Good Morning

So it has almost been a year since my last post.

In my absence quite a few things have happened, the least of which is the delay of my album (of course, one can always argue that many other events less important have occurred, such as my last haircut or the time my roommate disinfected my giant teddy bear.)

I return bearing good news, or at least news that I hope will be received well. In the past year, I've faced a lot of decision making and a bit of turmoil regarding my music. I even lost my ability to sing for two months thanks to a nasty bacterial infection. My tonsils still aren't the same, but everything works and I'm grateful for that.

However, I've decided to go ahead with the release of my solo musical debut. The track listings have changed slightly, but I'm proud of the music I've produced. I can't afford a fancy studio or professional engineers, but I've put a lot of work into my tracks to make them bearable at the least (although I prefer the term listenable.) Hopefully, you readers will find that these tracks resemble music as well.

Before I go, I'll leave you with the album art. You will be hearing from me again shortly with more details regarding the release. Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

Bill Murray EP

© 2011 Andy Marin
Photo credit: Taylor King

I'm Back...Sort of

In my last post, I mentioned that I would play in the streets at SXSW. Well I managed to find a somewhat quiet spot to set up and play a few of my latest works.

My friend and I grabbed our acoustic instruments (I played guitar and he played bass) and stood on the sidewalk singing for all passersby. At first, people generally ignored us, but after a while we managed to gather a small crowd. It was an enjoyable experience, but hopefully I'll be able to play at an actual venue next year.

Unfortunately, I've been quite busy these past few weeks and I've had to delay work on my EP. However, I do have one more track to share with anyone willing to listen.


This one is titled "Box Springs and Quiet Dreams."
Box Springs and Quiet Dreams by Andy Marin

I encourage first time readers to check out songs/information in my earlier posts. Hopefully, I won't wait as long to post updates in the future.

OMGTTYL!
-Andy

SXSW!

Several months ago, my band Rin Tin Tin applied for a showcase at the legendary SXSW in Austin, Texas. Naturally, they turned us down and I immediately made arrangements to attend as a spectator.

I will be heading to Austin tomorrow and will be staying with my friend and his family. Being young and poor, we'll definitely be hitting up all the free shows in town.

However, I saw this as an excellent opportunity to share some of my solo stuff. So I will be bringing my guitars along and playing in the streets. If you're in the general Austin area this week, you should look for me.


I love you
Andy

Track Listings

So last night I began working on my latest song. I hope it turns out as well as the others, but it's gonna take a lot of work. I'll explain the recording process in a later post.

However, I decided its time to reveal my track listings. There will be a total of 5 songs on The Bill Murray EP (although, since I'm not done recording, I'm not sure if it's technically an EP yet.)

The titles and orders of the songs will be:

1. "Hey Mary" 
2. "Oil Slick"
3. "Stutter Sickly"
4. "Box Springs and Quiet Dreams"
5. "Surfer's Hymn"

I understand that the track listings don't necessarily mean anything to anyone other than myself at the moment, but once I've finished and made the songs available for download, I'm hoping that  the songs  will take on new meanings for other people.

I need some input though. When I'm done recording and I've finalized all of the tracks, I have to decide how to distribute them. Of course iTunes would be the most obvious option, but I'm not sure if I feel comfortable selling my songs, or if I did sell them, would I even make enough money to offset the cost of distribution.

I'm not opposed to the idea of making my songs available for free download and I almost prefer it, but some methods of free distribution can be confusing (although I'm sure I can find a simple way to do it.)

What do you think?

Also, for new readers, I've posted two of my songs in older posts. Check them out if you haven't! Love,
Andy

At Last! Fifty Followers!

To my fifty followers and all potential followers/casual browsers, I am excited to announce that I have finalized the track listing on my solo debut. However, the track listings will be disclosed at a later date.

As I promised in my previous post, I will share another track from my upcoming record, The Bill Murray EP.

I wrote this song for a close friend of mine (who really liked it) so I hope all of you will like it, too. If you don't, that's fine; I will still love you. Keep in mind, I'm doing all the recording myself, so my songs probably won't be excellent studio quality

This next track from the EP is titled "Stutter Sickly."
Here it is:

Stutter Sickly by Andy Marin

For all new readers, be sure to scroll down and listen to "Hey Mary," the last song I posted.
Feel free to share these songs with people you like (or despise.) Please comment and tell me what you think!

Enjoy!
-Andy

And the title is...

I'm finally back after a long hard week of writing research papers. Sorry to leave you guys in suspense. I'm sure I left everyone on the edge of their seat, pondering the title of my upcoming solo debut.

Well the title is...

                    The Bill Murray EP

No one will ever believe you.

What do you think? Also, if I reach 50 followers, I will post another song from the album.

See ya!
-Andy

Hey Mary

As I promised in my last post, here's a preview of my solo work. It will be the first track on my upcoming EP.

Hey Mary by Andy Marin

I don't have any fancy equipment or years of mixing experience (audiophiles beware!) so don't expect these songs to be chart topping hits. I do, however, hope to make music that others enjoy.


In the past, my neurotic relationship with songwriting has been the product of an an egocentric writing process—a sort of indulgent musical masturbation. I would push myself to make a song technical or weird and turn what should have been a work of beauty into a self-righteous, showy mess. I would write something others couldn't relate to, and then blame my own abilities for the lack of connection. As a result, the majority of the material I wrote never saw the light of day. And if it did, there was no guarantee that the song would become a mainstay in my repertoire.

This characteristic in my writing is something I've been trying to do away with. As a result, none of the songs on my EP will be participants in my customary process of narcissistic composition. I'm washing my hands of the self-love presented in my former works and the busy hysteria of their contents. The songs will be simple and (hopefully) pleasing. In my upcoming release, none of the songs will be results of my pride or ego. Instead, my writings will be made for/about others. I think it's about time I left my throne and wrote something worthwhile. What do you think?


Also the title of my EP will be...

disclosed in my next post! 

(Sorry to keep you waiting, but I don't want to run out of blog material too quickly.)

Peace out, bro

-Andy