THERE’S A NEW SONG ON THE AUDIO BAR BELOW.

When starting this recording malarkey back in, and around, May 2024, it was a case of writing a bunch of songs on the hoof and experimenting. I tried three key areas. First up? Simple pop type songs, akin to songs I wrote in the past. They were fairly different styles.

Secondly, I moved on to dabbling with instrumentals in order to try understanding how the computer technology worked. In other words, experimenting with the GarageBand app and the additional outside attachments a little deeper. Interfaces, pre amp booster, monitor speakers, etc. There was, and still is, so much to learn in this regard. A Tascam mixing desk is awaiting understandings. But instrumentals gave me opportunities to create lots of tracks on tracks in one song in order to get at the possible synergy of sound and how melodies could mix. I did have, and still have, rough failures, but they were, and still are, fun in trying.

Thirdly, I began playing little Muzak tunes. The project desire was to branch out to YouTube and make videos. ‘Gray Summers on Cloud 9’ was to be the concept. And of course, it still is ongoing now. The VeeDub Bus (a Volkswagen 1972 hippy camper van) is central to this philosophical ideal. Muzak would give little ditty soundbites to include within a video storyboard framework. Fill space so to speak.

All three stages above? I suppose they were, and still are, my Phase One in this music adventure in retirement.

What I had been forgetting in all this learning, was the initial reason I wanted the Frail Autumn name tag attached to myself as Gray Summers. What it gives me as an identity. At first it was imagined that I could get a ‘band’ of musicians together to play songs. I realise now that, despite the desire still inherent for this scenario, it ain’t gonna happen. I am too remote rurally. I hear of bands that play around here locally. Mostly a bunch of youngsters. Me, at 70 years old next year, am never going to find guys or girls that can be a part of a consistent commitment. Believe me….I know who exists around here. And they have their own commitments. As I have.

So, I have moved to Phase Two in that I have to create a Frail Autumn sound. One that is not too challenging. Because I am not a skilled musician. Faded Walls is that sound. I do not get goosebumps at my own music. I did back in the days (1970/80s) when we were a musician collective and it was actually others playing alongside me that gave wonderful chills. But since this new recording project and getting into music again…I’ve been simply going through the motions. Goosebumps had up and left me decades ago.

The other day I started to realise an imagining of the right path was developing. I loved the Faded Walls sound I had played on echoing guitars and sweeping keyboards. But was struggling to get at finishing it properly. Suddenly there was one single moment when, listening through the headphones, an emotional gift came. Being at a really low point emotionally, something can happen that brings hope. And suddenly, in one particular listen to this song below, there was a goosebump moment. A realisation.

Frail Autumn suddenly has a sound. I can amplify and repeat this musical noise below into my other newer songs. Meaning….akin to how the specific instruments sound. Get an overall consistency that feels comfortable.

Next year, I am going to step up to getting Logic Pro. GarageBand is a fantastic app for playing music on. Logic Pro is the next stage. It’s what professionals use. So, I’ll save up and get it in 2026. Then, who knows what can be achieved. It’ll be fun trying.

HERE BELOW IS ‘FADED WALLS’.

ALL VOCALS AND INSTRUMENTS (apart from the GarageBand drums from their library) PLAYED BY GRAY SUMMERS.

IT’S ALWAYS BEST HEARING THROUGH HEADPHONES OR EAR PODS. CHEERS.

🎧

Faded Walls.

Think about your future

False reality

You’re staring through the window

Looking down at the street

They’ll tell you that it’s cold outside

Best ignore

Tearing at the window

Won’t open up the door.

Don’t need surrealism

It’s already there.

Don’t know no information

Casual or rare

There’s a riot going on outside

Best ignore

An insane revolution

Ain’t worth fighting for.

Faded walls

Time to burn them down

If the outside looks right in at you

Then don’t turn around.

Don’t need no self reflection

Travelling round my head

I’ll focus on deflection

Instead

There’s a riot going on inside

My mind

An insane revolution

I’m one of a kind.

Faded walls

Time to burn them down

If the outside looks right in at you

Then don’t turn around.

It’s okay killing time

But it’s driving me insane

It’s okay laughing out loud

When I’m the one to blame.