Marty
Van Wells

I wanted to make something that felt like it was just something more than safe folk songs.I bought real recording equipment and had to spend a lot of time to understand how i had even managed to record anything previously. Then I used software that wasn't crashing and corrupting every other take. A huge learning curve, but it was all worth it.I was able to mess around with vocal harmonies and rounds to add more to my voice.

As much as I love to write songs about flowers, the ocean and whatever hippy-dippy themes i can think of on a given day. I wanted something deeper.I was reading a lot about Greek mythology, Ancient Empires and Philosophy. Obviously some are simply in the song tittles like Pontus and Iceni. But others like Chiron, Jung and Buddhism i didn't want to make it too spelled out.

All very easy to access and easy to get drawn into way these writings that have stood the test of time. It is difficult to ignore thinking about the irony and tragedies of these these things that you've been reading while working on the next song.Since recording this one, It is all starting to drift away from any form of classic folk/folksy songs and is becoming something more integrated and complex and i ain't complaining.

My favourite song from 'Sacrifice is a real though one to chose.'Oh, Too' is only the same four chords as i couldn't think of a chorus or whatever, so just worked best with what i had while reading about Socrates.Which was an old keyboard that was lying around and figuring out how to make vocal round sound good without sounding muddy.

An impromptu recording. I didn't really know what i was even doing. I suppose i was just wingin' it, Sitting in bed, holding an old phone up as a mic and just hoping for the best.The kinda sound i was going for was like an early 1960's folksy vibration because that was the best i could really do.I'd written some of these songs years ago, but never really had any drive or notion to ever attempt to capture the sound I could hear in my head. So becoming bedbound for a summer, there was really nothing else to do.

It all feels rather nostalgic.I recorded 'Songs To Share' and mixed it until i was happy and then spent like 3 or 4 months understanding what the hell all the rights were about for each song.I really had no clue what to do after I had something i was happy to share. Like all the publishing and the complicated legal side to things.

There's just some many damn acronyms to remember, which is something no-one ever tells you about. And don't even get me started on the subject of music promotion without looking real desperate. Very fickle.The only thing i did know was that i wanted to avoid relinquishing any creative control whatsoever. I guess that could probably makes me a little selfish to some extend.

'If'n You'd Ask'd' is probably my favorite song from 'Share.It was effortless to write on a bus ride home from a weekend of adventuring and wandering through marshes and vineyards. Though, I struggled with some embellishment timings, it all worked out alright.Even i'm not 100% what i was singing about but it all kinda just felt like end of something amazing

I have been messing around with my songs off 'Share to post them on socials. Just doing stupid shit like speed 'em up, slow 'em down, play 'em backwards.At first, it just an idea to compete in an already overflowing, competitive and, some would say, cut-throat scene that is the world of music promotion and online presence.

Trying not to hung up on, stats and numbers, just doing what i want to do, so far so good. I have been having a wicked time having fun playing with these songs in a different way.Like it helps to not take it all so seriously all the time, which i what i usually do, and just a great way to kill some time. Running out of nonsensical schemes already though...

All the songs for 'Send are like probably 90% written. I just gotta capture the sounds whenever i can correctly. So, it's still aways away for now but it has officially begun.I am forever pondering what things actually fit in and really feal like part of the song. I don't like trying to shoehorn in a guitar or a harmonica solo at every chance i can.There's no reason to force it, you'll just end up breaking it.

Though, I know i want more percussion and more low-end. I messed around on 'Sacrifice and i think i can do more this time around and still keep it real. The one thing i do struggle with is recording a tambourine without it sounding either too thin or like it wants to start ripping open eardrums.I think this next set of songs will end up more upbeat and more easy going. Hopefully, this will warrant a bit more promotion than i have done before.

I am just in love with the process, man. i like stumbling on a few chords that sound good together. It becomes a little puzzle, like what's the next move?Thinking about what it feels like and how it should sound. The scribbled down words, the constant earworm and the right environment for how to capture it.If i am ever struggling to finish something, i will just listen to whatever i can cobble together on repeat until i can almost hear what else is needed.It's all still fresh and new to me. I didn't think i ever get to the positions to complete something to release it. Initially it gets you hooked on numbers and data but then it settles down. I see why people end up chasing pattern and stats and that.

Like is there ever a real moment when you feel like you've made it?What would that even look like?Would it even make a difference if you did?I suppose if a song ever gets sampled in another genre like hip-hop, I'd obviously be happy, i don't really have any serious milestones in mind yet.I have been writing songs for years now, and still have a load of acoustic things i want to work on before i start wiring up an electric guitar and amp.So hopefully i can squeeze out another album or two this years before i start turning things up.

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