André Donawa: Music

Big Calm

(André Donawa)

Andre Donawa

I tried a number of different approaches stylistically speaking, but was not happy with any of them.
I decided to take a break from the project and clear my head for a bit.

After a few days I had this idea to try and do as much of it as possible with just my Fender 4 string Jazz Bass.
It was one of those euphoric/eureka moments when everything clicks and you just know it’s going to work.

I think that my getting out of the studio and going for a surf for the first time in the year might have been a big contributing factor.

I still wanted the track to have a full sound to it and so I decided to spend some time tweaking my line6 M9 pedal.
I had already created some scenes for my guitar gig, so I had a general idea of what I wanted, but really wanted something for my bass.

Matt Stevens sent me an email about the project “Big Calm”.

http://cafenoodle.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=5407886%3ABlogPost%3A1301&commentId=5407886%3AComment%3A1435

I had intentions of making a contribution, but forgot about as I was wrapped up in my own. With a couple days left I decided to give it a shot and take my Bass and M9 effects pedal for a test drive.

With the exception of the percussion and vocals, everything on this track is from a 4 string bass with standard tuning. No keyboards or guitar.

The verse is a first take, without me having any preconceived idea for a melody or lyrics. I just went for it.
It’s really amazing that I managed to come up with something that actually makes some sense.
I had plans to go back and polish it up and add some actual words in some parts, but decided to keep it as it is

You can hear me struggling to get something started with the first few mumbled words.
Not knowing what I was going to say resulted in some interesting phrasing.

The instrumental solo tone had a very middle eastern sound to it and because of the delay really made me play outside of my comfort zone. It’s basically a pitch shifter and 2 delays.

I’m hoping to play this live at the next Live Looping Festival.

http://www.y2kloopfest.com/

Not sure what your Big Calm is but tomorrow I’ll be in the sea looking for the perfect wave.

L&P,

Andre