Finally!

I went back in the studio yesterday and began working in earnest toward new mixes.

The idea came from a friend who suggested something based on an emotional state. It's similar to what I imagine you'd feel when you're meditating, with a very sensual overtone.

The first step was throwing down song titles and artists to get started. Sort of like throwing a lump of clay on the wheel. I'd forgotten how good this feels. Then I had a step I didn't have before - I had to start pulling those songs onto my studio computer. I still don't have Traktor loaded on that machine, and have to do it - that's going to be how I set it up.

Another new step - loading the songs onto a playlist in iTunes. This is a good thing, because it allows me to pull the pieces around and get an idea of how transitions will work. I like this method - once you've got them all in the computer and on the playlist, it's easy to move things around. In the old days, I'd have to switch CDs (or records) around to get an idea. It really makes things easier.

As I was doing this (oh, how I love time in the studio, it's been too long), I kept thinking of other songs to add. How could I have forgotten Depeche Mode's "Songs of Faith and Devotion" for example. At this point, the playlist is up to almost 3 hours. That's another good thing about the playlist method - I can get an idea of how long I'm looking at. Then it gives me ideas about how I want to trim the list, how many mixes I make, and then it started morphing into an idea for an additional mix with a much more aggressive feel. Sort of like what I imagine they'd play at Manray or something like that (ah, Manray, RIP).

I'm thinking I'm going to scrub the website and start again. Need to begin researching CSS and easier methods for updating than FTP of individual pages. I know that method is out there, I just need to research.

What I've realized is I need to set up studio time and get in there for the full time and work. It will help immensely. As I worked yesterday, I felt the old excitement about creating, and vowed I'd keep doing that. It will give me a much healthier outlet for my concentration and I'll create new things in the process.

So looking forward to all of this.