Tunelighting - One Album, One Year, Part Time

With the full album release just around the corner, in part 2 of the Big Album Reveal, the band unveils the second half of the album tracks. Jack and Rob delve into a little bit of the story behind each of the tracks, playing some clips and pulling back the curtain of some of the production secrets behind 'A Year To Live'.  Follow @thebeartax on social media for updates on the full album release and we hope you all enjoy it. Please email or message us any comments as we love to hear them all.  Thanks again to everyone for your support throughout the year, especially all the guests who helped make it an even more fun and enlightening project! See you for season 2......maybe ;)

The album launch is just around the corner and so to celebrate and to bring this series to a close Jack and Rob go through the album one track at a time, breaking down how all the individual tracks came together. This episode features the first 7 tracks with the rest of the tracks coming on part 2 next time (which will hopefully coincide with the album release!)  Please follow @thebeartax on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for band updates now and into the future.   

As we near the end of Season 1 and the album release, Rob and Jack reflect on the journey and discuss the biggest lessons they each learned along the way. The hosts ponder if they were to do it all again what would they do differently? And what advice would they give to anyone else wanting to do a similar Tunelighting project? Please follow @thebeartax on social media for the single and album release updates

Jack and Rob bring another listener and fellow Tunelighter onto the show to talk about all things songwriting and music production. Mark Newlove has been writing, producing, and performing music in bands and as a singer-songwriter for many years and in the interview he shares valuable advice and stories in this entertaining episode.  You can find more about Mark's music by following him on Instagram @marknewlovemusic  

In this week's episode, the band has a big announcement. It's time to release the first single! The hosts discuss how they are prepping for this event as well as working through some more announcements.  The first single 'One Wish' should be available in the next few days when Spotify and other services post them.  If you haven't already please follow @thebeartax on social media for more updates

Making an album isn't just about the music, ok it mainly is, but album artwork is something that shouldn't be overlooked. Whilst the band wait for their masters to be returned they are discussing the other essential things that are required prior to the album launch. Is album artwork still important? Why is it important? Why are certain covers so iconic? All this discussed and more in this week's episode.  Please follow @thebeartax on social media as we begin to post music over the coming weeks and months :) 

The album is complete and now the question arises of how to actually get people to hear it. So in this episode, the hosts speak with music marketing blogger Reagan Ramm from orpheusaudioacademy.com.    The wide-ranging conversation covers everything from picking a 'micro-genre' to using social media ads to grow quickly.    To download Reagan's fan building formula guide head to https://www.orpheusaudioacademy.com/fanbase/

With the year now up it's time to get the finished songs off to be mastered and with that in mind, Jack and Rob have realized they need to figure out which order the tracks are going to go in. This throws up more questions than they thought! As mentioned the album is now complete and we hope to release the first single in the next couple of weeks so keep an eye out! 

The year is almost up and so Jack and Rob are finishing the final mixes ready to send things off to be mastered! In this episode, the hosts talk through a track that Rob has been working on and the challenges faced in the mixing process.  As mentioned in the episode we plan to carry on the podcast for the next few months at least, there's so much more to talk about around the promotion side of music once the music is finished which we'd love to talk about, so don't worry we aren't going anywhere yet!    

In this week's episode, Jack and Rob are talking about the mixing process, which is well underway as they enter the final few weeks of the project. The hosts discuss the difficulties they are having so far and the lessons learned. And at the end, Jack heads to the Sound Gym for some mixing training.  If you like the sound of the Textur plugin from Devious Machines it is available to download here https://deviousmachines.com/texture/ Thanks to everyone who has listened so far. Please follow us on social media @tunelighting for more stuff!

Another week, another chat about something probably not that important when the deadline is only a few weeks away. Nevertheless, Jack and Rob believe there is something to be said for spending some time thinking about the album name. Jack runs through some typical techniques employed by other bands over the years. 

We love the community we have been building here at the Tunelighting podcast and so this week we reached out to one of our listeners and a fellow 'Tunelighter' himself Joel Vargas. Joel has just released his first single 'Fresh Air' which is available to download or stream now. Jack and Rob talk to Joel about his tunelighting journey, balancing music production around other activities and finally taking the big step of releasing something to the world for the first time. You can also find Joel on instagram @jvargasmusic

In this episode, Jack and Rob discuss the quite daunting prospect of asking for feedback on your music. Why do we often find it so difficult to ask others for feedback? When is the right time to ask for it and who is the right person to ask? The hosts also play a song they are working on at the end and invite listeners to send in their feedback (don't hold back!) send feedback or any messages to tunelighting@musicianshq.com or to @tunelighting on Instagram and Twitter. 

In previous episodes during this podcast series, Jack and Rob spoke about starting a song and progressing a song.  In the final episode in this particular trilogy, this episode focuses on the art of finishing songs. Jack and Rob talk about the tactics they use to get songs over the finishing line from rough ideas or demos to complete songs that are almost ready to go on the album. 

In this end of year episode, the hosts take a look back at what has turned out to be a very strange year and how that has affected the project for good or bad so far. They then start to plan what is left to be done in order to get the album finished by April 2021! Thanks to everyone that has listened so far! Please do follow us on social media @tunelighting for more updates.     

As they move from the 'demo' phase to the 'actual really song' phase, Jack and Rob have started to realise it may be time to get some advice on production from someone who knows a little more about what they are doing!  So in this episode, they speak with James Russell on of the hosts of the Appetite For Production podcast.  In the interview, James shares some of his top tips on the mixing process and debunks a few myths about plugins and equipment along the way.    Appetite For Production is available on all podcast platforms.    Music in this episode is used under fair use policy for education purposes.    If you have any questions or comments email tunelighting@musicianshq.com

This week we present another episode in the 'Albums We Didn't Write' series but with a different twist. One of the great things about collaborating on an album means you bring different influences to the project, and this week Jack and Rob challenged each other to bring in an album they love that they don't think the other one will be aware of. Each host runs down 5 things that make that album stand out to them.  Music clips are used on a fair use basis for educational purposes.       

In this episode, Jack and Rob are talking about lyrics, what they like about lyrics in music and how they might approach it in the Tunelighting project.    The episode starts with the hosts playing each other progress on the track 545454 which was previewed on last weeks show, and it turns out they have both taken it in quite different directions! Please subscribe if you haven't already and reach out to us on social media @tunelighting

In this week's episode, Rob introduces a song he has been working on for the album but has hit a brick wall with! After breaking it down so far Jack offers some ideas on how it might progress from to a completed track.  Many apologies for the poor audio quality for the first half of the episode due to Rob's 'malfunctioning' (he forgot to turn it on!) mic. Thanks to everyone that has listened so far, and to everyone that has sent kind messages in it means a lot! Find us @tunelighting on social media

After realizing they don't really know where to start with vocals on the album, this week Jack and Rob look for some expert advice on vocals. That expert advice comes from vocal coach Mary Zimmer who has the Youtube channel VoiceHacks. We chat about where to start, being realistic with what can be achieved in a short time, and how to build a vocal booth in a closet! If you want to find Mary her youtube channel is VoiceHacks or you can email about lessons to voicehacks@gmail.com    

Despite making good progress with the demos, Jack and Rob feel like they have hit a bit of a wall. They know they want to include vocals but neither of them considers themselves a 'natural' singer (whatever that means!).  In this episode, the hosts discuss why they want to include vocals, what vocals and lyrics can add to music, and inventive ways they might approach the problem.  Thanks to everyone who has listened so far. Please keep writing in and letting us know. Especially if you are writing and recording your own stuff as we would love to share it. tunelighting@musicianshq.com

After receiving multiple requests to stop talking and play some more actual music (fair enough!), in this episode Jack and Rob decided to take a look at one of the tracks they have been working on for the album.  Jack talks through how he approached this track and how it progressed, from messing around with synth sounds to the final structure. For more music clips and album progress, you can now follow the band @thebeartax on Instagram or you can also follow the podcast on social media @tunelighting.  Any questions or comments feel free to email tunelighting@musicianshq.com

In this episode, Jack and Rob discuss thoughts they've been having around using sampled instruments vs recording their own. Does it make a difference to the sound or can nobody even tell? Or perhaps it is simply about how the artist feels when they don't create all the sounds themselves? All this is discussed ending with a quiz to see if Jack can tell the difference between tracks with live and programmed drums. Email us with questions or episode ideas to tunelighting@musicianshq.com. And find us on all social media @tunelighting. 

In this week's episode, Jack and Rob sit down for a chat with fellow musician and podcast host Brian Funk. Brian has hosted the Music Production Podcast for over 3 years now as well as producing albums and EPs himself across a variety of genres. These years of experience and interesting conversations mean he has lots of useful insights and tips for the Tunelighting project.   This is actually part two of the chat with Jack and Rob also appearing on The Music Production Podcast just a couple of days before (so make sure you check that out too!)  Please email in to let us know you are listening to tunelighting@musicianshq.com or you can find us on all social media too. 

In this episode Jack and Rob ask the important question "what actually makes a great album?" and to do this they take an in-depth look at this year's nominees for the Mercury Music Prize which is a prestigious award in the UK awarded to the 'best' album of the year. Can any clues be found by looking at the winners and nominees? ----more---- There is also an announcement that has been long overdue! ----more---- Please write in to let us know you are listening or with any questions to tunelighting@musicianshq.com ----more---- All music clips in this episode are used under the fair use license due to this being an analysis and critic.  

In this episode, Jack and Rob speak with friend and fellow musician James Maloney who unlike the hosts has actually already released an album. James explains the process behind creating his 2017 album ‘Gaslight', the chat covers equipment, recording at home on a low budget and lots of other interesting insights.    If you want to listen to the rest of James' work then Gaslight is available on Spotify and elsewhere or visit www.jamesmaloneymusic.com.    If you have any guest ideas or want to be a guest yourself then email tunelighting@musicianshq.com

Rob explains how (for now at least) the podcast is moving from a weekly to fortnightly schedule, mainly to help them finish the album! But also to concentrate on making the content as valuable as possible for you! We hope to include plenty of interviews of people from musicians to producers to engineers in the near future.    We will be back with a full episode next week but in the meantime, please send any questions, ideas or even music to tunelighting@musicianshq.com    

In this episode, Jack and Rob talk about the nightmare of file organisation when writing music and the weird thought processes behind working titles for songs. 

This week Jack and Rob discuss the problem of 'endless possibilities' in terms of equipment and song/ album themes and why contrary to what most people think it is actually the enemy of creativity. This leads the hosts to make a pledge to set some limits.  Thanks to everyone who has listened so far! Please do subscribe and give us a rating on iTunes and we will be eternally thankful! Email in any ideas or questions to tunelighting@musicianshq.com

It's 3 months into the 12 month timeline, so Jack and Rob decide to use this milestone to reflect on what they have done so far, including a few short clips of some demo songs. Also in this episode, they talk about creativity and inspiration in lockdown and (after it's cancellation this year) reminisce about some great Glastonbury sets. 

As part of this journey we occasionally do a deep dive into a great album and pick out 10 things which we think make it so memorable. With the hope, it might inspire our album. The album we picked this time is A Grand Don't Come for Free by The Streets, described as a British Rap Opera, it is a truly unique piece of art. In summary, the 10 we love things are: 1) It's the ultimate concept album… 2) …but the songs work on their own merit 3) Wonderfully British 4) Humour 5) Brilliantly mundane 6) Vulnerability/honesty 7) Brilliant conveyance of internal monologue 8) Inventive storytelling formats 9) Versatile soundtrack 10) Blurring of genres  As this is a review an analysis podcast the music is used under fair use license 

In this special episode, Rob and Jack interview the first confirmed participant, apart from themselves, in the Tunelighting challenge (that of writing and recording an album in just one year part-time). It may be Rob's own brother Matt but you've got to start somewhere! The hosts ask Matt what music production he has done before, how he is approaching the daunting task, what equipment he has access to and what music is influencing him. As Matt's day job is an architect they finish with a music architecture quiz (so stick around for that….) As always, this podcast is brought to you by Musicianshq.com

Following on from episode 10 where we discussed the concept of 'resistance' in the songwriting and recording process, we decided we didn't want to leave you with no solutions, so this week we share 5 things that have helped us in the battle to overcome it. Rob also shares some lockdown field recordings that may or may not find their way onto the album somehow.  Thanks to everyone who has listened so far! 

In this week's episode, Jack and Rob talk about the topic of 'resistance'. A mysterious force that seems to appear during most creative projects, causing anxiety and doubt that manifests itself in day to day distractions.  Thanks to everyone who has listened so far please do subscribe and follow us @tunelighting on Twitter and Instagram. We'd love to hear your thoughts.  

A different episode format this week as Rob and Jack take a deep look at an album that has influenced them. That album being Origin of Symmetry by the British band Muse. The hosts pick their 10 favorite things about the album and mix in a few clips here and there of examples to bring it to life.  The episode ends with them pondering which ideas could influence the sound of their album.    (n.b as this is a review and analysis of the album clips from the album are used under fair use.) 

Jack and Rob continue their chat about how they progress an idea or a small bit of inspiration into something that starts to resemble a song. Rob asks Jack if he has any go-to tactics for this.  Thanks to everyone who has tuned in so far. Please let us know if you want to join in an create an album too, we'd love to hear from you! Email tunelighting@musicianshq.com

In the first of a two-part episode, Jack and Rob discuss taking that idea or piece of inspiration discussed in the last episode and progressing it into something that starts to resemble a song. Jack also has some big news regarding the album and has some music to share.   

In this episode, Jack and Rob discuss some of their favorite ways of starting a new song and share some lessons learned over several years of trial and error.  Please follow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more updates.  If you have any questions or ideas for future episodes email tunelighting@musicianshq.com

In this week's episode, Jack and Rob talk about the challenges and also potential opportunities collaborating remotely on an album brings. The hosts talk about techniques they use and cover some of the tools now available which has lead to some bands forming without ever meeting in person! Rob also reveals how he has fallen foul of his own rules already!  Please let us know if you are thinking about 'tunelighting' yourself or if you have any ideas for future episodes/ questions by emailing tunelighting@musicianshq.com

This week Jack and Rob are discussing musical equipment and how advancements in technology have meant that producing music at home is easier than ever before. Jack also plays a clip of a new drum track he made from items found lying around his apartment. ----more---- As mentioned in the show, if you want to see Rob's article on basic home studio setup the link is:  https://musicianshq.com/home-recording-studio-setup-for-beginners/ ----more---- Or if you want to try and build one on a budget: https://musicianshq.com/setting-up-a-recording-studio-on-a-budget-get-started-for-under-1000/ ----more---- Please email in any questions or ideas for future shows to tunelighting@musicianshq.com

As week 3 of the journey rolls around Rob and Jack are discussing band names. Is it important? Is it simply another distraction for them to avoid writing any music? Rob also has a sample of a song he started writing using only animal noises.  Subscribe to follow the journey and follow us on Instagram @tunelighting for more content.  Email any questions to tunelighting@musicianshq.com

With the task outlined in the first episode and the clock now ticking, Jack and Rob are now left wondering where to start.  Please subscribe to follow the journey through the year and if you get the chance to leave a rating it would be much appreciated! To email in any thoughts or just to tell us you are listening, send to tunelighting@musicianshq.com  This podcast is brought to you by MusiciansHQ.com  

In the very first episode of Tunelighting, Rob and Jack introduce themselves and try their best to explain the idea behind the podcast and set out what they aim to accomplish over the next 365 days. If you want to follow along for the whole journey please like and subscribe for weekly episodes!  Tunelighting is brought to you by MusiciansHQ.com