hey everyone....
Matt here enjoying the awesome smells of Laurel's Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumettes. Yum....
so i thought i'd share some info about the two latest Cluthe/Lee songs before i get too full. i just finished mixing them this afternoon & we should have them posted on our pages by tomorrow afternoon.
"Drift On"
Cluthe (words/music): piano, j bass, mixing
Lee: all guitars
this is a piano ballad that has taken a long time to complete...and that's my fault! i'd been messing around with the chord progression for awhile and a big thanks to Chris for being so patient!! once i finally nailed down the chord structure, i hit record. this one has been "finished" for awhile, but it seems like it took forever to mix. there was something about it that just sounded off...
after taking a break from mixing this song, i heard it with fresh ears this morning & i could see/hear the end. Chris has some soaring notes on this song that really stand out & it's hard to imagine this song without them!
"April Day"
Lee (music): rhythm guitars, acoustic lead guitar, p bass
Cluthe (words): vocals, rhythm/lead electric guitar, mixing
this is a beautiful song that Chris wrote....as soon as i heard it, a melody formed. the vocals also came together rather quickly. my family is always on my mind & this is a song about a day in April when our family changed. we miss you, Dad.
we have a few others that we're working on right now...looking forward to sharing them with you soon! gotta run..dinner's ready! thanks for listening!!
Matt
3.31.2010
3.28.2010
Crazy calls, covers and copyrights!
Happy Sunday all!
Chris here writing from Columbia tonight with the Avett Brothers "Carolina Jubliee" LP blaring in my headphones (go get it if you haven't heard). There has been a lot of activity in the Cluthe & Lee music world since last you heard from us! First and most significant is that I received a call at work from the Library of Congress on Thursday last week to inform me that our debut LP "Here We Are" has been copyrighted and the certificate is in the printing press and will arrive in 2-3 weeks! It had been a long time since I jumped up and down with excitement, but that's exactly what happened when I heard the news! Matt was in class when I sent him to the news and he was IM'ing me freaking out! He said that it was very hard to hide his excitement in a classroom full of people! Ha!
Once the news broke, we began discussing initial thoughts on how to get this album distributed once the artwork is completed. I think we've settled on a vehicle for online distribution that is pleasing and meets our collective needs/wants. We are both very excited to be where we're at in the process right now and know that once it all comes together it will be worth the wait!
As far as the music goes, both Matt and I have been taking a small break to record/cover some of our favorite songs! We each made a list of 5 that we often play solo and have already completed two. First is Radiohead's "Nude" which has Matt playing/singing lead and Pearl Jam's "Indifference" which has me singing/playing lead (my debut on lead vocals). We've also got Ben Harper's "Amen, Omen" just about finished, but still needs some work. If you would like mp3's of either covers we've finished, please e-mail us at presentlyfalling@gmail.com or ask in person and we'll be happy to oblige!
Original music continues to be written in droves even as we put down these covers. Music is flying everywhere and at the moment we've got a few that are in production including a classic Cluthe composition called "Sideways" and sees us going back to a less experimental sound than the last few we've done. Another one called "April Day" that is a beautiful acoustic and salt shaker song that has very moving lyrics. Others include a crazy guitar driven song called "Fade" which Matt wrote back in December I believe and an old forgotten tune I did back in September just as this whole thing started to lift off.
All this said, Matt and I are already formulating track lists for LP #2! We both sent some initial lists to one another culled from something like 30+ songs that aren't on "Here We Are"!! Productive? Yes, you could say that. So, some other news is that Matt and I will finally be meeting mid-June this year! Plans are being made, courses plotted, spaceships getting booked for a long overdue and awaited meeting!
We both sincerely thank you all for your support and listening to our music! It does mean a lot to us both! Lots of love!
Chris
PS: Here are a few pics of me playing bass for a new song "Fade"
3.22.2010
Defrost Mode!
happy monday, everyone....
i'm just about to post our latest song on our page, but thought that i should explain it a bit first. i was in the middle of a mixing marathon when i stepped away from the computer & grabbed my Strat. this riff came pretty quickly and i was having fun playing a little chord progression while muting/raking the strings a bit. then these lines popped into my head:
"why's the world...why's it gotta be so cold? it's taking its time hanging out in defrost mode!"
to be honest, there wasn't any intention a a deeper lyrical meaning. but as the song unfolded, a certain theme became somewhat clear to me, as it will to you. i quickly plugged in & hit record before the moment was lost. i recorded 2-3 different versions of this song...i was trying to somehow piece the loose & fun verses/choruses with a more reflective bridge. i tinkered a bit & hit record one last time...this is that take. Chris was immediately receptive to it when i told him that it was a very rough idea that i thought we'd just put on the shelf. well, it's not on the shelf at all. he added some awesome drums & a tremendous lead track that really jumps out at you.
turn it up, tap your foot & hope you enjoy it!
Matt
"Defrost Mode!"
Cluthe: (words/music) vocals, rhythm guitar, j bass, lead guitar, mixing
Lee: lead guitar, drums
i'm just about to post our latest song on our page, but thought that i should explain it a bit first. i was in the middle of a mixing marathon when i stepped away from the computer & grabbed my Strat. this riff came pretty quickly and i was having fun playing a little chord progression while muting/raking the strings a bit. then these lines popped into my head:
"why's the world...why's it gotta be so cold? it's taking its time hanging out in defrost mode!"
to be honest, there wasn't any intention a a deeper lyrical meaning. but as the song unfolded, a certain theme became somewhat clear to me, as it will to you. i quickly plugged in & hit record before the moment was lost. i recorded 2-3 different versions of this song...i was trying to somehow piece the loose & fun verses/choruses with a more reflective bridge. i tinkered a bit & hit record one last time...this is that take. Chris was immediately receptive to it when i told him that it was a very rough idea that i thought we'd just put on the shelf. well, it's not on the shelf at all. he added some awesome drums & a tremendous lead track that really jumps out at you.
turn it up, tap your foot & hope you enjoy it!
Matt
"Defrost Mode!"
Cluthe: (words/music) vocals, rhythm guitar, j bass, lead guitar, mixing
Lee: lead guitar, drums
3.19.2010
new song "Life Can Go"
Hi friends/family/fans
Happy Friday to you all! Spring is tomorrow and with it new songs and a temporary pause, more on that in a bit. Early last month Matt had sent me a song he'd wrote in the early morning hours after a spirited debate he was privy to the evening before. My initial response to it was emotional. The subject matter in the song hit so close to home as it is an issue I spend most of my profession dealing with. Matt had forewarned me that this was a song that he wished he didn't have to write, but that it needed to be done (if that makes sense).
I developed something simple for it and played an acoustic lead, which I've not done on any of our songs together to that point. Recording it was tough as I also went with a different recording approach by mic'ing the room. A few passes were needed to get the sound just right. I think it will come across as painfully beautiful, or at least that is still my take on "Life Can Go."
As for the aforementioned pause, Matt had an excellent idea to break out some of our favorite songs and cover them! We are currently working on one as I type this and am really excited to see what you all think. There are still multiple songs in the cue right now that are being mixed. They've been mentioned in the last few posts, so be on the look out for them soon! As always, thank you so much for all your support, comments and visits to our music pages!
Life Can Go
Matt Cluthe: Lyrics/Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/J-Bass
Chris Lee: Electric and Acoustic Guitar Leads
Happy Friday to you all! Spring is tomorrow and with it new songs and a temporary pause, more on that in a bit. Early last month Matt had sent me a song he'd wrote in the early morning hours after a spirited debate he was privy to the evening before. My initial response to it was emotional. The subject matter in the song hit so close to home as it is an issue I spend most of my profession dealing with. Matt had forewarned me that this was a song that he wished he didn't have to write, but that it needed to be done (if that makes sense).
I developed something simple for it and played an acoustic lead, which I've not done on any of our songs together to that point. Recording it was tough as I also went with a different recording approach by mic'ing the room. A few passes were needed to get the sound just right. I think it will come across as painfully beautiful, or at least that is still my take on "Life Can Go."
As for the aforementioned pause, Matt had an excellent idea to break out some of our favorite songs and cover them! We are currently working on one as I type this and am really excited to see what you all think. There are still multiple songs in the cue right now that are being mixed. They've been mentioned in the last few posts, so be on the look out for them soon! As always, thank you so much for all your support, comments and visits to our music pages!
Life Can Go
Matt Cluthe: Lyrics/Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/J-Bass
Chris Lee: Electric and Acoustic Guitar Leads
3.17.2010
back in the swing....
hi everyone....Matt here. now that i'm back in town from Seattle/Portland, we're back to work. although, it's not work at all...it's an absolute blast! but i digress.....
so we're back to it & it's like we didn't miss a beat. we have several songs in various stages of recording/production right now. they are: DEFROST MODE, SIDEWAYS, LIFE CAN GO, APRIL DAY and two others that are still untitled at this point. Life Can Go is just about done, so that will be the first one that we post out of this bunch. we'll be sure to let you know when it's available online.
just want to wish a very happy 40th anniversary to my parents....Dad, we miss you. and to Mom, thanks for your strength.
more updates coming soon, but i thought i could share a picture from our trip to Seattle. talk about inspiration!
cheers,
Matt
jimi hendrix' guitar pedals at the EMP in Seattle
so we're back to it & it's like we didn't miss a beat. we have several songs in various stages of recording/production right now. they are: DEFROST MODE, SIDEWAYS, LIFE CAN GO, APRIL DAY and two others that are still untitled at this point. Life Can Go is just about done, so that will be the first one that we post out of this bunch. we'll be sure to let you know when it's available online.
just want to wish a very happy 40th anniversary to my parents....Dad, we miss you. and to Mom, thanks for your strength.
more updates coming soon, but i thought i could share a picture from our trip to Seattle. talk about inspiration!
cheers,
Matt
jimi hendrix' guitar pedals at the EMP in Seattle
3.04.2010
heading outta town...!
happy thursday, everyone....
my wife & i have been looking forward to this day for awhile now. we're heading to the Pacific Northwest (Portland & Seattle to be exact) for a much needed vacation. no classes, no work...just exploring, having fun & soaking up some culture. i know we'll be hitting up several record stores while we're there as well....can't wait to see what vinyl we add to our collection!
anyway, with all that being said....Chris & I are taking this week to recharge our batteries a bit. we've been churning out song after song like crazy this year & it'll be nice to sit back and explore some new tunes. i'm still not sure if i'll bring my acoustic or not, but i know that i'll be writing.
with the completion of the album (and eventual release) in sight, we just want to say how truly thankful we are to all of you that have been listening to our songs & reading our words about this collaboration. thanks.
i'm going to take the next couple of hours to work on mixes for our next 3 songs and here's a little description of them for ya:
"Defrost Mode"
a loose, fun stomp of a song that i recorded a little over a week ago. Chris describes it as my "Paul Westerberg Song."
"Drift On"
a piano driven ballad about a man's desire to find himself & finally go home.
"Life Can Go"
a dark, somber song that i wish (the subject matter, that is...inspired by a spirited debate in class regarding child abuse & neglect) never had to be written. there's hope in there, though....you just have to get through the pain first to realize that life can go on.
so there you have it! i know that we have a few ideas waiting for me when we return from our trip that Chris wrote.....and they sound amazing.
as always, thanks for listening/reading.
cheers,
Matt
my wife & i have been looking forward to this day for awhile now. we're heading to the Pacific Northwest (Portland & Seattle to be exact) for a much needed vacation. no classes, no work...just exploring, having fun & soaking up some culture. i know we'll be hitting up several record stores while we're there as well....can't wait to see what vinyl we add to our collection!
anyway, with all that being said....Chris & I are taking this week to recharge our batteries a bit. we've been churning out song after song like crazy this year & it'll be nice to sit back and explore some new tunes. i'm still not sure if i'll bring my acoustic or not, but i know that i'll be writing.
with the completion of the album (and eventual release) in sight, we just want to say how truly thankful we are to all of you that have been listening to our songs & reading our words about this collaboration. thanks.
i'm going to take the next couple of hours to work on mixes for our next 3 songs and here's a little description of them for ya:
"Defrost Mode"
a loose, fun stomp of a song that i recorded a little over a week ago. Chris describes it as my "Paul Westerberg Song."
"Drift On"
a piano driven ballad about a man's desire to find himself & finally go home.
"Life Can Go"
a dark, somber song that i wish (the subject matter, that is...inspired by a spirited debate in class regarding child abuse & neglect) never had to be written. there's hope in there, though....you just have to get through the pain first to realize that life can go on.
so there you have it! i know that we have a few ideas waiting for me when we return from our trip that Chris wrote.....and they sound amazing.
as always, thanks for listening/reading.
cheers,
Matt
3.01.2010
Not Listening/Don't Question
"Not Listening"
Matt Cluthe: Lyrics/Vocals/Reverse Vocal Effects, Rhythm Fender Electric Guitar, Fender J Bass
Chris Lee: Drum Kit, Lead/Rhythm Epiphone Les Paul
If I were a wilderness photographer, and this song were a bird, it would be a strange bird rarely seen or captured by lens. One that I’d wait a lifetime to capture/hear. I put on my headphones early last month (February) and when I pressed play on this demo, I was met by a flood of sound and something that sounded like a record being played backwards. I thought to myself, what, or even who is it?! Many of Matt’s songs up until here lately have had this straight ahead feel to them, but this…. strange bird…was the sound of Matt heading in a new direction musically. He tells me my influence may be the culprit, but whoever is to blame I have to say that this is one of the coolest songs we’ve worked on together. My initial reaction was to play a bunch of spacey leads, to match the almost ‘alien’ sound I was hearing. I kept thinking this might be what madness sounds like (“voices in your head..”). The early cuts were almost too overwhelmed with sound and so I scaled back a few times before getting it ‘right.’ I think it’s one of the more concentrated set of notes I’ve played and there’s something refreshing about that IMO. The drums were also a challenge and matching the stops and starts was an exercise in patience, that I know in the end will shine through when you listen to this. Matt’s vocal delivery and rhythm playing have taken on a new life and I know we’re both excited to hear what comes next!
"Don’t Question"
Matt Cluthe: Vocals/Lyrics, Rhythm/Lead Guitar, J Bass, Piano, Drum Loop
Chris Lee: Lead Guitar
Quickest song developed to date! Maybe a day? This by far is the very least I’ve ever played on any song we’ve done. One guitar track, pretty simple set of notes that accompany a gorgeous progression. Again a tremendous amount of satisfaction, doing more by playing less and playing what fits. I think this song is a great example of two musician’s having a no ego approach to writing/playing. A beautifully honest song that sees Matt take a radically different vocal approach than Not Listening. Showcases his smooth lead playing and sense of sonic accompaniment that make it sound like there are 3-4 of us instead of just 2. We continue to cut through new musical terrain each new song we post and lately I have no sense of what Matt will send next!
Thanks to everyone for your ears, your interest and support! Lots of love!
Chris
Matt Cluthe: Lyrics/Vocals/Reverse Vocal Effects, Rhythm Fender Electric Guitar, Fender J Bass
Chris Lee: Drum Kit, Lead/Rhythm Epiphone Les Paul
If I were a wilderness photographer, and this song were a bird, it would be a strange bird rarely seen or captured by lens. One that I’d wait a lifetime to capture/hear. I put on my headphones early last month (February) and when I pressed play on this demo, I was met by a flood of sound and something that sounded like a record being played backwards. I thought to myself, what, or even who is it?! Many of Matt’s songs up until here lately have had this straight ahead feel to them, but this…. strange bird…was the sound of Matt heading in a new direction musically. He tells me my influence may be the culprit, but whoever is to blame I have to say that this is one of the coolest songs we’ve worked on together. My initial reaction was to play a bunch of spacey leads, to match the almost ‘alien’ sound I was hearing. I kept thinking this might be what madness sounds like (“voices in your head..”). The early cuts were almost too overwhelmed with sound and so I scaled back a few times before getting it ‘right.’ I think it’s one of the more concentrated set of notes I’ve played and there’s something refreshing about that IMO. The drums were also a challenge and matching the stops and starts was an exercise in patience, that I know in the end will shine through when you listen to this. Matt’s vocal delivery and rhythm playing have taken on a new life and I know we’re both excited to hear what comes next!
"Don’t Question"
Matt Cluthe: Vocals/Lyrics, Rhythm/Lead Guitar, J Bass, Piano, Drum Loop
Chris Lee: Lead Guitar
Quickest song developed to date! Maybe a day? This by far is the very least I’ve ever played on any song we’ve done. One guitar track, pretty simple set of notes that accompany a gorgeous progression. Again a tremendous amount of satisfaction, doing more by playing less and playing what fits. I think this song is a great example of two musician’s having a no ego approach to writing/playing. A beautifully honest song that sees Matt take a radically different vocal approach than Not Listening. Showcases his smooth lead playing and sense of sonic accompaniment that make it sound like there are 3-4 of us instead of just 2. We continue to cut through new musical terrain each new song we post and lately I have no sense of what Matt will send next!
Thanks to everyone for your ears, your interest and support! Lots of love!
Chris
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