I Never Really Wanted to Be a Solo Artist by Bob Elliott on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

I Never Really Wanted to Be a Solo Artist
I have usually ended up that way, but I really would prefer a song-writing partner, and even better a whole crew that works together in the creation and writing.

I have worked with my few musician friends at times. And I love those guys. Problem is we don't live near each other.

I can work alone, but I get much more thrills co-writing.

I never wanted my name as the name of the act. I never cared about having the only song-writing credit. I don't even like my name first on the credit even if I did most of the writing.

What I would have rather been is somewhat hidden in a team.

I suppose it could be done across the net, but I have very little faith in that. IWe need to be able to get together in the same room.

I never wanted to be the only singer in the act either. I way prefer to be one of two or three. Just always saw that as the best world.

And I guess I'm too reclusive, but I have little faith I can find people I fit with like the ones I already found that live so far away.

It's to tricky to bother, so I just go on as a solo guy, yet those guys play on a lot of my recordings when we can occasionally get together.

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Hop On Pop

11/6/2008 6:55:57 PM

I'm with you 100%, Bob.
Hop On Pop was a collaborative thing, and I think most here already know the story.

My favorite thing was the collaboration. Even though I was the songwriter, it was great getting together with everyone regularly to rehearse, hash out the arrangements, and just hang out. I miss that.

The one positive that I am taking away from this is that I will have greater control over the final product. The music on the new record will be more of a pure expression of who I am. In that way, it is more satisfying.

But I would trade that in for the chance to be a part of a unit again.

So I know what you mean.
Enjoy the company of those that you DO work with and take satisfaction in knowing that what you are doing is all you.

Plus, you know that what you are putting out is pretty amazing, don't you?
You have every right to be proud of that!

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Bob Elliott

11/6/2008 8:10:08 PM

I always felt and still feel I could express myself in full within the context of a team. I guess I had good luck with Matt and Sean and also with a friend named TOm. I never felt stifled, just lifted.

But I was always highly interested in supporting their sound within the context of our sound. I trip out on that.

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Bob Elliott

11/6/2008 8:19:48 PM

Plus, song writing credits always look so much cooler when there's more than one name.

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Auset

11/7/2008 7:30:26 AM

So far, I too, am a sole writer of all of my music. Finally after years of being a morphing duo, trio unit... we have a committed quartet working real hard on these tunes. But no collabs as of yet.

Good luck in your search!

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Hugh Hamilton

11/7/2008 10:55:09 AM

Hmm. I always pictured myself as half of a song-writing team (for obvious FAB reasons, lol) but the truth is either I don't play well with others or I've been too solo for too long...though I've gotta say I love producing and arranging parts (I'm more into arranging parts after the song structure itself has been hammered out) and I had a blast with Mr. Aven during my quick visit to his place in January and during his half-week visit to my place in July.

Having done so much overdubbing for so long I am especially valuing the "real" sounds these days - of real instruments, and real groups of people playing and singing in real time...but I can still appreciate the solo multi-track efforts too. But I crave some "live" work ensemble, that's fer sure.

I came up with a 12-minute instrumental ballet in college (which was a bit of a strange but happy accident). A professional arranger wrote out parts for our pit orchestra (maybe a dozen pieces) and I switched from bass to ragtime piano for the tune while the entire stage troupe pranced about (must've been about 40 dancers or more). THAT was fun...lol...

xo,
H

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Wayne Givens

11/7/2008 1:44:53 PM ---- Updated 11/7/2008 1:44:53 PM

Since I've always pretty much played in bands, and have co- written songs, it's kinda nice for me to just do something on my own. Sometimes you can get lost in what others want you to be, so this album I'm working on is pretty cool. Sure, I could go out and get different musicians to come and play, but this was really exhilarating for me. And the good part is, now that it's done, I can put a band together to play these songs for the cd release party, which I hope happens during the holidays. Already have the place, and the following, just missing the cd's and the players. :) It will happen very fast, and I'm pretty excited about it.
Wayne

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tom lee

11/7/2008 2:31:10 PM

i loved rehearsals. the banter and camaraderie, all that. even the odd screaming row! sadly i had to fire myself in the end (booze - i quit). guess i was meant to do it myself. :~)

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