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#776803 09/24/23 12:33 PM
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Hi Folks.
This was an experimental tune that I sketched out a while back, but finally got around to finishing it (not sure if that is the correct term). Mix was a very long journey, and as some of you are aware, when you listen to something for a long time, you lose focus. That is what I think happened here.  Please turn the volume down-its loud.
All constructive feedback is always welcomed and thank you for giving this time.

Catacombs

Lyrics:
Long summer day has gracefully resigned
Myriads of stars are dancing in your eyes
Particles of love in kamikadze's mind
syncopated heart is clamped in iron wise
Words are born in doubt
Whispers turn to shouts
drowning in wishing wells

Clay soldiers that slept for too long,
Waiting for a call of gong
When are you coming home?
Marching toward sun - leaving catacombs

Stubborn autumn leafs refuse to give up fight
They cling with all their might to branches over night
No matter how the wind will blow, they wouldn't let go,
Don't you know, they hold on tight with all their might
until it's time to say goodbye.

Clay soldiers that slept for too long,
Waiting for a call of gong
When are you coming home?
Marching toward sun - leaving catacombs



Tech stuff:
Lyrics/vocals- me
Band:

1580:Bass, Electric, Folkie16ths Sw16 085
2447:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Background SpaghettiWestern Ev 065 (CustomFX)
NashCrossovrSw16^01-SdStk,RdCySw
1412:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticHornpipe Sw16 070
904:Piano, Electric, Rhythm SmoothCool Sw16 075
3438:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycPopBallad Ev 065
3961:Guitar, Electric, Soloist FusionCoolSw16Mike Sw16 075
BrushesBoomChickSlowSw16: a: Brushes Smooth b: Brushes Boom

Synts of Halion, recorded in Cakewalk. 

Rustyspoon# #776810 09/24/23 01:51 PM
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Another great creative write; I have to think this is about the rise of China.

My small comment would be to dial back the band so that your vocals can more sonically fill center stage.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Rustyspoon# #776830 09/25/23 01:38 AM
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Misha,

WOW! This is my new favorite from you. I absolutely love the production on this song. Superb!

Love the lyrics and vocal. One of your best performances.

Everything about this is excellent.

Bob

Rustyspoon# #776839 09/25/23 03:04 AM
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Good lord, man. You are the lyrical wonder man. Outstanding imagery. The mix is good, and, yep, know what you mean about ear fatique. One thing, and of course this is opinion, the drums seem to be too bright or adding some hi-end sounds, especially from the cymbal, that are not compliemntary to the song. I agree with Herb about getting the vocal a bit more out front. Terra cotta soldiers marching to the call. Well, that's all mostly about the lyrics and the mix so far.

Now for my rather useless opinions on the song. (Ah, that swishing sound with so much reverb or whatever is still interfering.) Good band, and I like how you mix the parts. I thoroughly enjoy how you build a song, incorporating so many moods within one. Vocals are so good, and I also enjoy how you mix in the auxilliary voices. SO intriguing.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Rustyspoon# #776856 09/25/23 04:08 AM
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Hi Misha,

A strong song with a threatening atmosphere.
The drums achieved that, but all the other sounds AND your vocal contribute to it in a fantastic way!
The lyrics are, as always very good. I think only you can write them like this.
And the the subject itself... how did you come to that???
So, a great song! If all your 'experimental tunes' end up like this, that would be something.
but... (there is always a but)... Eh, no there is no but for the song.
I only prefer Kaleidoscope a bit more. ;-))

I haven't heard the tones in the drums Marty heard, but his ears are so much better than mine.
so, listen to him.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Rustyspoon# #776896 09/25/23 07:59 AM
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I always like your songs, they are different, but always in a good way.
And I think your lyrics are pretty cool.

In the mix, the guitars and your vocals often compete in the same frequency range. I would pan the guitars hard right/left to get them out of the way.

Rustyspoon# #776917 09/25/23 12:11 PM
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The track is updated (Sept 26) to include suggestions received ending with comment of B.D. Thomas on panning.

Bass Thumper,
Thank you for listening, your mixing comment on vocals (applied and reloaded to soundcloud)
While it has a reference to clay soldiers (Terracotta Army) of China, it's not a political song. I was always fascinated by the subject.
---
Bob,
Thank you for listening and your feedback here and on SC!
---
Marty,
Thank you for kind words and your comments on the mix. Yeah, drums and whatever else is way too bright. Got to go back to the chalkboard.
---
Hans,
Thank you for tunning in, your fun comments and your feedback on SC!
---
BD,
Thank you for your support and mixing tip!

Rustyspoon# #776921 09/25/23 12:26 PM
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Misha, this is my favorite song from you.
Loved that groove and instrumentation.
You are a fantastic wordsmith, great lyrics!
Super vocal and great mix.
Your absolute best to date IMHO!


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

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Rustyspoon# #776932 09/25/23 01:33 PM
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Misha,
you're a wordsmith: "drowning in wishing wells".

There's something odd that may be string noise or deliberate at 1.24 - it grabbed my attention & I listened thrice to be sure.
The change at 2.30 brings in a very Misha sounding chord progression...you have several sonic signatures.

EXCELLENT song, mix & production.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Rustyspoon# #777027 09/26/23 01:56 PM
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Misha

I'm listening to the latest mix and it's very nice.

Really interesting sound = some great changes, and lyrics.

Excellent.

Peter

Rustyspoon# #777039 09/26/23 07:28 PM
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Love it!

As always, sonically and lyrically interesting.

Looks like the prior feedback fixed any problems - sounds great to me! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Rustyspoon# #777047 09/27/23 12:44 AM
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Hi Misha,

Listened to this a couple of days ago but didn't have time to comment.

Listening again now, and the new mix is much better! I can hear your vocal perfectly now with no conflict from the guitars.

Excellent, enjoyed.

Rustyspoon# #777222 09/30/23 03:39 AM
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Misha,

PRODUCTION...exquisite. So many "gems" it's like walking into a mythical room-of-riches.
So good that when it finished the first time, I had to grab for my headphones and listen again so that I would not miss anything.

Lyric...Astounding.

MIX - excellent.


Artistry.

fj

Rustyspoon# #777251 09/30/23 09:12 AM
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Man, does that first verse ever grab one's attention.

And the following from the chorus is amazing:
"Clay soldiers that slept for too long,
Waiting for a call of gong"

What a great rhyme.

Your vocal is rich and expressive, the mashup of RT genres works so well and it's all wrapped in a fine mix.

The atmospheric change at 2:30 had us seeing someone coming out of the dark catacombs into a beautiful sunlit day

Loved it!

J&B






Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
Rustyspoon# #777320 10/01/23 01:29 PM
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Awesome tune Misha. Loved the intro. Loved the guitar tremelo dancing around your vocal. Really cool groove to the song. Excellent mix and production. Really well done....


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
Rustyspoon# #777366 10/02/23 11:50 AM
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Again, I am struck by your creative arrangement and use of instrumentation.

Eerie feel with a bit of psychedelia.

Great mix. I like the effect on "goodbye"

Oooo, like that change at 2:31.

Vocal performance is tops.

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