Character Writing and Full Albums

How interesting…

Past few days, I’ve been looking and reading over the lyrics I’ve written for this concept album, and just general “jam songs” I wrote that don’t fit the 2 EP’s or the album. It seems that writing about characters I make up, instead of the standard hip-hop lyrical topics (sex/drugs/money/grinding/girls/violence/bragging/etc.) has made writing more exciting than ever now.

There’s more possibilities to it now, more paths to take, and more of a desire to create a narrative than to just make an album that has 3 singles, and 9 filler tracks.

Which brings me to my next point: I’m reading and seeing a disturbing trend in music nowadays…the death of the album.

Gone are the days of a 60 minute banger from track 1 to track 12. Now, it’s more akin to a math equation:

ALBUM = Intro+Filler+Single+Collab+Filler+Single+Skit+Filler+Filler+Skit+Collab Single+Skit+Ending

See what I’m getting at? “Albums” are like badly made sandwiches…the good stuff buried underneath layers of useless filler that doesn’t sit well.

Sadly, it’s because of us musicians making bad albums and expecting people to pay 14.95 USD plus tax that albums are now heading to the grave. Once Napster came up, that was it. Game over for the album.

It was revenge overdue for the consumer who bought garbage albums. The con game was over, and the cheated got revenge, by getting what they wanted for free. Now, you see the music industry push acts who can move singles and ringtones, and move 10 mill. However, the album comes out and BOOM… 75K moved within the time the single moved 10 mill.

So I’m thinking about this as an artist working on a piece of work that can’t be sold individually. They have to be together to work, to make sense. Makes me pensive about putting it on iTunes…if I ever did.

I love iTunes, but with all the other sites out there, like Bandcamp.com, I can just set my own price, do giveaways, add bonus tracks, and other stuff. Also, you can mandate “full package downloads” which makes this album a lot easier to market.

On that note, I say “peace”. And hopefully, this summer micro-tour works out. 2 years is not too long to go without a performance…just like not drinking water for 4 weeks is just ok.

[end sarcasm]

-mc larny

blog report: progression

Howdy,

With the summer of 2010 in the fore-front, things are starting to pick up…finally. After the lull of winter, the road to [insert random goal here] is just beginning. And from the looks of it, this could be a really good summer, I just have the feeling it will be.

First off, Project Nightmare 2.0. Almost done, mixing for the next 2-3 weeks, and then, only then, will it be unleashed.

The beautifulside of ugly/The uglyside of beautiful are also somewhat done, but not completely. One has all the lyrics in place, one has all the beats in place. All it needs is the missing components, and I’m going to be a betting man and say uglyside will drop 1st. Just seems more likely, based on the factors involving it’s production and recording.

The Imperfect Dialogue, oooh boy, that is the BIG one. It’s already been announced it’s going to be a concept album, it’s mostly in place, from a rough draft perspective, and if you get lucky and download the new Project Nightmare 2.0 mixtape in May, you may get a little taste of this new album…

Now, on to other things:

Summer shows, well, that is pending. Hopefully, there will be a few. And hopefully, you can hear some of these new “re-imagining” of old MC Larny songs. Because I’m hyped to perform these songs…very hyped.

Stay tuned for that, once I get the “right things” in place, then the shows will (hopefully) come up. Cause and effect, friends, cause and effect…

No promises though, because with my luck, things will get ugly. And fast. Here’s hoping that don’t happen.

And I’m out like the OKC Thunder (95-94 loss to LA? SMDH)

-mc larny, representing from the right place, at the right time

Why Look Back? Let’s Look Forward…

Dang. So here we are at approx, 5 years since MC Larny started up.

5 years. Not like it’s a huge achievement. But rather, a checkpoint. A way of knowing where we’ve gone, and where are we going next.

We’ve gone thru, 3 albums, an EP, 2 mixtapes, a few shows here and there, multiple collabs with friends and peers, a few bands, 2 hiatus periods, and a ton of notebooks. Seems like a lot, when you take all the people, memories, and events that are wedged in-between April 2005 and April 2010.

It’s scary to look back and see how much things have either stayed the same, or changed radically. And yet, here we are, looking backwards to see where we’ve been…and now, it’s time to look forwards.

Let’s cut to the chase: Four projects are being worked on, a new Project Nightmare installment (May 18), 2 new EP’s (TBA 2010) and now…”Project 4”.

Project 4 is…

A new full-length album. Something that I’ve been working at for months. A concept album.

It’s called “The Imperfect Dialogue”.

Expect it (and this here is an estimate) very late 2010. 2011 even.

Maybe even “When it’s done”.

There will be lots more info in the coming months. Enjoy the wait.

-mc larny

Project Nightmare 2.0 Preview

Howdy,

As promised, here’s a sneek preview of the upcoming, 85-percent-done, mixtape. Dropping on May 18th on Bandcamp.com. Enjoy!

Project Nightmare 2.0.

For a majority of my life, video games have been embedded in a lot of my upbringing. I have vivid memories of my 1st video game experience (Final Fight, Caldor, Westborough, MA in 1992), my 1st system (Game Boy, which I still have), and the 1st time I bought my own game system (Game Boy Advance SP in March 2003).

Needless to say, the games I play are extremely inspiring to me at times, either with their gameplay, their graphics and especially the music.

The History

I started Project Nightmare last year as a side-project to play around, to make crazy stuff that wasn’t concerned about perception. After Project Nightmare dropped on New Year’s Day…I asked myself, “What could I do for a follow-up?”

No answers for a month or so. Then, one day, it came to me. A tribute to video games. I was really skeptical about it, but as the days went by, and the jam sessions got more and more intense, it became comfortable.

It was the most fun I’ve had making music in years. I cannot wait to drop this in about a month’s time….so excited!

To Be Continued…

Blog Report 3/13/2010: Shedding Some Light

Howdy,

Quick question…who here remembers the last Blog Report? Anyone…anyone…Bueller?

Played-out jokes aside, if I recall, the last post was focusing around the 4 projects currently in the works, with promises of updates.

Well, hold on tight, because for 3 of the 4 projects, it’s time to let the world know what’s really going on.

Behind door #1…Project Nightmare 2.0: It’s Just A Game

• Following the format of the 1st Project Nightmare installment, PN 2.0 is yet another mixtape of instrumentals, distributed freely.
• The theme for this installment is video games.
• Coming late May 2010 on Bandcamp.com

But wait'…there’s more! Door #2… the uglyside of beautiful

• A fresh new EP with a few new songs. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
• Production is 65-75% done.
• Coming Summer 2010 (release formats TBD)

And the last project behind door #3 is… the beautifulside of ugly

• The twin sister/brother to the uglyside of beautiful. Only this one’s more…personal. And deconstructed.
• Currently in writing mode. Instrumentation is being ironed out.
• Coming Summer 2010 (release formats TBD)

Oh yeah, about Project 4… well, I really want to wait and keep you guessing on it. Because I don’t like saying things I can’t live up to…and this is a little project I really want to get out in the best way.

We cool? Yeah.

That’s all for me…see you next time.

-MC Larny

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P.S. WE STILL NEED A VOCALIST! http://mclarnyrocks.blogspot.com/2010/03/mc-larny-needs-your-help.html

MC Larny NEEDS YOUR HELP!

*ahem*

So the new EP, "the beautifulside of ugly" is in production right now. And it turns out, I need some help.

I wrote this song called October Sky (not based on the movie, FYI) and I composed this part that sounds really good...just not if it was rapped out.

So here's the idea: I need a really talented female singer (who knows what they're doing) to sing this part. Here's the lyrics with the part highlighted (copyright MC Larny...no biting)

Watch this empire crumble underneath it’s own weight

Trying to prevent the inevitable, fighting a war against fate

It’s the end of a dream, dying in my hands

A lifetime of hope that slips like time’s sands

I knew today would eliminate tomorrow by design

I could’ve prevented this, but I was delusional, at the time

With all that’s transpired, I just want to expire with my disgrace

Fade out without a doubt in my mind, I’m not going to see the end of this race

(chorus)

And this ghost of you haunts me, underneath the October sky

I can still see this all, in the back of my eye

I wish you would leave, believe that I don’t care for you

But my lips can’t be trusted, and these careless whispers are untrue

The silence is deafening, and I am without my sanity

My reflection distorted, no honesty, just the picture of vanity

A picture of everything that could’ve been, should’ve been

The fact that I threw this away on a whim, for something where victory is so slim

This reflection lies to me, at the moment I need that truth, that proof

That where I’m going does not include us, just myself in solitude

The disconnection is so abrupt and sudden, it could be rude

But I have to, for myself this time

(chorus 2) x2

Where have you run to, where have you gone?

My fears have come true, we won’t be together for long

Standing over the mess I’ve created, I hate it

Every inch, every second, I look back and I flinch

It was never supposed to end like this, I whisper to a chorus of ambience

And then, this decision all makes sense

This city is so beautiful, especially in the night

It looks so much more wonderful, when it’s burning so bright

As I see everything I care about leave my life in minutes of ignition that loses control

A ghost rises from the ashes, that has become a parasite, feeding off my soul

And now the memories are the poison, I fear I can’t find a remedy

When the October sky hangs overhead, I hear the ghastly melody

(Chorus 3)

And this ghost of you haunts me [Where have you run to…]underneath this October sky

I can still see this all [where have you gone…] in the back of my eye

I wish you would leave [My fears have come true….] believe that I can’t care for you

But my lips can’t be trusted [we won’t be together for long] and these careless whispers are untrue

Sounds good? Then here's what I need:

1. Record a demo version of just the highlighted parts. Do it the way you feel would be "best" for the song.
2. Sound quality isn't an issue. If I can hear you, then good.
3. Email it to "m.c.larny at gmail.com". Subject Line: October Sky Demo. Have a return address included, and if you have a MySpace or another website to display your music, include that in the email.
4. If it sounds like what I'm thinking works, I'll contact you and you'll be invited to record.

So...let's hear what you got. Good luck to all of you (or in this case, any of you).
-MC Larny

Blog Report 3/2/2010: Putting Work In…Again

Howdy,

So after a full month of no Blog Report….we got one for ya, in March. And this time, I’ll try to be less spotty about updates.

• 4 projects are currently in the pipe-line. One of them is Project Nightmare 2, and that should drop in May.
• The other 2 are EP’s. Hoping to drop them as bookends (read: summer 2010)
• And the last one…oooh lordy, that’s a doozy. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when I do say something about it.
• I opened a Tumblr (which is right here) for demo showcasing. It’s easier and it works 500x better than updating Reverbnation and having it not sync to the FB News Feed. So do check it out.

Now, on to other things. Reading about the Waka Flaca/Method Man nonsense made me think about it…and here’s what I have to say.

At least he was honest. At least he said he wasn’t lyrical. At least he told us now…so in 6-9 months, whenever he drops something, we don’t have to check for his releases.

“But…but. he’s makin’ money, why you hatin’?

You do know who else in the “hood” is making money…

Drug dealers. Pimps. Prostitutes. Where’s their celebration? Oh, I got it…it’s not there. Everyone has their opinion, and for Waka Flaca…quick tip.

Anything you get from your music, better save it and invest. Otherwise, you may wind up forgotten and robbing banks to get by like this guy right here.

And another thing….who the $^&* signed off on the “We Are The World” remake? That is pitiful. And here I was thinking Hollywood was the only major entertainment industry capable of ruining classics via remakes….

OK…so that’s it for my ranting self this issue.

In the meantime, check out these links right here:

Tumblr Demo Showcase

Bandcamp

Twitter

Merch

Amazon.com

Facebook

Myspace

Until next time….

-MC Larny