Popular Science Soundtrack Thingie
So I’ve spent the last couple of weeks working on a rather interesting project. As you may or may not know, I am listed on the masthead of Popular Science magazine as “Contributing Troubadour.” This is of course a highly coveted position at any magazine, but one of special importance at a joint like PopSci, where they take their geek music straight up without chasers of any kind. They have asked me to write a five-song soundtrack to complement their September issue on The Future of the Body. This is an unusual request, since magazines are not traditionally something that you LISTEN TO so much as READ QUIETLY TO YOURSELF.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the surprise, but I will say that the songs are about: a muscle-bound robot butler, DNA, mind-enhancing drugs, body augmentation and of course, artificial wombs. Each one is meant to correspond to an article in the mag and while there will not be an actual CD (this time anyway), the songs will be available for free download from their website. That DNA one is going to be a real toe tapper, I can tell.
It’s an aggressive schedule, basically five songs in as many weeks, so this is really an experiment in high-speed (for me at least) songwriting. But so far it’s been really fun, and I’m pretty happy with what I’ve written. I spent all day yesterday finishing up songs two and three, and now I am forced to turn my attention to songs four and five, which are still just rough ideas floating around in my brain and thus my least favorite. I am in constant fear of that awful moment of complete creative blockage.
So watch for the issue – I’ll post progress reports here if I ever make any more progress ever again.
Comments
Travis Braud says
Does this mean the soundtrack will be sent with the issue and also will the soundtrack be available in cd form anywhere else besides the issue if so.
JoCo says
Unfortunately, no CD will come with the magazine. No plans yet to make a CD, although I guess we'll see how things go with the downloads from the popsci website. I'm probably due to start thinking about making another CD soon anyway...
Amis Raiden says
Thoughts of a new CD, hm? Surely this time we will hear more about your Doomsday Squad, yes? I think all would agree it is time for you, Mr. Coulton, to reveal to us, the loyal underground whom worship you, your grand plans for taking over the Earth. Let lyrical-catastrophic-domination-of-the-planet commence!
JC says
Actually, I had to lay off the Doomsday Squad for the summer. You'd be surprised - it costs a ton of money to keep all those foreign mercenaries billetted within the giant network of tunnels I have constructed beneath the base of the Manhattan bridge. They eat an awful lot of Fritos.
This does not mean that my world domination plans have changed.
jpez says
Nice...I look forward to hearing some new stuff (FINALLY).
Jonathan F. says
Robot butlers and drugs? Sounds like a bad sci-fi/hippie flick turned into liquid genius -- I can't wait till it's done.
Rob Crespo says
Hopefully we can pay you for a copy of this when you are done. Free downloads are great, but a CD is better. That and it eases my guilt when I can throw you a bone for something... tangible. Keep up the awesome work/hobby.