Wed, 02 Aug 2017 07:43:46 -0700WeeblySun, 11 Aug 2013 01:39:02 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/the-first-fruits-of-my-effortI’m about a week away from being able to view the first biannual sales report for Project Bodhi. I’m very keen to see the sales figures!

I will decide which foundation will receive the first donation from the proceeds of online sales of Project Bodhi. I will then post details of the donation made, and to whom.

To those that have downloaded a copy of Project Bodhi, thank you :)

If you haven’t, please head over to https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/projectbodhi/id599836816?uo=4

(head over to Amazon if you don't have an iTunes account)
]]>Sun, 17 Feb 2013 07:50:18 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/project-bodhi-is-now-available-on-itunesProject Bodhi is now online and available for sale!

Remember, all proceeds from sales go to children's charities!

https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/project-bodhi/id599836816?uo=4
]]>Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:48:36 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/the-music-is-doneI'm very happy to report that after almost 900 hours of work, the music portion of Project Bodhi is complete!

so what's next???
I have begun to collate ideas for artwork for the release. I am also working on ways to promote it to the press / media.

This crazy idea of mine is getting closer to becoming a reality - and I couldn't be happier :)

Stay tuned!
]]>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:47:14 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/2-weeks-2-goWhen I first started this project, I had no definite idea of how I was going to complete it. Now that I am only 2 weeks away from finishing the music, I have found myself wondering how I did it! I’ve been thinking about this....

Apart from the support of my wife, immediate family and friends, there have also been many of you that have sent little messages, well wishes and good thoughts.

The task of recording all of this music has been quite intense. A lot of work has gone into producing this (approx 750 hours so far) and these little snippets of inspiration that you have sent have helped me immensely!

So I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported this crazy idea of mine with a 'like', a smiley face or a message.

Apart from raising as much money as I can for the kids charities, I also hope that I honour your support and deliver something that not only makes me proud, but makes all of you proud as well. Because I feel that you have been a part of this as much as me!
Rod
]]>Sat, 26 May 2012 06:44:37 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/not-long-nowI can't believe that I am only a couple of weeks away from finishing the music portion of Project Bodhi. To say that I am excited about this, is an understatement!

Once the music is complete, I'll be working on artwork for the online release.

Peaceful night where ever you are.

Rod ]]>Sun, 29 Apr 2012 06:42:59 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/little-words-of-encouragementIt is truly amazing to be getting messages from all over the world. These little thoughts and messages from people are not just very inspiring and uplifting, they're are also received with a heartfelt thanks!!

That's all for tonight. Have a peaceful one where ever your are in the world.
Rod]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:42:04 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/ghost-in-the-machineWell, it's a rainy night in the mountains. I was just listening back to a vocal take I've recorded for one of my quieter songs. I could hear the faint sound of rain in the background!

I've resolved to the fact that my recordings (like many albums) will have little noises here and there that will be noticed, albeit only by those who listen carefully enough.

It made me think of The Police's 4th album. Opting not to follow the theme and give their album yet another French title, they decided to choose something else. They did this due to the fact that countless unknown sounds had appeared in the background of their recordings, and with no explanation as to how they got there. They aptly named the new album 'Ghost in the machine’...

Now I am having a similar experience, I should probably find a suitable name for my recordings too . . . Casper in the computer perhaps!

Peaceful night wherever you happen to be ...
Rod]]>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:40:19 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/are-you-recording-all-the-songs-yourself-mateI've had a few people ask about the recording side of this project. They've asked how I'm recording the songs, what I'm using, what instruments am I playing etc. So here's a quick break down of what I'm doing and how it is all coming together.....

How am I recording the songs?
I initially demoed all of the songs with just an acoustic guitar, a rough vocal, and a click track (to record the tempo). These basic demos have become the base (or starting point) for each song for Project Bodhi. I work on one song per day, adding what instruments I feel are needed for each song (some requiring many, some only a guitar or piano). I keep working on the song until I feel that it is ready, I then move on to the next one.

Am I playing all the instruments?
Yes. The process of recording involves me playing all of the instruments myself. I'm also doing all the vocals.

What instruments are you using?
As far as drums are concerned, I'm using two different kits..., Roland V Drums and Sleishman acoustic drums (depending on the song). I'm also playing some percussion bits and pieces for various songs. I'm playing most of the bass tracks with a '72 Fender Jazz (It's almost as old as me!) as well as a 6 string bass. I'm also using 'Barney' a Wishbass, a handmade upright fretless bass (Made by a cool guy in Salem, USA!). I'm using a Fender Telecaster to record all the electric guitar parts. I do have a couple of other electric guitars, but the Tele is my favourite. I'm playing a Fender steel string and Yamaha nylon string for all the acoustic guitar parts. I'm playing a couple of Yamaha electric pianos (one old, the other even older!). The older one has some great Hammond / Rhodes sounds which I love. I'm also playing some other things that I have lying around my studio ...  shakers, tambourines, Tibetan singing bowls etc. I am also singing all the lead vocals and harmonies for the project. I'd like to point out that apart from the odd drum loop here and there, I am not doing any programming or sequencing of any kind. The only thing that you'll hear on the final recordings, will be me playing..., not a computer.

What are you recording the songs with?
I began recording on tape machines about 22 years ago and spent a lot of time working with analogue equipment 'learning the ropes'. I moved onto computers about 8-9 years ago, to stay in line with the industry. I am recording everything for Project Bodhi on Pro Tools, which I run on couple of chunky G5 Macs. I mix with my much loved Tannoy's and crank up my vintage JBL's when I want to rock out a bit :)

Where am I recording?
I am recording all 100 songs for Project Bodhi in a small studio that I built in my back yard. It's not state of the art, it's definitely not Abbey Road Studios, but it is more than adequate for me to get something like this completed and sounding good. As far as recording is concerned..., I've always said that it's not where, it's how! Some of the best albums ever produced have been recorded in houses, barns, shops, warehouses, farms..., you name it!

Why am I recording it at home and not in a commercial studio?
There's an easy answer to that one..., $$$$$! I thought about getting a quote from a studio 'to record 100 songs', just so I could put a figure on it. I'm guessing that it would be a small fortune! So the short answer to this is, that it is a way for me to keep my costs down.

I'd like to reiterate the fact that I will not be taking any part of the proceeds from sales to recoup costs incurred by me during the recording process. What is fed back from the likes of Apple, Amazon from sales will be handed over to various charities. I actually get chills when I think about it..., I'm looking forward to writing cheques!!

It's a big job, but one that is very rewarding and more importantly, it's for a very good purpose!

I hope this information helps answer some questions.

Peaceful night..., where ever you are :)
Rod
]]>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:38:58 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/not-as-they-seemWhen I began recording all these songs, I wasn’t sure how they would all come together. I knew that I could record them without too much trouble, but what my interpretation off some of my songs would be, was somewhat of a mystery.

Now that I have completed quite a few of them, it's interesting to me that some of the songs sound exactly how I assumed they would, but others have taken a real turn and have ended up completely different.

An example is the song "It's wrong". I wrote this song on an old acoustic guitar after watching a news report. The song came together very quickly and when I demoed it, I just recorded that same guitar and a single vocal track. When it came time to record the song for this project, it changed again. It still has the acoustic guitar, but it now features a piano, some organ and string sounds, and some percussive instruments as well - it has become almost orchestral now, and definitely completely different to how I had imagined.

I guess the point of all this is that we often start something not knowing how it is going to end, almost like stepping into the unknown. For me, it is the best part of the journey and one that I have always enjoyed.

Ok, enough rambling ...
Rod
]]>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:37:15 GMThttp://www.projectbodhi.com.au/blog/they-found-meI wasn't going to start chasing up charities until I was at least half way through the recording, however I'm very happy to report that one of them has already found me. I was thrilled to get a message from Melinda from the Stillbirth Foundation a couple of days ago asking if she could be involved in Project Bodhi.

I've also just updated the song list, which currently stands at 61.

So far, so good ~ so happy!

More soon ...
Rod
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