Playing and experimenting with some new techniques.

Cold - Without You

for tonight's meal I offer my blended fusion offering. A hint of Indian morsing adding a spicy tint on a techno atomic pleasure kick lattice base; with a just touch of animosity (stolen from a Trap pot when no one was looking). The main course is a Techno montage of Electrotechnika-Clap, percussive techno frostseeker with a liberal sprinkling of Permaheat and soupçon of Noises structural topped with Traditional Indian bells. The final flourish was a re-pitched loop, chopped and diced More gain - electric sunburst guitar (I just had to use that, even though I 'borrowed it from the neighbours kitchen). The dessert comprises a couple of arpeggiated synths a la Pigments with a full dose of Massive-X lead synth.

I hope you enjoy your meal

Indian - Techno; A La Carte Menu

I've been working more with the EmVoice PlugIn; trying to make the vocals sounds more human. I'm getting happier, but more to learn on this journey I suspect. What a great tool for a songwriter who can't sing well.

I wrote this song over the past few days and tried to avoid using synths and to keep the arrangement simple. I haven't quite got the bass where I want it (too complex I think).

as always, I'm happy for feedback, general hellos and critique.

Happy New Year everyone. Here's hoping for less political madness and more peaceful activities.

A Whisky And A Memory

I've used the virtual singer plugin (EmVoice) again here. I'm trying to make the vocals less robotic. A great for a non-singing songwriter.

I hope it appeals to some of you, feed back welcomed.

A Step Towards Goodbye

Making Shadows (the Sun Shines)

Laughing Hearts And Simple Ways (feat Keela Em - V)

After watching an Ableton video, on using utility devices to modify a midi pattern and how it's played by different VST instruments, I thought I'd have a go. This whole track was developed that way in a single session last night. It was a lot of fun to make, and I learned some new things a long the way.

Experimental

I'm trying to programme drums to mirror what I'd play for real. On the way I built a track around it, experimenting with layers and using EmVoice's Keela virtual singer to sing my lyrics.

Boundary, Space, Evermore

Underline

A pop ballad using drums, percussion and other stems from the Cymatics competition sound pack. I used EmVoice to sing my lyrics.

Maurus McNL – PHOENIX KISS (PHOENIX Song Contest)

Borealis

Let's try to find a place for peace this Christmas
A season of goodwill and hope for all

Verse 1
Darkened nights, filled with darkened souls
Seeking answers to the question's call
Why is the world in peril's reign 
The temperatures drop it all stays the same
 
Chorus
Let's try to find a place for peace this Christmas
A season of goodwill and hope for all
If we all join hands and -  try to sing together
Maybe we can step into a better world

Verse 2
Seasons pass, the lights shine anew
Peace is on earth for a chosen few
Why is the world in perils thrall
Our defences drop and the poor will fall

Verse 3
Darkened nights lead to brighter days
There's hope for peace in so many ways
Lets smile together, push rage away
Remember each other lets respect today

A Place For Peace (this Christmas)

I've always enjoyed using traditional folk instruments in a more modern hybrid genre way - I've used one of my favourite instruments here; an Irish bouzouki, with a fiddle and some hybrid strings and a Substance bass; and of course some drums. I hope you like it.

From times of darkness
come times of grey
New shoots against the sky
a glimmer of hope to come
Silhouettes of my life 
cast shadows with a silver edge
reach out for life, reach for the sun
reach out for the life, it's just begun

From times of sadness
Come times I'd like to say
Come hold me close today
Underneath the setting sun
Silhouettes of my life 
cast shadows with a silver edge
reach out for life, reach for the moon
reach out for the life, it's not too soon

Grey (Life's Just Begun)

Verse 1
If I walked from here to eternity
My infinity shoes will find the way
Watching stars, watching the world go by
No guide can show, words to shape my soul
Close my eyes, fall into darkness I'll never know
Take my hand, show me the way

Chorus
Sharing whisky, watching the moon
Listen to your breathing
Sharing secrets, Hide from their eyes
Listen to your heartbeat
Another day is ending
Another dream has gone
Another day is ending
Too soon. Too soon

Verse 2
If I reach from here to infinity
My eternity boots will mark the way
Hearing calls, hearing the world call out
No one can find words to shape your soul
Hide my fears, run into darkness I'll never show
Take my hand, free me today

Too Soon

Do You Know

Looking from the shadows, a blink and then it's gone
A life passing by, is there hope in the wind?
Open your hand, catch it if you can...

looking from the dark side

An author friend of mine has set up a new publishing business (the Ministry of Lies). I've joined as Editorial Assistant and am in the process of scoring a soundtrack for an audio story soon to be released. This is by no means the finished version, but I thought I'd share anyway.

https://ministryoflies.co.uk/

the Traveller (a soundtrack)

This is a soundtrack I composed for the NaNot Writers group I am part of. We set each other writing challenges (rather like Metapop used to do for composers/producers).

Forth

Verse 1
In torment I cry a thousand tears
I believe in
dreams from the darkness
In torment I scream a thousand fears

Chorus
I whisper my name to the moon
I cling to the colours
I cling far too soon
I see faces
In wrong places
I hide in my dreams
I'm hiding in my dreams

Verse 2
Before my sanity takes flight
I look far
beyond the darkness  
Where my mind hides so far from the light

Verse 3
In chaos I speak a thousand lies
I scream through the
curtains in darkness
In chaos I whisper in my mind

Whispers

The outcome of a little experiment. I'll be a way from Soundcloud for a few weeks working on a writing project, so this is a clearing of the mind piece as much as anything.

and back again

Native Instruments have joined forces with Highnote and started something that possibly a bit like Metapop. I didn't have a lot of music time, but thought I'd have a go at the 1st challenge. Not my best, but a bit of fun at a gloomy time in the world.

#1 espresso - MM Remix (the kitchen challenge)

Chorus
I see your eyes 
I see your smile
On every page
I hear my sighs
Since we said goodbye
You said goodbye

Verse 1
I cried a thousand tears
I saw them float away
I reached out to the stars
Told them my name
Remember my name
La la la laa la
You'll be in my  dreams
You won't set me free

Verse 2
I watched a thousand fears
I felt them come my way  
I reached out to the stars
Told them your name
Called out your name
La la la laa la
You'll be in my  dreams
You won't set me free

Outro
Call out my name
I'm in your dreams
Call out my name
I'm in your dreams

Dreams

This is my entry to the 2nd Highnote - Native Instruments challenge.
The brief - using at least one element provided compose a horror chase track.


#2 Horror Chase - Never look behind you

I searched for the sound 
of the wolf in my head
And I climbed on high
Even if I don't know why 
I had to touch the sky
I felt the songs of a thousand years
Inside my heart 
Inside my heart 

I walked to the door
I brushed the clouds away
Watching the sunrise
through the colours in my mind
I wonder if you hear
The songs of a thousand years
Behind my eyes
Behind my eyes

They'll sing forever more
They'll watch forever more
I'll dream forever more
My soul longs for more
I run towards the door
 
And then I stop..!  

I stop just for a minute
Then I started to wonder
Sentimental moments 
Surround me 
Arms around me

I've got the feeling 
I'm being watched
But I don't care
Because I know that you are there
Somewhere
Somewhere

I searched for the sound 
of the wolf in my head
I walked to the door
I brushed the clouds away
I had to touch the sky
I wonder if you hear
The songs of a thousand years

Inside my heart 
Behind my eyes
Inside my soul
Within my songs
 
(words – G Wortley: updated 9 Nov 2024)

Free flow

des larmes pour demain

Skies

A friend of mine in the NaNot Writers group wrote a line about a faded memory on the wallpaper. This kept coming back to me over and over, and it triggered me to write this song. Thanks Jeni for the inspiration (and being such a great writer.)

Verse 1
Memories have faded
Before my eyes, just like my mind
The room was always brighter
The songs were always wild 
Just like painted visions
I look for, but I, cannot find

Verse 2
Conversations jaded
Inside my head, another time 
The stars were always brighter
Our  plans were always wild
Just like distant treasures
I reach for, but I, cannot find

Chorus
In the shadows
In the whispers
In the darkness
Between your sighs
In the shadows
In the stories
The black road track
No turning back
From all your lies

Black Road Track

Feather

Mountains of the sea

Exploring an unknown space within my soul
calling your name, calling your name
waiting for the echo
to answer
to answer my call
Are you there?
I close my eyes and wait
for the touch, to say you're near
your feathers brush my heart
waiting for the echo
answering my call

Calling...

By day I work in the world of biological sciences. By night though, I like to create. I'm a drummer/percussionist with a lot of years of gigs under my belt, but I also like to write songs, music and stories and poetry. I am master of none but I get a lot of satisfaction experimenting and making words and music.

A blast from the past: I laid the drums and percussion on this Prog-Rock album by Stealing the Fire. https://stealingthefire.bandcamp.com/album/king-of-shadows

'my' band Pelerin blue has released a back catalogue as a omnibus album (To Fly Again) and can be found on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and many other places  https://open.spotify.com/artist/5j8TUM8qcCTHEiMyMVEPSe?si=eyH_FfubQq2xJYm__NTaKg

I'm also on many music streaming site including spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wBG3pAilbQU4WWsgDDt67?si=jIT88CigQ0uK7jwIiLWubw

For my own creations I'm not tied to any particular genre, nor in my listening and nor am I particularly good at recognising particular genres.

I'm open to feedback, comment, critique and generally saying hi.

Maurus McNeil

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