Layers

An idea for a song is thought about by someone while in the shower one day. Later that day, the main part of the idea is practiced on an instrument, while further attributes become apparent and considered. A week later, the idea is presented to others and explained. Additional aspects are practiced on different instruments. Eventually, a group of people play these instruments together, and the result is both similar to the original idea, yet other, natural qualities have emerged that weren’t considered. This continues to happen, and continues to retain and expound upon elements of the original idea.

It is then decided that a document of this process should be made. The group of people record a live version of the idea on an inexpensive analog 4 track recorder. Those tracks are later transferred to a computer and additional material is added, which they were not physically able to do in a live setting. Retention and expansion of the original idea continues. The sound of the four track recording sounds slightly different than the newly added digital tracks, so equalization is done to better match all the pieces together. Furthermore, mastering of the final recording is done which alters the sound files even further.

During this whole time, personal events happen – happy, sorrowful, wild swings of high and low emotion, intense reality. Each of these things has an effect on each individual and how they perform their recording, what time of day they recorded it, and how much they alter the performance from their individual original idea.

Eventually, the recording is heard by others. Some enjoy it, and some don’t.

But what is actually heard?