Alex Melton
If Four Year Strong Covered This Christmas
updated
I think I've covered a Kings Of Leon song in nearly every cover band I've been a part of, which isn't that many but it's kinda weird that it happened more than twice. They've been ubiquitous ever since I graduated high school, so it's difficult to imagine them before "Only By The Night". All I know; this record is full of bangers and this song is a certified classic.
I had a bit of a tug of war with the pre-production on this project, but I'm glad I pulled through and found something really fun. I ended up increasing the tempo by about 5% after recording the drums, so I had to speed up the drum footage very slightly to make everything sync. We do what we gotta do to make it work, eh?
Follow me on instagram to track the progress of how the live show is coming together, and you'll find eventual show dates there I'm sure. the handle is just alexmelton.
0:00 - Making The Band
1:48 - 'Use Somebody' Discussion
3:23 - How I Made My Cover
6:00 - Promo Stuff
6:23 - MUSIC
Youtube Video without talking here! - youtu.be/2D1NTx8cN6c
If you've been around here before, then you know Taylor Swift is a big influence for me - my very first video on the channel was a pop punk Taylor Swift cover. Several years later, my Love Story cover kinda went viral and allowed me to start thinking about doing production and music full time. So now we're back, with arguably one of her biggest songs ever. Let's give it the 'ol emo treatment and see what happens.
0:00 - Music
4:41 - Discovering Taylor Swift (Red)
6:48 - Shake It Off Song Discussion
8:44 - How I Approached The Cover
The first two songs are available to stream now, songs 3 and 4 are unreleased from my upcoming album, and the last song is an old one, from my EP "In The Sun" which is also available to steam. I'll probably be dropping these acoustic versions as extra content when the album is out. Someday.
Stream my stuff here: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
0:00 - Feel It All
2:56 - Infinity
6:59 - Spinning Me Out
10:10 - Monday Morning
13:28 - In The Sun
If you're just into pure music and no talking, here's your link! youtube.com/watch?v=zylkVMMXLeQ
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Discovering Noah Kahan
3:59 - Production Discussion
8:44 - 500k SUBS!
9:19 - Stick Season Cover
Here's a link to just the "music video" part, for a more pure playback experience: youtu.be/7KOBAz3kNbc
0:00 - Intro
0:19 - Artist History & Context
2:56 - Song Discussion
8:13 - Song Performance
Michelle Branch's 'Everywhere' has a GIGANTIC hook that was super fun to interpret, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of the magic tucked into the rest of the song as well. I wanted to take a closer look at how these types of special songs are made, and the creative vision that brings everything together.
Thanks for watching, and find me on instagram if you hang out there (@ alexmelton)
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Introducing Michelle Branch
1:17 - Collaboration In The Music Industry
2:50 - Introducing 'Everywhere'
3:37 - Things I Love
4:51 - Things To Keep
5:27 - Things To Change
6:41 - THE SONG
10:17 - Outro
New single drops on May 6!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=efxBLMB-SMivSgcvkehfag
insta: alexmelton
"I wrote 'Feel It All' as a reminder to myself - stay present, appreciate your surroundings, don't close yourself off to everything in a futile attempt to keep out all the bad stuff. Life is beautiful, life is ugly, and we only get one chance to experience it." - Alex
Lyrics:
Well If you never try
You never have to lose
Let fate decide
The inevitable truth
lower the stakes
No skin in the game
Nothing wagered, nothing lost
Yeah, you gotta feel it all
To feel something
yeah when you’re down and out
And everything becomes a chore
When The world gets way too loud
So I’d rather not hear anymore
Appreciate worse and better days
find the beauty in the loss
Yeah, you gotta feel it all
To feel anything at all
Yeah, you gotta feel it all
To feel something
Full Hypotheticals 5 album: open.spotify.com/album/48iUkCEUiREYd7PJz8avwA?si=as-Xrai2SGSE_4Kyl8lGxQ
I recently watched 'Crossroads' with my wife, and I absolutely loved the placement of this song in that movie. I guess for a film produced by MTV they better have a few decent needle drops in there. So that's pretty much the reason I wanted to cover this song. Thanks, Britney Spears, for bringing that moment to us.
0:00 - Track 1
3:42 - Track 2
8:02 - Track 3
11:54 - Track 4
15:23 - Track 5
20:10 - Track 6
23:19 - Track 7
28:06 - Track 8
31:14 - Track 9
34:07 - Track 10
37:33 - Track 11
41:01 - Track 12
43:50 - Track 13
48:34 - Track 14
52:28 - Track 15
56:16 - Track 16
58:55 - Track 17
Thanks for being here throughout 2024 and beyond.
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=2HA5aKezSLuVpKsPKR8U2w
music.apple.com/us/artist/alex-melton/1488166926
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - 10
1:50 - 9
2:39 - 8
3:28 - 7
4:23 - 6
5:17 - 5
6:28 - 4
7:09 - 3
8:14 - 2
9:51 - 1
12:26 - Closing Thoughts
Find me on Instagram or TikTok for more carols, Tom Delonge even shared a Blink one a few weeks ago!
2025 is the year of Real Drums for Alex Melton. I hope to use them in future videos, maybe even get to a point where I can do remote tracking for others. The possibilities are endless, spirits are high, and the procrastination on Caroling Part II is very real.
First things first - let's get this drum kit set up.
Then, go listen to my songs called "Take It Easy" or "Infinity", or maybe a cover or two. Here's a Spotify link. open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=pxz50AMkRDaS10ETchO36w
0:00 - Testing My New Drum Set (Song)
0:40 - Intro
2:13 - Goodbye Roland (Song)
3:11 - Prepping The Shells
3:46 - Alex's Drum History
7:42 - Unboxing Time
13:45 - It's A Montage (Song)
14:37 - Preamp Talk
15:35 - Drum Mic Walkthrough
16:13 - Closing Thoughts
17:55 - One More Drum Example
I hope to do a part 2 before the holidays are over, so please recommend a band you'd like to see Carolized!
If you didn't already know, I also put out some original music this year. Called "Take It Easy" and "Infinity", both songs have music videos here on the channel, and are also streaming now. It would mean a lot if you gave them a chance, I'm really proud of how they came out. They were produced and mixed by Alan Day of Four Year Strong and he was really rad to work with.
I'm thankful that I'm occasionally able to stretch my part writing muscles from my Bachelor's program over TEN YEARS ago lol. Even though I'm breaking plenty of rules (PARALLEL FIFTHS EVERYWHERE), but when you're emulating pop music all the rules go out the window anyway. Glad you guys enjoy these, because I sure do enjoy making them.
Until Recently.
It all started, strangely enough, during the Halloween season. My wife and I were watching scary movies a lot, and we finally gave American Psycho a chance. My main observation, which is probably low on the list of things to take away from that movie, was that Huey Lewis does indeed absolutely slap.
And it kinda snowballed from there, but one of the songs that stuck out to me was this one by Bruce Springsteen. I'd only heard 'Born' up until then, and I was struck by how vulnerable the lyrics came across in 'Dancing'. For a man I associated with the bravado and brashness of his aforementioned biggest hit, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I very much connected with it.
I was originally going to do a more straight up version, not changing too much. But as I tracked ideas, the sound just kept evolving until it reached what you hear currently - almost getting rid of that main melodic motif entirely, and creating different counter-melodies and rhythmic emphasis that helps seat it in that emo-ish range.
I knew it was gonna be a challenge to impart that unique mix of vocal power and lyrical vulnerability, but I feel like it ended up in a great place. Hope you guys enjoy, and thanks for your time!
Of course, after getting the ball rolling, I was able to find a way forward with a treatment and arrangement. I tried to change the chord progression of the chorus a few times, but nothing ever felt AS good. The best I could muster was some rhythmic shifting and some of those fun chord voicings I've fallen in love with recently.
I think it's a testament to the tightness of the original arrangement, and I'm learning that I don't have to throw out EVERYTHING about a song in order for me to find fulfillment and artistic satisfaction in the version that I end up releasing.
I'm always mindful about the idea that I want my work to be a companion piece to the original art, as opposed to competing in the same lane for the same listen. It's gotta be different enough to justify having been made.
That's probably the thing I'm most proud of about this year - learning to let the quality of the project dictate the production timeline instead of the other way around. And you guys have been gracious enough to continue watching even through the sporadic uploads. So, thanks. I've got a lot of music on Streaming services if you want more stuff on the go. open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=i45GvAmOSBmUoDoRe9Adgw
Honestly, the content creator side of me thought that was a brilliant idea, but the artist side of me was scared that I wouldn't be able to capture the spirit of 3EB in the same convincing way as I captured Blink's sound. I didn't want the next video to be compared unfavorably to the last.
All these years later, I'm starting to learn that it doesn't matter if it's literally perfectly executed. If the idea is fun and the art is captured in good faith, then I think that's valid enough for me. I'm really happy with the vibe of this song, regardless if it sounds EXACTLY like 3EB or any other 90's alternative band, or none of those things, or if it just sounds like Alex Melton. It's cool to me, and I'm glad I made it.
I know this is long winded and a bit heady for the light hearted video, but I tend to hide all my complex emotions and I wanted to at least have a little journal entry here to mark this occasion. Cheers to getting out of my own way!
I love the idea of a daily routine. Slow and organized progress towards a goal, no struggles about deadlines or worries about productivity. It’s become so romanticized for me, this unattainable ideal of what I think progress needs to look like.
My experience with forward progress is not very conducive to a daily routine; it comes in unregulated, short, and often difficult to manage BURSTS of intense productivity, followed by much longer periods of wondering how to bottle those moments, how to regulate the spark of inspiration a little. Trying to trick it into appearing, trying to conjure it through willpower.
This song deals with my internal struggle between ambition and indulgence. The duality of how I perceive my “productivity” versus my “laziness” - and learning how to frame things without such a zero sum mentality. I’m trying to be in the moment, wherever that moment needs me to be.
Thanks for listening! My wife has an amazing voice, as y'all familiar with the channel already know. She doesn't like to be on camera, and I immensely respect her decision and very much understand - however, it would be a shame to deprive you all of her singing voice, so I snuck in some layers of her lovely vocal in the chorus to counteract the absolute yelling I had to do in order to hit some of those notes.
I've already got this one on streaming after learning my lesson from Linger - and by the way, that one's up now too. I'd appreciate a stream and a follow over there on the streaming services. Thanks again!
Follow me on instagram if you wanna keep up with me!
“Infinity” is about finding a balance between comfort and adventure. I wrote this song about my wife when I was hundreds of miles away recording this album, and it gave me a lot of much needed perspective about what I was there to achieve. I feel so lucky to have a partner that encourages me to do the things I’m passionate about, even when that means we’ll have to miss each other for a while. We both encourage each other to dream big.
Follow me on instagram if you want: http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=ZEVypCS9TiiV6MZhaKzxng
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Hey gang! We're back with another Y'allternative banger, smashing together the Late Great Toby Keith with some fun twinkly bits and general 90's alternative vibes with big open chords and lively drums. I love this era of country music, and I love bringing new vibes to these older classics. Thanks for listening.
I had a lot of fun keeping the core elements of this song intact this week, just expanding the instrumentation and just going with the flow of what the song felt like it needed. Sometimes, simple is best - and nobody proves that better than Chris Martin and Co. Powerful, singable, and honest. Great job, fellas.
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Today we go full method for the drum track - the shirt is coming off, and I really felt the Barker spirit on this one. No pathetic cloth weighing you down, just pure sport mode BABY! But for real, I probably won't be doing this again until I'm super ripped with a great tan.
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Thinking about all the talent that must have been in the tracking room that day, with all the nice gear and engineers and resources; it makes me wonder what it would have been like if the band weren't so faithful to the original, maybe if they had a more playful approach with fun fills and layers.
I don't proclaim to be a professional by any means, but I thought it'd be a fun experiment to explore this wonderful song through the lens of that Nashville session band vibe. I hope you enjoy!
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Faster - The opening track from "Out Of The Vein", one of my favorite track 1's ever. The stuttering guitars get me hype every time, and then the percussion comes in slowly with the bass and it all culminates in the giant first half-chorus. Great arrangement, cool band, love live 3EB.
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
A Pop Punk Christmas: open.spotify.com/album/3L76IKyzmazjij1GQ492Bg?si=g79bSNhPSsWRWYVWYtvR1w
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
open.spotify.com/artist/2Y3LFSXIRTjJZyjIA22qJA?si=Tcc2W2YrTCijWsYucl8Tyw
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
0:00 - Music Video
3:21 - The Story Of A Song
STREAM EVERY MORNING RIGHT NOW: open.spotify.com/album/7qaIxzbGw8BppLPmTslhZO?si=pzhPX7rhTruYQnVkd6ybPA
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton
0:00 - Every Morning
3:54 - Pro Tools Session
8:53 - Editing Mistakes
10:01 - Meow Guitar And Outro
Stream my new single "Autumnal" - purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Autumnal
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Hypotheticals 4 Teaser
2:05 - Rearrangement
3:23 - Making it cozy (and new song teaser)
5:20 - Another new song teaser
Stream my new single "Autumnal" - purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Autumnal
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton
Stream my new single "Autumnal" - purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Autumnal
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton
0:00 - The Story of Autumnal
1:40 - Acoustic Version
5:20 - Lyric Explainer
12:01 - Reading Your Comments
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMerch
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMeltonMusic
http://www.instagram.com/alexmelton
http://www.twitter.com/alexmelton
http://www.facebook.com/alexmeltonmusic
http://www.patreon.com/alexmelton


