Challenge Check in 3

After my sophomore year, I took three semesters off from school. I stayed with my parents in Tampa during that. Having duly accrued amateur recording/production equipment, and with unabated support from my Father, we set out to create a demo(ish) disc of original tunes. 

It took a year and a half to finalize the project. It was our first time ever trying to produce something at that level--hence, a good amount of trial and error was involved. But the delay also owed to my lack of ability; and performing most of the melodic instruments, I had immense difficulty, and setback in executing adequate takes. Additionally, all of the songs were written when I was 16-17 years of age; and so, readdressing them at 19-20, it seemed necessary to revise the lyrics for a more refined audience (though, there are still hints of juvenile nuance). Yet, aside the lyrics, the other alterations made for the accompaniment resulted in something more of a transformation to the overall song set. (One day, when a more official webpage is set up, I'd like to display the prior versions from my high school years--which are near awful--with those made during recent times, to show their progression.) 

That task though, was in all ways an invaluable experience. I learned the degree of talent required to perform not only at a professional level, but at a satisfactory one as well. Listening to yourself is like constantly looking in the mirror; a mirror that hides no defects, and remorphs your very image at every temperament. I learned that self-criticism can escalate beyond self-infliction, and mount to a chronic self-defeat. It can always be better. I learned that, despite that being true, it is more dire to simply move on. I learned that the studio is not a stage (i.e. a point) the musician must proceed through. It is an end in itself. The studio is the songwriter's instrument--absolutely. I learned that the recording is the piece, the song, and that the performance is just the interpretation. 

During this point in my past, I recognized my future. I received the reigns to direct its precipitation. Since then, the ambitions of my Father and I, and the capabilities of our gear alike have progressed. Where I go from here is the underground. The studio we have forged since then is our Batcave, as much as it is our headquarters, from where our worldly vengeance will commence. Look for our signal. You'll know it when you see it.