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Keywords:
The Orbiting (22), Neverland (3), Peter Pan (3), promises (1), love (945), lost hope (1), work in progress (7), Queen Victoria (1), Chick (3), collaboration (102), Raygun Dreamdate (6), synthesizer (39), illuminati (24), ledebutant (45), virtual band (7), delusions of grandeur (1)
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Description:
From Lisa: Last year, Matt and I met and did a song, Bringing Down the Satellites, and had so much fun doing it that we thought it might be cool to do a whole album's worth of songs together. After 65 months of arguing over a band name and album title, we're finally ready to release our first song as The Orbiting. All future Orbiting songs will be posted on our band page. but we thought we'd use my page to launch our first song and hopefully get feedback to help us improve this before revamping and moving it over to The Orbiting's official page.
I have to offer massive thanks to Pie who listened to mix after mix, suggested tons of fixes and generally allowed me to use him like a Pie plug-in. Also gigantoid thanks to alley-oop for doing the song art.
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From Matt: Thanks to Lisa for taking this simple little song to the second star to the right, and straight on 'till morning. Thanks to the MacBookPro for not balking at adding track after track of heavily effected software synths and random sonic nonsense. Yes, I know I promised to keep it under 10 tracks. I lied. You are truly 15.4 inches of goodness.
Thanks to my family for putting up with my starry eyed dreams of being a famous rock star (as opposed to just a rock star).
I hope you enjoy our little tale of escape, love, and loss. Here's to staying on the ground. Of course, we'll all have to dodge the
satellites.
Lyrics:
Victoria's time has passed us by
no need to keep one eye on the sky.
Maybe that book
always had it right.
When it's time to grow up,
love will always fly.
If you'd told me
all you were offering
was a trip to Neverland
I'd have stayed on the ground.
You measured me for a hollow tree,
an empty doorway,
perfect for me.
No matter how I bent,
the fit was never right.
The risk in trust is abandonment.
If you'd told me
all you were offering
was a trip to Neverland,
I'd have stayed on the ground
I do believe in fairies x4
I believed in you.
If you'd told me
all you were offering
was a trip to Neverland
I would have stayed on the ground.
If you'd told me
(fly away)
If you'd told me.
(the fit was never right)
was a trip to Neverland.
Hardware:
Oh dear, a whole bunch of synthesizers, Rode NT-1A, Eurorack UB802, eMac G4, MacBookPro
Software:
GarageBand 3, LE7, ChannelStrip, Skype and iChat, Pie Plug-in
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When you post... &mdash 05/25/06 - 04:36:28 PM
...you mean bidnezz.
Once again, bold strides in your voice and production.
I can hear all of the things you have learned this year come to fruition in
this composition. Crisp, clear, and moving. I am excited to hear an album
come of you two. The perfect match.
I hope our new song turns out as amazing as this.
EE [ Reply to This ]
When you post... &mdash 05/26/06 - 03:15:49 PM
Thank you Brandon. Having heard the music for our collab, I have no doubt
it'll be terrific. Your music can't miss.
illuminati and I are a good match, two children of the 80's trying to drag
ourselves out by our Molly Ringwald lunchboxes (don't lie, Matt, I know you
had one). [ Reply to This ]
Well, Tink... &mdash 05/25/06 - 05:02:28 PM
...if I clap my hands, do you recover from the heartache? You know,
feel better, get the gig with Disney, the whole nine?...
I can't tell you how happy I was to come home to this. Didn't I just post
something about 'Satellites' this morning? I do b'lieve I did.
Another excellent ledeb foray into oblique storytelling. I have this
whole fantasy/impression that if I listen to every song in the right
moood in the right order at the right time the whole story comes clear.
Names. Phone numbers. Spy satellite shots.
And this is, oddly, both oblique storytelling and direct storytelling, with
a nice long multifaceted extended metaphor.
I like the probably-faux guitar sound/loop, and then the bloopy bass
slide bit, and the bass chords over the 'chorus'... The drums/beat suits
the song very well, and the electric lead is simple and nice...
I'm very excited that the two of you are being a BAND. Let me just nip
over here and set up my 'Orbiting' playlist in iTunes...
At this point of course I am a fan not a critic, so this is what you get...
Ed
[ Reply to This ]
Well, Tink... &mdash 05/26/06 - 03:20:26 PM
Thanks Ejh. I was very excited to hear your reaction, since you've been such a
big supporter of Satellites. Please make sure my little friend gets the chance
to hear this and tell him I said hiya.
If I recover from heartache, though, whatever will I write about? Pony-
unicorns sniffing flowers and monkeys in tutus? I think Mungo could make
that work, but I'm not so sure about me. :-)
Bloopy bass bit is a very, very technical term. I think I like it and I'm very
excited that you're setting up a playlist. Hopefully, you'll soon have more than
three songs.
[ Reply to This ]
supadupa! &mdash 05/25/06 - 05:10:06 PM
Great production. Love that bass line...the whole thing is very saturated
and cool...I believe in fairies now too! [ Reply to This ]
supadupa! &mdash 05/26/06 - 03:42:49 PM
Thank you, Fritter. I wish I knew if it was Jim or Kelli that posted this, because
the image of Jim saying supadupa just makes me giggle for some reason. :-) [ Reply to This ]
supadupa! &mdash 05/26/06 - 07:44:06 PM
giggle away debby darlink! 'twas I, el Jimbo! :) silly tonight!
---
Just two adults making music together over the internet... [ Reply to This ]
supadupa! &mdash 05/26/06 - 07:57:17 PM
The kind of sweetness thatcha pay extra for &mdash 05/25/06 - 06:20:06 PM
Everything about this is yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy! You guys belong together and I'm happy to know that there's more to come from you two - I'm not so good at detailing what it is that I like in a tune and what makes it easy for me here is the fact that I like all of the phat chunks of goodness about this as well as every smallest and barely perceptible little nuance of this - All of which one can tell, a great deal of attention was given toward making them apart of this piece of gruvn slice of magic - Eeverything; the writing; the lyrics; the instrumentation; Lisa, your singing... Man this is just all good - Thanks for sharring - A verrrrrrrrry Nyce piece of work - Dion [ Reply to This ]
The kind of sweetness thatcha pay extra for &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:02:18 PM
It's a little known fact that all my song are, in fact, edible, although some
don't taste very good. This one does indeed have a sweet exterior and, for
you, there's no need to pay extra.
I'm really happy you liked this, Dion. [ Reply to This ]
The kind of sweetness thatcha pay extra for &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:20:41 PM
The kind of sweetness thatcha pay extra for &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:29:20 PM
I especially like ... &mdash 05/25/06 - 06:30:26 PM
... all the little harmonies in there .... Lisa (Loeb?) did you say ???? Great collab ... very nicely done. I'm hearing a very distinctive style from you Ledeb .. and I think I would now recognize your voice anywhere .... (that's a good thing) ! [ Reply to This ]
I especially like ... &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:06:29 PM
Thanks, Alannah. It's a big compliment from you to say that you think I sound
distinctive, because that's one of the first words that springs to mind when I
think of you.
And, oh my god another WOMAN! Maybe they'll finally get a ladies room in
this place. ;-)
[ Reply to This ]
It's been in my head all day... &mdash 05/25/06 - 07:39:30 PM
Matt & Lisa,
I've been singing it to the baby all day. You guys are awesome.
[ Reply to This ]
It's been in my head all day... &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:08:34 PM
Thanks so much for letting Matt have the time to do music. I know you guys
have your hands very full and I'm so happy you like the end result. [ Reply to This ]
It's been in my head all day... &mdash 05/25/06 - 07:39:37 PM
Matt & Lisa,
I've been singing it to the baby all day. You guys are awesome.
[ Reply to This ]
It's been in my head all day... &mdash 05/26/06 - 11:51:59 PM
Saved By The Belle... &mdash 05/25/06 - 07:46:44 PM
This tune was nicely performed and produced in support of an
interesting lyric and lovely vocals. In fact, I think this may be your best
vocal performance to date, Lisa. ;-)
My only suggestion would be aimed at improving the arrangement.
I found the almost two minutes of that repetitive guitar arpeggio at the
start this tune to be very distracting. While the bass line helped to ease
the monotony somewhat, I think an occasional musical flourish and
perhaps a contrapuntal melody line here and there would help even
more.
While the vocals eventually *rescue* this tune from its instrumental
repetitiveness, they deserve a more detailed arrangement, to help
elevate this song. [ Reply to This ]
Saved By The Belle... &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:15:51 PM
Thanks so much for such a detailed comment, Joe. We're very serious about
redoing the song for the next go-round, knew we'd taken the song as far as
we knew how to/could stand and I'm very grateful for your excellent
suggestion. [ Reply to This ]
Saved By The Belle... &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:28:06 PM
Excellent idea. I went back and listened to this after your observation.
It's minor change ups like a different guitar riff at the breaks. Just to feel a
stronger change (creating more dynamic tension). [ Reply to This ]
Very pretty song. &mdash 05/25/06 - 11:03:08 PM
The delicate way your voice rises and falls is just beautiful! This
song was affecting and mesmerizing... [ Reply to This ]
Very pretty song. &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:19:52 PM
Thank you very much, Eric, for the comments on the vocal. I use what I have,
though I'd much rather be screaming and pounding on a cardboard box, I
have been granted a girly voice.
I'm very happy to hear that I have you mesmerized, now I can have a look in
your brain to figure out how you perform your works of genius. This won't
hurt a bit... [ Reply to This ]
Very pretty song. &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:21:41 PM
...and I forgot to say thank you! So, thank you for saying you liked it. [ Reply to This ]
Very pretty song. &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:31:56 PM
Very pretty song. &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:32:09 PM
What a great beginning... &mdash 05/26/06 - 12:19:35 AM
The sound of this song is great. Very clear throughout the frequencies.
I like the three-against-two feel of the guitar part. The additional
guitar in the second chorus really lifted the song nicely, and the
change after the chorus was another good arrangement decision. I also
liked the synth pad you brought in at the end of the song.
And then there's the voice of ledebutant... Lisa, your vocals
consistently reveal your personality because of how they are delivered
- without affect, real, honest, sincere, and delightful. The marriage of
your vocal and the instrumental track brings just the right amount of
intensity and release.
I am one of many here who will be anticipating every song you two
produce for the CD. Congratulations on your debut. [ Reply to This ]
What a great beginning... &mdash 05/26/06 - 08:40:34 PM
As always Patrick, you are very generous with your praise and your detailed
analysis of the song. I like the changes in guitar, too. I think Matt did a great
job with the music and it's been fun watching the song evolve as he added
elements. The vast majority of the song, he played. I think it's only about 20%
loops, which I think may only be some of the percussion and guitar? Is that
right, Matt? I don't know why I felt the need to say that here, but heck, why
not? ;-)
Thank you so much Patrick for all you give here.
[ Reply to This ]
What a great beginning... &mdash 05/27/06 - 08:29:43 AM
As far as loops go, and I know this is a touchy subject for some, there are a
couple percussion loops and a few guitar loops used. The other percussive
elements and guitars were played on my handy-dandy M-Audio Keystation 49e,
mostly because it's a long walk to the room where my Ensoniq SQ-2 resides. I
know it doesn't sound like it but there are almost 40 tracks here, though most
of them are Lisa making armpit noises at key points in the song. And you
thought all she could do was sing (she writes great music too!). [ Reply to This ]
What a great beginning... &mdash 05/27/06 - 11:07:59 AM
You actually chose one of the few skills I have always wanted to master, but
never could. I also can't burp on cue, so you're going to have to scratch any
plans for a burp-heavy remix, Matt.
You dork! [ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/26/06 - 01:27:31 AM
Great track you two. Lisa's voice shone through really well here and the
mix was very good too.
My favourite points... The 3/2 guitar stuff in the background... nice and
subtle, but different enough to be interesting... Lisa's voice of course,
very sweet and innocent like... I particularly liked the harmonies on "An
empty door way" very oriental. Also this song has a nice sort of
constantsy that reminds me of Jiguma I think.
The things I'm not so sure on... the fade outs at the end I never like...
but in this case they could've worked for me IF they were a little
longer... it sorta felt like it was "Ok, next song!" kind of a situation.
Avoid too many fade ins/outs if you can... but don't cheat yourself on
them when you do it.
The other thing is about the guitar solo... when it first comes in, its ok
because its in the background... but when you made the solo out of
it... it became starkly obvious that it was a midi instrument and
completely lacked any sort of lyrical flow or emotion. It reminds me a
lot of those old toy keyboards that sound at exactly the same volume
no matter how hard you press. My feeling would be to either contract
a guitarist to quickly do a real solo for you... or to just cut it out all
together and make the bridge into a 2 or 4 bar drum break.
Nicely done, look forward to hearing what else you guys come up with! [ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/26/06 - 09:20:42 AM
Matt here from the Orbiting. Thanks for the constructive criticism. We actually
have farmed the solo out to a guitarist who shall remain nameless until the
proper and most advantageous moment and eagerly await adding his organic
efforts to our little song. The solo that exists currently in the song was recorded
as a placeholder, and then I touched it up a bit at the close of mixing. But "old
toy keyboard?" You cut me to the quick, good sir! I was so proud of my first faux
guitar solo, and now I don't know if I'll ever be able to select that synth preset
again. All kidding aside, your observations are astute and I know Lisa and I
appreciate them. [ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/26/06 - 10:05:28 AM
Sorry to discourage you there Matt... I was actually hoping that it was just a
pencil tooled job so I wouldn't have been offending anyone. Its more that
guitar is very hard to fake with midi/samples... and being a solo, all of that
came through with neon lights around it for me. It is possible to do... (fake it
well that is) but its not worth the time and effort if you've got a guitarist
avaliable, which I'm glad you do.
Can't wait to hear it with the Mystery Member.
---
Screw my stuff, listen to <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20963">Loyd Vader</a> and <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/21082">Tiny_Man_Inside</a> [ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:23:24 PM
Thanks, Bryan for such good advice. I'm the one who did the end fade-out
and, as I was doing it, I kept wondering where on earth to start the fade. I
don't know if you'll see this, but do you have any general or specific advice on
where to start a fade and how slowly the fade should happen. It'd definitely
an area where I feel lost.
[ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/27/06 - 10:33:11 PM
Advice on fade outs... even though I still don't like them... I've spent some
times going through as many fade outs as I can in my iTunes playlist (Opeth
the Swedish Death Metal group has heaps btw...) and there's one thing
practically all of them have in common.
They all last at about one full cycle (sometimes a little more, but never less).
By one cycle in your case, it would mean a whole chorus... which is around
about 8 bars (I think). What you did in this case was around about 5 - 6 bars
long... cheating yourself out of 2 - 3 bars of radio time. But you did start it in
a good place though, just at the start of the next repeat of the chorus, so
kudos for that.
Of course, if you're mucking around with this on another track and it feels
that just one cycle isn't long enough... try 2 cycles. Just remember that most
popular music does everything in powers of 2 (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 etc) so if
you're ever unsure of the right amount of times to do something... those
numbers are a good safe start.
---
Screw my stuff, listen to <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20963">Loyd Vader</a> and <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/21082">Tiny_Man_Inside</a> [ Reply to This ]
Smooth &mdash 05/29/06 - 01:10:36 PM
Thanks so much, Bryan, especially for doing research in coming up with the
number of bars for me. I really, really appreciate it. How much do I love it that
you listen to Swedish Death Metal?
You know, I think I've always taken fades for granted, but will give a great
deal more thought to avoiding them. The other song I worked on with Matt
had a solid ending and I can think of a few others I've done that have a finish
rather than a fade and I think I agree with you that it's a stronger way to go,
generally.
Thanks for the information, again. You are so tremendously generous. [ Reply to This ]
Pie V2.0 available soon! &mdash 05/26/06 - 03:13:46 AM
Great pitch control here :-) I like that you seem to have lost that brittle
edge to the piece. I was right about that muddy 'believe in fairies'
montage. It's all luvvvelyyyyyy and transparent now. Sweet.
Be cool, even if you do bruise easily.
Bye-Pie
[ Reply to This ]
Pie V2.0 available soon! &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:28:06 PM
An upgrade to the plug-in? Will the money drain never end? ;-)
Thanks for the mention of pitch. As you know, that's been a problem for me
in the past and I made it a top priority to get the pitch right in this song. Your
advice in that area was invaluable.
You were so right about the fairies montage production. It's actually one of
my favorite parts of the song now, but I used to hate it. You're always right.
But you knew that already.
Be cool? Yeah, that seems likely, doesn't it. ;-) [ Reply to This ]
Best of luck &mdash 05/26/06 - 07:16:21 AM
Congratulations on the launch of another MacJams superduo! I hope
you have as much fun as we do. : )
It's a good song, no criticisms here. The upfront vocal carries it along
nicely and the more ethereal harmonies make a lovely contrast. [ Reply to This ]
Best of luck &mdash 05/27/06 - 12:36:26 PM
Is there a Macjams superduo lounge? If not I think there should be. We could
listen to Captain and Tenille and Wham! exclusively (okay, maybe not...)
Matt and I are having lots of fun. In fact, I think we both realized that we had
decided to do an album because we crack each other up and we both had a
little nervous patch when we started to work because we realized that we had
wanted to do this together because of liking each other as people, rather than
being sure that we were compatible musically. Thankfully, it's working out
very nicely. Whew!
Thanks, Rebsie for saying you liked the song. You know I'm your creepy
number one fan, so I love to see you. [ Reply to This ]
Sad, painful, lovely lyrics &mdash 05/26/06 - 07:37:30 AM
I guess what I enjoy most about this piece is your voice, Lisa. Not just
your singing voice, but your lyric voice. Your voice! It's good to have a
voice that is so clearly identifiable and engaging, on paper as well as in
headphones. Love the lyrics and the music.
My only suggestion for your "final" mix is really more of a question:
why does this song fade in? Why doesn't it have a start? (I am guessing
there is a reason...)
Excellent work, you too. I look forward to more orbiting...
[ Reply to This ]
Sad, painful, lovely lyrics &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:25:02 PM
I guess what I enjoy most about this piece is that you came back and
commented on it for me. I genuinely miss you around here, Tom.
Thanks for being supportive and saying that you enjoyed the lyrics. Your
question on the fade-in is good. I think it may come down to having done it
because we thought it sounded cool, but on the next try we're going to test
out some alternate openings, so thanks for the suggestion.
[ Reply to This ]
truly nice &mdash 05/26/06 - 09:19:45 AM
truly nice &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:26:33 PM
I will listen again. &mdash 05/26/06 - 09:28:32 AM
The vocals are great the music is nice... Maybe I should read this again and maybe play it one more time for this simplistic mind. [ Reply to This ]
I will listen again. &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:30:50 PM
Thanks, John. I've yet to see evidence of your mind being simplistic, but if it
means you'll listen more than once, I'm all for it. [ Reply to This ]
Yum! &mdash 05/26/06 - 10:01:20 AM
Beautifully sung and professionally mixed. I especially like the way you
harmonize. Lovely. Good guitar and bass work. The Orbiting eh? Count
me in!
Be well!
Check out THE CAVE: http://www.macjams.com/song/20883 [ Reply to This ]
Yum! &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:34:40 PM
So professional &mdash 05/26/06 - 12:57:35 PM
Nothing more to add. Just a great and perfect song and performance.
Walter [ Reply to This ]
So professional &mdash 05/27/06 - 01:35:57 PM
No need to add anything, Walter. It's just nice to know you listened and liked
it. Thank you. [ Reply to This ]
JM Barrie &mdash 05/26/06 - 01:53:22 PM
would cry this is beautiful. Too bad Neverland the movie has already been made, this would have made a great soundtrack. [ Reply to This ]
JM Barrie &mdash 05/27/06 - 03:57:31 PM
Hmmm. Knowing you as I do, my dear, I think there's more asbestos than
fluffy in that comment. ;-) [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 05/26/06 - 02:01:04 PM
Wow &mdash 05/27/06 - 04:01:27 PM
1. I appreciate that you are able to enjoy our song, though it is seriously
lacking in the cowbell department.
2. I'm a little concerned about this whole getting fired thing. One the one
hand, if you get fired, then you'll have way more time to do music, but on the
other, you'll be doing it on the street and it might be hard to find electrical
sockets. I say, listen at work, but under your desk so no one sees you.
And...COWBELL FOREVER!!! [ Reply to This ]
Very enjoyable &mdash 05/26/06 - 02:06:04 PM
Congrats on getting this song done. It's always hard to get something
done with groups...one person wants this, one wants that....etc. But good
job on this song. Sound is spectacular in the vocals as well as harmony.
Very e | |
Once again, bold strides in your voice and production.
I can hear all of the things you have learned this year come to fruition in
this composition. Crisp, clear, and moving. I am excited to hear an album
come of you two. The perfect match.
I hope our new song turns out as amazing as this.
EE
[ Reply to This ]