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Something new from the Kill Branch Studio

Draw Me Closer


The band:

Vocals: Nora on lead. Gracie on harmony
The Bass is played by me using a synth bass sample
Piano is played by me.
Electric Guitars are played by me. I used the Spark modeler.
The Acoustic guitar is RT 1828
The synth track is RT 1543
Two of the other synth tracks are played by me
Drums JS4

Note: Gracie is singing an intentional minor 3rd in the first chorus.
To challenge myself, I have been experimenting using the flat keys. This is in Eb Major with a tempo of 74.


Draw Me Closer

[Verse]
I hear the whisper in the quiet night
A voice that calms my raging fight
You're calling me
You're calling me

Your hands have shaped the stars above
Yet they reach for me with endless love
You’re holding me
You’re holding me

[Prechorus]
And in your light Shadows fade
In your truth My soul is made

[Chorus]
Jesus draw me closer Closer to your heart
Every step I’m finding Who you really are
Oh Jesus draw me closer Closer still to you

[Verse 2] The oceans roar yet still you speak
A peace that makes my spirit weak
You’re guiding me
You’re guiding me

The more I seek
The more I find
A love that leaves the world behind
You’re changing me
You’re changing me

[solo]

[chorus]

Words & Music Copyright 2025 by Herb Hartley

Enjoy


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
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The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Herb,

That's a beautiful track - exquisitely arranged and produced.

I enjoyed listening. Very nicely done.

Bob

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Herb, Nora, and Gracie this is an outstanding song.
Fantastic vocal and harmonies. Herb great job on that synth bass, piano, and guitar. You are a very multitalented musician. Mixed to perfection.
Loved it.


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

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VERY tidy.
Well done.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Superb production, that’s a big sound. Very well sung.

Most excellent.

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Beautiful voices, great harmonies, chucking guitars, great piano accompaniment, cool synths, nothing not to like but the drum sound in the louder parts.
And maybe the guitar/synth/whatever-it-is solo could have a sound more reminiscent of U2/Edge. Warmer.
But that's nitpicking.

I love it.
IMHO your best so far.
Great melody.
Catchy as hell.
Could be a hit!

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Hi Herb!
Yes I like that minor 3rd in the first verse!

This is very good quality in writing and production, and I could envisage it would fit in with groups like Bethel and Elevation if they were aware of it.

Well done!

Andrew

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Originally Posted by rsdean
Herb,

That's a beautiful track - exquisitely arranged and produced.

I enjoyed listening. Very nicely done.

Bob
Thanks Bob for taking the time to listen and comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

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I find it very well done and pleasant to listen to. On listening, I find the kick drum and bass a little loud, but that's just my opinion, and overall it's very good.
Laurent

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Herb, cool BIG sound. Nice guitar, piano and bass playing, too. Dynamic arrangement, very well mixed. Super (synth?) vocals as well. If this was an experiment, it certainly sounds polished all the way around. Nice job!


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Originally Posted by MarioD
Herb, Nora, and Gracie this is an outstanding song.
Fantastic vocal and harmonies. Herb great job on that synth bass, piano, and guitar. You are a very multitalented musician. Mixed to perfection.
Loved it.


Thanks Mario. I've probably said this somewhere before. I started my musical journey with piano lessons at age 7, and picked up the guitar several years later. I really enjoy playing the different parts where I can.

I'm glad you liked the song and the mix.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

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Originally Posted by rayc
VERY tidy.
Well done.


Concise and to the point.
Thanks Ray.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
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Originally Posted by Knee Wobbler
Superb production, that’s a big sound. Very well sung.

Most excellent.

Thanks KW.

I approach the tracks and mixing from the viewpoint that the end result should have a dynamic aspect to it. This depends on the song of course. This one definitely needed that approach. I try to imagine the song being performed live in a concert environment with thousands of people in the audience. That sets up my viewpoint for mixing.

All things considered, there's really not a large number of tracks or instruments in it.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

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Ooooo, what a wonderful track, Herb. Nora's vocal is very engaging, and Gracie adds another touch of perfection. You, of course, perfectly add everything else, the write, the music, the production. Some fine playing, writing, and production. Kill Branch Studio? Ah, what's in a name? Seriously, there's a story there.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Beautifully produced song and superb vocals!


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Herb,

Excellent work on this . . . Nora nails it. The mix is pretty darn perfect. Very catchy with the “calling me”, “holding me” refrains. Has a total anthem like feel to it. Killer stuff really. Enjoyed listening to this a lot. Really cool mix! Bravo!!!

Deej

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Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
Beautiful voices, great harmonies, chucking guitars, great piano accompaniment, cool synths, nothing not to like but the drum sound in the louder parts.
And maybe the guitar/synth/whatever-it-is solo could have a sound more reminiscent of U2/Edge. Warmer.
But that's nitpicking.

I love it.
IMHO your best so far.
Great melody.
Catchy as hell.
Could be a hit!

I'll take that to mean you enjoyed the song.

Thanks


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Originally Posted by Andrew Dee
Hi Herb!
Yes I like that minor 3rd in the first verse!

This is very good quality in writing and production, and I could envisage it would fit in with groups like Bethel and Elevation if they were aware of it.

Well done!

Andrew

Thanks AD.

I'm glad you liked the song. I'm always looking for ways to put interesting things in the songs and the minor third in the chorus, in just one spot in the song seemed to be the spice it needed.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Originally Posted by laurent4114
I find it very well done and pleasant to listen to. On listening, I find the kick drum and bass a little loud, but that's just my opinion, and overall it's very good.
Laurent


I actually like the kick and bass to be prevelant in my mixes. Especially in modern mixes and rock mixes. They drive the groove better when they are hard to miss.

I'm glad you liked the song.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
I'll take that to mean you enjoyed the song.
Thanks
Of course I have.
Several times, in fact, which is something I rarely do smile

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