Here is my cover version of a track you may remember from the early 1990s from the band Dig. This one was in pretty heavy rotation on MTV’s old “buzz bin” back in the day. I recorded this in a “video song” format—what you see is what you hear, all video captured during the creation of the song (with the exception of the outdoor footage which was taken in my back yard).

I just got an old Apple IIc and wanted to see what kind of music I could make with it. This started as an experiment in what kind of sounds I could make with with old 8-bit technology, and ended up turning into a song. I’m using 8-bit Weapon’s DMS (digital music synthesizer) for all of the sounds you see coming out of the IIc. I recorded this in a “video song” format—what you see is what you hear, all video captured during the creation of the song.

Here is my cover of Slint “Good Morning, Captain” off of their 1991 album Spiderland. I hope you like it. I love this song, and I know my version will never be as good as the original, but I really wanted to cover it. (What you see is what you hear, no lip-synching or instrument-synching).

Here are the lyrics:

“Let me in,” the voice cried softly
From outside the wooden door
Scattered remnants of the ship could be seen in the distance
Blood stained the icy wall of the shore

“I’m the only one left. The storm took them all,”
He managed as he tried to stand
The tears ran down his face
“Please, it’s cold.”

When he woke, there was no trace of the ship
Only the dawn was left behind by the storm
He felt the creaking of the stairs beneath him
That rose, from the sea, to the door

There was a sound at the window then
The captain started, his breath was still
Slowly, he turned

From behind the edge of the windowsill
There appeared the delicate hand of a child
His face was flush and timid
He stared at the captain through frightened eyes

The captain reached for something to hold on to
“Help me,” he whispered, as he rose slowly to his feet
The boy’s face went pale
He recognized the sound

Silently, he pulled down the shade against the shadow
Lost in the doorstep of the empty house

“I’m trying to find my way home.
I’m sorry . . .
And I miss you

I miss you
I’ve grown taller now
I want the police to be notified
I’ll make it up to you
I swear, I’ll make it up to you

I miss you.”

Here’s a little live looping thing I threw together today. All sounds are recorded live (nothing pre-recorded). Using two Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro (EDP) loopers, Strymon TimeLine and Boss DF-2 for my voice, and Line 6 AM4 and Strymon El Capistan for the guitar. Hope you like it.

I recorded this one this past Sunday. This is for anyone that has lost someone close to them.

You will join us
When you’re ready
But please don’t keep me
Waiting forever.

I can see you,
Sometimes when I’m dreaming.

Sometimes When I’m Dreaming – STEAL

No lip-syncing, no instrument-syncing. What you see is what you hear.

I recently got to borrow an old-school Univox drum machine. It’s strange and unique. Where else can you get volume sliders for Quijada, Guido AND Tambourine. Not only does it have patterns for Mambo, Rumba and Bossanova, but many others including Merinque, Beguine and Habanera. What more could you want?

I felt like making some droning noise so I ran the Univox through my Strymon El Capistan and blueSky reverb pedals. I recently started working with my friends over at Strymon and am really loving what they’ve come up with so far. I’m looking forward to working on some more kick-ass effects with them in the future.

I decided to turn this drum machine effects noise fest into a more involved piece, so I took the original unaltered drum/effects track and added piano, guitar, drums, vocals and some synths. For the video I decided to follow jack conte’s “video song” format, where:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

Hope you like it.

Welcome to Week #3 in the 2010 State Shirt song-a-week video-a-week extravaganza and all-star revue. I wrote this one for SongFight. You should definitely head on over there and listen to all the songs in the fight.

Keep All Your Promises – DOWNLOAD – Lyrics

No lip-syncing, no instrument-syncing. What you see is what you hear. Hope you like it!

Don’t forget to subscribe

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel, where all of this video-a-week stuff will be posted. They’ll also be on my FaceBook page. Come on and join me there too!

Let me know if you have any suggestions for this project. Video ideas, cover song suggestions, questions about my gear, or anything else. I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below!

i was inspired by jack conte’s video songs and wanted to put together one of my own. i’m following his rules that he uses for his videos:

“1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).”

hope you like it. the song is also on songfight right now. head on over to listen to all of the songs in the fight.