Matthew Ebel dot net

Coffee Bunker Video – May 2, 2012

Matthew Ebel — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:42:30 +0000

The weekly live streaming shows are back… and even if you can’t make it to the live broadcast, All-Access members can download the video recordings every week as they’re released!

For the audio only, take a listen here.

Live from the Coffee Bunker – May 2, 2012 – 365 MB MP4
Download Now »

Coffee Bunker Audio – May 2, 2012

Matthew Ebel — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:28:30 +0000

The weekly live streaming shows are back… and since you’re a Backstage Pass holder, you won’t miss any of them! I’ll be sending out the weekly audio recordings to you guys and the videos to All-Access and higher members!

Download audio file (Coffee%20Bunker%202012-05-02.mp3)
Live from the Coffee Bunker – May 2, 2012 – 49.9 MB MP3
Download Now »

The Chartbombing Concert

Matthew Ebel — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:38:44 +0000

I had just spent an entire day running a promotional blitz to try and push a song from my new album into the iTunes and Amazon charts. Hundreds of people had volunteered their hard-earned 99¢, some of them even grabbing the whole album in the process, and through it all I got to watch the love pouring in from Twitter, Google+, and text messages. Truly, I have the best fans ever invented.

To cap off the Epic Day of Much Hype™, I performed a full streaming concert on UStream, YouTube Live, and Google Hangouts, thanks to the wonderful Lynette Radio. To say the least, I was exhausted, but I didn’t care… I had two or three full chat rooms, a full mug of my own beer, and a new studio set to play in. I wish every Wednesday could be like that!

Download audio file (Chartbombing%20Concert.mp3)
The Chartbombing Concert – 165 MB MP3
Download Now »

The Lives of Dexter Peterson Commentary

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:53:09 +0000

Want to know what parts of the new album were really, really difficult to record? How about some insights into the lyrics that you won’t find in the novella? Or maybe you just want to hear Runtt’s and my opinions of George Lucas and how he’s destroyed Star Wars®… Well, now my VIP members can download a full-length commentary that accompanies The Lives of Dexter Peterson. Runtt and I sat down at a local beanery and shared our thoughts over a few (hundred) cups of really, really good coffee.

This album comes in two flavors, too: A single MP3 that will play in any modern device or an enhanced AAC complete with chapter markers for each of the songs. The MP3 went out automatically via The Feed, but if you’d like the enhanced version just download it below!

The Lives of Dexter Peterson – Commentary – 79.1MB MP3
Download Now »

The Lives of Dexter Peterson – Commentary with Chapters – 53.9MB M4A
Download Now »

Live at FWA 2012

Matthew Ebel — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:48:14 +0000

For the fifth consecutive year the folks at Furry Weekend Atlanta brought me down to entertain the animals that flock there every year. Sadly, this year I was alone onstage… but I was hardly alone in the main ballroom. With one of the most responsive, enthusiastic crowds I’ve ever seen, I was able to party with several hundred people on a Friday night.

Unfortunately I screwed up the recording process, so all I had to work with was the board mix from the back of the room. I cleaned this one up the best I could, though, and hopefully it’ll bring back some memories for some of you!

Download audio file (Live%20at%20FWA%202012.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at FWA 2012 – 142.3 MB MP3
Download Now »

Album Release: The Lives of Dexter Peterson

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:24:01 +0000

So here it is. After more than a year of writing, editing, arranging, rewriting, pulling hair out, recording, mixing, mixing, more mixing, and designing… the new album is finally being turned into round plastic discs. WHEW! It’s not ready for mainstream release just yet, but you guys have waited long enough…

All-Access members and up will get the album as a digital download right now… as soon as I get the round plastic version back from the manufacturer I’ll be sending out the hard copies (signed, framed, packaged with a goodie bag, whatever your membership entails). Of course, Backstage members will be able to buy the album at a discount once it’s in the Matthew Ebel dot com Store.

So enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

Now all I need to do is get the deluxe packages together, finish editing the story itself, start uploading the comic, try to book a tour to take this project on the road…

The Lives of Dexter Peterson – 124.5MB ZIP
Download Now »

“Better Off Dead” and “Goodbye Planet Earth” Live in Atlanta

Matthew Ebel — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:22:19 +0000

Oh yeah… in all the commotion of putting the new album together I almost forgot to release this last video from FWA 2011. It’s a lengthy one, but it’s two of my favorite songs to perform. The audience always seems to love this one too, for some reason, even though it’s a lot of piano and banging in the middle.

Maybe it’s because they finally got me to shut up for a few minutes, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ve posted a few clips from the show to YouTube so everyone can see them, but you get to download the full-quality version and keep it. There will be more to come!

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

Better off Dead and Goodbye Planet Earth – Live in Atlanta – 294.4 MB MOV

Download Now »

Turning A Harpsichord Into a Guitar

Matthew Ebel — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:06:58 +0000

It’s been a while since I posted any behind-the-scenes videos, so I thought I’d give you guys a glimpse of how I make some of the sounds I end up with. If you’ve been listening to the samples coming out of The Lives of Dexter Peterson, you’ve probably heard what sounds like a guitar on a few of the tracks. There are no guitars on this album. I’ve had to do some creative engineering to fill in the sonic space; this video should show you how I did it for “I Met A Girl”.

Turning a Harpsichord Into a Guitar – 143 MB MOV

Download Now »

The Elitist Bastard Choir

Matthew Ebel — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:38:39 +0000

The crew of Elitist Bastard Convention 2012 were kind enough to lend their voices for my upcoming album and I thought I’d let you folks hear what an informal recording session is like. Sure, they may sound like a bunch of drunken pirates in the final mix, but what was it like actually being in the room?

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

Download audio file (The%20Elitist%20Bastard%20Choir.mp3)
The Elitist Bastard Choir – 4 MB MP3
Download Now »

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 »

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 »