a bolt from the blue
Songs come from the most curious places. If I knew where mine came from, I could write one every day. Paddy McAloon composes about twenty songs for every one I write. Prince has made about 12 albums in the 18 year gap since I put out my last one ‘Astronauts And Heretics’—and that’s despite his major label disputes! Yet even before I finished my lifeboat recording studio the Nutmeg, and started to write and record a new album, I’d somehow accrued a backlog of about a dozen new songs that existed only in my head. They take shape while I’m driving, or out for a walk, or in shower. They have words, chords, melodies, sounds. They have full arrangements and even a production style. Yet I’d be hard pressed to even play them to you on the piano, because I’ve never played or sung a note of them.
Then there’s another kind, that come from something very specific. In the case of a song I have been writing over the last three days, it all started when I was checking out a new piece of software called Omnisphere. I was running through the preset sounds, weeding out the ones I don’t like, trimming 1700 so-so sounds down to a personal library of a couple of hundred. Very often when I’m auditioning sounds like that, I play a few notes or chords to see how they work in context. One particularly evocative Omnisphere sound caught my ear, with roughly the tonal quality of a pedal steel guitar. Before I knew it my fingers had found their way to a set of notes and chords that showed the sound of in its best light. I recorded a little bit just so I wouldn’t forget it, along with half a dozen other snippets. Next day I came back to the boat and replayed those snippets, with the unfamiliarity you get after spending a night away from a new idea. All the bits sounded interesting, but this one in particular was really special. as I listened to it, a vocal melody came to mind, phrased kind of opposite to the keyboard part, so I was singing in the gaps. I mumbled the first words that came to mind, and that fit the melody. I have a mic on a boom stand permanently set up over my computer, and I whacked down a vocal so I’d remember the melody. There was no intro or preamble, the vocal came in right from the first beat. I didn’t bother to set a level on the preamp (a Millennia STT-1), and in fact it was a bit hot so the compressor was pegging over. The opening line, which meant nothing to me at the time, was “Canonballs ricochet around the room.”
I had some lunch, did some laundry, returned some emails. I needed to rewire my patchbay to add a second set of speakers, so I spent some time on my back with a flashlight, and while I did that I listened to KCRW’s ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ program on iTunes radio. Then I put on my headphones and listened back to my song snippet. And it startled me. I’d actually forgotten that the vocal came right in at the start (which was only because I’d been too lazy to arrange an intro.) It was almost as if I was listening to someone else altogether. And it was fantastic! A bit like those songs you hear in dreams, but are never able to properly recapture after you awake.
Forty-eight hours in and out of the studio in short bursts like that, and I have a finished song. Not fully fleshed out mind you, but complete as a concept. A lot of it is the 95% perspiration not the 5% inspiration, and I struggled and deliberated over some of the lyrics and the vocal choices.
But I have to say, it’s gorgeous. Right up there with my best, very ‘me’, but oddly contemporary, post-modern even. It’s a complete reflection of the landscape and colour and atmosphere of this amazing location, and touched by the mood of a novel I read recently by J.G.Ballard. Yet it also carries a lot of history with it, of my mother’s side of my family who were from around here. It’s a lament, though it’s uplifting, not melancholy or depressing.
It will likely take a few more twists and turns, so I can’t tell you the title or post a rough mix. To do that would be to spoil the secrecy of the moment. Why then even bother to blog about it? Only because I feel great right now, a tremendous sense of awe and satisfaction, grateful that the muse favoured me with a visit.
In the author Elizabeth Gilbert’s wonderful talk at TED this year, she tells of a poet friend who described the moment of creation as a rolling thunder that came for her across the fields, like a bolt from the blue. She had to be ready the instant it arrived, pen and paper in hand, mind fully open and porous, in case the thunder rolled right over her head and disappeared in search of another poet.
Fab fab FAB!
I love that feeling when you know you’ve created something really special. It’s like you’re buzzing with energy! I also understand why you wanted to get it out via a blog post. That excitement is magic and the best part of creating music, I think. Kudos on your creation. Can’t wait to hear it some day.
I woke from a dream the other morning (I almost never remember my dreams) and a nearly complete song there – lyrics and all. I woke up my Mac, launched GarageBand and recorded it, guitar and vocals, in one pass.
I will flesh it out, figure out the part for the Chapman Stick, and I will be a happy camper!
Take care,
Paul Walters
Nice!
You’ll tell us which song this turns out to be when it’s finished, right?
wonderful post, thank you!
- and don’t ever worry about “why bother posting”, there are those of us who will eat up whatever you care to dish out!
Congratulations. It’s always nice when something that’s been sort of simmering or developing for a while just seems to emerge, fully formed, as a complete and ready-to-package concept.
You’re whetting everyone’s appetites, though, you know?
Thomas it’s great to hear how an artist such as yourself works through the process of writing a song.
I’ve written only one song, and it’s the type of thing that is meant for my wife but would have limited interest to anyone else. (Which explains why only she’s heard it.) I remember it coming to me in a moment of inspiration that I needed to capture or lose like so many fleeting ideas the pass through my head. To be able to capture and nurture those the way you do would be wonderful.
I’m also very much looking forward to the new album. I’ve been a fan since The Golden Age Of Wireless, and still very much enjoy songs like “One Of Our Submarines.”
I consider myself lucky to be included in your insight of the birth of a new song… Cannot wait to hear it and buy the new album when it makes it to the stores (or online)! I too, have all your albums and listen to them in my ipod shuffle coming and going to work on my hour long commute. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Dolby.
Curious to know which Ballard book you refer to .. one of the “World” book trilogy? “The Burning World”, “Crystal World” or “Drowned World” Perhaps the more obscure Un-Ballardlike “Wind From no Where” ? actually that would be a good title or song lyric
Great read, Thomas. I’m just really glad you’re back to making music. The new CD is gonna be special!
I love the muse. It’s hard when she comes at 3 am and there is nothing I can do about it but hope to remember the next day, but I wouldn’t dare to ask her to reschedule!
There have been many times in my life when rhythms and sounds pop into my head and I think I’m creating a new song or tune. However, I’ve never been able to recreate them in real life outside of my head. I think the reason is because I can’t write music, nor do I have the equipment to produce what I’ve “heard”. Maybe I should learn?
I’ve often wondered how many great songs have gone in/out of an artist’s mind before they settle on the one. How many are lost to random thoughts and dreams? How many are simply forgotten because another thought takes their place moments later?
I’m amazed at how people can write music. I’m more amazed when I hear a Dolby album with great lyrics tied to amazing tunes with an ambiance of various sounds that continue to boggle my mind. I think the muse has visited you many times in your life Thomas, and continues to drop by your mind for tea on random afternoons.
Sorry to ramble at 1:40 AM on a Saturday morning. Time for bed.
Cheers.
thomas
which j g ballard have you been reading?im a big fan of his literature.cant wait to hear the new material.
david
Hi Thomas
It is very exciting to hear about your “thunderclouds rolling out of the blue”
Like many people here I am an amateur writer- so the relationship between impulse and craft are quite intriguing to me- I get lots of impulses but most remain unfinished works with sketchy vocal passes usually totallying 2 minutes if I am lucky. Reading about your process was an affirmation of the “craft” of writing.
I look forward to the remasters and the new music- thanks for signing my lp in Michigan!!!
Graham
YES! Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk at TED was terrific… a real testament to the fact that the creative process is just as mysterious to the creator as it is to the observer. Of course, one has to put in all the hard work and the long hours to allow for ‘the muse’ to visit us. If art was created exclusively from EUREKA moments, we wouldn’t have much art! But those moments do provide the catalyst for the ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ work that turns a good idea in to a great piece.
Now *that* is true creativity, Thomas! And you’ve got everything
set up so perfectly that random inspirations, which might otherwise
be lost, are captured, and built upon. Sometimes a certain sound
can just speak to you…wonderful.
Thank you for this fabulous insight into your creative process!
–Kara
I’m so happy for you. See, now *you* lead an interesting life,
so your blog-posts are interesting, but if I wrote blogs, no one
would read them! Example: “Right now I’m making a stir-fry,
and listening to Putumayo’s “Arabic Groove.” Snore.
The J G Ballard was ‘Drowned World.’ I will check out “Crystal World†or “>>>>Perhaps the more obscure Un-Ballardlike “Wind From no Where†<<<<<
Thanks for all the messages requesting that I let you hear this and other new songs as I’m working on them. As HAL9000 said, I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that. The moment of actually publishing a new body of work has always been very sacred to me. I have considered finding some way for a select hardcore ‘inner sanctum’ to be able to download or stream a new song or two *if* they get finished substantially earlier than the whole album is ready. If people have suggestions of ways to do this I’m all ears—however it seems it would be a bit like organising a meet’n'greet, ie lots of fresh ways to piss people off! I’ll open that up to the floor?
Elizabeth Gilbert is coming to DC later this month to do a reading/talk called “Divine Sanity – Thoughts on Creative Life.” I’m going to try to grab a ticket – it keeps popping up as an ad on Facebook, so I should take it as a sign.
I’ve been pretty bereft of creativity since late December, and I’m finally feeling it coming back. Funny that Lunesse mentions The Muse, because I’ve been telling people mine was on some drunken bender for a couple of months. It’s nice that she’s back. Hearing how strong a reaction you have had to your own creativity makes me want to feel that again, myself. So, back to the drawing board (and keyboard) to try.
Man, I’m insanely eager to hear new tracks. (As if that’s anything new!) =)
A’right, Thomas, no prob.
Thank you for explaining your
perspective so patiently.
I think I see what you mean: how could you ever decide who
qualified as the “hardcore ‘inner sanctum’” without those
who *weren’t* in it getting their panties in a bunch??! It’s like
Ricky Nelson sang, in “Garden Party”: ‘You can’t please everyone,
so you’ve got to please yourself.’
Peace and patience, Kara, fading into the night…
p.s. “Top Secret” works in theory I suppose, but you know how
those rumours get started! “The truth will out”, as Shakespeare
wrote. We fans would all be giving each other the hairy eyeball
while thinking, “I’ll bet SHE (or HE)’s heard it!” I hereby promise to
wait patiently from now on, and those who care about your stress
level won’t be making any such requests after *this*, now will
they?!?
The artist has spoken, three posts up from here.
yea verily mizm, let us all heed the sage words of Ricky Nelson! So many of the problems of the world today could be solved with 70′s country-pop – the other day i found myself inspired by the Five-Man Electrical Band: “Signs, signs everywhere signs, messin’ up the scenery, blowin’ my mind” … I hope that helps!
Thomas, if you want to share something with a few buddies, go right ahead – just don’t tell the rest of us! Personally I don’t mind waiting a few more months, i’m way out here in the waiting room of the outer, outer sanctum anyway – but it’s pleasant, there’s coffee, and magazines …
Dear Thomas,
The first time I want to hear ANYTHING from your new album is when I tear the plastic wrap off the CD case, slip the CD into the player and press play. I know there will be a few rabid impatient fans, but I for one want to savour your new work like an aged bottled of wine.
Please don’t ever feel guilt for not releasing a glut of albums like some other artists. Like The Blue Nile and Peter Gabriel you practice the “less is more” theory and I’m very happy that you do. You’re one of my favourite artists because all four of your albums are sensational works that are consistently wonderful.
I’m so thrilled there will soon be a fifth. Don’t feel any need to rush though. We’ve waited this long, I don’t think we’ll mind waiting a little longer.
Thanks for your regular posts. I love reading them.
Darren
Hee hee, Mr.Pab, if only! A song lyric for most occasions, that’s
Actually, what I wanted to say was, “Aye aye Cap’n!”, but I
me.
didn’t want to seem flippant.
Peace, Kara
In regards to finding a select few people to preview the tunes, I’m sure you’ll have thousands of volunteers. I know planning your meet/greets were a joy at times, and you are correct in knowing you can’t make everyone happy. Here are some of my ideas to make it fair:
1. Allow some of the fans who have been in touch with you through the many years to get a first glimpse. There are a number of people I know who have around for many, many years who would love that opportunity. I could name names, but you already know who they are. These people were with you long before I even had a computer at home to discover Alloy.
2. Have a random contest that selects people from the forum to get first glimpse.
3. Have some sort of creative contest and the person with the best creative output gets a glimpse. I’m not creative so I’d lose quickly, but I know there are tons of creative people on your site.
4. Fly to Kansas City and have a pre-CD release party. I have access to a very nice venue for you, and I’ll be happy to sponsor your hotel room. We’ve got some swanky ones. Nope, I’ve never given up on the hope that you will play here one day.
Life is short and if you never ask, nobody can ever tell you “yes”. *hint hint, nude, nudge”.
Ona serious note, I’m sure you or Lunesse can figure out some creative ways to select a few people to hear your new material. I do agree that people who do get to hear it first shouldn’t post about it without your approval. That way nobody feels slighted in the least if they aren’t chosen.
Cheers!
Brian
You sound soooo excited Mr Dolby.
I’m sure you want some wider feedback on your inspirational work BUT you know its great and I think you should hold back and get it all down. I feel if you were to drip feed it out, the album might start to be diluted in some way. I can’t wait to hear the new material but I’m just gonna have to!
Wishing you continued inspiration.
As much as I’d love to see you in the process of putting your songs together, I guess I’d rather hear what you feel are the complete versions of your songs. AFTER we have heard these new gems, THEN I’d be more than thrilled to take a tour of the process that went into their development. I don’t want to look behind the curtain until I’ve experienced ‘the mighty Oz’ !!
As a composer, I’m generally very protective of my work until I feel truly ready to share it with the world. I’m happy to talk to people about the nuts and bolts of the work afterward, but the process itself is a very special, personal time. Enjoy it!
Beech
Thomas, Omnisphere is good isn’t it?
Never occurred to me that there might be sounds I will never use!
Talking about factory patches – I use to think it was so uncool to use them until I met with some “big guys” (in Berlin School style anyway) and they were like “who cares who made it – if it sounds right – use it!”
Okay, Merujo was kind enough to point out my spelling error on my last post. Oops. Sorry to disappoint anyone, but I don’t have ANY desire to see Thomas “nude”. No offense, Thomas.
I was just trying to remember back to the old Monty Python skits with the “knowhatImean”, “nudge, nudge”.
No more posts for me after 10 PM at night for me. On that note, I’m off.
I dunno, Coop, those slips usually are your subconscious trying to get out!
RE-Uploading new material.
I don’t see the problem. post a blog,make it available for a day or two to stream then take it away.
I Imagine most people here check in at least once a day and for those who don’t…Tuff T**
Anything else?
I still think “nude nudge” is hilarious. I only wish my typos were as funny!!
Bricameron, that would never work. All it takes is one person to dupe it and put it on a file share, and this site does get a lot of hits every day, and blog posts are completely public.
Any solution that allows a person to record, or have a copy of it won’t work to ensure it doesn’t end up distributed, unless TD knows for sure every single person who can access it, and trusts them.
My immediate thought is it would have to be a live listening party somewhere, where the best recording would be full of ambient stuff if anyone even tried. But I’m not an expert at trying to release something early, in a limited fashion.
Good morning T.D.,
Saw your post on Twitter. I had the same problem with tape hiss on an old tape from my Eastman school of music days. I’d vote for Master Restoration Suite. Worked 4 me. peace out.
Lunesse, I like your idea of a live listening party, I suppose it could be done in skype or something like that, although it would be hard to co-ordinate with all the different time zones that people are in.
everyone here, including myself, would no doubt love to hear any new material early, but I think the best way for it to be done would be for Thomas to just email a lo rez mp3 version to half a dozen or so of the people he trusts on here. I’m sure if the right people are chosen, they wouldn’t pass it on.
At the end of the day, if I have to wait till it’s released on cd, I can. I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
I use Omnisphere – it sure is easy to get lost inside it.
Beautiful kit though, as was its predecessor, Atmosphere.
I completely understood Elizabeth Gilbert’s “rolling thunder” metaphor. I’ve often recalled a quote attributed to Michael Jackson, along the lines of “..it was already created – I was just the receiver”. Also, Paul McCartney’s oft-told story that he woke up with the guitar part of “Yesterday” fully realized – the lyrics (“Scrambled eggs – oh baby how I love your legs…”) came later. Point being that while I do not consider myself any more than a hobbyist composer, I have written two songs that I know for a fact were created as a result of pure in-the-moment-rolling-thunder-wow-where-did-that-come-from inspiration. A good part of the reason why I do not write more is because those two pieces so overshadow everything else I did before or have done since – I want that rolling thunder back!