Robin Mitchell :: Music

This Website Is Closed For Refurbishment

2009-11-18T15:08:00.007Z

Go to robinmitchell.bandcamp.com for the music of Robin Mitchell.

*

Major reshuffling going on at the moment, what with trying to save money on web storage, and trying to not confuse everyone by having a billion different pages under my name.

This website nicely documents the process through which I began to see myself as a musician, and I'm gonna keep it online for now, but for the real deal you need to be at bandcamp or my official homepage.

Thanks for your support, and I'll keep you updated on how things go.

News - 03.11.2009

2009-11-03T10:03:00.001Z

I don't know if you're aware of this, but I'm currently writing a dissertation.

Besides that, I've been busy recording with Next Muffin (we are changing our name but it's a secret at the moment). Should be out in a month.

I've also been recording songs for Christmas-time again, to mixed effect but it's been a good process.

And there's a whole bunch of stuff in the pipeline. I bought a Tascam tape 4track and am gonna start distributing tapes as well as CDs.

Also looking at starting some kind of zine and publishing a book of poems.

But yeah, it all boils down to that dissertation (plus two other pieces of coursework due at the same time). See you in another life, yeah?

where's sufjan?

2009-10-14T13:23:00.000+01:00

i just read a couple of very challenging interviews, one via pitchfork (a website i am prone to distrust) and one on the asthmatic kitty website.

mostly i was intrigued to find out where sufjan stevens is these days, and what he's doing, but that was thrown back at me and i am now left to think through some very provocative questions relating to my production and consumption of music.

the way stevens talks about the excessive convenience of laptop culture, the internet etc. has cut through to me in a very real way, and his questions about the value of albums and songs in today's society are also incredibly poignant.

i do wish that i could respond on a couple of points though.

#1. the LP isn't dead. especially not the way sufjan's doing it. his forthcoming release comes with a DVD, a 40-page booklet with liner notes and photos, and a stereoscopic 3D View-Master reel. the physical product will always retain some value. i'm careful to attain physical copies of albums that i love because of some perhaps slightly paranoid fear that the technology supporting my music-collecting habits will crash and burn, and all will be lost.

#2. "the personal song" vs. reaching a mass audience. i believe that both are important, and if sufjan is feeling disillusioned, maybe it is time to take a step back. obviously when you are a high-profile recording artist the pressure is on to keep touring and putting out records, but it doesn't have to be that way at all. creativity benefits from taking a break, i can vouch for that even from my limited experience. maybe sufjan should have a sabbatical, write some personal songs that maybe never reach beyond the ears of a faithful few, and regain some perspective.

Robin and Chloe Sing Together!

2009-09-18T09:40:00.001+01:00

Here's the info from the facebook page:

Robin and Chloe have spent September locked away in a cellar recording some songs. The time has come to set these songs free.

We are making lots of CDs.
Would you like one? Let us know.
Would you like it posted to your door? Tell us your address.

download the songs here:
http://mysteryofthewhiteboy.webs.com/robin%20and%20chloe%20sing.zip

listen here:
http://robinmitchell.muxtape.com/

* * *

All songs by Robin Mitchell except One More Time, originally by Max Martin.

News - 13.11.2009

2009-09-13T11:02:00.000+01:00

A few things to keep you updated with:

# I'm recording with my friend Chloe, and we hope to have about 6 or 7 songs for a CD in the next couple of weeks. Expect influences from blues, soul, swing and country, all nicely wrapped up in a big bundle of POP.

# I've also been recording with my brother Joey, though I don't know how far we'll get with that this summer.

# Matt Crossman, a Bristol fella, has asked me to help him record some of his songs, so we've been working on those (and what lovely songs they are too!)

# and of course, I am writing and preparing for a new solo record (which will be good, I promise) which I guess will be heard around late November, and I've got a bunch of stuff to do with Tom (Next Muffin) if he will let me.

I was thinking about making "You're not my friend no more, Volume 2" this summer but I ran out of time. I'm still hoping to find a context to put Volume 1 "out there" but in the meantime, if you like it, please tell your friends about it and let them know they can download it from my website (http://citycascade.blogspot.com)

sorry to flood you with information. Thanks for the continually growing love and support I'm feeling x

The Glory

2009-08-06T11:22:00.004+01:00

folk-influenced, anthemic, spiritual

1. The Glory
2. Searching For His Face
3. Blood On Your Carpet
4. Houses And Vineyards
5. Turn Of The Tide

# all songs written by R. Mitchell except lyrics to "Blood On Your Carpet" written by Katie Winny
# all recordings copyright R. Mitchell 2009
# sample beginning at 1:40 in The Glory taken from http://ambientrecordings.com/

- - - - -

Notes on The Glory:

The Glory began as a vision for a conceptual/experimental collection of recordings exploring themes of spirituality. The ambition with which I began the project was slowly worn away by a number of setbacks, including a quite severe illness, and I eventually gave up trying to make something remarkable and resorted to trying to salvage what I could from the recording sessions.
This involved making some very hasty mixes, followed by repeated attempts to record scrappy vocal takes in a vicious cycle of perfectionism versus "get the job done" mentality, and I became very disillusioned with the songs so that even now I can't tell if they are "good" or "bad".
My utter disappointment with the project is counterbalanced by the fact that at some point, some bits of the songs were definitely "good", and that is why I have made them available.
Special thanks go to Katie for her lyrics to "Blood On Your Carpet", which are without a doubt the highlight of this project.

Turn Of The Tide

2009-08-06T11:21:00.000+01:00

there's a fight going on
and I don't wanna be a traitor
you have not given me a spirit of fear

pray for me,
lay your hands on me, my sisters, my brothers,
the enemy will do all that he can

we don't realise what a mess we're in

oh my God oh my God oh my God

Houses And Vineyards

2009-08-06T11:20:00.002+01:00

I shall cut from the face of the land
all the men and the beasts and the birds
and the fish will be gone from the sea

my hand will fall on the King's children,
the ones in our enemies' clothes
who have turned their faces from me

a mournful cry from the gate,
a crashing in the hills,
those who dwell in the marketplace all screaming

they shall build houses but not live in them,
they shall plant grapes but not drink of them

Blood On Your Carpet

2009-08-06T11:18:00.000+01:00

lyrics by Katie Winny

a bleeding lamb I approach,
not innocent or aflame,
barely uttering your name

and everything is unclean,
everything is unclean
so I cannot touch you

I deliver everything to your lap
at the foot of the Lebanese trees
and the sun makes life long
but every day it gets taken away

so turn your face to me,
turn your face to me,
you say the light hurts - doesn't it?

everything is unclean,
everything is unclean,
you won't touch me,
you never touch me,
you can't touch me,
you must touch me,
you have to, I have to,
I only have you

oh, the son
makes life long

Searching For His Face

2009-08-06T11:16:00.002+01:00

what's that coming down the mountain?
storm-clouds soaked in gold,
we do not turn away
quick enough to save our failing flesh

what's that coming 'cross the desert?
a scare-crow in camelskin clothes,
found myself floating in the water,
my skin as white as new-born snow

and oh, we are willing,
so easy, so eager to please,
so quick to fall down,
to grace the ground with our knees

what's that hanging on the wall?

oh, would you believe me
if I told you that I loved you?

The Glory

2009-08-06T11:13:00.002+01:00

I have seen it coming down

make way, make way,
it's a glorious day!
- you'll be singing this song when it's over,
my dear, do you hear
what they're saying in Hell?
it's becoming a problem for them as well

don't let anyone tell you not to fear,
haven't you heard that the day is near?
we'll be down on our knees, crawling in tears
before it's over

You're not my friend no more

2009-07-06T12:43:00.006+01:00

Post punk-influenced, grunge-influenced, noise, lo-fi, basement, pop, fun.

1. Left My Coat Behind
2. Angelface
3. God bless you, my brother
4. Word Became Flesh
5. Little Love
6. My Body Is A Cage
7. (plus)

Little Love

2009-07-06T12:41:00.000+01:00

you ain't got nothing over me my love,
you ain't got nothing over me,
i'm a poor man running in a rich man's shoes,
chasing all over the city for you but you ain't got nothing over me

we went out of our way to get lost my love,
we went out of our way to get lost,
i span on my head 'til i was sick inside and you stared at the spotlight until you were blind,
we went out of our way to get lost
but we never quite counted the cost,
running a race that can't be slowed down, sweat on your forehead in place of a crown,
we never quite counted the cost my little love

you won't pick me up
though i'm sinking right in front of you
and we have had enough
of all the shit they've given us
don't go your seperate way, don't go your seperate way, don't go your seperate way,
don't go your seperate way

Word Became Flesh

2009-07-06T12:40:00.000+01:00

it's like we're staring in a smokey mirror,
it's like we're staring in a smokey mirror,
it's like we're staring in a smokey mirror
and what we're looking at's real hard to figure

eating all the newborn grapes on the vine,
eating all the newborn grapes on the vine,
eating all the newborn grapes on the vine
when we should've been making sweet, sweet wine

staring straight at the image of the invisible

Angelface

2009-07-06T12:38:00.000+01:00

get the hell outta here my brother
you done and gone too far
shouldn't even be here yeah i know
i know who you are
stay away from my baby
and all my other friends too
they don't want none of your conversation
they don't want nothing to do with you

i'm the white rabbit
do you see me now
do you understand
you're the white rabbit
you're an idiot
you don't understand

you are a walking mistake of late
you are a walking mistake
you are a piece of the accident
you are a piece of the devil's foodcake

Left My Coat Behind

2009-07-06T12:36:00.001+01:00

drown me drown me drown me out,
i don't wanna hear myself any more,
shut the door, close your eyes a little bit more
then you won't see me and i won't feel so bad

because my hair is a mess and my hands are all cut up and my eyes are streaming,
i have tripped over my shoelaces, left my coat behind again
and my hands are shaking my hands are shaking my hands are shaking
i swallowed a little bit of myself

Stock Clearance

2009-06-25T10:35:00.002+01:00

Clickety-click.

News - 19.06.2009

2009-06-19T17:19:00.002+01:00

I've been working on a few seperate things since releasing "Fairytales."
A few folky cover songs (When I Survey, Not The Sun, Summertime) and a few of my own acoustic stuff went up on my tumblr and at some point I'd like to record an EP of covers of some quite heavy or experimental songs and do them in my own softer style.

I've also started work on some recordings which I hope will become a collection of garage/rock influenced songs, and I'm really excited about recording a "full band" sound.

I inherited a Casiotone 202 from my grandfather, which will provide some very cool retro keyboardings in the future too. Hurray for new things.

Fairytales

2009-05-07T22:43:00.001+01:00

At last! The long-awaited Fairytale album (with the incredibly original title, "I Believe In Fairytales") is now ready to be unleashed upon the world.

As a special gift to his fan(s), Robin will be recording live versions of different songs from the album and explaining a little more about the stories behind them.
Recordings will end up at http://acunningplan.tumblr.com and possibly elsewhere.

Robin Mitchell Presents: I Believe In Fairytales

2009-05-07T20:41:00.002+01:00

“I Believe In Fairytales” is a collection of fairytale songs inspired by some stories that Robin wrote. The recordings take the listener on a journey across the plains, out at sea and up the mighty river, where they will encounter mermaids, serpent enchantresses, rapids, cups of tea and many other wonders besides.
Folk, country-influenced, world-influenced, storytelling, soft, easy-listening

1. The Tower
2. Soldier and The Mermaid
3. Take Me With You
4. Rainy Day Parade
5. Find A Way
6. Riversong
7. Tea Garden
8. The Dragon Bell
9. On The Rapids
10. Circus Moving Out
11. Maybe You'll See Me Again

Maybe You'll See Me Again

2009-05-07T20:40:00.001+01:00

I'm walking away from you,
not looking back I'll take one more step away
and you won't persuade me to stay,

I just need a little bit of space,
clear my head, get some rest
and maybe you'll see me again one day,
maybe you'll see me again

Circus Moving Out

2009-05-07T20:39:00.001+01:00

In the mists of early morning,
the crackle of campfires,
the children sleeping silent
on the backs of the wagons,

the sound of them singing
as they pack up their tents
harness the horses,
tread soft in the long grass

A letter in spanish
creased on the ground,
a rune carved in marble
that stands by the gate,
a few silver trinkets
smelling faintly of incense,
a single red tassle
from the head of a horse

They come in the night
with their drums and their pipes
tents full of colour
and magical things
they leave at first light
in the quiet of dawn,
just the sound of them singing

The circus moves on,
and no-one knows where they've gone
and no-one knows when they'll be back again

The Dragon Bell

2009-05-07T20:37:00.003+01:00

Summer nights are beckoned in,
trapped and locked up shut
in a cave high on the mountain
by the Dragon Bell

Fire lingers in the sky
long after the sun has set
the old men still tell tales
of the Dragon Bell

Heart of hammer falling hard,
grip of vice that's tight as death,
all the burning will of fate
echoed in a single note
and those who hear it sink into a sleepless sleep

Young men watch the mountainside
waiting for the summer's end,
the fire in the dragon's eye
when dark is set free

Riversong

2009-05-07T20:33:00.001+01:00

We lay on the bank of the river,
let it wash all our troubles away,
stretched out in the arms of the long grass
and the smell of left-over rain,

woke up with the birdsong
and the steam as it rose from the ground,
tied ourselves to the heart of the forest
and lost ourselves all over

in the sound of the mighty water falling down
and every day a new song rising

My love she had attitude and grace
and nails that pierced the skin on my back
her hair fell loose, coffee black
and her kiss bit like cigarettes

We danced the daylight in,
drowned the thunder out,
gave all the trees new names,
fought and chased the dark

and oh, the mighty water falling down
and every day, a new song rising

She was gone to the city
and I to the mountain cold,
bare and broken against the sky,
already a speck, an old tear in her eye,
she moved like a snake through the alleyways,
skipping over the roots and stones,
far above, I sat alone
and all I could hear

was the sound of the mighty water falling down,
falling down, falling down,
and every day a new song

Find A Way

2009-05-07T20:30:00.002+01:00

"Could we spend a few more seconds?"
I see the questions echo from her eyes
in no disguise

I wish that I could be the man she's looking for,
"Je ne sais pas,"
I'll catch you if you stay right where you are

she says "I just don't know what to do,
spent my whole life chasing you
and we just break everything we touch
and I can't stop it now"

I spend a few more seconds
watching moments in the photographs
can't help but laugh,

the camera didn't catch the smile on her face,
je t'adore,
her silence had me crawling on the floor

and she calls my name,
says "I'll meet you half way,
I'll come and find you if you're out there
waiting for me,"

and she says, "I just don't know what to do,
spent my whole life chasing you
and we just break everything we touch
and I can't stop it now"

Je t'adore, je t'adore,
her silence had me crawling on the floor,
je t'adore,
if only I could give a little more

Take Me With You

2009-05-07T20:27:00.003+01:00

Take me out to sea when you go,
creeping away in the quiet hours,
let's walk hand in hand to the trembling sound
of the world waking up in the dawn

Take me out where it's too deep to swim,
where darkness goes all the way down,
take me on to a paradise shore
where the shallows are warmed by the sun

I'll pack up my life in a box with a lock
and seal it away in the hold of our ship,
I'll stand at the rail with a prayer on my tongue,
I'll follow you into the distance

There's a haze coming in on the south coast,
soon you'll be disappeared,
I'm cutting away at the clouds, my dear,
it's lonely staying at home

There's a gap in the sky where you left me,
a place in my bed that's still empty,
a map on the table that's calling me
and a dream, a dream, a dream

I'll hunt for your heart in the salt and the sand,
carve your name deep in an old oak tree,
summon you up with my talking drum,
call to the spirits in silence

I'll sell my possessions and take to the waves,
follow your footsteps through faraway lands,
I've wasted so much of my precious youth
waiting at the edge of the sea

Soldier and The Mermaid

2009-05-07T20:26:00.000+01:00

When he saw her sitting down there on the rocks,
thought it musta been somekind of a dream
Her voice swept up and away on the wind
as she sang to the depths of the sea,

stories of seasnakes and tropical fish,
miles of mountains down in the deep,
the young soldier didn't know how to react
so he stood there a while, took off his hat

and he coughed nervously, and said,

"Beautiful lady, tell me your name
so that I when I am gone it will stay on my lips
and when I return I will come to this place
and find you, remind you of what we could be"

She saw the honesty in his eyes,
said softly to him, "Do not trouble your heart,
for I'm not one of those who walks on the land
and I go to where new tides take me"

Emboldened she whispered her name in his ear,
felt for a moment the warmth of his cheek,
then took to the waves, leaving forever
the soldier who loved her

And he took her name with him to faraway lands
until battle was over and homewards he went,
down by the rocks at the edge of the sea
he called her, and he heard her song on the wind

The Tower

2009-05-07T20:22:00.000+01:00

It's quiet in the tower where she
stands at the window,
clings to the silence,
clings to a prayer

the princess tied to solitude,
cursed to wait but never rest,
high above the plains, so far away
from love

He hears the story of her
unjust imprisonment,
stolen as a child,
locked up long ago,

a young man riding a white horse,
coming from the east,
coming from
the sunrise

"My lady," he calls,
"let down your hair"
She shakes her head,
she turns away

He tries the door, it opens,
up the stairs he swiftly runs,
but she cowers in
the corner

"My lady, come with me on a
white horse we'll ride into
the sunrise, far away
to somewhere safe"

But she's never left these walls behind before,
she's never set a foot outside the tower door,
so he leaves empty handed, she waves from the window,
he rides into the sunset on a white horse, all alone

News - 30.04.2009

2009-04-30T16:18:00.001+01:00

Just waiting for artwork for Fairytales, and they will be out and about.
Am also recording something new and I guess a bit weird. Struggling somewhat to get the right vibe, but it will settle eventually.

Meantime, I turned 20. How weird is that?

Self / Control

2009-04-18T10:56:00.001+01:00

Largely improvised drum and piano compositions recorded as part of a self-analysis project for Uni. Minimalist, abstract, jazz-influenced, ambient-influenced, electronica-influenced.

1. Pathos
2. Sober
3. Journey
4. A Roof To Keep Off Rain

News - 30.03.2009

2009-03-30T23:29:00.001+01:00

I've made the most of being in a house with a drum kit and a piano. As well as beginning work on a 6-song EP in the same vein as the Storm On The Horizon/Blind sessions, featuring 3 covers and 3 old songs of mine, I have recorded a selection of ambient piano pieces and also ventured into some strange territory with minimalist piano/drum compositions as part of a Uni assignment - a critical analysis of self.

I've got soo much stuff waiting to happen. Here's a list of what's in the pipeline:
# Fairytale album/EP
# Basement EP (6 songs, follow up to SOTH)
# Ambient piano stuff (I'm reluctant to call it an EP as there's 7 minutes of material)
# "Self / Control" EP (4 tracks, drums and piano)

News - 11.03.2009

2009-03-11T16:24:00.000Z

I've recorded 14 tracks for the Fairytale Album (8ish songs and a bunch of instrumentals), but I don't know what to do with the finished product. I'm concerned that it's a little rough around the edges, barely even passable as a demo, yet there is some fantastic and original musical and lyrical work that I am really happy with and want other people to hear.

More on this later.

News - 05.03.2009

2009-03-05T18:16:00.004Z

I know it's been quiet from me, but I've been a busy boy. January was spent recording the Next Muffin CD, plus we did a couple of shows, and from October(ish) I've been slaving over some Mystery White Boy stuff which finally came into fruition... there's an EP, a single going to iTunes and all sorts.

All this on top of coursework and general life commitments, but I've not neglected my regular music. I've written all the preliminary lyrics and the music for my upcoming album, and have spent the last few days recording demos in the style of early Calexico, Gustavo Santaolalla and Manu Chao. Little instrumental numbers with a heavy Spanish/Mexican influence but also a little bit of east Asian music (what little I've picked up from movie soundtracks and the like). If I had/could play a flute, you can guarantee that would be the standout instrument.

Anyway, I'm happy with the sounds I've been getting - rough and ready, think Storm On The Horizon but sharper and generally more mature - and will probably record a song or two over the coming weeks, looking at having the album done in April or May. That said, I've got so much on and so many deadlines to fulfill, I'm not gonna put myself under any pressure, and I'm not gonnna rush the project for fear of botching it.

Of Some Interest, Maybe

2009-02-02T23:13:00.005Z

I have "officially" launched a RECORD LABEL, City Cascade Records.
Read all about it at citycascade.blogspot.com

This page might interest you - it contains my entire listenable (post 2006) music back catalogue, for mp3 download: http://mysteryofthewhiteboy.webs.com/robinmusic.html
(basically, all my music will now be downloadable from there and (possibly) Last.fm)

The reason I've announced this now is because the Next Muffin stuff is being facilitated by City Cascade, and seeing as the site is up and running (if basic), why wait?

There's A Band...

2009-02-02T16:11:00.001Z

Thought I should give this a shout:

* * * * *

NEXT MUFFIN is proud to present BRUNCH, the new CD/download available for FREE now!

* * * * *

to DOWNLOAD the songs, go to:
http://mysteryofthewhiteboy.webs.com/nmmusic.html

to LISTEN to the songs or download them from Last.fm, go to:
http://www.last.fm/music/Next+Muffin/Brunch

to ORDER A COPY OF THE CD:
send Robin a Facebook message containing your address (or send an email nextmuffinmusic@gmail.com), or come and talk to Robin or Tom who will give you a copy in person.

News - 11.01.2009

2009-01-11T11:22:00.003Z

This is me writing an essay.
I'm back in Falmouth, cold but pretty (the town, not me... I'm just cold) and pleased as punch with the results of three days recording with Dave Churchill (cousin). Gave me a proper chance to utilise my new 8-track, and we got some really good sounds.

This term is going to be THE term when Next Muffin get off their ass and record a demo. Starting tomorrow, when I should be doing my essay.
Also, I'm writing a Fairytale album. More to follow.
Meanwhile, Mystery White Boy is halfway through his epic debut release. It's all going on. I have so much to do, and so little time. Sound familiar?

News - 26.12.2008

2008-12-26T20:32:00.004Z

Christmas has been good. The holidays have given me time to realise I need to either get really good digital equipment (ie. spend £1000+ on a PC) or go analogue. As I'm broke as hell, I'm going with plan B and hopefully by March will be halfway to having the complete setup (8-track, synths, drum machines, sequencer, more mics).

In the meantime, I've agreed to record with my cousin Dave Churchill, so if that goes ahead it will be my first venture into producing on behalf of someone else which I'm pretty excited about. Think it will be a mostly acoustic vibe, but maybe we'll be able to bring in some cool elements.

News - 12.12.2008

2008-12-12T14:32:00.003Z

I am returning to Bristol this evening. Rapidshare will remove the "Help, Baby Jesus!" downloads on December 30th, so if you want the .zip file you'll have to get it before then.

Progress has been pretty good: I believe I have given away 8 copies on disc in Falmouth, and am expecting to give away more in Bristol, and there have been 15 downloads from the Rapidshare site, meaning that at least 23 people so far are in possession of the EP. Furthermore, Last.fm has proved to be a succesful place for people to listen to my music, and MySpace still gets several listens ever day. Thank you to everyone who has listened to the EP so far.

Extract from my Essay On Audience

2008-12-05T14:32:00.000Z

Frith said that in his study of twentieth-century pop music he became ‘less intrigued by the organization of the music business’ than by ‘the impact on it of technological change, and by its dependence on the media for mass dissemination.’ Quite simply, without the technology to mass-produce music, or the means to transfer it to audiences via the media, there would be no record industry. However, these two fundemental aspects of the system are always being subject to change, and according to Frith, it is ‘hearteningly clear’ from technological history that ‘no-one in the business ever knows in advance which people will use which devices for which purposes. Far from manipulating and moulding public demand, the electronic goods industry has always had to adapt to it, sometimes quite drastically.’
This is a reversal of the situation that Adorno foresaw, whereby the major companies were in complete control of the resources, and the consumer public were limited to using whatever the industry happened to make available at a given time. Instead, Frith indicated that there is a tension, a struggle between the producers and consumers, because the producers cannot ever predict what their products will be used for.
This is all the more relevant twenty years after Frith's articles were published, where the debates about internet ‘piracy’ are at their peak. A new medium, the world wide web, which was initially being used by companies as a new way of selling and distributing their products, has become the hotspot for ‘filesharing’, and huge global communities have sprung up, dedicated to the free acquisition and distribution of all available forms of media. No doubt Adorno would be forced to question his assumptions about the passive, ‘regressive’ audience, when classical and operatic works can be found on the same websites as hip-hop and blues. Technology has changed again, and the record industry has yet to finish reacting. In the meantime, consumers have unlimited choice at their hands, and independent bands are on a level playing field with the corporate-backed millionaire stars. Increasingly, people’s music libraries are no longer limited to ‘rock’ or ‘pop’, ‘classical’ or ‘jazz’. An eclectic range of music is being listened to and shared around by a huge audience, contemptuous towards and dismissive of matters such as labels, genres and whether or not the performer is a ‘star’. Maybe the true nature of the supposedly ‘regressive’ audience was concealed by the limited technology at the time of Adorno, or maybe it was bottled up, repressed and waiting for the opportunity to burst. Whatever the case, there is more music of all styles, ‘high’ and ‘low’ by anyone’s standards, being listened to today than ever before, and the consumers are taking what they want, and leaving the rest.
The record industry is beginning to change its approach, however, and a compromise may be reached through online music stores, where the individual has complete freedom to pick and choose. Certainly the era of the internet will not mark the death of the record industry, but it will bring about huge changes, and the production and distribution of music will never be the same again. This only serves to reinforce Frith’s point, that the record industry will never be able to predict how audiences will respond to technological changes, and that even a seemingly powerful weapon can turn out to be a double-edged sword.

News - 17.11.2008

2008-11-17T12:25:00.000Z

RE: "HELP, BABY JESUS!" CHRISTMAS EP 2008

The EP will be available from me, and to download for free online, from November 25th. However, if you want me to send you a copy, you need to let me know ASAP. Unless you have specifically notified me that you want a copy sent to you, and have left me an address to send it to, you ain't gettin' nothin'.

I will begin sending out copies this week to make sure they're with you in time for November 25th (Christmas -1month), the date that it is acceptable to begin listening to Christmas music. So, to reiterate, if you want to recieve a copy in the mail, give me your address right away.

The rest of you, watch this space for info on where to download the EP, or just come and talk to me from November 25th onwards and I'll always be carrying a copy or two.

Cut The Crap

2008-11-12T13:02:00.002Z

These are some thoughts I've had regarding recording and production, having grown up with 21st century music and having listened to too many new records which seem to be losing something of the organic-ness that "alternative" music is supposed to signify.

1. STOP NOISE WARS. Master your records quieter, stop double-tracking everything, keep the quality, the delicacy, the sensitivity that music is meant to be about. Less is more.

2. Don't compress everything. I want a studio recording to sound good; I don't want it to sound like it was all done with synthesizers. There is definitely such thing as a sound that is "too polished." Dynamics are a natural part of musical expression, which leads me onto my next point...

3. Don't noise-gate everything. Fret buzz, natural resonance and decay, are all part of the beautiful sound that a live instrument produces. A little bit of noise gives atmosphere, shows life, shows that the music was made by people and not machines.

4. Know your strengths, know your limits. This applies to the producers and musicians. No-one is a perfect master of their instrument, and equally, everyone has a unique approach to playing. This is a beautiful thing. Play to your strengths, and play to your weaknesses. Singers, the trembling of your voice when you don't quite make the note might be the sexiest thing about it. Don't use studio effects or session musicians to cover up this stuff, it's all part of the rich texture or a living, breathing piece of music.

5. Think about everything. Never get into a routine way of playing something, or of doing something, but always be aware of what you are doing and why. Routine practices lead to boring songs, boring arrangements, and lax, lazy performances. If you feel yourself slipping into a subconscious daze or ritual way of doing something, slow down. Pause. Leave a gap before the next note. Consider what it is that you are doing and why, and always have a good reason for making music.

News - 11.11.2008

2008-11-11T14:55:00.000Z

MySpace has been giving me intense difficulty, and won't allow me to upload new songs. Therefore, I have set up a "Last.fm" account as an alternative.

http://www.last.fm/music/Robin+Mitchell

Hopefully MySpace will get its act together soon, but watch both spaces for new tunes!

Rapidshare

2008-11-05T14:06:00.003Z

I currently use Rapidshare to host my album downloads.
Downloading can be an intimidating business, but it is really very simple. Below is my step-by-step guide to downloading from Rapidshare (primarily for Windows users).

1. Click the download link.

2. When the Rapidshare window has loaded up, select the "Free user" button on the left (below the speed dial picture).

3. Wait for the countdown timer.

4. Click the blue button that says "Download."

5. Choose a place to save the file ("Desktop" or "My Documents" are normally good options).

When the file has downloaded, you will need to "unzip" it to access the mp3s and other content. To unzip, use WinAce, WinZip or similar software that should come with your computer. Simply right-click on the file, select "unzip" or "extract here," (if it makes you choose the location to unzip/extract to, select "My Documents" or somewhere obvious). Now the files are yours!

To add music to your media player of choice, go to the "add music to library" option and select the folder you have just unzipped. Easy!

News - 29.10.2008

2008-10-29T18:22:00.004Z

I am now finished recording for Christmas 2008, at least as far as I'm concerned. I could do more, but why build on something that works fine as it is?
I've gone for the low-fi, five track CD format and I feel it may be the best collection of songs (apart from Mystery White Boy) to date. Simpler than "Storm On The Horizon" by a long way, but none the worse for it.

[ update: release date is November 25th.
title is "Help, Baby Jesus! (Christmas EP 2008)" ]

Closed Book

2008-10-29T18:17:00.000Z

Father, teach me how to be a better man,
I carved a crib from wood but I don't know how to lift it
Father, teach me how to be a better man,
I built a cup from clay but I don't know how to fill it

and if the stars are saying something,
they all look the same to me,
I could never read them,
now they're looking more and more like mystery

Mother, teach me how to be a better man,
I wrote a lullaby but I don't know how to sing it
Mother, teach me how to be a better man,
I brought a gift of gold but I don't know where to put it

if stories are for telling they all sound the same to me,
I could never believe them, now it's looking more and more like
I missed the sound of all the angels singing when the ground shook,
looking more and more like I should
just go back to bed,
try to empty out my head and be a boy again

Scattered

2008-10-29T18:13:00.000Z

We move to the slow sound of change
as the air that we breathe disappears out the door,
the letters I sent you and the chocolates I gave
are scattered all over the floor

I probably should have said less
the times when I spoke all the more
and the words that I never had a chance to let out
are the words that you needed, I'm sure

Well it's alright now
cuz it's too late now
This old train is moving and we're stood by the track,
we'll watch it go tumbling over the edge
and in time we will walk without looking back and we'll feel it

We've always been one and the same,
when I exhale you inhale and taste all my sins,
there's a sadness in you and a guilt within me
that's spilling out over the brim

and I love you, I love you, I love you
if that's all I've got left to sing,
you can take my apologies, shoot them all down cuz
they don't mean a goddamn thing

Well it's alright now,
cuz it's goodnight now
The stagelights are fading, the curtain is down,
we're no longer beautiful out in the street,
you're no longer the queen when you take off your crown and you feel it

so we're moving out,
watch it all come down,
cuz baby, we did all the best that we could,
we fought every battle, braved every storm
and now all our best moments will be misunderstood and I feel it,
do you feel it too?

Adieu

2008-10-29T18:10:00.000Z

Bonjour, enchantée,
should've looked away,
she's such a sweetheart,
she took mine

A touch, a smile,
a walking disaster,
can't keep track of it,
she's over

and like that we're spiralling,
didn't see it coming,
didn't see it ending and
oh my god, where did she go?

Liberty, enchantress,
she's from a foreign land,
got her own places to me and I got mine

and like that we're spiralling,
didn't hear her crying,
didn't see me running and
oh my god, where did she go?

like that we're spiralling,
didn't hear me calling,
didn't see it falling
oh my god, what did you do?

There Is A Darkness

2008-10-29T18:08:00.000Z

There is a darkness over the land,
silently descended as we lay in our bed

A weightlessness fills up my lungs,
feels as if I'm flying through clouds of your grief

and Oh, how do you do it?
You say to me we'll wake again
in the morning, oh darling, I'm through

There is a darkness over my heart,
I don't believe your promises

There is a darkness over your eyes,
now daylight is swiftly passing

and Oh, how do you know
the words you read to put yourself
to sleep are true? Oh darling, I'm through

Do you see it now?

Help, Baby Jesus! (Christmas EP 2008)

2008-10-29T18:07:00.005Z

Sequel to "Christmas EP 2007," developed songwriting, recording techniques and vocal style, gentle and philosophical, dark and moody.
Folk-influenced, lounge influenced, Christmas, fireside, low-fi, jazz-influenced.

1. Adieu
2. There Is A Darkness (Christmas version)
3. Night Terror
4. Scattered (Stripped)
5. Closed Book

News - 25.10.2008

2008-10-25T12:48:00.002+01:00

I am not dead.
I've been recording for Christmas '08, which is going to be interesting and possibly even good, though I am not sure. We're still in "Low-Fi" mode, and still going for dreamy and melancholy, though hopefully warm and gentle too.
More exciting, though, is the work I've been doing with Tom Buckle as "Next Muffin." We have a storming set of 12 songs and I've emailed about every venue in Falmouth this week saying that they should let us play there.

News - 26.09.2008

2008-09-26T11:27:00.001+01:00

I'm going back to Falmouth to start my second year, beginning October 6th. I'll be in Fal' from tomorrow.
Expect more on the Next Muffin front. I will also begin recording a Christmas EP-style set of songs for December...

News - 26.08.2008

2008-08-26T12:36:00.003+01:00

I made a purchase recently - an Alesis Multimix8 USB (basically an all-in-one soundcard/mixer/audio interface) which I am convinced is going to revolutionise my recording setup and take me to new, previously unattainable levels of production quality.
I have also managed to "acquire" extra leads, mics etc. to take with me to Cornwall, which will become integrated into the setup, and I will buy another mic when I get my student loan: essentially, I am going to look at upgrading my recording sound completely, and when I am done buying equipment I will take recording very seriously indeed.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the role of music in my life, and while I accept that I may be completely wrong in my perceptions, I am currently convinced that I have the talent and commitment required to make a career out of music, and I will continue to gradually pursue this possibility as my degrees draws nearer its end.

As a first step, I will look into publication of my music and recordings. I don't feel that what I currently have on offer is of industry-standard, but I think that with new equipment, added commitment and the right ideas, I will be able to record some demos that I can send away. Should I be met with rejection, I will look into publishing my own music and perhaps releasing it (on a small scale) independently, while also continuing to seek out support within the music industry.

My ambition has never been to become a pop star, or to sell millions of records. I just want to find people that like the ideas, the emotions and the music I have to offer, and to give it to them.

Robin Mitchell presents: Mystery White Boy

2008-08-21T15:13:00.008+01:00

This EP marked the launch of the "Mystery White Boy" project, focusing more on electronic sounds and digitally produced music.

Mystery White Boy on Muxtape.

Robin Mitchell presents: Mystery White Boy

2008-08-21T15:11:00.002+01:00

This is the project of the year, as far as I'm concerned, as it marks a new point in my music-making - the adoption of a pseudonym.
From now onwards, Mystery White Boy will be responsible for the electronic-based music, and I will continue to record and perform other styles under my own name. This EP is a crossover, combining remixes of songs from the Second Semester EP with new, original work to show the transition.

It is all very exciting! Be excited!

In A Moment Of Honesty...

2008-08-17T21:41:00.002+01:00

The following is something I wrote to put on my MySpace profile. I have said anything quite like it before, and to write it was strangely carthartic. I feel now that I should share it with those that would read it, because, as far as anything I write goes, it is a true insight into my feelings and my attitude.

music is, as i see it, a fundemental part of my lifestyle. as well as listening to a wide range of music, i undertake to write, perform, record and, of course, practice as much as possible. i started off playing guitar, and have become quite accomplished. as i grew more musically-minded i began to try my hand at other instruments with varying levels of success. i love to sing, although whether other people like to hear it is a different question.

i have spent the last few years building up a repertoire of songs and spending time recording them using a basic home system i've thrown together. i've learned a fair bit about the physics (and the art) of recording but as you can probably tell, i haven't got very far in achieving a studio-quality sound.
i have had little to no public exposure - various bands i've formed have been short lived, and various gigs have been thus far disastrous! my utter, relentless passion to play and sing and be heard is countered by the fear of inexperience, the complacency of cynicism and perhaps also the self-doubt of every self-respecting artist. however, a will to be heard always remains within me and i am gradually making steps to performing more in public, which will perhaps lead to the accumulation of some dedicated listeners, and maybe even a widespread release of some recordings.

in the meantime, i play bits and pieces here and there, and every few months pour myself into some doomed recording project, resulting in anything from low-fi rock to crackly acoustic folk to strange, melancholy electro-pop. this inevitably finds its way onto MySpace and other long-lost corners of the internet, and i spend a few days burning such projects onto CDs which then live in my guitar case until they get scratched beyond use and i throw them away. i have always secretly hoped that there is a career for me in music: not a multi-platinum, arena-blasting career, but a simple living made from relentlessly churning out CDs to an underground fan base who have somehow caught hold of my vision through the songs i write. whether this is a future reality or a foolish child's dream remains, i suppose, to be seen. i know that i will always write, will always sing, and will always pursue what i believe to be a creative, progressive approach to making music. i am also always interested in collaborating with others: i hope that the fact that i am somewhat of a recluse, or a snob, or both, will not deter you from letting me know at any time if you want to co-write or co-record with me, or see if we can get the beginnings of another doomed indie band together from the ashes of the fires of the phenomena of 21st-century pop music.

i hope that the above has done nothing to worsen myself in your sight, and that it perhaps helps give you some understanding to the music you hear at any time on this page. thank you so very much for visiting, for reading, and for listening to anything of mine that you might have come across,
humbly yours,

robin mitchell - august 2008

Storm On The Horizon

2008-07-24T11:14:00.006+01:00

Influenced by Calexico's "Spoke" and Bonnie "Prince" Billy's "I See A Darkness." Return to folky, dusty, low-fi sound. Minimalist arrangements, first use of drum kit since "Good Enough?" Enhanced re-release featuring 3 extra tracks is also available.
Folk, low-fi rock, basement sound, melancholy, grand, dramatic.

Tracklist:

01: Until It Settles
02: Brainwashed
03: Close Behind
04: Circle The World

Circle The World

2008-07-24T11:11:00.001+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

Dry your eyes, I'll be alright,
I can see the tunnel and I can see the light,
don't hold onto the hurt but watch for the sunrise,
just remember to smile and dry your sweet eyes

I'll still be here in the morning breeze
and you'll still hear me singing 'midst the leaves in the trees,
so just let me go, I'll leave with the tide,
I'll circle the world and be here at your side

My hand is cold and my voice is so dry,
I don't have much longer but I'll be fine,
so take a deep breath and let it all go
and don't ever forget me, cuz I'll never forget you, darling

Brainwashed

2008-07-24T11:10:00.001+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

Brainwashed by fairytales,
so much so you can't help but wish
all this was real, can't help but feel
helpless,
can't help but dream on into the day
when you should be awake

Someone should've told you,
you've been waiting far too long,
your fantasies are fictions, darling,
just take a look around

Until It Settles

2008-07-24T11:06:00.001+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

Feeling kinda foolish as I wake up alone and realise it's all I know,
moments slipping by that I needed to live on, missing my chance to grow
Sitting on a rock at the bottom of a well, it's gotta be an all-time low,
I'll hang around here in my own despair until I find somewhere better to go

I've got another book to write, another tale to tell, another love song to sing,
I've got a lot of memories, a lot of old friends, but nothing real to bring,
I've got a lot of hope and a lot of potential, a child who could be king,
but I've gotten myself confused, and I float like a bee with a butterfly's sting

I talk to myself in the dead of night when there's no-one left to hear,
I laugh at the world in the midday sun as it hides away in fear,
I try to remember why I'm living and breathing, why I'm yet to disappear,
I'll wait until the waters settle, I'll wait until it all 'comes clear

News - 23.07.2008

2008-07-23T18:19:00.002+01:00

I have finished(!) recording for the "Storm On The Horizon" EP. The reason I write (!) is because it has been an incredibly shoddy project, assaulted by lack of recording space, massive gaps of time between sessions, poorly tuned instruments and lack of decent equipment in general. I have come away from maybe 70+ hours work with four tracks worth of bareable material.

I could have gone back and started again, but basically, because I want the EP to have a low-fi feel, I'm happy with how it sounds. Also, I really couldn't face the depressing prospect of redoing all that work.
So, I guess I'll be "releasing" that stuff soon. Might even do a promo gig, because I could pull off a solo act, but who knows...

News - 18.06.2008

2008-06-17T18:47:00.002+01:00

Details confirmed for forthcoming EPs:

I am now planning to record two EPs in the next few months.
The first, "Storm On The Horizon," will be a collection of folk/country/blues songs, and so far the tracklist is as follows:
1. Midnight
2. Until It Settles [+ instrumental]
3. These Dreams
4. Adieu
5. Close Behind (Calexico song) [+ acapella song]
6. Circle The World

The second EP, "Robin Mitchell Presents: Mystery White Boy," will mark the distinction between my "solo" stuff (the folky/rocky/acoustic stuff) and my "side projects" (the electronic-based stuff). Hence I will include remixed tracks from the "Second Semester EP" and some new tracks, marking the transition. From now on, Mystery White Boy will expand as a side-project and exploration and the new name should help distinguish this. Tracklist so far:
1. From The Dark [remix]
2. Twisted
3. Beneath Her Feet [remix]
4. Overused Expression
5. Left To Say
6. Stay

News - 15.06.2008

2008-06-15T17:34:00.003+01:00

Recording begins again, this time in the form of a folk/jazz/blues EP heavily inspired by Calexico, Giant Sand, M. Ward and the like. Also there are touches of my earlier recordings (Proceed Alone) which bear semblance to Laura Marling and Bonnie 'Prince' Billie, two artists I started listening to this year.

I'm going to record this baby in bits: I've done the acoustic guitars in my flat in Falmouth, which I consider to be a slightly more isolated environment, and I've gotten a lovely, crunchy, Damien Rice-esque sound going on.
I will do the electric guitars here and there, and will hopefully do vocals, piano and percussion in a lounge in my house at home which has lovely acoustics (and contains the piano).
Lastly, I hope to use the drum kit on a couple of songs and am looking at practical ways of recording that. May have to opt for the old two-overheads-one-kick approach...

"From The Dark" - Single

2008-05-21T14:41:00.003+01:00

I have burned a bunch of copies of this single, mostly to distribute at the gig (see previous post). However, for people who wanted a copy of "Second Semester EP" but didn't get one, check out the single (available on request or downloadable at MySpace)... it's basically an abridged version of the EP.
Rock and roll.

1. From The Dark
2. Twisted
3. Degausser

News - 18.05.2008

2008-05-18T11:46:00.005+01:00

First Falmouth gig! At last!

My friend Tom Buckle and I have been playing over some poppy/bluesy stuff and we're going to open for a guy I know called Elliot Sutcliffe in some little bar just down the road. Should be fun.

Hopefully (I know I use that word too often) Tom and I will start playing the local scene a bit, we've got a pretty cool set though I say so myself.

If you're in the Falmouth area and you read this... Number Twenty bar, Lower Market Street, Penryn. June 5th. Be there.

Second Semester EP

2008-05-02T00:23:00.009+01:00

First "serious" electronic recording. Mostly original compositions plus some covers, fusion of electro, pop, glitch and some rock sounds. Developed home studio sound, original guitar and drum techniques.
Pop-influenced, rock-influenced, upbeat, edgy.

Tracklist:

01: I Am Jack's Broken Heart
02: Beneath Her Feet
03: From The Dark
04: Twisted
05: Degausser

[Bootleg "From The Dark" single also available]

Twisted

2008-05-01T12:34:00.003+01:00

R. Mitchell 2008

You build me up to be something I can never be,
and when you tell me it's all you want I almost believe,
but then you turn away and say you don't need me,
you only want yourself, and for some other new lover to adore you,
I was him once, he was soon gone,
now neither of us has a leg left to stand upon,
so don't take chances with me, don't play games,
I've never known a girl with so many different faces under one same name

I won't let it go,
and I'll strive for your truth,
and I'll hold onto you

You talk in whispers,
you talk in rhymes,
you twist the truth
and you talk out of time

I Am Jack's Broken Heart

2008-05-01T12:30:00.003+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

Can you tell me a lie so I can believe?
I'm living a lie to myself
and the sun only sets when I'm home and alone,
when everyone else has gone

It's the dirt in your nails and the blood on your face,
and the ropes that pull you to and fro,
and the phone only rings when I'm out of control cuz I'm losing it,
I think I lost it...

Did you lead me this far
just to leave me alone?
Are we out of control?
Why did it take us so long?

It's the fight in your heart that gives life to your soul
But your numb,
It's the day job, the nightlife, the social control,
and now I can't get to sleep

From The Dark

2008-05-01T12:27:00.002+01:00

R. Mitchell 2008

A hollow voice without connection,
a searchlight with no direction,
a flailing hand at the water's edge

I'm wide awake

A night's emotion in the skies,
disillusion in your eyes,
a friend, an enemy, a friend

Talk to me, whisper to me,
hold me, let me whisper to you,
touch me, touch me, touch me,
let me hold you, hold you

Save me from the dark

News - 24.05.2008

2008-04-24T14:58:00.002+01:00

And it is news indeed! Inspired mostly by the "Las Esmeraldas" project, and by rock/pop-electro crossover acts such as Gorillaz, Neon Neon, Head Automatica et al, I have been recording for an EP which I will hopefully have finished by May. It's called the "Second Semester EP" and so far the tracklist is as follows:

1. From The Dark
2. I Am Jack's Broken Heart
3. Degausser [by Brand New]
4. Twisted
5. The Ground Beneath Her Feet [by U2 and Salman Rushdie]

The EP is my most consistent so far - I've been mastering the tracks to a good level, they are all well recorded and (hopefully) musically interesting... and the songs flow very nicely, as far as I can tell.
The downside is that it's a pop/electro EP and while I've had hours of fun recording it, it just might not be your cup of tea.

News - 18.03.2008

2008-03-18T13:47:00.002Z

It looks like any plans for recording are going to be called off... some poor communication, plus a few finance issues, mean that I doubt we'll get anything done in the near future.

This is unfortunate, but I am still writing lots of new material and, working with a friend, am looking at the possibility of playing some blues-style gigs in Falmouth in April and May.

I have also set up Facebook group in my honour, which I suppose makes me a little bit pathetic. Click here to view the group, and please join if you are a fan.

News - 10.03.2008

2008-03-10T11:06:00.002Z

Possibility of recording sessions (another 4 song EP?) with Stew Ford in the next month, more news on this soon!

News - 28.01.2008

2008-01-28T14:50:00.000Z

I've recorded a couple of new songs in an electronic style (I've said elsewhere that influences include Radiohead, Dangerous Muse, Ladytron and Gorillaz) that can be heard on my MySpace page. One is very happy, upbeat and a little bit silly; the other is dreamy, dark and melancholy (I was listening to a lot of Team Sleep when I wrote it). Have a listen, see what you think.

News - 31.12.2007

2007-12-31T11:45:00.000Z

New year, new beginnings. The Christmas EP has come down from my MySpace page, and I am looking into forming a band. Actually. I have already begun inquiries into practice rooms, and have also started compiling songs that I could introduce to people. I have placed a few ads around on the internet, but will inquire more seriously when I have somewhere to practice.

One thing I am certain about is the name: Mystery White Boy.

[update: I have met with several people in informal jam sessions, I hope we'll be able to put together something that works]

News - 19.12.2007

2007-12-19T14:15:00.000Z

A selection of Christmas poems, originally written to accompany the Christmas EP, has been put online here. The poems are now also on my MySpace page.

Christmas Poems 2007

2007-12-19T14:13:00.001Z

calling
christmas lights and echoed streets,
whispered autumnal mantras,
in deep sleep, this town calls out
from restless nights, beneath the crystal air,
the eternal heartbeat

x-mas
questioning the significance of your kiss
as the rain trickles down my collar,
drip-wet, touches of grey like warm ice,
your hand in my back pocket,
my heart in yours

season's greetings
frost
makes up the white
and the fire
makes up the heat
and the lights
they flicker out,
power out,
time up

breathe
breathe bethlehem air
into new lungs for the first time
and taste life, bittersweet,
hello god, welcome to
planet earth

short stories
when the angel stared up from the dirt
he knew the answers
the bitterness whispered from his eyes
”i see you”
you see
there's no escape from the brutality of our
christmas story
nativity,
naivety,
longevity is not something you were made for

News - 30.11.2007

2007-11-30T10:10:00.001Z

Christmas EP out now!
You can download it from MySpace - Go here now to do so.
Or, if you live in Falmouth this week or Bristol from next week, arrange to meet me and I can give you a copy of the CD.

News - 13.11.2007

2007-11-13T12:04:00.000Z

I have decided that November 30th will be the official release date for the Christmas EP. Copies will be available (for free) online, or you can arrange to collect a CD from me.

News - 21.09.2007

2007-09-21T12:24:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow's the day I move down to Falmouth. Exciting stuff! I have no idea whether I'll be able to make an impact on the local music scene, whether I'll meet some jamming buddies, or whether I'll just sit in my room recording demos some more... I promise I'll try and do something worthwhile. Watch this space, like you normally do. Well done.

News - 31.08.2007

2007-08-31T16:01:00.000+01:00

Recording of the Christmas EP is finished. I've put it in the "projects menu" as it's completed, even though I don't plan to start pushing it until around December. If you want an early preview though, just get in touch and I'd love to send you a copy.

The recording process was pretty smooth: there were some carols I wanted to do that just didn't work with the way I was doing them, and to do them differently would have required a lot of time and effort - and would have totally changed the feel of the EP. So I just played around until I found things that worked - resulting in four of my songs and one carol. Although I've been using a dodgy soundcard and one mic I'm pleased with the sound - warm, if a little hissy, and melodic.

Christmas EP 2007

2007-08-31T15:55:00.005+01:00

Progression from "Proceed Alone" showing mature lyrical themes, stronger vocal, gentler, simplistic arrangements. A selection of poems were written to accompany the EP, and were included in the artwork of re-releases (here).
Acoustic-influenced, folk-influenced, mellow, melancholy, fireside, Christmas.

Tracklist:

01: Christmas Rain
02: Waters Cannot Quench
03: Lullaby (For A King)
04: Sunday Morning Blues [Christmas version]
05: Carol [hidden track]

Waters Cannot Quench

2007-08-31T14:55:00.001+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

A Love Song

wear me on your sleeve
emblazoned for the world to see
i will be your flame, your bitter jealousy
crueller than the grave, i'll burn my mark deep beneath your skin, so come with me

Lullaby (For A King)

2007-08-31T14:54:00.001+01:00

R. Mitchell 2007

Hush baby Jesus, be still now, don't cry
You've still got some time before you have to die
With that crown of thorns and a price on your head
Are blood, sweat and tears all you've got left to shed?
I left all my sins at the side of the road
But picked up some more just because I felt low
They're easier, lighter, more fun to keep
Your water's too shallow and your wine is too deep

Hush baby Jesus, the birthday cake
Is still on its way, just a little too late
The wise men forgot candles and left in the dark
Cursing their blindness and ignoring the sparks
I bought you a present but left it at home
I figured I'd need it if you left me alone
But don't cry, baby Jesus, I wrote you a song,
Just hope you don't mind that the lyrics are wrong

Help, baby Jesus, I've forgotten the way
- You told me to find you on Christmas day
But the churches are empty and the shops are all full,
And the lights are addictive, I'm caught in the pull
So I'll hark to the sirens, the carols of night
Because they stand for the Way and the Truth and the Light
And the life that you bring hasn't found its home yet
So forgive me, because for now it's best to forget

Christmas Rain

2007-08-31T14:52:00.000+01:00

R. Mitchell 2006

i was talking to God one december night
when the snow hadn't come for another year
he had to leave early and he left me behind
clouding everything that had become so clear

i was crying alone on Christmas eve
the ghost of the present was haunting me
so i ran to the rooftops and sang to the breeze
but the stars frowned down at me for disturbing the peace

i called up my ex-girlfriend from a telephone booth
to see if she had anything left to say
but she couldn't understand me when i talked in metaphors
so i left her to listen to Christmas day

i was crying alone on Christmas eve
because i'd taken with me everything i'd wanted to leave
watching happy faces with rosy-red cheeks
and wondering if anyone was waiting for me

i even left the country for a year and a day
came back three months later but it was all the same
i told the man beside me something needed to change
and walked out of the station into the winter rain

i was crying alone on Christmas eve
when someone took my hand and led me into the street
she showed me what it meant to be humanity
and then i realised where i was meant to be

i was talking to God but he still wouldn't reply
everything implied that it wasn't the time
i walked out of the room with a tear in my eye
but i knew somewhere inside that it would be alright

i was crying alone on Christmas day
cuz there are some things you can't ever change
but i felt sorta peaceful in the Christmas rain
just stood outside and let it all wash away
i was standing alone on Christmas day,
that's just who i am and it's sometimes hard to take
but when the curtain closes and the stage lights fade
there's a place that's meant for you in Christmas Day

News - 15.08.2007

2007-08-15T11:33:00.000+01:00

The official ProtegePlan split has been announced. It's a damn shame, and I really miss being in a band, but these things happen.
On the plus side though, I've made two sweet recordings for the Christmas EP. And, er, a theme tune! (see my MySpace page about that one)

Acoustic Demos

2007-08-05T17:13:00.000+01:00

I have recorded maybe 8 of these, some good, some okay. On top of this I have two "Christmas songs" to record this summer. I'm not gonna hand out acoustic EPs but I'm keeping them as reference points/for use as future demos if needed. I hope to record a Christmas EP, on the other hand, which I want to send to everyone at Christmas! Bit of a way to go before then, though...

News - 25.06.2007

2007-06-25T11:45:00.000+01:00

I have finished exams and now have an extended summer break before I begin university in September. I am looking to begin with recording an acoustic demo EP, the process of which I will start in the next week or two. I desperately want to record full arrangements, but am still not convinced of my ability to do so succesfully with current equipment.

Las Esmeraldas

2007-05-14T17:40:00.002+01:00

A pseudonym used to record electro/pop covers of mainstream and underground rock songs. Developed home-recording sound, beginnings of electronic work.
Electro-influenced, pop-influenced, rock-influenced, glitch, house, rough sound.

1. Soulmates Never Die ("Sleeping With Ghosts" - Placebo)
2. Ouf Of Sight (Hell Is For Heroes)
3. Tell Me (The New Root)
4. Wires (Athlete)
5. Cold As Ice (Foreigner)

Permission was sought to reproduce these songs, and was given by three out of the five artists featured

News - 18.04.2007

2007-04-18T19:55:00.000+01:00

A hardware failure in my computer last week renders me incapable of reaching any of my songs or recordings, or of making any more. The material is still there, but I can't get to it at the present time and so everything is on hold until I get new equipment.

News - 07.04.2007

2007-04-07T12:38:00.000+01:00

Recording for bluePower has begun, but due to lack of decent equipment(/technique) it's really not coming together that well. All the same, I've been writing a lot and I hope to keep recording acoustically until I can work on getting a better sound - hopefully some new gear at the end of April will help that.

Things with ProtegePlan are a little quiet, mostly due to "musical differences." So you won't see or hear much from me, but I'm still doing my thing and when I move to Falmouth in September I hope to start doing live stuff in the local music scene.

News - 20.03.2007

2007-03-20T20:13:00.000Z

Check out Las Esmeraldas, a new side-project of mine. It's nothing spectacular, but it is good fun. The main aim is to do covers of songs in a totally abstract style. It's very spontaneous, but expect to hear more sometime...

News - 09.03.2007

2007-03-09T13:05:00.000Z

I've been writing some low-fi pop-punk stuff in the vein of The White Stripes, early Brand New/Greenday et al, with the intention of recording an EP.
This April I hope to release said EP under the pseudonym "bluePower." I will record the entire thing on 4-track, with literally one track of each: guitar, bass, drums and vocals. It's a totally different direction to what I normally do (and how the hell am I gonna sing punk rock?) but I look forward to it and it's gonna be great fun. This isn't an ambitious venture, just a bit of a laugh, and I hope to spread some record-love around when I've finished recording. I'll also set up a "bluePower" MySpace, so watch this space...

News - 04.03.2007

2007-03-04T18:36:00.000Z

After remastering and recompiling "Proceed Alone," I am toying with the idea of publicly distributing it (including perhaps sending off to record labels etc). However, I'm not quite convinced that it's "there" enough yet. But I will certainly release several copies, in the style of "Follow Your Heart" (that is, to friends and family, and those interested).

The new listings, and updated information about the EP, can be found at its page (here) and you can obtain a copy by asking me for one! The best way to do this is to find me in person, though if you email at the address in the sidebar, me we can arrange an exchange or similar. I look forward to hearing from you.

News - 15.02.2007

2007-02-15T12:45:00.000Z

I've been shopping around for equipment recently. As well as looking at soundcards and a laptop (to complete my home studio setup) I've been getting new guitar equipment and have ordered the "Akai Headrush" (KT Tunstall, anyone?) - a stunning delay pedal that is also a live sampler tool. Basically, I can record loops of me doing different things, and build up an incredible sound with one pedal. Fascinating.
So watch out for live Robin Mitchell solo stuff this summer... it might finally happen.

As far as recording goes, I'll probably lay down some acoustic stuff but anything more than semi-serious will have to wait: I have huge plans and no equipment so until I get the above laptop I'll mostly be writing. I have been writing a lot though, for band and solo, so there's a lot to look forward to.

In summary, then:
1 - Have new toys
2 - Have big plans
3 - Need more toys to implement plans effectively

Depending on how shopping shapes up I'll record an EP in April or May. And in the summer (this is where the fun begins) I hope to record a concept LP featuring as many people as possible. If you'd like to get involved then email me. Watch MySpace for small updates etc. Thanks for reading!

Proceed Alone

2006-12-22T16:50:00.002Z

Winter-themed, low-fi, lounge/acoustic project. Mellow, melancholy, warm, beginnings of mature songwriting and arrangements, written "to listen to by the fire" over Christmas.
Folk-influenced, jazz-influenced, lounge, fireside.

01: Just Can't Let You Go
02: Over
03: Nobody Dies Without Leaving A Mark
04: Divide
05: Sunday Morning Blues

Sunday Morning Blues

2006-12-22T16:47:00.002Z

R. Mitchell 2006

got a little quieter
this side of the river
when the rain clouds lifted over
you could see the shadows move
and all the little side-streets
come drifting down towards me
people don't walk that way
they don't come here any more

this town is still asleep
dreaming simple dreams
and you and i are happy
we have found our family
and the "something" that is missing
sits playing in the backyard
as the world keeps on spinning
and time keeps rolling by

you never understood
you never cared to know
and you're still sleeping safe
there's your cryptic answer
right before your face
open up your eyes,
it's morning

Ever Leave

2006-12-22T16:47:00.001Z

R. Mitchell 2006

don't you ever leave
i think you know
i wouldn't last one day
don't you ever leave
this is my dream
and you complete the scene
so keep hold of my hands
and i'll make it all okay
i'll take it off your hands
i'll make it work
i'll keep it clean

i'll keep it real
forget the emptiness
i'll never go
there's nowhere else for me
forget the load
and leave it by the roadside

don't you ever leave
i think you know
what that would do to me
don't you ever leave
this is my home
when you are here with me
cuz home is where the heart is
and my heart is in your hands
so don't you ever leave
don't tear me in two
i'll keep it clean

don't you ever leave

don't you ever cry
don't you ever die
don't you ever leave me
wondering why
don't lie to me, don't lie
don't leave me by the side
don't bring tears to my eyes
don't sit and watch me dry
don't let me pass you by
don't let me slip or slide

Just Can't Let You Go

2006-12-22T16:44:00.000Z

R. Mitchell 2006

i just want to touch those lips to mine,
such a bitter envy that crawls through my skin
i just wanna hold your hand in mine
and go back to who we were before it all went wrong

and now i can't even look you in the eye
you wouldn't know it if you couldn't see right through me
but deep down, it burns me up inside
still so in reach, but you're so far away

it's last thing i would do
to fall in love with you
what kind of fool does that make me?
you've heard it all before

honey, we could have seen it through
i guess that's exactly what they say every time
i still want to hold your hand in mine
what kind of sucker can't get over it in time?

how can you walk by me so calm and so cool?
i still can't even look into your eye
your magnet still stuck to my soul
that poison you fed me still working through

(you've heard it all before, i've heard it all before)

i just can't let you go

Divide

2006-12-22T16:42:00.000Z

R. Mitchell 2006

he keeps his mouth shut
as they leave the house
she feels it too
as she squeezes his hand
"what's the problem?
tell me, before i burst"

the tension is suffocating
on the way down
don't leave me here,
catch your breath
as i extend my hand
don't leave me now

the taste not so sweet
as it is bitter
but the bitterness
tastes so sweet
"i know what you're thinking"
but she has no idea
"don't leave me now"

the air is dripping
heavy skies
reflected in those eyes
warm summer wind
the breeze
returns with memories

it always feels this way
addicted to your poison
it always feels this way
addicted to your lies
it always feels this way
inside my heart is burning
it always feels this way
here at the divide

it burns inside
it tears inside
no place for us to hide
don't leave me now

Nobody Dies Without Leaving A Mark

2006-12-22T16:40:00.001Z

R. Mitchell 2006

saw that smile
out in the street
as we passed by
that fateful day

couldn't read your eyes
when you looked away
i couldn't stop staring
as you passed me by

your name all over
my front page
who are you, sir?
i know the face

you caught my eye
i didn't catch your name

Over

2006-12-22T16:35:00.000Z

R. Mitchell 2006

The rain pours down as he turns away
That last farewell so bitter felt
Eyes are damp, but the heart burns
Bubble burst and dreams dispelled

Keep telling yourself
It was the right thing to do
Keep believing it
And I might begin to believe you

She sheds a tear at what they lost
And memories will haunt her yet
Words of truth so seldom said
She feels pain but not regret

He walks alone, wondering
If the only pain is to be numb?
Then this is bliss, this sweet, sharp hurt
This saving wound where he was stung

Tears will fall, and roads will lead
And man will follow while hearts still bleed
So run to my arms, take my hand
We'll walk this road, come with me now