The Kintners Music

The Magazine Rocks!

The first thing I’d like to mention is that we are shipping the magazine soon. Still several days to Halloween, hope to make it by then to the hands of subscribers. It has been a great ride. I got to interview the most amazing Jazzy/Bluesy singer-songwriter from Kenya. She has taught me a lot with her words and music. She’s been very kind. Sharmi Surianarain is one of us, whatever else she is on top of that. Very nice person, very talented, and a thinker.

So, this one is off in the mail soon. I enjoy the magazine when I am in the mood for it. I think Chris’s art gets me going. Thanks, Chris Triggs, for all the drawings I get to color. I can’t wait until coloring time. It helps my brain somehow. I just use crayons, but it’s plenty for me to do the good things coloring can do. The magazine in general helps my brain. I think it is holding it, coloring it, but I am not really sure.

It’s a lot of work, that’s why it’s once a quarter. Also, I had hoped other folks would see it and want to make their own. I like leaving them a spot on the calendar for that. I don’t care for today’s marketing techniques of trying to be ever-present in someone’s brain. I’d rather be on the shelf for when you want. I am not worth that much brain time to anyone. But my music might be worth vibing to. My magazine might be worth reading when you want a magazine. I’d rather the focus be on the stuff, not me living in your brain. I got a nice place, you keep that brain to yourself, if you can.

Change in venue

I parted ways with SUBVERT.FM. I don’t think we are a decent match after all. But I wish them well!

Album update

The Kintners album we are working on probably won’t be done by Christmas as planned. But the Christmas portion is being dropped on December 1st. The same band as the record is playing it. It is like a Christmas sampling of the record. The same crew, the same technicians, and the same format with a live and a studio version. Just keeping the Christmas separate, on time for Christmas, and using it as a trial for the head honcho coming later.

VIDEOS!

I really enjoy making the YouTube videos. I made one recently of the song I made for Djembe Funk. I am crazy about how easy my software is at the moment. I know that can change at the drop of a hat, but for now? wooohoo. I enjoy easy software, a lot. I don’t like learning things I feel like folks should be paying me to learn. I want to learn things for other reasons. Tape 24 DAW is easy, sounds good, and also it’s easy. If you can play it, it will sound good. What I need in my life right there.

Here is the video.

In closing

This week a few folks have confronted me with how they see me. It’s been eye-opening. I can tell they think they are speaking for others. The only thing is, I have been confronted with assumptions that are not true. I thought folks were better than that I hung out with. But apparently we all need a little work. Not just me.

Before you take on a condescending attitude and approach folks with accusations you know absolutely nothing about, might be a good idea to do a google or ask probing questions. Friendly suggestions. Be a journalist. Somebody, please.

Kelly Kintner

Bandcamp Djembe Funk

Bandcamp The Kintners

“Brand-Name Believers.”

I have been writing with Keri almost 10 years. I get very excited for the songs we come up with. We’ve made folks cry, we have cheered folks up. We have traveled, we have played here in town. We have made a couple of records. We have made lots of singles and EP’s. I love this life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The next step is digging into that. 

We are making a 20-song studio album. Then we are turning around and performing songs for a live release in the garage. 40 tracks! A double-double. We want to perform always when we release something, so we are taking matters into our own hands there, and sharing that too.

The Horse’s Mouth is almost out there!

Right now we have to finish up the magazine: Sharmi Surianarain’s interview and Chris Triggs’ artwork. The Dino story, Doc’s review, insight from John Gilbert, and Marc Schuster showed up talking about vampires. Keri is busy putting us all together like she does. Very happy for the magazine. It feels good.

I have been writing a lot. I feel it. It happens. I think structures we build and policies that get passed are thinking that comes to life. My songs, to me, are like that. But they are my emotions that have come to life. I feel that very strongly at the moment. Maybe I am a little emotional.

Something old something new.

Keri and I write songs that hopefully have a nostalgic vibe but a current or relevant message. That is our goal on nearly every song. We love all genres, I think. But only relate to the songs in those genres that vibe or give us messages. So we go for that too.

This was 4 or 5 years ago at a songwriting showcase we were invited to play. It was a magical night. I love the pictures, still.

We are planning on toting our PA and Merch to house shows when album is complete.

House shows are amazing. Much of my life they happened impromptu, unorganized. But now there’s circuits! There’s schedules. There’s even money! My buddies, Jaime and Shannon, they sent me Shannon’s book about it. They’ve had luck with it, not just in payment. But it feels like another one of those “good” things like the magazine. Link to purchase book on Shannon’s website, HERE! (PS: I love the 80’s Kids Bandcamp!)

A safe record, but not playing it safe.

These are hard times. I think I am motivated to have good times because of them. It feels like the good times are now important. I want to be part of what helps, what heals. That includes some justice, sure, but it also includes some tranquil vibes. I have sought safety my whole life until Keri. Now that I have it, I’d like to help there with others, if only for the length of a song.

Kelly Kintner

Here is a YouTube premiering tonight at 5:00 PM if you like. “Dino’s Stash” is complete, it is mastered, and I made a video. Comes alive at 5 Central.

No Golden Eras

I don’t think YouTube is in its best time. I am suspicious of it. If I happen to scroll through it, I feel very disappointed in humanity in general. It is also aggressive with guessing what I want instead of just letting me tell it. I don’t understand some options like posting like social media and nothing happening. But, considering the alternatives for storing a video online, I suppose it isn’t that bad, after all.

I can’t wait to livestream

Almost a month ago, I ventured back to YouTube. I have video content, and I enjoy playing for the camera. I am also starting a livestream soon, and I like YouTube for that too. So talking in front of the camera now helps me for then. Getting angles and lighting right. Getting content together. Then? LIVE! SOON!

Debbie’s Daughter, Live

I uploaded a video yesterday called “Debbie’s Daughter Live.” It is an older song, and I played it for the camera and Myrtle microphone. It was fun. I will do it again. I have lots of songs that work like that.

Gray Matters

I uploaded “Gray Matters” for this morning too. Also an older tune. I love it still. I think it brings up important points. I also think the sound is cool.

What’s in a thumbnail?

I will be using this YouTube channel. I have even read about thumbnails, uploading in advance, easy stuff to make the videos pop that doesn’t feel cheesy or wrong. I hope it all helps, but am not terribly bothered if it doesn’t. It was easy and fun to do. Not wasted time or anything.

“The Crab Song, Tape 24 Demo”

I have nearly 800 views already on a demonstration video. I don’t think that means much, but I also don’t mind it. Haha.

Back to collaborating

I talked recently about how I want to take care of collaborators. I want them to have links for friends. I want them to be able to look at something if they need to, reminding them of their handiwork. I want them to have enjoyed the song, enjoyed the project, and like the mementos coming from it. This is that. But I am also a collaborator too. I like it for myself, as well. YouTube may not be at a high point, but it is at an easy one. Take what we can get.

Even though I am on YouTube, please avoid scrolling that thing.

I do think scrolling YouTube is bad for your brain, though. It is infuriating. It is like someone guessing what you are trying to say all the time and being wrong about it, interrupting your story. My brain is like that. It gets distracted. It forgets. When the computer throws guesses at me, I get sidetracked and a little pissed. I know what I want. I wouldn’t be trying to type on the computer if I didn’t. You’d think it’d know that much. Maybe it does. I can’t tell.

You’re right to be suspicious

I am suspicious of everything about YouTube, to be honest. But I am also lonely with a ton of content. I need to be “out there” somehow, and I don’t like streamers, don’t like Bandcamp really, but I do it. I think YouTube is very invasive. It wouldn’t surprise me if they recorded you sleeping and posted it somewhere. Nothing surprises me in that realm anymore. Privacy is an antiquated notion. None of us have it if we can’t afford it. It is a privilege.

We don’t have to love it and trust it to use it, just like anything else.

I just make video content I want you to see if you like our stuff. So while I don’t trust YouTube as far as I can throw it, I do know if I use a smaller video service, I might be out some money. I won’t get folks to click on my shit. And I have the learning curve of a new platform. Plus, other video services seem deeply tied, almost integrated with social media of some sort, and I am not interested in that vibe in my life right now.

The Crossroads decision, every meal.

These decisions are circling every single company right now. It sucks, a lot. I do not feel “good” about using anything with a brand name on it. I feel like I wouldn’t even know they existed without micro-targeting, and that isn’t “good.” The profit motive makes them come off like crooked politicians, offering services in exchange for part of my soul. Posting a video shouldn’t be the crossroads kind of decision, but it is. Anything is. Eating fast food is a moral dilemma. Pick your battles. Enjoy your lunch.

I am struggling, frankly, in some ways

I have a hard time navigating this world. I feel like in the early 2000s, the world started heading one way, and I was on another path. I get the sensation we are too far down our perspective paths to reunite. It’s not like I want to lose the world; I am willing to meet it in a few spots. But some of the demands, I find utterly ridiculous. I refuse to be on a social media gridline of thoughts, beliefs, rants, and the computer feeding me what it’s paid to, not what I want or am looking for. It even disguises what it is paid to present me as what I am looking for. I hate that deception. It is world-altering. It doesn’t even help if I am smart. I am lonely. That means I am a target audience.

But Keri

I don’t feel like I belong here at all. I don’t feel accepted. I don’t feel respected. I don’t feel loved by anyone except Keri. I am happy for that though. Keri is more than most folks get in their whole life. We have built for over a decade together. No matter what happens, we were lucky for that.

This isn’t my world. I get it. So YouTube. yeah.

Kelly Kintner

Youtube

I am a team player.

I began a journey several years ago as a collaborative-type musician. I love all the instruments, only play a few. I love hearing people play on tunes Keri and I have written. I love listening to indie musicians and getting their sounds in my head, then asking them to join where I hear them. I love the camaraderie. I love working on songs as a group. I love correspondence. So it made sense for me to pick this route. What I am learning today has to do with all that.

If they like you, they probably won’t critique you, which is a shame.

As a bipolar person, I have an impulsive streak. Maybe not a streak, to be honest. Maybe I have a gaping chasm of impulsivity that governs at least half of my behavior. Thinking years down the road is not my strong suit. But I am getting better. I try. I feel bad about hastily removing or taking down videos and songs. Some had collaborators who could have possibly given their friends and family those links. I was wrong to go about leaving socials the way I did. I was wrong to take some things down. I am trying to correct as much as possible with quality ingredients, but most of the musicians I have worked with do not speak to me anymore. They used to be friendly. I have to guess why that is. They won’t tell me. Perhaps if we were strangers, I’d get an earful of why I piss them off that I could use in choosing future behavior. I just have to guess. Friends don’t do that anymore. I lose out on that, as a mental patient. Friends have historically helped me with honest talks. Aside from Keri, this rarely ever happens anymore, despite having “friends.”

Learning can be painful, for everyone.

As I am still making lots of music, still collaborating, I am trying my best to make plans for the music and assets to be somewhere for a long time, and that’s specifically for collaborators. They deserve that for helping. I am very sorry I never thought of this until recently, if you have collaborated with me. I guess I haven’t thought about numbers, or anyone else liking the songs, or how convenient it might be for you to share a link of a song you’re on, or how nice it is when the art looks nice for you to share with a non-muso. I am learning still, that much never changes, I hope. The downside is sometimes folks get hurt. I don’t want to hurt anyone, ever, not even MAGAs. But if I am not thinking of them, and taking actions, someone is bound to get stomped on. It isn’t aimed at anyone, I even do it to myself.

What about a book on a psychiatric disorder? Pick a disorder, doesn’t have to be mine. Maybe you know someone with a different one.

I wish everyone could read “Bipolar Disorder for Dummies” or something, but seeing as I am a small percentage of the population, allegedly, no one has time for it except Keri. I’ve tried to get family to read it so they could learn how much of me is in that book, how much of me is mental illness, but no one has except Keri, that I know of. The rest of the family besides Dad hasn’t spoken to me in years. Not even my kids, sister, no one. I wonder if we’d still talk if they had read it, I don’t think I’ll ever know. One of those tough pills for me.

I don’t expect forgiveness, I don’t expect a loaded inbox. I just want to do what is right.

I do not expect grace from anyone. I don’t think expecting grace is graceful, one of my many religious issues. But I find it applies with people too. I think I would get a little more if everyone read that book. But I would never expect them to.

A Promise:

I vow from here on out to take care of collaborators, even years after release. I also promise to get older material looking sharp and posted nicely somewhere so collaborators can click on their handy-work. They have earned that much. Even if we no longer speak, they already have that in the bank. This is how it’ll be, sera.

For the future:

When you think about a collaboration, you may not be thinking a year or five down the road. I urge you to consider that in your initial plans. It is always nice when they come back for round 2. If they can’t find their stuff online, they might not bother.

Kelly Kintner

Editor, Producer

YouTube (this is pretty new, trying to make it nice)

(23 people on this one CD.)

Metallica hates politics, at least now.

James Hetfield of the band, Metallica, has come out against musicians with political agendas. If you aren’t a Metallica fan, great! But if you are, you know the band’s whole message throughout the 75 years they’ve been plaguing the airwaves is political. Hell, for over 20 years, the band couldn’t seem motivated to put out a tune that wasn’t political. Don’t believe me? What about-

And Justice for All

Eye of the Beholder

The Shortest Straw

One

Disposable Heroes

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Blackened

Fight Fire With Fire

Don’t Tread on Me

etc..?

There seems to be no end of Metallica political songs on politics, yet musicians, according to James, need to not have a “political agenda.”

I want to write a couple things about this; something I have said before, and a new thing.

I think folks have a very hard time admitting they’re wrong. People die over it, always have. They can’t admit to themselves they’ve messed up. So I don’t expect an apology or response from James Hetfield after I rip him to shreds here. He obviously can’t take it. This is just for us, for funsies.

He’s just a bitch.

James Hetfield has always been a whiny bitch worse than Axl Rose. This was my scene back in high school and jr high. I didn’t like Metallica then because James Hetfield liked to bitch about touring. It was a big deal with him, “Touring kills.” They started doing cover tunes, I guess, when they decided they were against talking about politics. I liked the political songs better. James also bitched a lot about being sober, like he was missing out. That’s not the point of sobriety, James. The point is so you don’t miss out. He had popular band, he had a lot of money, and he wasn’t even good. Fine, just don’t tour. It’s not like you can’t go to the mall every day of your life and never go broke. You totally can.

That time they were right about something, not singing it, was political too.

James and Lars were also vocal against Napster. They were right. The fact they were right makes them extremely wrong now. Way to tarnish that one time when you had a point, on politics, being activists. Like rockstars.

James Hetfield is troublesome for me, always has been. It’s not because he’s grumpy. I am often grumpy, not a deal-breaker. It’s because he seems childishly unaware. That isn’t what I like to think about with heavy serious music. So I haven’t listened to them in ages.

He’s either childishly unaware or a fascist, or both.

The fascists do not want conflicting messages or thought-provoking music. With the exception of Wagner, the fascists’ music sucks. Wagner predates fascism, so even he gets a break there. Hitler just liked him. Hetfield isn’t so lucky with me.

Protesting in the South.

As a protest musician in Texas I get some flack sometimes for songs like, “White Male Paradise.” That’s okay. If you don’t dig that song, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t like you anyway. It’s funny, but it is true. I think that is fun, considering I wrote back in 2015. I think it is useful to listen again now and hear us battling the same damn things. So it doesn’t bother me when folks here call me names. Over ten years later and still feels good to have written is a feeling I will take over anything.

You have to practice being wrong and being fine with it these days.

I often write songs when I learn I have been wrong about things. IF those things are political, it is going to be a political song. I am willing to bet Hetfield’s process is different. He would not care about what other musicians think or say if he was rooting for them.. but if he’s only rooting for himself, we get, “shut up.” He would have to admit being wrong on the regular to be open to new ideas. I don’t see that as his strong suit.

It’s not even a new trick.

James Hetfield pulled a classic fascist rocker move by trying to tell young folks what to say. It could have been J Edgar Hoover, Trump, McCarthy (who James actually wrote a song against), or Kid Rock, or Musk, they’re all the same, but it was Metallica’s singer. This is what is known as being a bully. He really is a bully. He’s admitted to horrible hazing acts to bassist Jason Newstead after Cliff Burton passed away, called him the “whipping boy”. See, James is using his position to make others please his sense of preferences. Why folks can’t prefer everyone to be happy and free, I do not know. James wishes they’d shut up about politics during a fascist regime change in the USA. Maybe it hurts his sales? Why should we all suffer for that? Also, what about being an old bitchy rocker who makes a lot of cover tunes is good for sales?

“Stick to music, no politics.”

I’ve been told many times to not talk or sing about politics, I use that as an invite. It means someone is there that needs to hear an opposing point of view, stat. They could be fascist already if not on the way. They must learn to be wrong. How can I not do it? I actually care about people, development, safety, rights. How can I not inform folks those things actually do exist? Isn’t that my duty as an artist? What do folks escape to in music if it isn’t freedom?

I have a whole set of music, just for you “guys”.

If I play for anyone, but especially turd fascists like James Hetfield, they get the protest set. I will not let them bully me into playing just the songs they want to hear. They can listen to Metallica. I play what I can perform well. That energy is protest energy sometimes.

The crowd that doesn’t want to hear protest but buys my ticket…

The crowd has been known to have this preference too, not jut musicians, and promoters. Depending on where I am at, I get booed offstage. Has happened. I was booed offstage once promoted as a protest singer. “WMP” was a little too much for them? The crowd learns their form of bullying from folks like James Hetfield, probably Metallica fans. I wouldn’t buy a ticket for a protest singer not expecting some protest, but I guess that is just me.

I am not an option on a menu. I am a human, I got these songs I wrote..

“Stick to music,” they will say. Why? Because it is so rewarding? It pays so well? It’s easier? We don’t have a fascist regime in this country? Stick to being an audience, I say. I will not cater to your preferences, I will cater you mine. *Artist.

Kelly Kintner

The Horses Mouth

The Kintners

Djembe Funk

The Horse’s Mouth is getting near..

We are putting issue number two together. It is hard work, but not that hard. We end up spending a lot of time working on something together doing these types of deals. I like that a lot. I like that Keri likes that too.

I have had an issue with just about every program over-correcting and being a jackass. It started with voice-to-text, and now those kinds of errors are in art programs, DAWs, and anything else I use. I hate computing lately. I used to be a big fan. But it isn’t the same. Sad for those of us who liked it before it guessed what you wanted, or made you guess from menus. All this to say, I am hand-coloring the art.

Our magazine looks homemade anyway, not like I can detract from that with actually coloring. Besides, I love the artwork of Chris Triggs, over in Wales. I love the artist too. I’m excited to hand-color his work. I just have to find some table space.

Over in YouTube land…

I am putting thumbnail pics on the YouTube. If anyone is curious, I read a whole lot of marketing crap about increasing traffic and the most non-harmful thing you can do without breaking any rules, and get the most results, thumbnails. Weird but ok, world.

Dino’s Stash

The staff of the magazine came together again. We had Marc Schuster on drums. We had John from Voodoo Planet on guitar. We had Dino DiMuro “himself” doing sound effects which he’s brilliant at. Keri came in and did a great defense of lip hair. I show a bounce on YouTube, but that is before final tweaking and the mastering of bkbirge. As soon as the final is done, I will put in the treasure chest.

Maybe you’d like an updated link list?

Linktree for magazine, (treasure chest, digital issue, contacts and staff, subscribing, comments, and more!)

Youtube

Subvert Kintners

Subvert Djembe Funk

Email: thekintnersmusic@gmail.com

After the magazine goes out, I’ll be hard at work on The Kintner Double Album. I am excited about the new tools, and some old ones. I am most excited for the new songs. Can’t wait.

Kelly Kintner

What’s in a spelling?

I do not spell well. I don’t use a lot of fancy tools for writing because I don’t like them and am afraid I won’t sound like me. Sometimes errors slip out. Like several times a day, lol.

To spell a word wrong and absolutely zero folks in my life notice.

A year ago I made a video called “Citrus Fruit” in which “citrus” is misspelled twice. I just noticed it as I reposted it to my new YouTube. The last place that video was posted, saw a little traffic. Not much, but certainly some friends. I say friends, but if they can’t even tell me I misspelled a word for several months, maybe I don’t know who they are.

What is an “online friend?” Have I been mistaken?

I am not knocking anyone, I am being serious. Maybe I just think all these online people are friends. Maybe they don’t even think that. Who could blame them in that case for not helping me at least that much? But if they are my friends, and it is the norm to let friends go on like that without a courtesy nod towards spelling, what kind of friends are they?

Gorillas would have caught it, (if they were online and could spell).

Why do you have friends? Me? I feel fortified somewhat with a group or club. I feel like if I maintain friends, then someone is in my life who says “what’s up?” Much like animals checking each other for ticks, I think this friendship stuff has vitality purposes. In fact, much of my vitality resides wanting to do things with friends. These are folks who are more than capable of correcting my spelling.

What video we talking about?

There is also the possibility that no one I know actually saw video. Youtube says how many, but not who. Even then, some stranger is likely to whip out, “nice spelling, moron,” or whatever strangers say.

I slept that day.

And lastly, what if no one noticed? I didn’t. It is possible no one pointed it out because no one noticed it. I guess this means nothing in that case. But over 200 folks allegedly saw it when it was up last. I think that’s fun. Here is the new version, spelled correctly, at least I hope.

Citrus Fruit, Djembe Funk Video

Kelly Kintner

Good morning!

Good morning! Just a quick note to let you know I’ve started a YouTube channel. There are six videos up as I write this. Some are new, and a few are from the last time I had a channel. Either way, the oldest stuff on there goes back about a year, so it’s all relatively recent.

I’m allergic to most modern mixing.

What I hope to do with this channel is help folks like me bridge the gap between not wanting to learn any more software and still wanting to learn more about music.

I like it the hard way. (But it is actually easier for folks like me.)

Tape DAWs help with that immensely. But so does mic placement. Using the right tools, rather than simply the brand names you like, helps too. I can verify that. Learning creative writing exercises for lyrics instead of relying on ChatGPT helps. It also gives me a way to sort things out in my head and improve my mood. Win/win.

I want more of this in my life.

There are so many things you can do to improve a recording before you ever hit the record button. Software companies might beg to differ, but you can engineer a surprising amount of modern mixing right out of the process from the beginning.

I’m into that.

Does it sound good before you mix it? What if it did?

For about a year now, I’ve been fascinated with the idea of creating the sound I want in the real world and then capturing it well. The goal is to have something that already sounds the way I want it to before mixing even begins.

It takes longer. It presents its own challenges. But somehow, it’s more fun.

I don’t enjoy trying to turn something from a software menu into the sound I have in my head. That’s just me. I’m much more interested in hearing something in my head first and then chasing it down in the real world.

Legos: Great toys, but also toys.

Otherwise, I feel like I’m playing with Legos. The blocks they give me are fine. Legos are cool and all, but when it comes to music, I need something more organic and a little less stiff.

Come join me.

I’m at a really fun point in my journey with songwriting and production, and I’d love for you to visit.

If subscribing is your thing, please do!

I’ll be adding tutorials, livestreams, conversations about songwriting and music, music videos, editorials on music and entertainment, protest music, and even an indie countdown.

There’s plenty more to come.

Join up, hang out, and make yourself at home. You’re invited!

Kelly Kintner

The Horses Mouth

The Kintners

Djembe Funk

It isn’t about what I can do, it’s about what I want to do.

I have run across folks recently who swear on a brand of DAW and have told me I am being silly about not liking Reaper. One guy even told me, “I am a boomer, if I can do it, anyone can.” (Sorry boomers out there, he said it… although he did say it in typical boomer fashion, I must say. lol.)

Understand when someone doesn’t like a product, it doesn’t mean they can’t use it. I have been on computer DAWs since 2002 (Cool Edit Pro 2.0) and have seen the decline of software design over the last 20 years. It isn’t because I don’t like technology that I don’t find Reaper attractive, it’s because I have been a technology fanboy a long time. And it sucks now. I welcome tech that makes sense, but that is not what we got now. Also, GenX. Even a young one, at that. 

In a previous life…

Many folks don’t know or remember that I started writing about video games in the late 90’s. I was on some decent sites. Even got paid a couple of times. I used to say, “I am passionate about video games.” That cracks me up, these days. I don’t play games anymore. I’ve tried a couple out. I am not opposed to them. But they suck now. If only they had a game with crafting in it…

A question for Google:

I asked Google, “Why does software suck so bad compared to the 2010’s?”

The litany of possible reasons is spectacular. Thanks, Google. 

If it sucks so bad, I’m not using it.

So me and Google and friends, folks I meet in forums, and even boomers think software sucks. It’s not reliable. Voice to text isn’t even as good as it used to be. And video games are some kind of commitment I get no joy in. As someone who’s been at this nearly thirty years, I feel very much like a fish out of water. And I like this stuff. If I didn’t like it, I’d be looking at desert shanty towns for a new location. Might anyway.

Learn the craft, not the software.

I have gotten better at technique, musical knowledge, performing, editing, recording, writing lyrics, arrangement, even promotion, and album art. During the time I was getting better, the software got a lot worse. I find my only way to be “okay” with that is to do it myself. I don’t need the same software I used to. I still use some, but it has me figured out, at least today. I am very fortunate I learned music this whole time, not software. And that’s kinda’ my point.

Learning a DAW is fine. We need those folks. But that is not learning music. It is learning software. If that floats your boat, great! But I don’t want to learn software for fun. I like making noise. Also, I learned Logic Pro pretty well, and when they integrated silly features that started around update 12.0, I dropped them like an STD. It was no longer the aesthetic or tool set I was looking for. But they didn’t offer to compensate me anything for learning their DAW and turning my friends on to it. They never said thanks for sharing on the internet and the hours you spend on this thing. Learning software is a ripoff. If it doesn’t change hands, it will update. They even change the payment methods! Video game memories haunting me now. 

The plague hitting home musicians right now. I daresay, a plague on the indie scene as a whole.

We talk about the bedroom musician sometimes and one of those components is usually software. Depending on which DAW they use and their level of proficiency, I am often able to tell which DAW they’re using. I have tried many. I am not looking for an answer in software anymore. I know it is going to be hard. I know it will have proprietary terms I will always be translating in my head to the musical ones. I know folks stare so hard at the waves, graphs, meters, lights, that they can’t hear the music playing through their ears. They see it somehow and call it good. Me, I am folks. We all know that we have a hard time reading texts while talking to someone over a meal. But for some reason, folks seem to prefer mixing that way. These kinds of obstacles hinder the bedroom musician like a plague on the whole scene. 

They probably won’t change.

The software industry is pretty consistent. They want more and more  tech,more subscriptions, more time on the computer, more processing, more AI, more money. The whole time I have known them, even writing in their magazines, that has been their behavior. I don’t see them any differently today. And I see them.

I refuse now.

I don’t want to learn any more of their bullshit. I feel tired and burnt out, and also happy that I have figured out a way to record and distribute music with minimally invasive software that has a nice low learning curve. There are no menus in the DAW I am using now, TAPE 24. I hear what I want in my head, I go after it. I am not trying to find the closest thing on a huge list. I am much happier that way. 

If you want to make changes, do it. I did it in phases. It is better if you like writing music you like.

I think other folks are like me, too. If you are scared of making changes, I did it in phases. They often overlapped. I might be quitting one DAW, finishing up projects, opening new ones on a different one. I might have leaned on the iPad too much at first when I got rid of my cell phone. But now that I am able to work with a smile on my face in the music room, I don’t think about it much. I have met folks in forums who say “You cannot be a musician these days without social media.” This is false. Not only do I not have a social media, tons of musicians I work with don’t have one either. No time. I got a Christmas song and a collaboration still scheduled for today. Don’t sell yourself short when you give yourself additional time and fewer distractions. With me, music happened.

Learn to use your brain for yourself, not an IP.

The main thing, back to the title of this one, be careful what you learn out there. Very few people are beating down your door trying to teach you anything, except software companies. They are happy to let you work for them at your job or even for free in your bedroom studio. They are happy to teach you loads of jargon and even a philosophical approach to picking from menus and being observed. I promise, it is more fun to learn without inviting those guys over. Good luck.

Kelly Kintner, Producer, Songwriter