We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Closing In

by Steve Lawson

subscriber exclusive
1.
Closing In 14:44
This was an experiment in putting a looper right at the front end of the signal chain - before all the FX and processing, so I could then change the sound of whatever was looped... Mostly, in this case, reverb, distortion and an envelope filter... I like how this turned out. It's in a similar space to 'Nothing Can Prepare' from 11 Reasons, but ends rather differently...
2.
Imperfection 09:25
This one is an exploration of the impact of imperfection on the music - I had to switch from my main Looperlative (the looper I use) to my back-up (which is the original prototype), and it generates a lot more noise and pops and clicks than the new one did... it used to annoy me, but now I'm actually thinking it might add something interesting to the music, like vinyl crackle does... So this is that - let me know what you think.. the piece itself is an improv, starting out with a new-ish sound that uses a quite extreme tremolo setting to establish a rhythmic basis, with pitch-shifted reverb creating that initial ambient texture... fun times ;)
3.
Another idea in development. We'll see where this one ends up. Again, I'm loving the imperfections, that the kick drum part doesn't line up, that there are some delicious tonal ambiguities happening at various times. And that odd moment where the main rhythmic loop stops abruptly... that was unexpected while I was playing it too :) It gets pretty intense. Enjoy :)
4.
Another experiment - this one starts out with a really simple synth loop played on the Quneo, then fretted bass for the rest of the track... start playing see what happens. The delay and pitch shift stuff is done with the Looperlative LP2 pedal (the bleeps are achieved by double clicking the track speed button so it records a tiny bit of the audio at half speed then plays it back at double speed). The Looperlative is very early in the signal path so I was able to manipulate the reverb and distortion after it... Fun times :)
5.
Another experiment with the Quneo - this is actually the fourth thing I've recorded using this electric piano sound - I'm loving the combination of that, and running the loop of it into the Kaoss Pad (firstly with a granular filter, then a backwards delay at the end). This is a bit of a departure for me, though the fretless melodic component will be familiar... All the processing is part of the live performance - there's no post-production here... I'm going to spend a lot more time exploring this combination, but I thought you'd like to hear where I'm up to with it so far!

about

The idea for this album is for it to be a place where I upload works in progress as I work towards the new solo album. A lot of these will be things that I would've happily released on the album, were my approach the same as for my last couple of 'studio' solo records (11 Reasons and Behind Every Word) - but I'm going for a slightly different approach this time, I'm just not quite sure what it is.

At the moment, I'm playing A LOT, trying things out, using my gear in different combinations, working on melodic and harmonic ideas. So some of these may be pretty strange, and some may end up being quite similar... I won't be putting anything up here that isn't 'finished' in and of itself - these aren't crappy demos, but instead complete works that are part of the journey towards the album. If that makes sense.

Enjoy!

credits

released July 8, 2015

license

tags

about

Steve Lawson UK

The UK's most celebrated and prolific solo bassist - alternating between solo and collaborative releases - have a rummage around and see what you find. The subscription is by FAR the best way to keep track of the many musical goings on!

contact / help

Contact Steve Lawson

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account