Demo Mirror

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Jeff and I met up to discuss a song he wrote called Stagnant Rift. I’d first heard this song peformed live by Jeff’s band Close Friends, and later on their album Everyone Is The Same Person. This demo version is quite different from the way I was used to hearing the song. We discuss the differences and similarities, how Jeff wrote this song in a songwriting flurry with a magic guitar, and we also touch upon a correlation between Jeff’s work as visual artist and musician.

For more from Jeff, check out

http://www.jeffbartell.com/
http://www.myspace.com/closefriendsband

Matt
Demo Mirror

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A couple of weeks ago, I sat down with guest interviewer Tony Vecchi to talk about a song of mine called Baby Sweetheart/It’s All Right.  We got into a groove and did a longer interview than expected… this will not be the last time this happens (there are a bunch of lengthier episodes coming up, so look out!).  Here Tony and I discuss how I catalog my song-a-day demos, my current fascination with pop song formulas, and how click tracks have influenced our demoing practices.  I play guitar and sing in The Bynars, and I release solo material when the time is right.

For more from me, check out
http://www.thebynars.com/

Also, please become a Demo Mirror fan on Facebook, follow on Twitter - spread the good word.  You can subscribe for free via iTunes & RSS, you’ll be updated automatically – check the links below.

Matt
Demo Mirror

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Susan Putnins is the mind behind the Boston rock band The Sinister Turns.  This is her song Glass Eyes, which she plays here on piano, but has been known to play with the full band.  In this interview we discuss the importance of songs as parts of a larger narrative, the influence of musical theatre on her writing, and how this song in particular translates and transforms in a full band setting.

(click player above to listen to Glass Eyes + the interview)

For more from Susan, check
http://www.myspace.com/thesinisterturns

Matt
Demo Mirror

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I went over to Gina’s place to discuss a recording she gave me - a song called Pancakes & Cereal.  A few months before, she had sent me an entire 8-song EP – The Breakfast EP – that she recorded with her friend Jared Creighton (we also touch upon this in Episode 2, when I interview Jared).  Here, Gina and I talk about the birth of the Breakfast EP concept, their interesting method of pulling song ideas from a hat, and how Gina’s non-musician background doesn’t keep her from being creative with music.  Gina is from Massachusetts, currently residing in Somerville, MA.

(click player above to listen to Pancakes & Cereal + the interview)

Matt
Demo Mirror

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Recently Ben and I discussed his song called Entranceway.  In this discussion, we touch upon the difference between being a songwriter & being a musician, the instruments & methods he used to record this song, and his plan to release a soundtrack to an unmade movie.  Ben is from Massasachusetts; he plays synthesizer in The Bynars and is a full-time grad student.

(click player above to listen to Entranceway + the interview)

For more from Ben, check
http://www.thebynars.com/
http://benmettey.tumblr.com
http://twitter.com/benmettey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjaminm/

Matt
Demo Mirror