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on April 2
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #10Its Done!
Post Commentafter many many delays, a successful 17day tour, a five week sinus infection prohibiting vocal recording, and several scheduling conflicts, ALL THE BASIC TRACKING IS COMPLETE!
I cant thank all of you enough for your patience and support
Mixing is scheuled to begin this week, and hopefully we can have the master back/approved by the end of the month, then I can determine release scheule etc
But I am planning on giving you some sneak peaks as they become available
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on March 9
Chris McFarland
backed a project
Goldenboy's Sprinter Re-Fueling Project by Katy Crawford
We are gearing up for another national tour following our SXSW showcase and this year we hope to raise some money for Diesel Fuel.
Funding Unsuccessful (04/08/2012) -
on December 11
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #9final acoustic performance from FreekRadio
Post Commentthis is the last of the 8 tracks recorded in this series for FreekRadio
it is currently titled 'Simple, Selfish Plan'
it's a song that had been around for a while, but I finally felt motivated and removed enough from the subject matter to make it work.
there is a line lifted from a Rainer Maria song in this finished version, and Caithlin was able to accent it beautifully in the studio recording.
there wont be any more updates on this project until the mixes are done, really pushing to try and get everything wrapped up before the first of the year and January's tour
tour dates are on the calendar page at http://www.chrismcfarland.com/
thanks for checking out all of these acoustic performances and supporting this new record
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on December 4
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #8acoustic performances (7)
Post Commentthis weeks new track is 'cancer'
it was an effort to really go back to a simpler songwriting style and structure. I think there are times where the desire to incorporate a time change or huge build in a song can take away from the lyrical story line.
and sometimes there is a lot of space that just doesn't need to be filled
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on November 27
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #7acoustic performances (6)
Post Commentthis is the second of the new tracks.
Im kicking around a few different titles for it, so currently it will remain 'unnamed'
This is one of those songs that seemed to come together really quickly. It has a lot of meaning for me, partially for the space I was in when I wrote it, and partially for the message that I feel it shares.
I never really like to tell people what songs are supposed to represent. I like that each of us can apply our own stories onto the landscape of the music, and interchange characters and situations as we see fit.
There was some gentle encouragement from Brian in the studio to just let this song sway and bloom, it developed into one of my favorites of the session
This early demo version was recorded just days after it was written
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on November 20, 2011
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #6acoustic performances (5)
Post CommentThis is the first of the new songs that were played for freekradio
It's called Wild Abandon
I started writing this song last fall as kind of an experiment to see if I could write a pop song, or at least my version of one. It was a long time before I actually dusted it off and attempted to finish it. Through the encouragement of friends who heard it at that time, I knew it would eventually be used for something.
It has a dancy gallop, and a singable chorus. These are not historically traits I would use to describe anything I have written, but in this case it suits the material.
The studio version is full of electric guitars, a perfect drumbeat courtesy of Bill, and is the frontrunner for the opening track of the new record
hope you enjoy
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on November 13, 2011
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #5acoustic performances (4)
Post CommentThis week, it's the last of the old tracks.
"What Was Never Said" is also from 2004's 'Given' album.
This has been a favorite of mine to perform since it was written. There is such a desperate frustration to this song, and I think the stripped performance gives it a chance to come through a little more.
In new album news: finally got together with Kyle Fischer and Caithlin De Marrais to have them record their contributions, converting my apartment into a makeshift studio for the day.
Some beautiful layered backing vocals, and some spacy lap steel. Everything is sounding GREAT, and now its just a matter of getting time scheduled for me to redo a few guitars and replace the scratch vocal. Its getting close
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on November 6, 2011
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #4acoustic performances (3)
Post CommentDrive is the opening track from 2001's As If To Lay To Rest album.
its been a long time favorite of Kevin @ Mo Freek, so it was no surprise when it showed up on his request list.
this song was written in 2000 after spending some time on the road. It was a staple in my live set for a long time, but I've drifted away from it in the last few years.
It may be time to dust it off again.
I have been adding to the gig archive on the website. some fun memories, check it out - its a slow process. im only through the beginning of 2007 right now: http://www.chrismcfarland.com/past_performances
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on October 30, 2011
Chris McFarland
Posted project update #3Acoustic Performances (2)
Post CommentNext up is 'Sound And The Safety' from 2009's The Unraveling.
This song was initially written and recorded on a visit to Brooklyn in late 2008 at St Pauls Episcopal Church in Carroll Gardens.
Kyle Fischer was doing some volunteer work there at the time, and in exchange they allowed us to haul in gear and do sessions in the main hall.
This version takes it back to its bare roots, with no huge room reverb or steel overdubs.
There's a video of the studio version, shot during my first summer as a Brooklyn resident. its here if you haven't seen it http://www.chrismcfarland.com/video
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on October 24, 2011
Chris McFarland
commented on a project updatefixed
Chris McFarland
Brooklyn, NY
Since his first release in 1999, Chris McFarland has been a constant force in the acoustic indie/DIY scene. Whether solo, or with backing musicians, McFarland posses an intimate quality that grabs the listener and pulls them into the story of the song.... view more
