Collection by Brett Schieber
Music is everything.
Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep making my noise? I don't really know how to explain it, except to say that I simply love music so much. It makes me happy. It helps me process the world around me, it allows me to imagine, and build. Making something out of nothing is so gratifying, even though the process can be so frustrating and difficult. Regardless, I just love it so much. And, now that I have kids, I hope that they'll listen one day and get to know their Dad a bit better. This is something that I'm leaving something behind for them. If you're reading this one day, girls, know that I love you with all of my heart!
Looking back, I can't believe I've written so many songs and have recorded so many albums at this point in my life - a combination of 39 albums, EPs, and singles, when you count my personal music, Arcanum (Tree and I), Mark D. Pencil and Friends (the first three albums with Ace, the rest on my own), and that one Prankster album I made! This collection focuses on my personal music (I call my solo music, which I record under my name, my "personal music"). Music has been a lifelong obsession. At this point in my life, I decided to look back for a moment (like looking out of the window of an airplane). I figured that a collection of some sort was due in order to reflect on where I've been and to consider where I'm going next. I feel as if the music I've been writing and have yet to release is a new chapter, so maybe this period of time finds me closing yet another book and opening a new one.
Most of these songs were written, recorded, and mixed as I sat alone in a room, staring at the wall for long and frustrating stretches of time while trying to explain my thoughts, dreams, and feelings in poetic and concise ways, usually feeling defeated and not good enough. Still, I love writing and recording. It's one great joy I've found in my life. It's necessary for me to function in life. I don't know what drives my need for people to listen, to "hear me", but if you're here and if you've listened to my recording and/or at a show, I hope you know how much I truly appreciate it. It really means so very much.
I can't look back at many of these songs without thinking of the fun gigs I've played with my great friend, Darrell Levenwolf. Thank you, Darrell. I always want you playing beside me! It was also incredibly fun to play some of the earlier songs during occasional full band rehearsals and shows with my other great friends, Daniel Taylor and David Goodwin. Likewise, it's impossible to listen to many of these songs without also thinking of all the laughs while recording and mixing some of these tunes with Ace, Gavin Fisher, Josh Kahler, and Sean McPherson. Finally, I'm so thankful that Mandi Watson-Crosby, Tiffany Watson-Ray, and Mary Beth Hussey have been willing and able to play live strings on many of these songs too. Nothing compares to live string sections! Thank you so much, friends! You've made the songs you've all played on so much better.
For fun, I included some new things in this compilation that have not previously been released:
-"I Don't Want To Think". Stacey Wright sang on the version that appears on "Strike Night: The Musical", but this is the original version with me singing. I found an acoustic version, as well, so I included it too.
-"Only One" and "Know Who You Are Before You Give Yourself Away" were songs that, at the time, I never got the elusive "perfect mix" for and then they got forgotten for a stretch of time. Frustratingly, the drive they were on crashed and I was unable to recover them, so these are the best mixes that I had. Looking back at these, I don't know how I forgot about them because I really like them and I'm ok with the mixes too! Thank goodness!
-The edited version of "Medication",
-"Strings" is an isolated string part that I planned on writing something around, but never did.
-"Hero Theme" is a song I did for a film that was rejected (doh!).
-A strings and vocal mix of "It's All In Your Mind".
- Finally, I'm also including acoustic versions of "Hearts Vs. Heads", "Certain", "Medication", and "I Don't Want to Think".
Thank you so much for your time, ears, and hearts and for allowing me to share my noise with you. It means everything.
PS - Of course, I'm still making new Arcanum music with Tree (and will do so as long as he wants to!) & new Mark D. Pencil stuff too. AND- I hope to surprise you all with another completely different new project soon, which I'm very excited about! You know I'll keep you posted, but to make sure you don't miss anything, please be sure to follow me on all the social media sites. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
brett
Tracklist
Credits
Cover photo by Gavin Fisher (heygavin.com). It was taken 32,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. Check his photography, videography, and music out. He's amazingly talented and has done many cool things - he also recorded and played on some of these songs!
All songs written by Brett Schieber.
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open.spotify.com/artist/3ekaNAYWjx5MHsm2GLnP0Y
music.apple.com/us/artist/brett-schieber/6337310
www.youtube.com/channel/UCZiOkXq6xGa9qrHyMuwfwSQ
License
All rights reserved.Tags
On this Bandcamp page, you can purchase music from Brett Schieber, including his solo music, Arcanum (Brett & Tree), & Prankster. You'll find a couple albums he produced for others, as well. Brett's music for Mark D. Pencil & Friends can also be found on Bandcamp by searching for that name. Thank you for your time, ears, & hearts!