STEAL THIS IDEA: Create Content Every Month #shortsongs
It’s great when folks reach out to us at The New Rockstar Philosophy. Especially when they have a really cool idea. Like the Plastic Inevitables who’ve got this cool idea for making new content every month for their fans. I asked Phillip from the band a few questions on their concept:
-What’s the idea?
The idea is to write one song each month, and it has to be under two minutes. We also have to record and release the song before the month is over, which adds to the challenge. Oh, and we need to be rehearsed enough with the song to be able to play it live at any shows that month!
-Can you lead us through a typical song from start to published video?
As soon as we’re done recording/filming the last short song, we begin the next. This usually occurs at our apartment (we’re all three roommates), with Andrew making up a bass line and Phil building the song structure around that. Then we all improvise melodies until we get something we like, and eventually fit lyrics into those.
-How has it been going?
It’s been going wonderfully. Each month we surprise ourselves, and we’ve ended up with some of our favorite songs we’ve ever written. It’s helped immensely with the writing process, being able to loosen up, grab the first thing that pops into your head and make it work.
-Any unforeseen complications?
There’s been two months where we wrote the whole song, then right before our deadline we decided to scrap it and completely start over. Both times we liked the new song 100x better than the first attempt, and it was all gravy.
The only other complication is getting the mixes down, since we do it in our practice space, with all the instruments live. The acoustics aren’t too great and sometimes it can be difficult to get good tone out of every instrument.
-what are you planning to do with the songs?
Next year we want to release “The Short Album”, re-mixed and mastered, on cassette.
-Any thing else we should know?
Each year we’re going to do a different monthly project, each of which will be designed to challenge our musicianship and push us into unknown territory. Stay tuned… – Phillip Alexander Plastic Inevitables
Music Consciousness
Voyno
Category: Instant Inspiration, Steal this idea
Great idea! It’s extremely difficult to keep up with that schedule, but very much so worth it to keep fans involved!
Plus, you split up the cost of recording a full length album into 12 monthly payments!
That’s a pretty cool idea. Under 2 minutes is great for folks like me who’ve never heard their music. It’s easier to just stop and listen, you know. Again, great idea.
Great band and a really creative concept!
Thanks everybody! If you want to hear more, here’s a playlist that plays them in order from the beginning: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6B98A9FF87FDD5F0
-Phillip
Great idea… that we are about to implement already. The way these guys are doing it is very inspirational too… We didn’t think about the “less than 2 min” aspect, neither about the “being able to play it”. Interesting idea also the “short album” !
What we had in mind was to challenge ourselves to do something out of all the little ideas that we keep recording without really having the opportunity to make something out of it.
Thanks for sharing this experience !
Our newest one is up, and we’ve got a much better practice space now! http://youtu.be/mujqfNh4abU
-Phillip