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Abstract
This project is a six-song EP called Nice Questions and Bad Advice, with related promotional materials (cover art, videos, and so on). The EP is essentially a solo project: I wrote all but one song, I produced all six songs, and I performed practically every instrument. The EP also represents a departure from how I’ve created music: these are the first lyrically complete songs I’ve ever created, and they’re produced almost exclusively with real, acoustic instruments (I used to identify as an electronic music producer). The EP deals obliquely with my previous career as a lawyer, and its central message is the power of music to heal: to turn experiences that are ugly and unrelatable into an experience that’s beautiful and relatable. Lyrically, the EP deals with cycles, music as such, mortality, looking back, concealment, and absurdity. Musically, the EP includes unusual song forms, odd phrase lengths, odd meters, non-diatonic harmony, and unusual production. In addition to honing my lyricism and songwriting, throughout the creation of this EP I learned about co-writing, vocal and drum production, and studio recording. A written reflection offers more detail. I intend to release the EP publicly by December 2024.
Publication Date
7-1-2024
Campus
New York City Campus
Specialization
Songwriting and Production
Keywords
songwriting; EP; video; production; rock
Recommended Citation
Whetsell, Benjamin, "Nice Questions and Bad Advice" (2024). Creative Media and Technology. 60.
https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/60