Update 2/15/20 - Another year down... another lesson in humility,  always next year!  

https://hofa-contest.com/song/3738/

Welcome to what looks to be my the last competition for 2019.   HOFA is hosting its annual Christmas mixing competition.   When I got the invite a few days ago I took a listen and was like.....ugggghhhh!!!  An "a cappella" which puts me in my weakest spot for a starting position.  

The human voice when on a piece of music, ends up being one of the most important/relatable parts of the piece.  A great vocal performance can prop up a band... but it very seldom works the other way around.  

It's been one of the more challenging things for me to mix properly.  Here is the 2019 HOFA competition and the only thing on it, VOICES!!.  Challenge accepted HOFA and here is where I ended up brothers and sisters.  

The competition closes out in January so still plenty of time to get into the competition if you want to have some fun....working the faders.  I mean common what else could be more fun?....(blushes)  Really people, such dirty minds!!  haha

https://hofa-contest.com/

Happy Holidays brothers and sisters

Special thanks to Bill from November Sound( https://soundcloud.com/november-love-680008043 ) for being an advisor on the project... Big thank you for this and all your support in 2019. 

On a slight comedic note to one of our own:  Sunnidayz always mentions not being a techie...  If you get here sister.... I fought my production rig for 3 hours this morning to print the final mix and master...  Had everything set last night... wanted to sleep on it before finalizing.  This morning bam..kerchunk..bzzzt....with every session crash... I was reminded of those things you mention, about it getting in the way!  Three hours of fighting for 20 minutes worth of work!!

Let There Be Snow

Competition - Let There Be Snow - HOFA 2019  Mixing competition

Out Of The Sky

The Sky Above The Ocean

Face

Epitaph (for Theo Calis 1960 - 2020)

Martin Hoogeboom: guitar/loop station
Marlon Wolterink: mastering

Theo and I have worked on countless music projects over the past 40 years. I have learned a lot from his stubborn and headstrong views and methods of recording and mixing music. His influence on my soundscapes is immense. In 2014 we both enjoyed working on “Where Do We Go From Here?” (2014 - Etched Traumas - ET77) which became also part of the soundtrack of Australian short movie “Grid Face”. Pieces for acoustic guitar and loop station.

In 2017 I worked on a sequel, the guitar suite "Licht". 
“Epitaph (for TC)” is originally a demo version of one of the pieces but unused in the “Licht” version as it appeared on CD (2018 “LIght / Well” - Thirsty Leaves Music - TLM019). Due to Theo’s health problems it was not possible to collaborate on this project but he appreciated the sober minimal guitar pieces for what they were.

I will remember Theo with great respect for the rest of my life.

Martin

Epitaph (for TC)

Evocation Evaporation

From the last death rattle of a disembodied soul
To Health, Wealth & Happiness
Somewhere in between 
lies the Balance
In the Centre, 
The  Meaning -
Oscillation between Parameters
Dust to Dust and all things Pass
Until then Inhale Freedom
Exhale the toxic waste
Move on forever forwards
Towards that beckoning Dusk.......
Evocation Evaporation


Evocation Evaporation

Thank you to my good friend Paploviante for this superb track,

Urban Express Paploviante and FPM

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On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink”. - John 7:37


Bring the thirsty and let them drink.
Come over here and get a drink. 
This man says, “come to me and drink”.
And suddenly I had to turn and stop and think.
And face all my uncertainty.
And wonder about eternity.
And where to place my hope.

He says it's living water- 
flowing like a river-
through the life of the believer.
In the spirit of the savior. 
Poured into his endeavors-
With the seeker, the warrior, 
The thinker, deceiver. 
The never-receiver.
The almost-believer.

It's a life inside that’s more than you.
Extending through, out past your view.
Running past the walls of you.
Like the streams and rivers like to  do.

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P.S. I painted the picture in 1994 and recorded the song in 2020.  So technically this thing took 26 years before it was done ;-) 
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the great day

For those who love the oldschool days of summer love!..please enjoy this oldschool trip as your so worth it!...ps it's free DL ;)

Whats It All About CV?(Acoustic oldschool freebee)

How's your halo
when you've nothing to wear?
Hold you head up
on a wing and a prayer

Float like feathers
Float like feathers
Just open wide
wide

Elevate
the 
stars
pull
parachutes

Hold your head up
for there's nothing down there
With the open eyes
eyes

Elevate
the
stars
pull
parachutes

(we connect the stars)

How's your heavens
when you're stopping for air?

the great day

open strings