Just returned last week from attending the Durango Songwriter's Expo in Santa Ynez Valley, California (just N of Santa Barbara). At this expo, 150-200 songwriters gather together to mingle with each other, network with industry professionals and get direct feedback on material, write more songs, jam endlessly into the wee hours, and perform in front of the group if chosen for a showcase slot.
The DSE is held twice annually, once in California during February and again outside of Denver in October. This was the fourth in a row that Melissa Axel and I have attended, and it was the best one yet.
What exactly does a tuba player do at a songwriter's expo? Well, play tuba, of course!
Apart from playing the kick-off party open mic the night before the expo began, Melissa was also chosen for a showcase performance during the opening night festivities. We played her song "The Worth Of Things," which went over quite well—happy to have had the opportunity! It's always an interesting experience for me when I play into a mic, but the sound in the room was great. (For lack of a piano, she was relegated to playing on a weighted keyboard. If only they'd move the lobby piano into the hall and onto the stage!)
The second night, singer-songwriter Andy Ard asked fellow musician Tage Plantell and me to sit in for his showcase performance, and the three of us had a hoot playing Andy's "Here Comes Another Good Time" to the audience. He's also asked me to play on this song when he records it later this year.
After the showcases there's an open mic which we'd wander in and out of. In addition, there were plenty of impromptu jams in the resort lobby, as well as packed song circles in crowded hotel rooms. The advantage to being the only tuba player at an expo overrun by guitarist singer/songwriters is that they are usually more than happy to have a tubist sit in and play with them. (Special props to Ron Gozzo who brought out his sax!)
Ultimately, the driving force of the expo is the listening session: basically, twenty or so songwriters sit in a room, each plays a demo or finished recording of a song for a couple of industry professionals, and everyone takes note of their feedback and suggestions (pictured below). Pros come in all shapes and sizes, but many of them are music supervisors, label execs, successful hit songwriters, publishers, and management. This time, we were sharing nearly completed recordings from Melissa Axel's debut album, and it was exciting to see a lot of these folks really impressed with the songs. There are also panel discussions on various music industry topics, and we attended the ones on Film & TV Placement (pictured below) and DIY.
Of course it's just a gag—a piece of fun. Truthfully, I think our producer keeps this framed piece of music right by the recording booth just so nervous performers have something more intimidating to look at other than the microphone dangling in front of them. I think my favorite bit is where it reads, "remove valve."
Speaking of the recording booth, today was another wonderful studio day, during which I did something unheard of for your average tuba player: I sang.
That's right, I sang!
I sang background harmonies on the song "Every Place Is Home," which I co-wrote with Melissa Axel and Irish songwriter Andy White (co-writer of Peter Gabriel's "Whole Thing" and other fantastic music). Since the song has no tuba part, I knew I had to participate in some other way.
We also finished recording background vocals from the super talented Ayo Awosika, who is an incredible songwriter in her own right. We're very blessed to have her working on this project!
Finally, Melissa sang final vocals on the quirky tune "Merry-Go-Round" that I referenced yesterday (piano, vocals, tuba, harmonium, and glockenspiel), which means just a few tiny details to add in tomorrow morning, and this baby will be ready to mix!
Until then, keep practicing "Faerie's Aire and Death Waltz," and let me know when you have it down.
Today we're back in the studio finishing the song "Merry-Go-Round" by Melissa Axel, which features tuba as well as piano and voice. We just finished editing (comping) and tuning the tuba part with producer Justin Peacock of The Hook Factory. Thankfully, there was practically no tuning necessary, and the track is sounding fantastic!
I'll be sharing some session videos later, so stay tuned …
Piping down the valleys wild Piping songs of pleasant glee On a cloud I saw a child. And he laughing said to me.
Pipe a song about a Lamb: So I piped with merry cheer, Piper, pipe that song again— So I piped, he wept to hear.Drop thy pipe thy happy pipe Sing thy songs of happy cheer, So I sung the same again While he wept with joy to hearPiper sit thee down and write In a book that all may read— So he vanished from my sight And I pluck'd a hollow reed. And I made a rural pen, And I stained the water clear, And I wrote my happy songs, Every child may joy to hear.
There's just not enough tuba in contemporary Pop and Rock, and it is my sincere desire to help put it on the map.
Primarily I am the tuba player for singer/songwriter Melissa Axel, but I have also been known to freelance on the recordings of other artists. I am always interested in finding new and exciting ways to collaborate.
Modern tuba for modern music.