It's Time for a Kompoz collaboration contest, featuring Brian Culbertson! Grab the stems for "It's Time" from the contest page, collaborate with other members, and show Brian what you can do.
"It's Time" by Brian Culberston & Sheldon Reynolds - Piano, Keys, Rhodes, trombone & synth bass - Brian Culbertson - Guitar - Paul Jackson Jr - Bass - Nathan Watts - Drums - Oscar Seaton Jr - Percussion - Lenny Castro - Tenor sax - Eric Marienthal - Trumpet - Dan Fornero - Violins - Charlie Bisharat, Kevin Connilly, Julian Hallmark & Sara Perkins - Violas - Andrew Duckles & Darrin McCann - Cello - David Low - Horns arranged by Michael Stever - Strings arranged by Brian Culbertson & Nick Lane - Orchestrated & Conducted by Nick Lane - Produced & Arranged by Brian Culbertson
Next up to the plate is our resident METALHEAD, Matt Christensen \m/
Matt has been a Kompozer since June of 2010 and has been head-banging since his first day here! Whether his own tunes or the songs he’s contributed to, you won’t hear any wimpy stuff from Matt – he does have a thing for WHAM though.
sanger: So, tell me Matt, what first brought you to Kompoz?
Matt: Well after years and years of writing and performing music in a live setting I realized that it was no longer the kind of thing that I could be involved in being a newlywed and a new father. The booze fueled, axe wielding madman I once was is now a family man. After some time I was jonse’n for my musical fix. You see I kind of turn into the Hulk when I'm not venting through my music. I've ruined many a shirt.
So then one day while toolin’ around on Google I stumbled upon this site called Kompoz and it dawned on me, I can write and there is a reason for me to do so. Ever since that day I've been obsessed. I'm sure you can tell by my overwhelming forum posts haha.
(Editor’s note: “oh, it’s him again, now what, search by shoe size?…”)
sanger: What's your favorite thing about Kompoz?
Matt: My favorite thing about Kompoz is that not only does the man in charge of the site actual listen to everyones requests but he is also a MUSICIAN!!! I owe the guy alot of thanks for reviving me musically (Editor’s note: that would be Fearless Leader he speaks of). Without this site I'd be running scales 24/7.
sanger: Has Kompoz made you a better musician?
Matt: Oh god yes!
sanger: How so?
Matt: I've always had a love for many types of music. To have the ability to play an instrument of my choice on a track, that I otherwise would not be able to play on, is awesome. It makes it so you can't be a one trick pony. The great thing is everyone on here is so open-minded musically that anything can happen.
Also if you play sloppy in a recording everyone knows it. So, if you don't wanna sound like a fool you really gotta get your recording techniques, and in my case guitar chops, down before you even think of touching that record button.
sanger: What can you suggest to make Kompoz even better than it is today?
Matt: The only thing that I can say is that it would be nice to get more staff opinions on the wish list topics in the forums. There's plenty of suggestions there and everyone appreciates feedback.
(Editor’s note: “Oh, it’s him again, what genre now, zydeco-samba-rockabilly?”)
sanger: Have you had a chance to actually meet any of your fellow Kompozers face-to-face?
Matt: Actually Wes Renaud and I used to be in a band together so we have met many times face to face.
But funny enough I actually had a dream that I was palling around with The Legendary Texan and Room237 the other night. Jeez maybe I spend too much time on Kompoz haha.
(Editor’s note: ah, to still have a dream…)
sanger: What do your friends/bandmates/family have to say when you tell them about Kompoz?
Matt: My wife has been very supportive of my all day late night recording sessions. I swear half the day I have a set of headphones on. Everyone that knows me knows that I am a musician and I need to make music, so it's nothing new to them.
sanger: Other than your own tunes, do you have a favorite Kompoz Komposition?
Matt: You know, I am a huge admirer of Mike Chubiz's (MJC252) work on here. Everything the guy touches is gold and I hope to be able to achieve that some day.
sanger: What would you like to say about Kompoz that our members can benefit from?
Matt: Patience. Patience is key. (Editor’s note: this from Mr Forum Poster)
It could take anywhere from couple of days to a couple of years for someone to contribute to your track, but don't lose hope. Contribute to some tracks while you're waiting. You gotta give some to get some and the more people hear of what you're capable of and the versatility you exhibit the more likely you are to get responses.
sanger: One final question Matt, name two artists you'd like to see for a Kollaboration Kontest?
Matt: Hmm...I'd have to say Dave Weckl and Les Claypool, but John Petrucci is very close behind.
We’ll leave you all with this ditty – As r00m237 says: “Such magnificent WTF'ery!”
Final Editor's Note: Matt is a great guy and a highly valued member here at Kompoz - and he knows that we all know it - I'm just havin some fun with ol'Miserable Matt - we really do read your forum posts - keep those ideas-a-comng!!!!
I started this site in 2007, and there have been countless amazing songs created since then. But every once in a while, one truly extraordinary song stands out. Project 26648 titled United We Stand is one of those songs. This one has special meaning given the events that took place 10 years ago in NY.
I've been rehearsing songs for a School of Rock parents band. The band thing -- that's a long story which I'll tell you about later. The real point of this blog is this: the singer asked that we do "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?", by CCR. But rather than perform it as originally recorded in the key of "C", he asked that we step it down to "A". Transposing it was not problem, but I wanted to be able to practice it by playing along with the CCR recording. I found a couple of apps that claimed they could re-pitch, but all fell short. Then I found Capo.
Capo has many features designed specifically for musicians. My favorite is the pitch adjustment. With it, I was able to drag-and-drop my MP3 into the program, then simply move the pitch adjustment slider down three steps, and re-export the song. So in 30 seconds, I was able to jam along with the original CCR recording, now in a totally different key.
In this installment of Spot Light On, we’re taking a bit of a different approach. Kompozers have joined our community for many reasons and while some are very public about their membership, others wish to remain in the shadows and came here to create music for the sheer joy of it. (editor's note: I wonder what planet minime lives on!)
Our next contestant on The Price is Right – whoops, wrong gig…..
Our next Kompozer is one that wishes to remain in the background, there’s nothing in the hand-book says ya have to share your personal stuff. However with a knack for writing very catchy lyrics to go along with his silky voice, I got a feeling simplechain may take a step out of the shadows….
On his own terms, of course and that's fine by us.
(editor's note: The Simple Chain - where the magic happens )
sanger: So, tell me SC, what first brought you to Kompoz?
SC: I wanted to begin recording music again. I started playing guitar and writing songs in college, and did some open mic nights and small gigs both by myself and with fellow students. I had done 4-track recordings in the late 90's and then computer-based recording that I pretty much stopped about a decade ago. After moving to a new house about a year ago with space for recording, I fired up what was left of the old studio, bought some new equipment, and began kompozing.
sanger: What’s your favorite thing about Kompoz?
SC: The ability to have such a great musical outlet on your own time and your own terms. With a busy job and a family, there is no way I could have a good musical outlet any other way.
sanger: Has Kompoz made you a better musician?
SC: Yes.
sanger: How so?
SC: Primarily by putting me in touch with the best musicians I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I could never get serious musically in the past with others who were just as limited with their time as I was.
Secondly, by allowing me to specialize in writing lyrics/melodies and singing, and not having to worry about playing instruments or fine-tuning the final mix. With limited time, it's great just being able to focus on what I enjoy most.
sanger: What can you suggest to make Kompoz even better than it is today?
SC: Just to get the word out to others like me who would love to know about this site.
sanger: Have you had a chance to actually meet any of your fellow Kompozers face-to-face?
SC: No, but I don't mind, as I find the online kollaborations plenty satisfying.
sanger: What do your friends/bandmates/family have to say when you tell them about Kompoz?
SC: My family is very happy I've been able to rekindle my interest in music through the site here.
sanger: Other than your own tunes, do you have a favorite Kompoz Komposition?
SC: I would have to say "Like a Unicorn" (editor's note: by the amazing Ehsan Imani ). I had been researching many collaborative sites, and it was after hearing this song that I docked here. So I guess I have to give a shout out to the staff picks, because I think it's important to feature some of the stand out songs here, not only for ourselves, but for potential members, fans, and talent scouts.
(editor's note: Iso Booth & kid fort - gotta love multi-use stuff! )
sanger: What would you like to say about Kompoz that our members can benefit from?
SC: I think an increased emphasis on interactive song crafting and production could take some of the songs here even further. A vocal added to a pre-existing instrumental track or vice versa rarely has that just right fit. Maybe start with instrumental and vocal sketches and change one a bit, then the other, and so on and so forth to strive for that "fit" that we hear in songs on the radio.
I think kicking a song around a bit can give the best results in the end, and well worth the patience it requires.
sanger: One final question simplechain, name two artists you’d like to see for a Kollaboration Kontest?
SC: There are many great ones to choose from, but two that come to mind are Linkin Park and 30 Seconds to Mars.
From my first day, Bjorn has been one of the best ‘teachers’ one could ever ask for. Always willing and able to help out fellow Komopzers, can play absolutely anything from METAL (see www.humancometh.com ) to Jazz (see www.facebook.com/alicebjorn )
And he’s quick with a joke or a light up your smoke – Hmmmm, that sounds familiar…. Oh well.
Ladies & Geets, I give you sanger’s Spot Light On Bjorn Pehrson (B1)!!!!
sanger: Has Kompoz made you a better bass/guitar player?
B1: Kompoz has made me an infinitely better bass player, a better guitar player and has boosted my songwriting ability to a level I cannot believe. It has also inspired me to buy a ukulele and an upright bass, both of which I had never played before joining.
sanger: How so?
B1: There are several factors that make me better by being on Kompoz. The first and foremost is of course to hear other players that are so much better, and to learn and steal from them. Much like when I started out and listened to records and radio and tried to figure out what they played. The difference here, of course being that I can actually ask the player.
Secondly, the "nakedness" of recorded tracks makes you hear much more of your mistakes, I used to play a lot in live bands, and there is a lot you can get away with live (especially on bass in a hard rock back - no one hears it anyway), but when recording, you have to do it much more precise.
There is also the element of discussion, not always exactly how to play that riff, but almost like a transfer of a musical "soul" between players. Some Kompozarians have taught me very, very much just by being very experienced musicians, without even discussing specifics like scales or riff. It is an attitude.
sanger: What can you suggest to make Kompoz even better than it is today?
B1: This is a hard one, I find Kompoz already very good and I am probably very biased since I love the place. There could probably be a million "little things" that can be tweaked, but all in all it is already fan-fornicating-youknowwhat. I would like to see more spotlight on Kompozers (old and new) to "present them to the gang", but I guess that is what this is :).
I am not too keen on the Staff Picks and Member Picks sections since people seem to put too great importance in appearing there, but that is just me.
I would like to see more international participation on Kompoz, but that is something that I don't think can be "arranged", it will come in due time.
sanger: Have you had a chance to actually meet any of your fellow Kompozers face-to-face?
B1: I have met several Kompozers face-to-face. (see Stockholm Showdown)
sanger: Really? That’s great! Can you tell us more about that?
B1: It is nothing short of magic when you meet people you have made music with online in real life. What always struck me at every encounter is that even though you may live literally in different worlds, work completely different jobs, dress different, have different color of skin, different religion and food preferences, it is still very very easy to communicate.
I have not had one meeting with a Kompozer where there was an awkward silence or where we ran out of topics to discuss. The most fantastic experience was - of course - the Stockholm Showdown where we not only met, but also jammed, drank, sightseeinged (new verb) and spent a very very magical weekend together.
I encourage all Kompozers to meet other Kompozers any chance they get.
sanger: What do your friends/bandmates/family have to say when you tell them about Kompoz?
B1: Many of them join :), my family thinks it is wonderful that I can still be very active in music without having to be away a lot from home. Musician friends mostly think it is absolutely incredible.
sanger: Other than your own tunes, do you have a favorite Kompoz Komposition?
B1: I have too many to mention, there is just too much good music :). One that is close to my heart is "Sick" by Elizabeth Gray (I am not sure I can take this one? I play on it:)), which not only is a fantastic song, it also developed from only a vocal line and there are some pretty mind-blowing musicians playing on it. However, there is just too much good music on Kompoz to try to single out anything.
sanger: What would you like to say about Kompoz that our members can benefit from?
B1: The exposure to the most talented bunch of musicians on Planet Earth, who are to 99% willing to help and coach you to do anything; better your playing, help finish your songs, explain odd time signatures or how to care for a violin bow. This is all priceless. Not to forget making friends in all corners of the world.
sanger: One final question Bjorn, name two artists you’d like to see for a Kollaboration Kontest?
B1: Now, that is a tall order. I would love to see a kontest based on a drummer (Bonham is out, but there is one or two more good, his son for example :)), perhaps making a song from a drum track. This would allow for a wider interpretation than guitar based kontests, I think.
I would also love to see a kontest based on a vocal track. As for artists, there are just too many to mention. If I can dream; David Bowie, Eddie Van Halen, Niels-Henning Orsted-Pedersen... :)
AND….. Bjorn is one of the founders of KTV!!!!Bjorn and Brannon create and produce this very cool show, featuring our gang of Kompozers! Those who make videos should really reach out to these guys – they are always on the lookout for new stuff!
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, we realised that there was no point in trying to make something better and I joined the site instead.<br><br> sanger: What’s you favorite thing abut Kompoz?<br><br> B1: The friendships that are formed and the sheer amount of musical talent that never stops to amaze me. The friends I have made on Kompoz are every bit as)
