportive of the style. TYotally loved everything about this one.
Alan
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I was expecting something completely different from the Styles and RealTracks, but man, this is SO good.
80s in a very good way.
"Spandex Retro Prog Rock Disco".
Ha!
You heard it here first!
Production-wise, you nailed the sound of that era, I think.
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Deej,
Zowie. Damn Good Music.
This is a Radio hit.
Everything is superb.
ray's bass is Killer. Great tone. Perfect in the mix.
Excellent write.
Amazing vocals.
Good mix.
Might be one of the best things to ever hit the Showcase.
fj
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Deej
Excellent song - lovely production melodic and engaging. Superb vocal and nice bass by Ray.
Would have been a hit back in the day.
Peter
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Deej and Ray,
That's a tight rockin' sound! Your vocal work is always great but you really stepped up your game on this one (I feel one of your best)! Yes Ray's bass really does make it all come together and sound right! You will never go wrong with his help on a project!
Thanks, TB
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Deej,
you did a fab job on this. Your work flow changes are working well - freeing you to spend the time on creativity and capturing the excitement of your vocal. Thanks for letting me play along. It was fun, fast and ultimately fabulous.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Bob, DC Ron, Tommy, Dan, Mario, Misha, Alan, BD, Floyd, Peter, Torrey and Ray:
Thanks all for the listens, and glad it seems to work well for everyone. Really appreciate the terrific feedback, particularly on Ray’s bass line, which added so much to the song.
Stay safe and well all,
Deej
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This grabbed my attention, chugged along, and didn't let go.
This whole "not overthinking things" seems to be working out quite well.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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"80s in a very good way ... Spandex Retro Prog Rock Disco."
Hahaha, B.D. served up a most cool description.
Firstly, the write is engaging and, per always, you nailed the vocals.
And in this case with a stadium filling delivery.
The arrangement is obviously well thought out and holds interest from the get go through the last note.
Ray provides a great bass track to glue together that fine group of session guys you summoned.
And the mix more than does justice to all of the above.
Epic,
J&B
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Great song and great lyrics, which right now I currently relate to 100%  Definitely a synchroncity my hearing it just now!
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#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Honestly? Didn't like it at all, first time I listened to it  But, listened a second time, and had the complete, polar opposite reaction. I've said it before that some of your songs require more than just one listen, from me at least, to fully appreciate them - for good or for bad, this was particularly true here I need to hear it a third time But, seriously, great job. Mature, dark, complex writing. Listening to it again, now. This mustn't have been easy to write, from the technical standpoint, surely? If it was, wow. Either way, the end result matters, and this is different from your usual output (I think that that's why I didn't like it the first time, I let my expectations get the better of me, i.e. I was expecting a certain style from you, and this is so different to what I was expecting!), but brilliant, nevertheless. VERY well done. And a shoutout to Ray ... great, unobtrusive support - exactly how I think it should be, here. Congratulations to the both of you for a truly great end result
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Hi, all:
—On the vocals, I kept the BGVs to a minimum, and found if I was much more aggressive on volume they drowned out the instruments, so hopefully I struck the right balance. Wow! Really great tune. The vocal quality was certainly the highlight of the song for me and the instruments supporting it were super too. I think you did balance this pretty well on vocal volume. I am a novice in terms of mixing, but I would experiment with adding a little more of the highs or treble on vocals and slightly set-back into the music more. Regardless, the vocals were fantastic! Best, Chad
Chad
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Excellent work Deej and Ray.
The change of styles work great.
Driving rhythm.
Vic
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