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Pulse Eternal
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3/20/2008 6:42:59 AM
A VERY dark moment leads to a VERY bright light
A couple of days ago I had an extremely dark moment and was lying on the floor in tears an emotional mess. I am normally a very stable and level headed person but a number of things contributed to bringing this emotional well of frustration to the surface.
About four days ago, I was bitten on the eye in my sleep by a spider and awoke with my eye puffed up in a painful ball. OK, so that isn't a good thing but it's hardly the end of the world.......
Well, whatever the spider was, it's venom had a NASTY effect on the rest of my body and I was trembling, nauseous, in a cold sweat and felt like I was dying!!!
I went to the doctor and they lanced the poison and gave me some medication to help me recover.
It turns out that the medication helped clear out the poison and the infection but it gave me a massive migraine!! Needless to say, that wasn't much fun!
Anyway, I visited my parents a couple of days ago and mum had the flu so she was feeling like crap too. What started as an innocent discussion about what constituted acceptable attire (my attire) ended up in a HUGE emotional outburst and I had to leave.....FAST!
I felt like a circus freak and felt like I'd been kicked in the teeth emotionally.
The cumulative effects of everything that had happened over the past few days really blew up WAY out of proportion, hence my emotional state.
I got home and just couldn't keep my emotions quiet. After many tears and colourful expletives, I decided the best thing to do was to get it all out in music, but........
When I turned on my PC, it REFUSED TO BOOT!!! Arghhhh!!!! NOT NOW!!!!!
More colourful expletives and more tears.......
Then I found the problem. I'd put a new hard drive in the day before and forgot to set the jumpers on it. Easy fix.......
So, that brings me to my point. It seems that the deepest emotions are by far the best for bringing out a powerful expression in music. This new song I am writing feels great. I haven't felt this much emotional release since recording 'Valentine' which is now in the running for a Golden Kayak!!! YAY!!!
This new song is most likely going to be called 'Circus Freak' and I filmed a short clip playing drums to the instrumental break in the middle (a guitar solo).
So here's the clip.....
Here's some details on the recording I posted with the video....
"This is a preview clip of me playing drums during the guitar solo on my newest SuperPuss song 'Circus Freak'. My kit is a TD12 based custom setup and the sound is from one of my custom patches which will be available for download on www.superpuss.com.au shortly. The keyboards and guitar in this song are as follows: Bass sequence created on my Roland System 700 analog sequencer connected to my Roland Juno 6. Synth pad and piano played on my Yamaha SY77 synth. Guitar solo played on my Strat copy through a Zoom 9150 valve DSP. All recorded at 96KHz in 5.1 surround using Protools."
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Jo Ellen
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3/20/2008 6:51:29 AM
I'm glad that the spider bite worked out ok. I struggle with migraines all of the time so I can "feel your pain, there". My mother is extremely conservative (she doesn't like her neck exposed), and I definitely can relate to being made to feel like a "circus freak" when I where some of the latest trends (although for the most part I would consider my dressing style quite moderate). Finally, I agree that some of the greatest artistic endeavors come out of the desperation of personal experience, and I look forward to having a listen. Jo Ellen
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Larry Migliore
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3/20/2008 7:02:07 AM
Puss:
Isn't it something? How an artist can make something beautiful out of adversity.
I thank God that I'm able to funnel my recent losses into my music and create a positive from the negative. There are many folks in this world that will internalize their anger and frustrations. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
Take care of that spider bite, been there.
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Pulse Eternal
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3/20/2008 7:24:27 AM
Jo and Larry,
I think one of the greatest gifts we can share as artists is to be able to create something positive from any situation through our art.
Mum and I chatted yesterday on the phone and we both apologised to each other, me for over reacting and mum for saying things she really wished she hadn't said!!
So all is good again :-)
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Jo Ellen
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3/20/2008 7:29:10 AM
That's great that you can talk it out. My mom & I tend to agree to disagree on certain issues, but we remain close.
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Larry Migliore
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3/20/2008 7:31:52 AM
Amen Puss:
Family is all that's important in this world
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/20/2008 7:46:57 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
I know how you feel, and I respond the same way - there's no better way for me to deal with the depths than to get my hands on an instrument...
So sorry about your bite and subsequent frustration - the tune sounds EXCELLENT, though! I've started wondering about V-Drums myself, and yours sound excellent - kudos on your drumming, too - 9 mos! Niiiice!
Hang in, Chin up, Rock ON!!!
You FREAK!!!! LOL!!!!!!
(takes one to know one, I always say)
xxoo,
H
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Pulse Eternal
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3/20/2008 8:13:12 AM
Jo,
There's definitely a few thing my parents and I agree to disagree on!!! For the most part though, we're pretty close.
Larry,
I agree with you completely. If we're going to make a positive impact on this world, we need to start at home!
Hugh,
Thanks for your compliments :-)
If you do decide to invest in V Drums, go for either the TD12 or the TD20 module as the core. They are lightyears ahead of the cheaper models (TD3, 6 and 9) in trigger response, sound quality and versatility.
If you can afford it, go for the TD20. It has ten outputs (stereo pair and eight direct outs) plus a spdif digital output. I am about to upgrade my TD12 module to a TD20 for recording purposes. My TD12 has four outs and the same sound quality as the TD20 but I really need the extra outs for recording.
At the moment, I record midi and do multiple passes to get all the drums separated.
I must warn you though, if / when you get V Drums, be prepared for the time warp factor you'll experience. You'll find yourself in a vortex of missing hours and days!!!!!
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3/20/2008 8:14:59 AM
Maybe the spider injected you with super nanobot drum powers...
“White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high.” -Jimi Hendrix
( Your talented & beautiful Puss... and you have really nice cleavage ) -A
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LyinDan
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3/20/2008 8:20:36 AM
Sorry about your week, Titania (except for how it ended). When I have those weeks, I just have to mantra, "Getting it all over with at once, it won't last". Yep, that's what I tell myself.
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srm
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3/20/2008 8:22:25 AM
Music is always a great way to work through a situation. The results sound hip, I can't wait to hear the finished product. It's still difficult to believe that you've only been playing drums a short while. I tried to sit behind my drummer's kit from time to time, and I'm just not coordinated enough. Kudos!
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Texas Willie
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3/20/2008 8:54:39 AM
I am most reluctant to say this....but is there ANY chance you could mail me that spider?......Maybe its venom will inspire me as much as it has you......Great Stuff Darlin'!
TW
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Andy Broad
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3/20/2008 9:21:04 AM
Nice tune. Shame you had to go through such trials to get it!
You video was actually in sync with the audio, which is a really rae expereince when viewing a flv with mplayer, so I quite enjoyed that as well!
(use mplayer on linuxbox / amiga as my flash enabled machine is almost too slow to play audio let alone video...)
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SqurlyMurly
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3/20/2008 9:34:51 AM
hey girl! sorry to hear about all the craziness and bad stuff, but like the champ that you are...you survived and came out shining.
you have created a super tune. and as Hugh commented -- wow 9 months...just look at the beautiful baby SuperPuss gave birth to! : )
" lying on the floor in tears an emotional mess. I am normally a very stable and
level headed person"
when i found myself in that predicament -- due to menopause and depression - - i found hope in my music also...hence Panic Attack. i remember one morning as i sat down to have my coffee, i felt the tears coming so i walked outside away from the family. dear sweet hubby came along, asked me why i was crying. i then turned to him and through the tears came laughter and i said, "i don't know". and i don't know why i laughed either!
just remember SuperPuss, no matter how hurt you might be from Mom's words sometimes, you can still put your arms around her and laugh it off. i'm glad you guys are okay now.
just a few squrly words to let you know you are thought of!
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/20/2008 9:52:20 AM
Just can't help saying SqurlyWurdies!
:)
H
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Steve Ison
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3/20/2008 4:14:06 PM
I'm so impressed with your drumming skill after 9 months Superpuss..You sound fantastic!
The kit sounds exactly like a great normal kit too..
You're also playing along without headphones..Can you record like that?
Like Hugh...Its got me thinkin' too....Tho my flats so frikkin' small there's no room to put it really :(
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The Man With No Band
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3/20/2008 4:52:42 PM
You Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwk girl !!!!!!!
BTW... (When I grow up I wanna be a spider) ... but don't worry ... I'd never think of biting you ... at least in your eye ... :)
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Magnetfisch
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3/21/2008 3:24:30 AM
hello SP,
I’m glad you’re on your feet again! read about spider venom – seldom deadly, but quite debilitating…
last week, I had quite a flu - up to 40°C (which was cool compared to the 39-41.5°C I experienced during the last week of recruit school 12 years ago). Experience is the word since one tends to see things at such temperatures - spooky :-)
Anyway, just like you, I hate to be reduced to this biological, weak condition - and even more when unnecessary conflicts chose this moment to emerge… After all, we have other things to care about rather than wasting energy and time. My father used to talk about the “fragility of the human condition”. He was a force of nature until taken away by brain tumor…
We have to find a way to cope with these aspects of life – and music is one of our best weapons – so rock on and hit those drums!
Best regards from Switzerland, where I was glad to have rehearsal with the band again (and some beer as well) – a powerful, rocking song (220 bpm bounce rock beat) was the result 8-)
cheers
Mr. T / Magnetfisch
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DirgeK
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3/21/2008 4:04:48 AM
That's a really scary place to be bitten, the poison must have gone straight into your blood. Do you have many poisonous spiders in Australia ? Most of Dirge's music was the result of an out pouring of the inner pain and turmoil she felt in her brain which is very difficult for anyone who doesn't suffer from such an illness to be able to understand but without which she would never have produced such amazing songs.
You look very superfit in your video, something for us all to aspire to.
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Pulse Eternal
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3/21/2008 10:43:29 AM
Wow! So many replies here.... I missed a couple of days on IAC so I'm playing catch-up!!
Gaslight,
Super Nanobot powers would be WAAAAY cool! Something like Borg nanoprobes used for good, not evil :-D
Thank you for your kind compliments too :-)
Dan,
I think that mantra is VERY appropriate to my situation a few days ago! I was definitely getting it 'all over at once!!'
Steve (srm),
Thanks too for your kind words and continued support. I was completely uncoordinated on my kit when I first got it but I think drums are actually a natural thing for me. I was always playing 'air drums' around the house and always wanted to get a real kit. Once I saw V Drums, I HAD to get them!!!
Willie,
I'll see what I can do!!! Could be tricky though because I never saw the spider that bit me so I have no idea what the poison actually was.
Andy,
I hear you on the video sync issue. That is one thing I am pedantic about with my clips. Every edit I do I like to be accurate to the frame and I am very particular about encoder settings. I have done many tweaks to the encoding algorithms on my indiemusicclips.com site to get it spot on too.
Squrly,
I totally empathise with you on the effects of menopause (I still don't know why they call it MENopause!!). I think part of my emotional state last week was related directly to my hormones. A few years ago I had a hysterectomy and went through early menopause as a result. Two weeks ago, a new HRT treatment came out which is much more natural than the one I was previously on. This new one basically mimics my natural hormone cycle. My doctor did say that it would take a month or so for my body to adjust to the new regime. I feel fine now but I am pretty sure this adjustment period had a lot to do with my sensitivity!!
Mum can relate to my situation too because she also had a hysterectomy. Anyway, as mentioned, all is great again with mum and I.
Steve I,
Thanks too for your compliments. :-)
V Drums are very easy to record and, because there's no physical mics involved, there's also no need for headphones. I just use my studio monitors. All the microphone placements and settings are done virtually in the TD12 module.
As you can hear, they sound amazing recorded. My kit doesn't actually take up much room either so you'd probably fit them in your flat.
Sam,
You really know how to make me smile!! You Raaaawwwwk too!!!!
Mr T,
Sorry to hear about your Dad. That must've been very tough on you both.
a 40 deg C fever sounds nasty too. I hope you're feeling better now. *hugs*
Jill,
I had no idea about Dirge's condition. That must've been tough! Her music has a very special place in my heart and I feel a strong connection to you and her through it. I feel truly honoured to be working on these songs and am taking every measure I can to remain sensitive and true to her creations.
Thank you for your compliments too :-)
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SqurlyMurly
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3/21/2008 11:17:50 AM
SuperPuss, same here. Don't know why they call it "hys" either. They should call it "hurtstowreckmy". And menopause should be "mentalpause" ! : )
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Pulse Eternal
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3/22/2008 10:14:39 AM
ROFL Squrly!!!! :-D That pretty much sums it all up!!!!
There IS a light at the end of the tunnel though...... no more damn monthly cramps, pregnant looking stomach and migraines!!
I still get migraines sometimes but at least they are not monthly!!
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Beth Fridinger
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3/22/2008 11:34:06 PM
very cool on the drums...how did you start to learn? I am thinking I should learn some drumming...but can't afford a kit...I was at an open mike and a dude was using brushes on a cardboard box...and it sounded GREAT...playing along with a stand up bass, and a guitar...so maybe I will start that way...ha ha...
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Vincenzo Pandolfi
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3/23/2008 12:52:11 AM
OK,
Enough girly stuff now....
That was great work Titania, love the drums and background groove. Let us know when the song is done.
Ciao,
Vincenzo
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Pulse Eternal
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3/23/2008 3:26:12 AM
Thanks Beth,
I haven't had any formal lessons on drumming and there's no doubt a lot I could learn by doing so but right now, I am happy with my progress and can add some real feel to my drum parts instead of having to program them or play them on keyboards!!
I think once you've obtained a sense of rhythm from playing other instruments, it is easier to apply that to drums. I also played hand percussion on and off at jam sessions and have played Djembe in a hand percussion group too.
I love the idea of the brushes on a cardboard box!! That must've been so cool to see! I reckon if you have a passion for something, do whatever you can, even if it is wooden spoons on pots and pans!
Vincenzo,
LOL about the girly stuff!!! Thanks heaps for your compliments :-)
I'll definitely be letting everyone know once the song is complete. I have some pretty grand scemes in my head for the vocals so all I need now is a good vocalist!!!
I put up an ad for a vocalist on www.starnow.com.au and have had some good responses so hopefully the right singer is just around the corner.
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JOHN FRY
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3/23/2008 7:05:18 AM
That was cool to watch. I wish everybody here would video themselfs and post it.
Circus Freak is good. Your next song should be called Spider Bite.
Loved it SuperPuss!
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Pulse Eternal
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3/24/2008 11:11:28 AM
LOL about 'Spider Bite' John :-D
Actually, that's not a bad idea!! I might just do that.
I had a dream last night and awoke with an entire stage play about 'Circus Freak' in my head!! This dream also triggered the inspiration for the structure of the lyrics.
It will be a big undertaking to actually perform this live as I saw it in my head but I'd REALLY love to do it :-)
Thanks heaps for your compliments too and yeah, more indie music clips dot com!!! ;-)
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/24/2008 4:50:41 PM
---just back from our trip---to catch this b4 it fell off the page!!
big congrats for "valentine' nomination ---it is superb!!
this new track is gonna be awesome----
btw-I have a little scar on my forehead from a kiwi spider bite-----like an indentation where the flesh turned septic ---glad you're ok SP!!!
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Pulse Eternal
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4/5/2008 1:35:28 PM
I only just found your reply here Rob.
Yikes! That sounds nasty!!! I think I'll get away with no marks luckily.
Cheers and see you at the awards tomorrow :)
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