The Strokes attempt #1. help help!!! Mix advice!!!

[LittleRedChurch]

It's an old song for me, but I've remixed it. (Not exactly Little Red Church stuff.. but...) I wrote it when I heard the Strokes, Last Night. Does anyone think it might fly with this listing:

MUSIC SUPERVISOR working on a HIT TV series needs contemporary, Mid-to-Up Tempo ALT-ROCK and ALT-POP SONGS with MALE vocals. This is for a super TAXI friendly Music Supervisor, who has already licensed music from several TAXI members on previous episodes of this show. He wants upbeat songs with an edgy attitude. Stylistically, think of The Killers, or The Strokes. Please check out these reference songs below to get you in the right frame of mind: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers http://bit.ly/60nY4o “Last Night” by The Strokes http://bit.ly/6mK7lc Your songs should feature driving guitars and have strong melodic choruses. He’s looking for vocal performances with attitude, and plenty of Rock swagger. Specific lyric themes are not critical for this placement, but please, NO PROFANITY. Quoting the Music Supervisor: “It’s all about the right Alt-Rock feel of the song. I want that ‘in your face’ rocker attitude. The songs can be upbeat and even aggressive, but there still needs to be a catchy melody driving the tune. I’m NOT looking for anything Metal.” If you take the path of the Killers reference, please note that it’s a contemporary mix of '80s-styled synth pop and fashionista charm, with a street-smart attitude and angular riffs. The Strokes are all guitars and loving it!


Also, mix ideas are ALWAYS well recieved . Due on Wednesday!!

If you think I'm off, all good. Tough as nails here. I'm useless at deciphering listings...

Not Invited

http://soundcloud.com/graham43

LRC -- Graham

[PeterD]

GRAHAM, my friend!!!

I like!!! Catchy groove! Musically very nice (lovin' the British 80’s influence!!) with some interesting melodies!!! (Gotta mute that squeaky chair at the very end though)

Almost: Funk Soul Brother, meets the Smiths, meets the pre chorus to Men at Work’s “Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive.”

It’s got a little “mono” feel to it. (I know things are panned, but I’d like it to “open up” a little. I’d like a thicker drum track, Eventually. Maybe double the track somehow, or clean it up with some compression and reverb? I like the distorted vocal too, but would also like to hear it thicker in the chorus. I don’t know if this is a good example, but I’m remembering Saliva’s “Ladies & Gentlemen” (from a mix perspective only, and of course LESS heavy rock). Unfortunately, I have NO IDEA how to explain what's needed other than I'm hearing what I'm hearing.

In any event, I hope this is helpful??

Good stuff!!! And good luck!!

[LittleRedChurch]

I'm on it.

You're so constructive with your feedback!!! I make one dumb comment about verb and you give in depth sound analysis! Thanks. Someone was telling me that tv doesn't like too much separation but I trust you with this one. It's not supposed to be so lo fi.

Thanks

G

[feaker66]

Graham

Finally a song to showcase that beautiful voice of yours.

Nothing fighting with the vox this time.

Maybe it is just because I am a super fan, but damn this is good.

I am just blow away.

congrats my friend.

Ok I have to say it "holy shit"

Paul

[LittleRedChurch]

PAUL!!!


I'm quite sure you listened to the wrong song. I THINK!!! lol There are two songs vying for attention on my page, one is this Nei Young thing and the other is this Strokes thing. The voice ain't so pertty on the Strokes thing. But, who cares...

Thanks my friend!!! lol

Graham

[bamtone]

Hey Graham
I see where you're going and I like it Totally in the Strokes vibe.
I'm not gonna attempt a mix critique.... but,
You got a great melody in the verse. for the chorus... would be nice to see more of a contrast in between the verse & chorus. maybe add back vox in the chorus, or more agression in the vocal delivery.

Great job! I LIKE IT! Good luck!

[feaker66]

I don't get many things right these days. I'm ok with that.

It was wishing on a moon ( or something like that)

Sorry bout that.

paul

[LittleRedChurch]

That's a great call, Briand. Kinda backs up Pete's take wanting more substance in the chorus. (I feel a sick day coming on tomorrow...)

Thanks!!

G

[PeterD]

haha!!

Hello? Graham's boss?? Yes, ... He's not feeling well this eve and won't be coming in tomorrow. I'll have him check in later in the day to see if condition has improved (or not).

[AlpacaRoom]

Hey Graham,

This is a really nice track, I think you've captured the right vibe here. There are a few things I might do to punch it up a little bit, though.

I might replace the piano part with a crunchy--not distorted--guitar playing the stabs instead. The piano works okay and is in-style, but to me it's the sort of part that I'd want a sort of jangly crunch guitar playing. Worth a try if you've got a few minutes, anyhow.

You also might want to rethink how you're distorting the vocals--it sounds right now like it's going right through a distortion plugin or amp sim. You might want to use an effect send instead (or duplicate the track) so you can get more of the top end from the dry track that's really getting eaten by the distortion. A big slapback on there would be in-style and probably set it off a little bit more, too (I'd kill the reverb on the vocals, too).

I'd dirty the bass up, too. Either by sending/duplicating (like the vocals) or just by sticking some tape saturation at the end of its chain. It'll make it a little mushy, but I think that sound works well in this style.

The whole mix is coming off a little bit flat, maybe just from the extreme limiting. Even just a few 1dB master fader rides might make the choruses pop a little better.

Anyway, I think you're totally on the right track here, nice work!


-Nick