First Album Essentials - The Approach
Making that first record isn’t easy. It’s a a steep learning curve that one has to go through to not only achieve their creative vision, but also to become a jack of all trades, which is becoming more essential in the world of the independent singer-songwriter / musician. For my younger friends in music, I’ve put together a list of some important things one needs to keep in mind when making that first record. It has turned out to be rather extensive, so this first post will focus on the approach.
Get a Producer
Many starry-eyed novices have walked into a recording studio, thinking that “the magic” in there alone would transform their song into the next big hit. What they don’t realise, is that there is a lot more preparation to be done beforehand. Also known as pre-production, your songs get refined to the point where their fullest potential can be realised.
When most people (myself included) begin working on their first record, they do not possess fully developed musical chops. This is where a producer comes in. With their experience and position to view your songs objectively, they can help you to achieve your creative vision.
That being said, you don’t need to go out and hire the hottest (and probably most expensive) producer. What is more important, is that you need to find someone who is better versed in music than you, whose ideas you find amazing, as well as whom you can trust with your precious songs.
If your gut tells you that said producer’s modest bedroom studio setup is going to get you the sound you’re aiming for, go for it.
Write More Songs Than You Plan to Release
More often than not, not all of your songs are going to be equally as strong. It isn’t an easy pill to swallow, but some of them are going to have to go back into the bin. But how is one going to complete their EP or album then?
To make an ideal record, where each song is strong enough to be released as a stand alone single, one would probably need to write and record twice the number of songs that are planned to be on the record. For a 5 track EP, that would mean writing at least 10 songs. You would then sit down with your producer to pick the 5 strongest songs of the batch.
What happens to the rest then? Strangely, the most productive thing to do could be to leave them in the bin for a while. Some time could offer you new perspectives and ideas for arrangements. It’s the same for me. Some of the songs i’m working on now have been lying dormant for 5 years. With the slower pace of life that I’m enjoying now in Germany, the eureka moments for these songs have finally started coming to me in a steady fashion.
If you have the financial means, you could also later indulge in releasing a collection of B-sides. However, it’s important that the B-sides are of a decent level and as part of your discography, offer insight into your musical journey. A great example is Sufjan Stevens’ “The Greatest Gift”. It also features several remixes as well, which reduces the stress of finding (and paying) 10 different producers for a whole album’s worth of remixes.
Take Your Time, But Set A Deadline!
No one is waiting for your record to come out, except you and perhaps, your mother. Does that mean you should just give up right now? Not at all! What this means is that you have the luxury of time to make this record something you can be proud of.
Through the arduous process, you’ll get to discover and concretise your musical identity. In turn, the stories and motivations behind each song become clear and weave into a larger, coherent narrative, which you can use confidently when it’s time to release and market that record. Doesn’t that sound worth taking your time?
On the other hand, you also need to handle self-crippling perfectionism. While it’s great that you want to make this record perfect, it is critical to accept the idea that in this moment, you are at your best and that it is enough. I know it’s hard because it’s your baby, but I hope that this excerpt from Zen Guitar can help you as much as it did for me:
“we spend countless hours in pursuit of perfection—the perfect tone, the perfect technique, the perfect recording. It is only through this pursuit that we come to know the poetry of imperfection. Sometimes the note bent slightly below pitch carries more impact than the one dead on, or the squeal of unexpected feedback has just the right character. Poetic imperfection is the crooked twist in the stem of a flower, the asymmetrical line of the handcrafted bowl, the knot in the piece of wood, the mole at the corner of a lip, the moon partially obscured by clouds. Somehow, the presence of these “imperfections” serves to heighten the beauty in nature, not detract from it. […] you must develop a keen sense to realize when imperfection is perfection. Know when to leave well enough alone..”
- Philip Toshio Sudo
So instead of spending an entire lifetime working on your magnum opus, decide on a realistic deadline (say 2 years to complete a 10 track album?) and stick to it, no matter what. If you do eventually come up with a better version of a song later on, you could always release it as a stand alone single or as part of that collection of B-sides.
Hope that helps! I’ll be publishing the rest of the list as soon as I set them to virtual paper. Till then, I hope you stay safe and healthy.
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