Matthew Ebel dot net » Authorized Passes

A Million Miles Away – Sketch 3

Matthew Ebel — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:06:53 +0000

I need your help. I really, really can’t decide if Prodo-1‘s countdown belongs at the end of this song. It’s supposed to parallel one of the final chapters of The Lives of Dexter Peterson where the Gale Odyssey is about to essplode, but I don’t think it works without that context. This song is actually kind of sweet and the countdown just seems misplaced.

What do you think?

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (A%20Million%20Miles%20Away%20-%20Unmastered.mp3)
A Million Miles Away – Unmastered – 9 MB MP3
Download Now »

Wait Here – Sketch 3

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:57:09 +0000

Okay, okay, I’m a Pink Floyd fan. Sue me. Well, actually, there’s nothing actionable in any of this arrangement, so you can’t sue me! HA! In any case, this one’s a little note of patience for Dexter as he finds himself stuck in some kind of inter-dimensional waiting room in, of all places, Colombia.

One thing I’m particularly proud of is the way the harpsichord adds its warmth to the final chorus. I’ve been using the harpsichord as a tinny accent or as a guitar stand-in for the most part, but now the instrument’s rich bottom end really makes the sound of this song.

Yes, I said it, the harpsichord has a rich bottom end. Sue me.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (Wait%20Here%20-%20Unmastered.mp3)
Wait Here – Unmastered – 12.3 MB MP3
Download Now »

Live at FC 2012

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:15:33 +0000

Finally, I hit the West Coast. The good folks at Further Confusion not only invited me out to play their fine convention, they made me a freaking Guest of Honor. Runtt and I came, we saw, we made loud noises, and we really hope we entertained some people. Plenty showed up, even though it was our first time playing the west coast together.

Download audio file (Live%20at%20FC%202012.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at FC 2012 – 200 MB MP3
Download Now »

Good Morning New York – Sketch 3

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:35:50 +0000

I may be kicked out of Boston for writing a song like this, but in Dexter’s world there’s nothing he’d rather wake up to than the sound of his own alarm clock in NYC. This is the first version of this song with Runtt’s drumming added and, though I still need to tweak the drum mix a bit, I’m amazed at how he’s transformed this piece. All I really need to add at this point is a gang of unruly friends shouting along at the end.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (Good%20Morning%20NY%20-%20Sketch%203.mp3)
Good Morning New York – Sketch 3 – 8 MB MP3
Download Now »

Live at Cafe Verde, October 2011 – Part Two

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:55:21 +0000

And now the return of the attack of the bride of the Cave Verde gig from October. If you thought the first half was fun, you’re going to love the second half. After the “normal” dinner crowd disappears, only the weirdos (like us) remain. That means there’s a lot more goofing around and a lot of caffeine.

This one actually starts and ends with what any sane judge would consider a parody, and that’s the story I’m sticking to. As it turns out, Runtt isn’t the only one who throws Styx around.

Download audio file (Live%20at%20Cafe%20Verde%20October%202011%20-%20Part%20Two.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at Cafe Verde, October 2011 – Part Two – 113 MB MP3
Download Now »

All Over Again – Sketch 2

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:55:30 +0000

I know, I said I’d be releasing unmastered versions from here on out, but I found one that I’d already set up at full loudness and I already love the way it’s sounding. At some point our hero, Dexter, has to realize that his purpose must be to live the best he can in any given life. He could spend his time wondering why things have happened to him or what is going to happen next, but what matters most is the life he’s got right now… whatever that life may be.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (All%20Over%20Again%20-%20Sketch%202.mp3)
All Over Again – Sketch 2 – 9.9 MB MP3
Download Now »

December 2011 Audio Update

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:29:25 +0000

Here’s the status of the album so far…

Good Morning, New York needs some additional vocals added, some crowd vocals (more on that later), drums recorded, and a final mix made. That’s about it.
The Last Pirate just needs some crowd vocals, otherwise, it’s finished.
These Wars We Fight might need the lead vocal re-recorded and maybe a tweak of the solo Harpsichord tone, but otherwise I think it’s finished as well. I might just be nitpicking about this one.
Frozen Oasis is finished. Done. Ready for mastering.
A Question of Sanity just needs a few minor tweaks to the arrangement, maybe to the mixing, but again this is probably nitpicking.
I Met A Girl still needs lyrics and finished songwriting, let alone drum recording. Working on that one this week, planning to post a behind-the-scenes look at how I turn a harpsichord into… well, whatever the hell I want it to be.
I Wish I Were is DONE.
Wait Here is in the same condition as I Met A Girl; it’s about half-written, but on a good track.
Normal Is Not For Me needs some vocal production tweaks at the end and needs real drums, but otherwise it’s ready for mastering.
A Million Miles Away needs another verse written, harmonies recorded, and real drums recorded.
All Over Again needs harmonies and drums recorded.
The Wreck of the Gale Odyssey needs real drums, a special guest vocal, and a lot of engineering work. As an instrumental, it needs to be acoustically flawless to be worth including. Also, I might add another section to make it longer, the song just feels like it ends prematurely to me.
Who I Am needs real drums and a tiny bit of vocal production re-recording at the end. Otherwise that one’s good too.

As for the crowd vocals, what I will need eventually is about a dozen friends in my studio all shouting into my good mic. If you’ve heard The Last Pirate you can probably tell I’m talking about a hearty “Yo Ho Ho” or two, but there are some other parts as well. Might even do a whistle chorus or hand clapping or something. Either way, it’ll be a party sometime this month.

After this comes the graphic novel work, which Gen Whitmore has a great idea for. I’ll cover that in another update, though, this one’s all about the album. It’s almost done! I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (December%202011%20Audio%20Update.mp3)
December 2011 Audio Update – 7 MB MP3
Download Now »

You’re Invited to the FC After-Party

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:57:33 +0000

If you’re an All-Access Pass holder (or higher), you’re invited up to my hotel room after the concert for some local beers and time to chill with me. Yes, all ages are welcome, but anyone under 21 will have to settle for soft drinks. Duh.

You’ll also get to meet talented drum-master Runtt!

You and up to one non-member guest can grab a ticket here… but you’ll need to print them out and bring them to the room if you want in!

Sorry, you’ll need to log in to see the invitation details. Log in here.

Normal is Not For Me – Sketch 1

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:36:16 +0000

As I said in my previous post, I have been working on a song about the bullshit concept of “normal”. Dexter has convinced himself he will never lead a normal life now, but that doesn’t mean his future has to be unpleasant. From one perspective, the “normal life” might actually be a unique brand of hell.

This is an unmastered song sketch. If you’re already a subscriber, you should have received an email about the difference between my previous sketches and these new unmastered sketches.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (Normal%20Is%20Not%20For%20Me%20-%20Sketch%201.mp3)
Normal is Not For Me – Sketch 1 – 8.4 MB MP3
Download Now »

The Wreck of the Gale Odyssey – Sketch 1

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:00:21 +0000

There isn’t much I can do when something inspires me. If something wants out, it’s coming out. In the middle of writing a song I’m tentatively calling Normal Is Not For Me I encountered a sound that demanded its own attention. A few hours later and I’ve got this track- a rough draft of something instrumental and ominous.

I envisioned this one as the soundtrack for the scene where Dexter is running for his life through the hallways of the crippled starship Gale Odyssey, making this the penultimate track on the album. It’s a bit rough right now, I certainly think it needs some work- but there was something about the distorted electric piano sound that begged to become a central riff in its own song.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (The%20Wreck%20of%20the%20Gale%20Odyssey%20-%20Sketch%201.mp3)
The Wreck of the Gale Odyssey – Sketch 1 – 9 MB MP3
Download Now »

Live at Cafe Verde, October 2011 – Part One

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:47:58 +0000

I returned to Cafe Verde in October, this time bringing my awesome drummer Runtt with me. I can’t tell you how much fun it is playing for a small, appreciative audience. The folks that filled Cafe Verde were a treat to play for, and we had a blast banging on things in front of them.

Download audio file (Live%20at%20Cafe%20Verde%20October%202011%20-%20Part%20One.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at Cafe Verde, October 2011 – Part One – 125 MB MP3
Download Now »

These Wars We Fight – Sketch 3.6

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:40:15 +0000

Dexter frequently finds himself on one side of a war. Heck, it’s the only thing we humans have really perfected other than reproduction (we’ve had a lot of practice at both). For the third chapter of the book Dexter’s caught in WWII France, but to him all these wars look the same. He’s always on the wrong side, too… the one getting shot at.

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (These%20Wars%20We%20Fight%20-%20Sketch%203.6.mp3)
These Wars We Fight – Sketch 3.6 – 9.1 MB MP3
Download Now »

Good Morning New York – Sketch 2

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:22:05 +0000

One of the most difficult tasks when working on a full-length album is deciding what comes first. Fortunately, because of the story this album is based on, the decision is already made before I even record a single note. That doesn’t mean the songwriting is any easier, though. This song is one of the toughest I’ve worked on yet- mostly because I’m trying to create a very metropolitan sound with a very limited palette of instruments.

This song’s still unfinished, but I’m liking what I’ve got so far. Let me know what you think!

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (Good%20Morning%20NY%20-%20Sketch%202.mp3)
Good Morning New York – Sketch 2 – 6.3 MB MP3
Download Now »

Live at FishCon 2011

Matthew Ebel — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:14:40 +0000

The great feast of a thousand rolls has returned. This year the crowd was particularly rowdy- and God knows I love that. We put the UStream chat up on the big screen and let the flesh-based audience interact with the digital audience… something I’m not sure was such a good idea. But hey, it made for an interesting show!

No fish were harmed in the making of this concert. We harmed the hell out of them for a few hours beforehand, that’s all.

Download audio file (Ebel-Live-FishCon2011.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at FishCon 2011 – 182.5 MB MP3
Download Now »

“Not Our Bed” Live in Atlanta

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:44:15 +0000

After a lengthy hiatus from posting these videos, we’ve got more! This time it’s my anthem against corporate handouts, “Not Our Bed”. I’ll be posting a few clips from the show to YouTube so everyone can see them, but you get to download the full-quality 720p version and keep it. There will be more to come!

Video shot and edited by Aaron Zschau, Audio Engineered by Keith Lesinski

Not Our Bed – Live in Atlanta – 229 MB MOV

Download Now »

Live Video via UStream, August 2011

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:05:08 +0000

If you ended up reading this because you’re pissed at the 620-megabyte download you just got on your iTunes feed, my apologies. Otherwise, congratulations! You’re now able to download videos of UStream shows when I remember to record them. If you like this kinda thing, please let me know. And, of course, you can always catch the LIVE shows by tuning in when they happen.

Check my online calendar for performance dates.

Live Video via UStream, August 2011 – 618.4 MB MOV

Download Now »

I Wish I Were (Sketch 4)

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:06:39 +0000

This is the first taste of The Lives of Dexter Peterson that I would consider release-ready. I’d still like to send the album to a real mastering studio when it’s done, but this is the best mixing job I think I can do without calling in a professional engineer.

Also, since I really wanted to share this with more than just the subscribers, this song is the first taste of the new album going out to my mailing list. Hello other subscribers! If this is your first time visiting Matthew Ebel dot net, you’ve missed a LOT of song sketches and other goodies for months now. You can still get more releases as I finish them, though, just sign up for a pass today!

For more information about the upcoming album itself, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (I-Wish-I-Were-Sketch-4.mp3)
I Wish I Were (Sketch 4) – 8 MB MP3
Download Now »

Photo by Andres Rueda

Live via UStream, August 2011

Matthew Ebel — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:35:55 +0000

A hurricane is coming, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still have fun in my own basement. The cameras are rolling, the coffee is flowing, and it’s an all-request night live on the intertubes! Yes, I’m shilling for the Aeropress throughout the show, but that’s just because I just got one and they’re fooking awesome.

Bonus: All-Access and higher members will get the first ever UStream video recording in their feed as well!

Download audio file (Ebel-Live-UStream110826.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live via UStream, August 2011 – 150 MB MP3
Download Now »

Frozen Oasis Sketch 2

Matthew Ebel — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:33:38 +0000

Once again, this sketch is pre-real-drums, but I’m really liking how the production’s turning out with this one. Though a lot of us can’t imagine a time when we hated the snow (especially in AUGUST), this one should resonate with anyone who had to shovel several feet off their driveway every four days for a few weeks. For more information, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (Frozen%20Oasis%20Sketch%202.mp3)
Frozen Oasis Sketch 2 – 5.9 MB MP3
Download Now »

Photo by Tim in Sydney

The Last Pirate Sketch 2

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:48:56 +0000

So I’ve got another song complete with lyrics and instrumentation, I just need to add drums. And a big pile of friends with their best pirate voices. This is one of the first tracks I started working on, but for some reason I couldn’t find an arrangement that made me happy until now. It still needs a bit of polish, but I’m liking how this is turning out. For more information, visit http://whoisdexterpeterson.com

Download audio file (The%20Last%20Pirate%20Sketch%202.mp3)
The Last Pirate Sketch 2 – 8.1 MB MP3
Download Now »