SOUL Post: Soul Searching

Hi guys!

Pinch, punch first of the month! Do they still do that? I remember in Primary School on the first day of the month everyone would go around punching and pinching each other to welcome the new month. I hated being caught out... thinking about those times makes me feel old; and I'm still young!

Being 24, not yet 25; close to 30 but not close enough. 24 has its pros and cons. I always imagined by 25 I'd be married maybe with some kids lol. It's funny how when we're young we think of our ideal lives, and its interesting to be here now and think about how different my life is to how I imagined and dreamed it would be. I also imagined I'd be either a doctor or a lawyer, and owning my own beauty magazine!

It was summer 2012 when I applied to University of Westminster through Clearing and managed to gain a place on the BA Commercial Music course. I was so excited I'd finally get to study what I enjoy. Near to the end of my second year it is safe to say i have learnt alot. If I'm completely honest this course was not what I expected either but I am much happier that I can make improvements within my reach. They say the grass is not greener on the other side but I do believe I have found a green patch on the other side in which I can seek my teeth into. The music industry in a commercial sense is not easy, but nobody said it would be. I'm just happy to play the piano, and write songs. But as well as being a musician I have learnt that I am may things in life and we cannot be defined by or as being just one thing. Especially as a creative if there's a way to express and have an outlet do it I say.

A little debut project, called 'Heart Strings' all songs written and produced by me you can find on my Sound Cloud NOW! :) https://soundcloud.com/ekeishae

Life of a Year 2 Commercial music Student

Hi guys!

I haven't posted one of these in the longest! For the Released Recording module in which we have to release an EP things have been progressing nicely. 

I'm now in the recording stages and I've found a good mic, finally. Well I thought I had before but I've discovered another and it's the akg 3000. A large diaphragm condenser mic, it gives a much smoother and gentle sound for me than the akg c214 even though they are both from the same 'family' of mics. However there is one mic left to try out, probably at my next session and it's the c414 xls. It is in a much higher price bracket so I'm hoping this will be great quality and pick up every detail of the singers voice. I think when recording singers with a unique tone to pick it up would need a great quality mic. I found that the akg 214 is great if your voice is more on the alto end than the soprano however it does deliver on clarity and depth, but peaks. I'm still experimenting with mics at the mo. 

So far I've worked with two singers for two songs on the EP- 'Heart Strings' and 'Blind' and they are both being mixed as we speak. Both songs being extremely stripped and full of emotion. I recorded both of these singers with the akg c214, which was then my favourite mic. 'Better Than Before' is still under construction. Using a grand piano I recorded the instrumental but plan to add a cajon for some rhythm and some guitar before adding vocals. The final song called 'Thought I could (make it better)' is based on piano also but has rhythm from drums. I say final song but I do have a few more I may add !

'Heart Strings' is going to be a real EP designed to be emotive and pure, staying true to the art of music. R&B/Pop and  Soul influences I showcase my earliest written songs and try to show versatility also. With the main topics love and empowerment. 

I've always written songs but creating a project has been something I've put my all into. This time last year I hadn't even entered a studio so I'm excited for the future, and the release of 'Heart Strings' this summer! To any hopefuls out there keep doing what your doing! 

I will keep blogging the progress. So stay tuned for these posts.

A photo of myself and MTV video programmer / DJ Lindsay Wesker.

X

Year 2 Of A Commercial Music Student: Goal Digger

Hi everyone!

This week has flown by. As part of our course we have Professional Development, as intense as it can be thinking about the future regarding chosen career and field and planning HOW to get there; once done a weight is lifted off your shoulders. Felt awesome! Taking these goals and creating weekly objectives to make progress.

In terms of studio I've been everyday this week. Definetly improving. My friend singer/songwriter Diamant Ballou recorded a rough demo of 'Better Than Before'- I felt like it would sound great with her voice. To hear a singer sing your songs is a great thing especially when delivered exactly how I imagined. And this is just a rough. Also on Wednesday I recorded a rough demo for 'HeartStrings'  , I recorded the keys using the standard logic Yamaha plugin, I was so thankful to be in CR4 this studio has a full sized keyboard great for a piano player like me, no fussing with shifting octaves etc. for both vocal recordings I used my favorite mic AKG C214. Out of all the mics I've used at university so far this one is great, I love it for my vocals. 

For this upcoming week I plan to finish up the rough demo with my Chica Diamant and shorten the actual instrumental, as it's 8mins long! True Ekeisha fashion. Also see what I can do with HeartStrings, I feel it needs something eve though it's a rough demo.  Also I wrote a new song last Thursday enroute to uni 'Look What You Did' this has a Cassie vibe to it. So need to get that idea recorded too. As you can see guys I'm working, working hard.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

X

Year 2 Of A Commercial Music Student: Getting There

Hi guys !

So this week I've been finishing off songs that I've written. I can't believe how quick time is going! 

The song I wrote 'Care Less/Party More' is in production and J (producer) is working with the vocals and mixing it down. It's already sounding like a summer hit. 

Tomorrow is Saturday and I plan to record two acoustic demos: 'Heart Strings' and 'Better than Yesterday' for the EP. I'm going to use logic to do this. First record the piano, and try to get the most realistic sound as possible. My friend suggested even adding a little bit of reverb to do this. I will then record the vocals and harmonies. After our tutorial on Ableton on Tuesday I may even experiment with it next week. I've got live installed on my laptop so why not I say? What's your pref logic, or Ableton guys? a lot of producers use Fruity Loops too and Reason how could I forget. So many options!

Next week I plan to work with two producers and collab some more. Colab,colab, collab they say. Love it. 

Any producers out there looking to collab or feature music or anything creative hit me up. I'm nice I promise lol.

X