I'm stuck in a tough situation here.

I've been playing music since I was 10. That's 17 years, for those of you keeping score... a good amount of time. I'm pretty well-versed in all the instruments I play; I know and understand theory, I can compose as well as just improvise, and I'm into a ton of different styles. Unfortunately, technologically speaking, I'm a novice when it comes to recording.

At any rate, I have a buddy, one of my best friends here, who wants desperately to record an album. By "record an album," he expects me to write, the melodies, rhythms, and lyrics; he just wants to sing what I write and play. He's got some amount of raw talent (he can carry a tune) but he's neither naturally inclined nor experienced. His pitch is pretty good, but his phrasing is suspect and he only sings loudly. Very, very loudly. He has a guitar but doesn't really play it. Despite all of this, he says that it's been his lifelong goal to record an album.

The biggest issue is that the genre he wants me to write is Southern Rock. I despise southern rock. Just the words "38 special" send a shiver down my spine. I loathe Skynyrd.

Now, I've got a library of shit just laying around that I've written through the years, and I've always wanted to record. This buddy does have access to a professional studio for free, as well as a mixer/ producer who will do it for free.... which, as many of you know, is a huge asset and a rare opportunity. He also has contacts with a record company, and could get us national exposure on a syndicated television show. This isn't just bullshit, either, it's the real deal.

So... should I just suck it up for the sake of recording experience and whore out my songs, rewriting them to fit a "Southern Rock" feel, do all the work and let him get the credit for singing 'em, but potentially get a chance to make money .... or should I say fuck it and just buy and figure out an mbox/ pro tools, because i love it, and never got into it for money or fame or any of that shit...

I mean, this could be the end of a friendship, or a huge wasted opportunity... and I don't wanna see it come to any of that... but goddamn, those are my songs. And, to be honest, they're shit for someone who's been at it as long as I have.





so, vinylbandit, paerabol, and you other music guys... what would you do in this situation?

8/18/2008 1:54:29 AM

1. Be honest with the guy about his talent level. If he can't take hearing the truth from a friend, then maybe he's not a real friend at all.

2. If you really hate Southern rock, don't play it.

3. But if you can stand the Southern rock and you want the "experience" of recording, just write new songs with the guy--don't use your treasured stuff--and make the guy pull his weight in the process.

4. I've faced this type of situation in several bands I've been in. I mean, there's almost always a weak link in the chain, but sometimes you've got a link made of a macaroni noodle--in this situation, you've got to cut the person loose.

I'm telling you, it's a real drag on the band to always be carrying somebody that simply can't perform at a high level. If you're serious about your music, you need to surround yourself with musicians that make you better--not ones that hold you back.

Good luck.

8/18/2008 3:13:29 AM

There really is no reason to be honest with the kid about his talent level. Look at Kid Rock. His music is fucking awful and he has sold millions of albums.

8/18/2008 9:29:27 AM