Turn the Lights Out repeat2fade 2023-09-09 | Turn the Lights Out by repeat2fade : lyric videoOriginal song written, performed and produced in my Home Studio. And my very first attempt at making a video, I used veed.io which was surprisingly simple and intuitive to use, especially for a video novice like me! I wrote the song with the idea of making the verses work on a short syllable rapid-fire basis to contrast with a more open and flowing sing-song styled chorus. During the writing process, the verses morphed into a kind of 'talking in-tune' style, so I ran with that and produced the verses with a megaphone sound. Talking of production, I recorded and mixed the song using the Alabama Shakes sound as a starting reference. Not sure it ended up there, but at least you know where it started!!As for the subject matter, the song is written about those emotional 'bullies' who keep repeating their narrative over and over, and then after it's been repeated so often, it starts to stick as some distorted version of the truth. You see these people in all walks of life, from politics to the workplace, to relationships. It's a version of psychological control, I suppose.All performed and recorded by myself in my HomeStudioAll the Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Yamaha Revstar with P90 pickupsEZ Drummer 3, provided the percussion (oh how I love this plugin!)Recorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 12#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
This is the Day (electric version) : acoustic vs electric, which is better? repeat2fade 2026-02-14 | Two Worlds, One Choice. This is the Day is a new song, but released in two completely different production styles. Why? because emotions aren't one-dimensional! The Acoustic Version: Laid back, reflective, and intimate youtube.com/watch?v=ini8In4AqZIThe Electric Version: Energetic, exciting, and raw youtu.be/8FTVOMdPQtAPlease leave a comment and let me know which one you preferred. I’m curious to see which production style captures the "feeling" of this story better for you. Every song has a story, and this track is deeply personal—it’s an autobiographical look back at the time I was thinking about getting married. It touches on that euphoric "click" when you meet someone who fills the empty spaces you didn’t even know you had. But then, it’s also about the weight of change. Transitioning from a single life to a "couple" life felt like a massive, daunting choice at the time... yet, looking back, I fully realise the choice had already been made by my heart. Yep, it was a foregone conclusion!! Acoustic vs. Alt-Rock Electric - drop a comment below and let me know which one you prefer. Credits & Gear Songwriting: As always 100% self-written, self-performed and self-produced in my HomeStudio. Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processor All guitar parts played on a Yamaha Revstar Drums: Toontrack EZ Drummer 3 (using the Linn drum kit pack). DAW: Recorded and mixed in Cubase 14. Visuals: Lyric video created in Microsoft Clipchamp. Background imagery assisted by Gemini/Nano Banana and Picsart.
This is the Day (acoustic version) : acoustic vs electric, which is better? repeat2fade 2026-02-14 | Two Worlds, One Choice. This is the Day is a new song, but released in two completely different production styles. Why? because emotions aren't one-dimensional! The Acoustic Version: Laid back, reflective, and intimate youtu.be/ini8In4AqZIThe Electric Version: Energetic, exciting, and raw youtu.be/8FTVOMdPQtAPlease leave a comment and let me know which one you preferred. I’m curious to see which production style captures the "feeling" of this story better for you. Every song has a story, and this track is deeply personal—it’s an autobiographical look back at the time I was thinking about getting married. It touches on that euphoric "click" when you meet someone who fills the empty spaces you didn’t even know you had. But then, it’s also about the weight of change. Transitioning from a single life to a "couple" life felt like a massive, daunting choice at the time... yet, looking back, I fully realise the choice had already been made by my heart. Yep, it was a foregone conclusion!! Acoustic vs. Electric Alt-Rock - drop a comment below, and let me know which one you prefer. Credits & Gear Songwriting: As always 100% self-written, self-performed and self-produced in my HomeStudio. Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processor All guitar parts played on a Yamaha Revstar Drums: Toontrack EZ Drummer 3 (using the Linn drum kit pack). DAW: Recorded and mixed in Cubase 14. Visuals: Lyric video created in Microsoft Clipchamp. Background imagery assisted by Gemini/Nano Banana and Picsart.
Staring into the Sun - lyric video repeat2fade 2026-01-25 | Staring into the Sun was born from the guitar riff that opens the song. For the chord structure I kept the foundation fairly simple, focusing on atmosphere rather than complex music theory (as if I know that anyway ... Ha! Ha!).The recording process was somewhat frustrating, a journey of trial and error. After several false starts, I found my direction in the spacious, melancholic sounds of 1980s British alt-rock/post-punk — think The Cure or Echo & the Bunnymen. The track is anchored by the driving guitar riff and bassline, underpinned by a classic LinnDrum-inspired beat, layered with delay-drenched, chiming guitars to capture that vintage 80s aesthetic.Lyrically, the song explores the weight of self-doubt and the trap of over-analyzing one’s own identity. The chorus image of "Staring into the Sun" suggests that this level of introspection is ultimately blinding and futile. In the bridge, I’ve included a (not so) subtle nod to Oasis / Noel Gallagher’s Don’t Look Back in Anger, introducing the character of Sally. Unlike the narrator, she breaks the loop—choosing agency and self-belief over endless searching.Credits & GearSongwriting: As always 100% self-written, self-performed and self-produced in my HomeStudio.Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Yamaha RevstarDrums: Toontrack EZ Drummer 3 (using the Linn drum kit pack).DAW: Recorded and mixed in Cubase 14.Visuals: Lyric video created in Microsoft Clipchamp. Background imagery assisted by Gemini/Nano Banana and Picsart.Support the ChannelIf you enjoyed the track, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell ln! It really helps an independent creator out. Cheers! #AltRock #80sVibes #PostPunk #YamahaRevstar #HomeStudio #IndieMusic
Walk into the Storm : repeat2fade repeat2fade 2025-08-26 | "Walk into the Storm" is a new song about finding the courage for new beginnings. It explores the universal struggle of facing adversity and the conflicting emotions of moving on, all while delivering a message of hope. Written, performed, and produced 100% in my home studio, and this lyric video was created with AI-generated visuals. #originalsong #newmusic #homestudioInspirationThis came from Noel Gallagher´s The Dying of the Light, which is an absolutely tremendous song. Although Walk into the Storm shares similar/themes, it is really a very different song, with different context and a different feel -- I'm very happy with the final result.Song StructureThis song was written in a very classic verse/pre-chorus/chorus structure, with an emphasis on the multiple sections. Verses : a syncopated rhythm style, using a chord progression in Am, where the protagonist takes affirmative action. Pre-Chorus : the verses fold into a much more flowing pre-chorus (based in the relative major, C major) with the lyrics taking a self reflective stance that is pretty much doubting the affirmative action. Chorus : the chorus eventually arrives (over 2mins in!!), with a clean, confident musical style and an acknowledgement that, although some form of inner strength has been found, the struggle is far from over.If that all sounds a bit negative(!) the final verse offers a glimmer of hope, and suggests a turning point with a decision and a new source of strength from a new alliance! Nice!!Side-NoteInteresting songwriting side note (for those who care about such things), the chorus continues with chords from the C major key established in the pre-chorus, however the chorus starts with a G chord and follows a I V vi IV progression, as if its in G major .... a key change of sorts!!!Credit & GearAs always 100% self-written, self-performed and self-produced in my HomeStudio. Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Yamaha RevstarEZ Drummer 3, provided the percussion (I really do like this plugin!)Recorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 14Lyric video produced using Microsoft ClipchampImages in the video are AI created using Imagen, and the moving parts by LTXDon't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed the music! cheers!!#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
Other Side of the Sky by repeat2fade repeat2fade 2025-04-04 | This song was written last year on an acoustic guitar and started life as a kind of folky ballad! The song covers self reflection on past memories, but urges taking the initiative rather than remaining passive. The Other Side of the Sky is the destination where life is better and you can be at peace, but this destination is paradoxically hidden within normal life; is a frame of mind, not a physical place.Inspiration for the music came from building simple triad chords around a descending chromatic line. This formed a melancholy basis for the verses, and the rest of the song fell into place around that, and building to the chorus that is very much in the major key. And for those who care about such things, the descending line is D C# C B and the triad-chords are D Dmaj7 D7sus2 Em. 100% self-written, self-performed and self-produced in my HomeStudio. Guitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Sire Larry Carlton S7EZ Drummer 3, provided the percussion (I really do like this plugin!)Recorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 13Lyric video produced using Microsoft ClipchampImages in the video are AI created using Imagen#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
Shed my Skin : repeat2fade repeat2fade 2024-02-29 | More music written, performed and produced in my Home Studio.This track started life as a simple riff over an Am chord on an acoustic guitar. The riff got transferred over to the bass, which is what you hear in the intro, joined by various guitars that build the riff into a crescendo. And then the rest of the recording was about dynamics; a sparse verse, building tension in the pre-chorus, then transforming into a major key with an upbeat chorus, before finally resolving back to the Am riff.Lyrically, the song uses the imagery of a car journey to explore how seemingly innocuous everyday boring events can easily spark inspiration for a much more profound hidden meaning. All it takes is a little optimism, plus an open attitude to discovery and life can be re-imagined!All performed and recorded by myself in my HomeStudioGuitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Sire Larry Carlton S7EZ Drummer 3, provided the percussion (I really do like this plugin!)Recorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 12Lyric video produced using Microsoft ClipchampImages in the video are AI created using DALL-E#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
Thats the Ride by repeat2fade repeat2fade 2023-11-25 | For this recording, I wanted to do something that focused more on the acoustic guitar. In fact, I typically write songs on an acoustic guitar, but with this track, I stayed acoustic right through the recording process ..... acoustic arpeggios and an acoustic lead!For the lyrics, the song explores some of the complexities and emotions of the human experience, especially concentrating on the loneliness or isolation that we all feel from time to time. But it's not all bad, the track includes an element of hope!! The bridge section suggests that if we embrace life’s ups and downs, we can find equilibrium, and in the end, it's all just part of the beautiful journey we call life!All performed and recorded by myself in my HomeStudioAll guitar parts played on a Taylor 214CEThe guitar parts were recorded on two tracks, one via the line out from the Taylor's onboard preamp, the other via a Lewitt LCT 140 Air microphone. This allows for a different equalisation on each track, and then with left and right panning, the combined sound seems a richer, more accurate tone, and more spacious.Bass tones provided by an Ibanez GSR200 played through a Behringer BDI21EZ Drummer 2, provided the percussionRecorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 12Lyric video produced using Veed.io#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
Changes (own your truth) by repeat2fade - lyric video repeat2fade 2023-10-13 | Changes (own your truth) by repeat2fade : lyric videoOriginal song written, performed and produced in my Home Studio.This song started out with the 'I believe in changes' concept and the verse melody came quite quickly, and once the accompanying chords were in place (D A Bm G), it felt really natural .... which was all good .... until I realised I'd managed to 'come up with' a 1 5 6 4 chord progression, which must be one of THE most commonly used chord progression EVER!!! But hey, if it works, it works!! So I thought, embrace this, let's stay classic. Next was the chorus (a vamp on D G and A) which I wanted to be punchy and memorable, separating it stylistically from the more flowing melodies used elsewhere in the song. The last part was the pre-chorus, which is a simple climb up the chords of the key to the A chord (Em Fm G A), so there would be the classic 5 to 1 tension/resolution leading into the initial D of the chorus.The instrumental break in the middle turned out quite interesting. It was recorded using two separate guitar lines that meander separately and then gradually merge together until they are in unison for a repeat of the main motif of the song. Quite proud of that!!As for the lyrics, this is actually a reworking of the song. Originally it was a protest song in tribute to what happened to Mahsa Amini in Iran, but some of the lyrics didn't sit well with me, especially considering the subject matter. I didn't feel I did it justice. So I rewrote the lyrics and re-recorded the vocal parts. Much happier with this version.That's not to say I dropped the cause of Mahsa Amini and the protests. I also worked on a separate project with my friend Bill McGill. He wrote a song dedicated to her called Little Bird, and asked me to produce and record a version of his original demo. Here is a link to the fruits of that project: soundcloud.com/billmagill/sets/little-bird-tribute-to-mahsa?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharingAll performed and recorded by myself in my HomeStudioGuitar and Bass tones provided by a Valeton GP-200LT multi-effects processorAll guitar parts played on a Yamaha Revstar guitar with P90 pickupsEZ Drummer 3, provided the percussion (I really do like this plugin!)Recorded, produced and mixed using Cubase 12Lyric video produced using Veed.io#repeat2fade #homestudio #songwriting
