Tagged with Bavery …

Jul 06 2009
mp3, songwriting workshop, Toby's Posts

Songwriting Workshop #2 Result

This week’s songwriting assignment was to describe a time you took a chance on something. I didn’t follow the assignment. But that’s totally cool! You don’t need to either! :)

This week’s submissions include Ryan B’s first submission, a beautifully-crafted song called Love Me
AND
my submission, a spiritual story about ascending to heaven, called “Amen“. I first had the idea for “Amen” while walking home from Lisa’s a couple of hours ago. I recorded the background melody on my phone, and you can listen to it here. I have this bug in me to write a gospel opera…

“Love Me” Lyrics (by Ryan B.)
Sitting here just drinking
Wish I weren’t alone tonight
I want someone to hold me
And love me ‘til the morning light
What is the problem?
Don’t know what I’m doing not right
Put myself back out there
Still you’re nowhere in my sight

Love me tender, love me true
Love me tonight, and I’ll love you

Have another a whiskey
Maybe I’ll make it two
Not that it matters
Won’t bring me any closer to you
My hands are all but tied now
Don’t know what I’m going to do
Guess I’ll keep on pushing
Hoping just to make it though

Love me tender, love me true
Love me tonight, and I’ll love you

“Amen” Lyrics (By Toby Cryns)
Please take my hand.
Let me guide you to the promised land.
Ain’t noone gonna hold you down.
The good lord has come to town.

Be loved.
Beloved man, I will take you to the promised land.
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing no more.
We are going to open Heaven’s door.

Amen.

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Jun 07 2009
mp3, Toby's Posts

One of Those Days…

Sometimes I wonder why I am doing this.  I wonder why I spend, perhaps, thousands of hours a year writing, practicing, recording, and performing music that there is a distinct chance will not make a noticeable impression on anybody.  And then I talk to Bavery, and it all becomes clear.  I do it, because I love to do it.  In fact, I love it so much that I spend my free time and much of my disposable income doing it.  Recording gives me a bigger sense of satisfaction than anything else on the planet.

But I still have those days.  And on those days, it is nice to get an mp3 from Bavery in my email in-box.  And on those days, it is nice to get one of my mixes back from Noah.  Noah is awesome.

This week, I was feeling down, and then I got an mp3 from Baves and also two mixes from Noah – yahoooooOOoo!!!  I won’t post the Bavery mp3 (even though it is completely awesome) on account of it being none of my business posting someone else’s mp3 without his permission.  BUT I will post the new mixes from Noah!  Check out Run. Run! Run!!! RUNNN!!!! RUNNNNN!!!!! and Let’s get funky!

Let me know if you have any ideas for improvement!

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Dec 08 2008
Toby's Posts

Tour Imminent?

It’s nearing 2 a.m., and I am wrapping up some late night work for my current contract employer.  After a gig at The Clubhouse in San Luis Obispo, a guy from a popular band out there (I can’t remember the name…) told me that I could make more money building websites while touring than the bars would ever pay.  I believe this to be true.

I am getting the touring itch.  I want to do the West Coast again.  Rent a car, drive up and down the coast, stay at some hostels, smell the Pacific Ocean, see avocados on on trees.  That sort of thing.

Since that tour is unlikely to happen until summer, I will be booking a bunch of local shows in January and February and March.  I want to get a bunch of shows in after the new record is finished.  Speaking of the new record, It is totally kicking ass. Ryan came over and recorded some backup vocals today for Colleen and a couple of other songs.

I am missing Bavery’s presence in the Twin Cities.  For those of y’all who don’t know, he is a high-powered MBA who just moved to Chicago.  He is also the co-producer of Faraway Farm (the new record’s title).  His musical insights and interests make my music better.  It’s like a “you had me at hello” thing.  He sits down at the desk, presses the spacebar, and I just know that the music will be better for it.

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