UPDATE: Inspiration

Most of the time, it's easy for me to write tunes. Inspiration, the brain food for writing, normally comes naturally to me. Not these days... I feel inspired by sound, but not by form. I lose interest when people say that I'm not a good enough producer. Normally, I say "Whatever fuck you, I do what I want." Lately it's been more like "well maybe you're right." Nobody really seems to like my tunes anyway, but the few that do are really great fans.

I was thinking about possibly starting a new Indiegogo campaign but crowd funding  relies heavily on getting started by spamming friends and family members. I hate that. Maybe I'm too nice to be in the music industry. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. I love writing music, and I love producing it as well. The fact of the matter is that I don't feel like I'm contributing to the art world when I put my music out there. There are SO many other musicians trying to "make it" that it's impossible to get noticed (even if my music may not be noticeable). I just wish that people would maybe consider listening to a song of mine.

One complain that I really have with being a time-based artist, is that people have to take time out of their own schedule to hear it. It requires a huge amount of effort for them to sit down and listen. At least with visual arts (that aren't time based) people can usually make a snap decision. "Oh, I like this," or "Oh, I don't like this." As I said to my girlfriend the other day, "That really cheeses my girdles." I don't really want to think about what that might mean, but in layman's terms it means that it peeves me off. Like balloonshop peeved.

Here's the thing, I'm not really digging for compliments or anything. I'm just complaining. It hurts when I put all this effort into something, only to get knocked down or worse... ignored. I think that my songs are just so mediocre that people glaze over them. If my stuff was terrible, people would at least laugh at it and think it might be a joke (take "Gimme that Christian Side Hug" for example). If it were really good, maybe more people that I know would share it, and I might actually make a name for myself in this damn industry. I know it's not easy, and wasn't ever easy for anyone, but some fraggin' respect would be super alright by me. I don't want people's opinions (or lack thereof) to affect my writing, but I can't help it. Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it.

Being a full-time unemployed musician has its perks, but it doesn't pay the bills.

Professional Space Case Available for Sale!!!

Click Here to be brought to the sale page for Professional Space Case. The album is only $7! Considering that each individual song is $1 and there are 11 songs, that's a pretty good deal! Buy the album now!

SONG: Fourth Rock

New chill/downtempo song. You have to figure out what the fourth rock is (it's easy). Enjoy!

SONG: Civilization (Mars)

Experimental story in song form...

SONG: Wormhole

Imagine that you're floating through space and suddenly you're speeding through a twisting and turning tunnel. Then you come out and on the other side you see a planet below you that you have never seen, but you can see vast city lights... intelligent life. If there weren't any intelligent life out there, it sure would be an awful waste of space.

SONG: Arm of the Galaxy

I am actually using an old song that I wrote several years ago. Let's just say that I'm re utilizing it. An ex of mine asked me to write her a Lullaby. At the time I was all over the place with my emotions, and I tried writing one for her. When I showed it to her, she said "yeah, this would be a good lullaby if I wanted to kill myself." Ummmmm kthx. So I am re-doing it. I added drums and a pad near the end, but the piano is really the showcase in this song. Melodic tune, with some dark parts, some happy, some pensive... like I said, I was a mixed bag of emotions when I wrote this song. Enjoy! Feel free to leave me a comment or send me a message! Please like and share with your friends!

SONG: Sons of Perseus

In late July and mid-August, go outside at night and look up for a while.

SONG: Clouds of Vega

A bit wacky, a little pensive, but fun nonetheless. Piano, arps, pads, glockenspiel, and a printer... that's right, a printer. The key is actually based off of the sound of the printer.

Don't forget to follow, favorite, and comment! Thanks and enjoy!

Also, I am beginning to collaborate with singers and other producers/musicians to get this project really moving. It's looking like it will be a good time.

SONG: The Secret of Orion

Very cinematic feel to this piece. Heavy piano, strings, and a little glock (once again for the nice head room it creates.) Hoppy, dark, intense... The song is like a really good beer.
Please favorite, comment, and follow! This song will be available for purchase in the near future.

DropVox's Quest for New Equipment!

 http://www.indiegogo.com/DropVox

 

Summary

My name is Mike Woodley and I have been writing and recording music for over 10 years. It has become ingrained in my way of life. When I have free time, I write and record a tune. I have over 400 original songs and am still going strong. While being a full time musician is great, I am running out of space on my computer, and my hardware and software is completely out of date. My songs, one day, may have been considered to be up to industry standard, but no longer. I could really use some help putting my new home studio together.

 

Some of my music is here if you would like to listen: http://soundcloud.com/dropvox/sets

What We Need & What You Get

I will use this money to buy new equipment: microphones, computer, mixer, MIDI controller, software, monitors (studio speakers), instruments (drums, bass, baglama saz), etc. I would also use this to put out the album professionally on iTunes and in physical form.

 

You will get some really cool stuff including: CD's, signed CD's of my unreleased album Professional Space Case, jam session with me, collaboration on a song with me, or I can even write you a song! See more in the perks section. There is some fun stuff in there that I am really excited about!

The Impact

Your contribution will help me in so many ways. Not only will it help buy the equipment, it will help me build a better future with music and my career in music. You will be giving me tools that will allow me to move forward in my career. It is my aim to start producing music that sounds more professional, and be able to express myself without having my computer crash every time I try to save a project. Ultimately, I would love to start my own studio where kids can come and learn how to write music, play an instrument, or even record/produce a song! We will cross that bridge when we get there however.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't contribute monetarily, you could really help by spreading the word around to your friends/relatives/acquaintances through social media and email. Anything you can give would be an amazing help!

New things in the works!

DropVox is a fun project for me, but sometimes working alone can be challenging for me. That's why things are changing around the ”studio.” Starting on Tuesday, I will begin collaborating with two singers, male and female. Ashley, has been a good friend of mine and is a business partner of my lovely girlfriend. Eric is a good friend of Ashley, and is definitely a good person. This is good for me because I want to work with people I can trust.

I should be meeting up with another producer pretty soon to see if he would be a good fit for the DropVox project. I'm still a little apprehensive about bringing in another producer, but also excited to see what we can do. Also a new song is in the process of bring written, titled The Sons of Perseus. More about it later!

SONG: Summer Triangle

Summer Triangle

Summer triangle is an airy piano piece in 12/8 time. The arrangement and drums accent the piano nicely, and the glockenspiel give the tune that extra punch and headroom. Enjoy! Don't forget to favorite, comment, and follow!

SONG: Surfing Solar Flares

Surfing Solar Flares

Surfing Solar Flares is a unique mix of Latin Jazz, Electronica, and Hip Hop. It's done in 5/4 time and has a 4/4+2/8 feel. Very fun stuff! Please favorite and comment!

SONG: Professional Space Case

Professional Space Case

Professional Space Case is weird, fun, and energetic. It's detuned sound of the track really adds to the atmosphere. Big drums, big piano, and all the oddities that one might expect from the mind of DropVox.

SONG: Sunshadow

Sunshadow

A new project from Killing Ariella Music & Culture, DropVox is instrumental and electronic music that focuses on texture, feeling, and atmosphere. Sometimes dark, sometimes not, DropVox will be a new kind of electronic music.
Sunshadow is a melodic tune with big drums and crisp grand piano. This is the first single to be released by DropVox from the album "Professional Space Case."