Comments for Songwriter Matthew Moran

Comment on Video Game Addition: I’ll still call it "being a loser…" by Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:51:17 +0000

You know what’s being a loser? Bitching about people on the internet instead of being “proactive” and saying it to their face.

Oops. I guess that would be too logical.

Comment on Songwriting - what comes first the chicken (music) or the egg (lyrics) by Matt Moran

Matt Moran — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:45:48 +0000

First, thanks for taking the time to comment. What I’ve found is similar to most disciplines. Scheduling.

I schedule a day/time for recording a piece. Prior to that, I might record a rough out of the song, just played straight through.

But when I indicate recording, I have some goals. I’ve done some pre-production work. I know what instrumentation I want and I try to adhere strictly to that schedule.

Then, after that is done, I may play with different instruments or melody lines - and let things change or experiment.

I find that when I do this, I become engrossed in the recording and production process.

For me, being less structured meant I would get frustrated and fall back into a comfort zone - which is writing.

Comment on Songwriting - what comes first the chicken (music) or the egg (lyrics) by Niki

Niki — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:14:19 +0000

Very interesting article, thank you for writing this, as I’m also struggling heavily when writing lyrics (music usually comes very easy to me, even often already with complete arrangements).

Regarding the last paragraph, this has also exactly been my problem: too much ideas, yet very little that ever got finished/recorded even as a demo! it almost drove me insane!
if you’ve succesfully managed through this problem, could you please tell me how did you do that? how can i not get sidetracked too much with these overflowing ideas, and to just sit down and focus on finishing a song 100% completly (music & lyrics) ?

You can just email me directly at nikiwonoto@gmail.com
Thank you, I appreciate it much
Your answer would definitely help me in carving beautiful unique songs to this world!

Niki
Jakarta, Indonesia

Comment on Tutorial – Recording basics – your scratch track by Matt Moran

Matt Moran — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:59:34 +0000

Good tips Mandy. Privacy; if you are “shy” when recording and especially for vocal experimentation.

I’ve recently worked on recording with people in the room - and just letting go - being a total geek and letting the fun or performance element come out.

Which is another tip. With emotionally charged songs, I record the vocals now with much more of a performance feel - I move, I feel it, I pretend I am playing to a stadium.

Thanks for the input.

Comment on Tutorial – Recording basics – your scratch track by mandythompson

mandythompson — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:47:48 +0000

I feel like I’ve just been set free. I usually do a scratch track of just guitar, then another of just vox, then try to re-record them both.

ahhh….. Play it together. Record it together. Then the “feel” of the song will stick with me.

Other tips? multiple takes. complete privacy. permission to experiment. bring in other tones, sounds, features before I finalize the vocal track. They work as inspiration for the vocal tone & feel I want to achieve.

Comment on Put on a House Concert. It is good recession entertainment. by Kevin Montgomery

Kevin Montgomery — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:04:49 +0000

Thanks for that mention, Matt. I really appreciate it. Let’s try to put something together. Kevin

Comment on CD - Songs About Girls and Other Delusions by New CD, why I write, and tour plans | Songwriter Matthew Moran

New CD, why I write, and tour plans | Songwriter Matthew Moran — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:57:47 +0000

[...] Songs, Girls, and Other Delusions is finally ready for purchase. [...]

Comment on Songwriting, Recording, Production, and Results by Debi Brady

Debi Brady — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:06:13 +0000

Thanks for the kudos, Matt! I really enjoyed working with the graphics and creating the package for your first CD to be released. I’m sure your fans will appreciate having ‘you’ to take home with them after the concerts.

Comment on A Virtual House Concert – Sonic Underground & Joe Iadenza by Marci Geller-Lucky 13/Sonic Underground

Marci Geller-Lucky 13/Sonic Underground — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:30:27 +0000

Thank you for blogging us Matthew…and thank you for listening and watching! I went into our stats and over the course of the show, we actually had 31 viewers-which is pretty incredible since we didn’t really promote this one.

This was our very first webstream and we wanted to “iron out the kinks” (some of which you mentioned to us;-) before broadcasting it.

It was such a success, we will certainly be doing more and getting the word out more effectively.

Thank you again..and hope we cross paths in the real world sometime!
MG

Comment on CwF - Connect with Fans & RtB - Reason to Buy by Derek Irving

Derek Irving — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:27:35 +0000

Yea - pretty powerful and inspiring presentation….

Comment on Songwriting Journal - Why I Write Songs by mandythompson

mandythompson — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:46:14 +0000

Thanks for clarifying the whole “exposed” thing! HAHA!

Seriuosly - I appreciate this post. It mimics my heart as well. I don’t think I couldn’t write. (sorry for the double negs)

Comment on Next Coffee Company, Glendale, AZ by Nehru

Nehru — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:50:33 +0000

Morning Girl is one of my favorite song.It’s simply awesome with 70’s classic tune.This could be an excellent movie theme song.

Comment on Recording songs at home, click tracks and tempo by mandythompson

mandythompson — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:07:25 +0000

That’s how it’s done? And I thought I was just awful at strumming because I couldn’t keep up with the “ONE two three four” in certain places.

All the while I kept thinking: If I just had some 8th or 16th notes, I wouldn’t get lost in the BEEP beep beep beep….

Comment on Creating, publishing, and embedding your songwriter performance video to YouTube. by Jingles

Jingles — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:12:31 +0000

Nice… very informative for a keen of music like me. thanks

Comment on Recording songs at home, step by step and experimentation by mandythompson

mandythompson — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:35:39 +0000

Sounds like we all duct-tape our home recording stuff together the same way! Thanks for this…
Looking forward to more.

Comment on The Aspiring Singer-Songwriter and Social Media by Kevin Montgomery

Kevin Montgomery — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:55:15 +0000

Matt,
I like this post. I totally agree that one has to have a strategy. I use Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Skype.
Keeping up with all of them is difficult and takes dedication. Right now i have 5600 emails in my myspace account that need replies, and i just haven’t had the energy to return the messages. AND, i have been finding that when i reached out to fans/friends on myspace……..more and more…..i’ve been getting replies like “i only login once a week, so i missed your show. When do you play again?”……..this is happening more and more frequently.
I was nearly done with facebook a few months ago until the “chat” feature came along. It added a sense of immediacy that i really liked…….so, i stayed.
I will say that in my opinion…….Facebook is exploding…..while myspace is going stagnant…..unless you are a “band” that is a late-comer to myspace.
Most of my “friend requests” come from bands and artists who are using bots and friend adders……..normally, their lead word is “hey!”….as if somehow that “fools” one into thinking that they meant to personally reach out to oneself.
That being said……….2 years ago when i played in London………i had about 250 people show up to the show, and at least 50 of them came directly from myspace, and would not have been there had it not been for myspace……that is powerful, but i’m not sure the same thing would happen now.
But, those are the tools we have right now, and they are powerful if you use them correctly and with discipline.
People want and need a connection.
Kevin

Comment on The Aspiring Singer-Songwriter and Social Media by mandythompson

mandythompson — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:24:30 +0000

Helpful stuff Matthew.
Sounds like I’ve got a lot of strategizing to do. I’ve jumped into the deep end of social media before having a plan. This is tasty food for thought.
Thanks

Comment on Songwriting First Steps - playing with words by Songwriting First Steps – Ideas & Backing Into A Song | Lyrics Matter - MatthewMoranOnline.com

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:09:32 +0000

[...] Backing Into A Song Written by Matt Moran on February 17, 2009 – 8:09 am - I wrote about word play and cadence and Winnie The Pooh and how those all help me as a songwriter with cadence and song [...]

Comment on The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit - Free Chapters by Online Marketing With...Matt Moran? | Online Marketing Blog RSS Ray

Online Marketing With...Matt Moran? | Online Marketing Blog RSS Ray — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:01:30 +0000

[...] numerous articles on technology, business, innovation, and professional development. His book, The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit, focuses on proactive career strategies, employee value, personal marketing, soft-skills, and [...]

Comment on Building your songwriter mailing list – make it easy by Matt Moran

Matt Moran — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:39:44 +0000

Great question and one that would have to be addressed when the above cards are mentioned.

Basically, a street team are fans/listeners who are interested in helping a performer with things like finding venues, promoting shows, or other tasks - even things like managing a myspace page, etc. In return, they get merchandise or free tickets or other benefits.

And of course, the pure enjoyment of helping an artist out.

Comment on Building your songwriter mailing list – make it easy by Ralph Wilson

Ralph Wilson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:35:14 +0000

Matt,

What does “Street Team Info?” mean?

Comment on Next Coffee Company, January 23rd, 8-10pm by Matt Moran

Matt Moran — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:01:19 +0000

Greatly appreciated!! I will gladly cover airfare for each fan that purchases 80 CDs. Thanks for all your help!

Comment on Next Coffee Company, January 23rd, 8-10pm by Marc

Marc — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:57:10 +0000

Matt,

I’ve plastered the SLC area with your flyers, can you help your fans with the airfare?

Marc

Comment on Recordings from Open Mic @ Cave Creek Coffee Company by Celine Durney

Celine Durney — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:41:26 +0000

Mr. Moran,

My dad (Dan Durney whom you met this morning at SJN) told me about meeting you today. I went to this site to listen to your recordings. Good Stuff!

I look forward to meeting you and maybe get a chance to sing for / with you too -

Merry Christmas

Celine

Comment on Letting others hear songs as they develop by AJ

AJ — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:11:04 +0000

“Thanks for the comments.”

No problem. Wish you all the best in your musical journey and I’m sure you’ll do well.

“Funny where we focus, often on what we consider our weakness in contrast to another’s strength.”

Psss…ain’t that the truth!