New York
Ryan
Home Body
New York isn’t itself right now because it can’t be, and I miss it. This track is an amalgam of a few different nights of spiritedly fucking around with friends in the city. At first, I was writing this kind of sad, free-time piano piece. It was a real bummer. But then I realized for all the waves of sadness I’ve felt in the last few months, the prevailing feeling this week was just excitement to get back to lighter times. When New York is a jungle gym, it’s the most fun place on Earth.
Chord: D, but like, with a B in there, right below the F#
Objects: Trash can, bag of recycling
Also this is my first ever attempt at a mix. It’s not great. But it’s a start.
Looking for feedback on
Trying to get better at mixing. What works for you and what doesn't?
Discussion
Sam Pearce April 27, 2020 1:30pm
I enjoy this one too. I like the wordless vocals around 2:00. And it’s nice how you outline a full chord progression on the chorus with that bassline while keeping the same chord in the guitar. Listening to this shortly after the palindrome one, I was thinking about the difference between your voice doubled and single-tracked. I think the doubling really works on this song, and I also think that on the other one, the single track is critical to that song’s emotional directness. It’s cool to have both “voices” in your arsenal. I haven’t experimented with doubling, and I might do it for the lullaby.
Ryan April 29, 2020 2:21pm
Thanks, man. Yeah it’s funny, I haven’t really thought about how different the vocal approaches are, and how differently I sing depending on which one I’m shooting for. Looking forward to learning more about how and when to use each. Oh and thanks for the shout-out on the bass line—kind of thought it was cheating but I was too in love with the line to not incorporate it haha.
Z April 26, 2020 10:02pm
Way to upgrade from one chord to two. If we’re talking stats, notice that my title actually had two more syllables than yours.
You know I could (and will, in person) go on about the emotional impact of this knowing you, your family, and it’s total mass in your oeuvre.
I know that this is funny not because we’ve been mates along time, but because I’m confident that “get beers and go back to work” is something Chaucer would laugh at.
Way to ask for precise feedback:
Definitely like the small lyrical world. Although it’s not really “small” so much as it’s compact and high-impact, which is really a strong suit of yours.
Amazing job as always.
Love,
– Z
Z April 26, 2020 10:04pm
Sorry, meant to leave this on rotator..
nurphgun April 22, 2020 8:07pm
Ryan, this is so beautiful, and it makes me sad, in a nice way. In heavy times I think it’s the lightheartedness that makes it so moving. The way you say “motor, saheekuhl” tugs at my heartstrangs. And yeah, the bridge.
Ryan April 23, 2020 4:30pm
Thanks for the kind words, Nora. In the fortune cookie of life, ‘sad in a nice way’ is the fortune pretty freaking often, I think lol. Funny how we usually can’t hear our own pronunciations but it carries a lot of meaning—thanks for reminding me of that.
nicolemalagodipope April 22, 2020 4:06pm
miss you. miss NY too.
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:35pm
I will roll out the carpet for you when the world re-opens
alechutson April 22, 2020 3:05pm
excellent job on this one dude, i love the lyrical storytelling
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:34pm
Thank you sir
autumnmouth April 22, 2020 2:02pm
the guitar at the end is so bright! I am boppin!!
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:33pm
Thank you! Was kind of thinking what better time to lean into bubblegum pop than on a song that has only one chord?
Ben April 22, 2020 11:23am
your first mix? well i’d say you have a bright future ahead of you, kid. just stay out of trouble
Ben April 22, 2020 11:23am
also welcome to my exclusive club of neon chefs who used the word “cigs” in their first song
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:31pm
very proud to be a member of your club #cigs
nick April 21, 2020 10:47pm
hey man this sounds like a damn song, you’re gonna scare people.
nick April 21, 2020 10:48pm
but seriously, love it. and 148 jaques is v touched to be enshrined in kershaw lyricdom.
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:35pm
143, 148.
froebusiness April 21, 2020 9:15pm
Space Force delivers.
Ryan April 22, 2020 4:34pm
From a safe distance
daeclan April 21, 2020 9:12pm
i can’t wait ’til we can get arrested for stealing motobikes again :,)
fr tho, real beautiful, ryan. really well produced too. curious what ur household obj-o’s were
Ryan April 21, 2020 9:24pm
Thanks Decooo. My household objects were a trash can and a trash bag full of recycling. You can hear them most clearly at the beginning of the track. Then they get folded into the drum samples.