Vortex

A brand new anthem/carol for Matariki - New Year in Aotearoa/New Zealand. You want a big, lively, singable, proud and stirring tune that everybody will pick up easily, then have a listen to "Matariki Hunga Nui" (Matariki Gathers Us), by Leon Gray! 

Perfect at community choir concerts, or as part of any Matariki celebration with joy in mind. It tells the story and explores the values of this burgeoning holiday on the Kiwi calendar!

Purchase it here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1427838/Product.aspx   or https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/matariki-hunga-nui-22626234.html

Matariki Hunga Nui (Choir Version)

www.theneonow.com

Lyrics to 'Look and See' by The Neo Now

You can have it all your way, I’ll rise up another day, in my mind, my world is turning - 

You can have it all your way, Don’t put me down with what you say. In my mind, my world is turning - away

IIIIII
I want to fade away
And forget about the time
That I contaminate your mind

And IIIIII
I want to be the one
Not overlooked for fun
At the start of a new day

Chorus:
It don’t have to be 
What everybody sees
When you look at me
It don’t have to be
What everybody sees
(x3) 
 
You can have it all your way, I’ll rise up another day, in my mind, my world is turning 
 
You can have it all your way, Don’t put me down with what you say. In my mind, my world is turning – 
In my mind, my world is turning - away

IIIIII
I want to fade away
And forget about the time
That I contaminate your mind

And IIIIII
I want to be the one
Not overlooked for fun
At the start of a new day

Chorus:
It don’t have to be 
What everybody sees

When you look at me
It don’t have to be
(x3) 

It don’t have to be what everybody sees (x2)


By The Neo Now, John Jones and Naomi Jones-Black

Look And See

Not done til its over

AfroHouse - Edsant 09 - 12 - 23

Where have you been remix

Hello Again... This is a track I wrote last year. I had been working through the holidays and really wanted a vacation... to a remote place... away from it all! So I began writing this song to myself... and this is the first time I touched it since I wrote it. 

Strangely enough I talked to A&R at major recording company regarding my songs on Sound Cloud last week... and all I can tell you is their headquarters are in California... (yes this is good news!) 

During the conversation I was thinking "this could be the change I need" but am I ready for that kind of change? My only concern about the conversation was the rep did not ask me once "What I wanted out of this?" or "My purpose behind posting demos" They got right down to business and began to explain the process... 

Now keep in my mind this was actually the first time I spoke to anyone about becoming a star and taking my music to the next level... I was not prepared... but is anyone ever? 

Personally I like writing... I always have... I feel like I can write about anything I want... and I want to maintain that freedom... but a part of me also wants to be heard... and I may have to compromise... something I said "I WOULD NEVER DO!" for music...

When I think about performing and singing my stomach turns a bit... I have never addressed those concerns... I have very little experience with that stuff... however I did mention that I would like to record... I told them I'd like to work with a vocal coach and perfect my sound... yet I made it clear I am a song writer first... although I would like to hear a studio recording of myself.

At the end of our chat... I just felt like I was not being seen as an artist... I felt like I was being seen as an amateur to show business... which is true... and that's okay because I honestly had not thought that far however, I have begun to now...

On a positive note... All I could think about was this song since that conversation... I just felt like regardless of what I want.... sounds like they want to take me away... not sure if I am ready for all that but right now I'll take it as good karma for the future and I promise to keep you posted. 

Enjoy!

Take U Away

Yeah !

Hello Again... just finished working on a new track. It is called "Chasing the Sky" This is a song about perseverance, determination, and competition. I began writing this one a few weeks ago. Lately I been keeping up with live sports on tv; and seeing all the competitiveness also inspired me to write this track. It is also inspired by the upcoming new year 2024; as we approach the new year I am thinking about resolutions and how I can make the year worthwhile again! Oh by the way... I did a reggaetón arrangement on this one.

Chasing The Sky

This track was a fun exploration of "All The Samples From Mars" and the use of XLN Audio XO for sound discovery and drum sequencing. 

I tried to simplify things in comparison to previous tracks, to help with the mixdown and mastering. 

For example this track used 30 channels, whereas my last track used 50 channels. In my next track I'll try to go even further to 20-25 channels. Why? Less channels = less overlap in frequencies = more clarity.

How did I do this? Predominantly by using more automation on the synths and more audio effects throughout the track, particularly during transitions, in the drum, synth and atmosphere busses, rather than relying on new sounds to maintain engagement, fill the space and signal change. 

Other ways to simplify: No vocal, no sub-bass and less loops. On the last point, I'm really happy that I played in 90% of the MIDI for the drums and melodic elements, with a small handful of loops for the remaining 10% that you're hearing in the track. I think this gives the track a more authentic feeling, although the trade off is that it probably sounds a bit simple in some parts, but this will get better as my production skills level up. I'm happy overall considering I'm only 1.5 years into my journey.

The track is slightly longer than the average, with an A-B-A-C-A arrangement. Nice 1 minute intro and 2 minute outro for DJ functionality with 4 minutes of lovely narrative in between. I could do a shortened radio/streaming version if I wanted to, but it's just not worth it at this stage.

Decided to call the track "Swooping" as one of my favourite "Samples From Mars" discoveries called "Evil Butterflies", sounds like a bird fluttering and descending. 

If you fancy giving the track a spin, drop us a message and will send over the WAV. 

Enjoy! 🦅

Yeah !

Qwertya

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