Talking About Noise

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 43 - Eric wants to grow up to be the drunk guy at your future rock show, so be prepared. We discuss how trickle down music works for us independent artists and what affect the streaming services might have.  Then in other news we discuss the new subscription feed for ProTools, which gets three thumbs down from us. In the Lyric Corner we discuss using Metaphors in the same "key" and Art continues to struggle with his grammar, again. In our Production segment Art explains why producers love microphones.  We get to listen to four different microphones and you get to be the judge of what your favorite is....could life get any better, I submit that it cannot! In the songwriter segment we discuss how to use a "riser" effect to add tension leading up to a chorus and we use "Uptown Funk" as an example of this effect. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the Week: The Maddox Brothers Eric's Pick of the Week: Muse The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 42 - Time to discuss the streaming service TIDAL which Art seems to hate quite a bit but the real question is whether the streaming industry can actually survive.  The other main question is whether Eric can survive doing anything musically. Lyric Segment: We discuss how to use Metaphors in lyric writing and for our writing activity this week write down five random adjectives and five random nouns and try to create some metaphors using these. In the production segment Art discusses how to mix drums, specifically the Tom sections of the drums.  The sound is so awesome it makes you want to cry. In the songwriting segment we discuss seven awesome examples of using background vocals and how other groups have used them in the past history of Rock and Roll. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the Week: Dirty Guv'nahs Eric's Pick of the Week: The Good Mad The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 41 - We had some time to soak in the Cochella festival, and it felt let bathwater on an elephants back.  Some excellent news about the Rolling Stones and Brian Wilson coming out of songwriters rehab. In the quick (and brand new lyric writers segment) We discuss Object Writing.  Here's the drill listeners: we are going to take ten minutes every morning and do an object writing exercise.  Use all 7 senses, no rhyme no rhythm, just write.  We're going to post our Object writing examples on our Facebook page and on this website. For our Production segment Art breaks down mixing Eric's song Bus Stop for his Basement Concert Series.  You get to hear an entire mixing session breakdown, and it's beyond amazing. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the Week: Bombs Away by Sheppard Eric's Pick of the Week: Lampshades on Fire by Modest Mouse The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 40 - Art is an Audiophile there is no doubt about it. He has over 30 microphones and is ready to use all of them...ALL OF THEM! This week in our songwriting episode we discuss lyrics again, and discuss the three modes 1. Lyric Mode 2. Dramatic Mode 3. Narrative Mode. As an example we decided to use lyrics from Eminem because he actually turns out to be an incredible lyricist, and gives us a great example of a song starting in the Narrative mode. In the Production segment Art breaks down how to create dynamic space and Eric finds every way possible to mock Art.  Hilarity ensues....at least for Eric. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the Week: Selah Sue Eric's Pick of the Week: Alt-J The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 39 - Music is a rip off...man!  Just like your local crack addict we just can't stay away from the news that Robin Thicke lost the latest lawsuit claiming that his song "blurred lines" ripped off Marvin Gaye.  Just to prove the point check out this youtube video here to listen to the mashup.  We also discuss the Axis of Awesome showing a YouTube video of multiple songs using the same chord progression, which is quite fascinating to listen to. In the music production segment we discuss Compression and how to use compressors. Even Art's favorite compressors that are free....that's right Free.99 although I could consider donating to them because their plugins are so amazing.  Also, if you're feeling very Russian today please check out these compressors/limiters. In the songwriting segment we discuss part 2 of lyrics, where we discuss some poetry theory...that's right there's such a thing as poetry theory which apparently has just as much evidence supporting it as the theory of gravity.... WORD! Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: Roah Summit Eric's Pick of the week: The Pretty Reckless The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 38 - Art Goes Solo! The Kanye Watch is still in full effect...beep boop beep boop. For the music production segment Art is giving us his top ten tips for the best home studio production.  It's like David Letterman, only much much better. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: None this week Eric's Pick of the week: None this week The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Notice: Our subscription feed has changed! Please make sure you update your subscription to get all the newest episodes!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ ! Episode 37 - The Kanye Watch 2015 is in full effect as Eric and Art openly mock the trendsetter, trying to get a cease and desist from the rapper and entrepreneur. In addition, modern production has gotten increasingly more complex throughout the years. We take a look at some songs of today and yesteryear, trying to understand what's happening, and how to apply it in our productions. We also take some time to show how effective a little EQ can be to bring vocals forward in a mix. Art brings examples from the new band American Suitehearts' sessions, and helps the vocals pop out in the mix. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: Double Fuzz Eric's Pick of the week: The Heavy The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Episode 36 - The inner "Hipster"s are strong with this one!  Come join us for a discussion about our favorite artist Kanye West, our favorite Band Maroon 5 and our favorite form of art...throwing up on a wall. In today's songwriting section we discuss how to write lyrics from an article written by musician Sam Inglis.  The article has now been archived and can be read along with the podcast.  We look at three examples:  1. Rude by Magic! which is graded as just a mediocre song but breaking so many phrasing rules gives it a C 2. Animal by Maroon 5 which Art give a pass (for some bizarre reason) but I give a massive F- and finally 3. Daughter by Pearl Jam, which I give an A+ for effort and happiness and maybe drugs. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: Paper Aeroplanes Eric's Pick of the week: Arctic Monkeys The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Episode #35 - In this episode we discuss Art's crazy music business, and Eric's dive into learning how to finger drum.  And if you've ever wanted to have a good debate about the merits of a Rock Opera, you've come to the right place.Tip of the Day: Give the small diaphram condensor microphones a chance. In the News we discuss Blur reuniting as a band and coming out with a new album and Drake's problems with his label CashMoney. In the Music Writing segment we discuss what a Hook is and give about 6 examples, which should a lot of fun. In the Music Production segment we discuss what it takes to record vocals. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: Amanda Palmer Eric's Pick of the week: Blur The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !

Episode #34 - In this episode we discuss the latest concert news that Eric wishes he could enjoy.  Some surprises and mockings of Kanye and his nice little Grammy rush.  And a nice tutorial to visit regarding multiband compression.In the Songwriting segment we discuss how to use a muted chorus in your songwriting and give you three examples in popular music today (yes one of my own songs from The Swoop is used and I understand the inherent contradiction in calling it popular) In the Recording Segment Art breaks down how to podcast.  What are some proper Mic techniques and studio interface situations. and in case you didn't notice within the first five minutes, we are looking for a really obnoxious saying such as "May the Kanye be with you," or "Feel the Kanye inside."  Please give us any suggestions you might have for our new Kayne greeting. Crib Notes: Art's Pick of the week: Mike Love Eric's Pick of the week: Joe Bonamassa The Swoop is Eric's Band and can be found at ForeverTimeless Please join the conversation by emailing us We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ !