🍂So a little over a week ago, I released a new single titled "Dead Leaves." It's a song that I am very proud of, both Musically and lyrically. I use two different instruments for the first time in a recording, A pedal that I'd normally use for my metal projects, and lyrics to bring out the sadness in an instant. Here're some of things that make Dead Leaves, personally, one of my most proudest recordings to date.
Mandolin: This marks the first time I use a mandolin in one of my recordings, but it won't be the last. I'm starting to really understand the importance of an instrument like that. The mandolin, like any instrument, can convey all sorts of emotions, but there's just something about it that gives you that extra bit of sadness when you need it. It worked perfectly with the lyrical content of the song and it just wouldn't be the same without it.
Lyrics: Lyrically, Dead Leaves comes from a place of heartache, regret, and sorrow.(Getting a little personal here lol) I'm 37, been divorced, and financially just trying to get by the best I can, man. My mental health is relatively healthy, but it's not to say I don't have my moments from time to time. I've done things that I'm not proud of and that I can't take back. Have I learned from these things? you bet I have. Do the memories and regrets linger sometimes? Absolutely. Even with a positive outlook on life and the need to hold my head up high, sometimes, I still stare at the ground and feel sorry for those I've hurt and myself. I don't generally hold onto things, but they occasionally creep up in the ol' noggin'. I compare those memories with a pile of Dead Leaves that just sit there on the ground, never to be raked into a garbage bag and thrown away. Just piles and piles all over the yard.
Another First; The Cajón: Along with the Mandolin, there is another instrument that is a first in my recordings. A Cajón! Actually, it's going to be featured in my next 3 single releases because I wanted them all to have a similar direction in regards to sound and production. I'm no drummer, but the Cajón was a great way for me to add some proper percussion without learning how to play drums. I was originally going to get a drummer to record drums for me, but I wanted to give the Cajón a try to see if I'd like the sound of it and if it would fit in the context of my next releases. Happy to say that I thoroughly loved using it and was impressed by just how much of a different dynamic it added.
Guitar Solo: The cool thing about the mandolin, lyrics, and cajón all adding their own unique dynamics to Dead Leaves is that they simultaneously inspired the guitar solo to be just as dynamic. Reverb and Delay is always my go-to for those emotional notes to just pull at your heart strings, but I wanted to add another layer of that with the use of my Whammy Pedal. I've always used that pedal for my Metal projects because of the inspiration I get from my guitar hero, Dimebag Darrell(Pantera, Damageplan, Rebel Meets Rebel). I've learned over the years, it's a very diverse pedal and the genre's it can span across is endless.
Making Dead Leaves was an eye opener for me. Eye opening in the sense that the possibilities I have for future recordings will keep my creativeness always flowing. It's definitely a defining moment in the sound I've been searching for. I hope this blog can give another perspective to those who have heard it and anyone that will hear it. Thank you so much to everyone for all the support since the release of it.🍂