Round Two (Pt. 2)
In the ongoing endeavor that is my grad school application process, phase one is officially complete. I had a recording session this past Thursday to knock out a few things for my audition tapes, and though I will likely need another session before my portfolio is mailed, I’m mostly really happy with the outcome.
My friend Aaron is also going through this process, so we tag teamed the session in
Huntington Hall at Capital, starting at 11:30 and ending at about 1AM. Even a few months out, that stage is pretty nostalgic. It’s the site of every recital Capital puts on, and it was the first time I had played with either Aaron or our bass player Larry on that stage since my senior recital in April. The acoustics are decent at best, but I had a great instrument that night, which always helps to put me in the right mind frame.
We started off with “I’ll Give You That”, one of Aaron’s tunes, of which an earlier recording is posted below. We then did a tune I wrote more or less for this occasion, and although we only had time for one take, I think I can use it if I have to. It’s not ideal, and compositionally I may have rethink a few things…but there were also some moments that really worked for me, by all accounts the first time I’ve ever heard anything I’ve written and dug it.
Then came two standards. “My Ideal” was first, slow and subtle, followed by “Sweet And Lovely,” with a drone guitar intro that put me in the kind of Zen headspace I needed to react musically to the moment, regardless of my (by that time) fatigue. This was my favorite take of the night, the most truly interactive, and something I think I can definitely end up using.
I got the tracks back last night, and even with a rough mix, the sound is already much improved over my tapes from a year ago. I will be posting samples soon for your enjoyment and/or scrutiny. But mostly I think I really like them. It’s definitely the best documentation of my playing that I think I’ve ever had, and that is more or less what I was thinking to myself today, buzzing on caffeine and feeling on the verge of a really productive and artistic “roll” when I cut the shit out of my middle finger, attempting to make a sandwich:
My practicing will be sidelined until further notice.
In the meantime, however, phase two of the application process is nearing completion as well, this being the “artist’s statement” that some schools require. It is one of the few things I can do at this point in time, as most applications for next fall aren’t even available yet. So far it’s three pages of single space type, which is a miracle considering I have to discuss my artistic visions, goals, and motivations, not to mention my reasoning for applying to this school in particular. Other things on the list for this first choice school include three letters of recommendation, an online application and fee, the portfolio itself (a CD with two contrasting standards, and two tunes that represent your particular “bag”), college transcripts, and any additional materials that get mailed separately. That’s the deal for CalArts, and to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure where else I’m even applying at this point. But as long as I can get one more solid session in soon, the biggest component will be taken care of. I hope you like the music.
