Dan Hewins: The Deck

Here it is, I made it to the halfway point. I've basically stayed on schedule, only posting songs 1-2 days late but mostly not late at all. I've created 26 songs where only a small few (2) are not really songs, but ambient soundscapes or some kind of whatnot. Not that there is anything wrong with that anyway, it's just that they are not exactly "written" or "songs."

This one is "written" and it is also a "song." I summoned my best 60's sunshine folk pop to try to brighten my day. I think I got there somewhat. I learned the effects of the D-Major 7 chord from John Mathias back in college and I've never put it to use until today. I also think it may be the opening chord (and rhythm) to Pink Floyd's "Dogs" (which is on Animals, an awesome album).

Anyway, this song is a tribute to "half" and the fact that I am halfway done with this whole thing. Half and half. Bring me the halfling. Halved bagel. Halva. Goodbye.

Half Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

That's how you act, that's what you get. What did you expect?

This is another African-flavored ditty. I think it's fun to add the drums and percussion to tracks like this.

That's How You Act, That's What You Get Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I'm skipping ahead to the King of Clubs because there is a king in this song. I'll come back to the Jack and Queen in the next two weeks.

This song started with some of the lyrics then I just built upon them as I went. I got to a point where I thought of a short story that I read in college by Gabriel Garcia Marquez called "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings." I remembered the title a little differently last Monday when I was working on this though, hence the title of the song. When I found the story in my old book I realized the difference. In any case, the story by Marquez and the story in this song bear very little resemblance except for the Old Man within.

I thought about Michael Zapruder's songs when working on this one.

A Very Old Man With Very Large Wings Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This weekend I attended the wedding of two very dear friends in Big Indian, NY in the Catskills region of upstate New York. It was a great weekend with good friends and good times. The happy couple are en route to Spain as I type this and I couldn't be happier for them. They have great families and great friends and I'm so glad that I was able to share in the experience with everyone. Thanks, guys!

the wedding attendees running for cover (by Nina G.)

Big Indian Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The last day of May has come and gone. And with its passing comes this piece of ambient fun. I used four guitar amps and a bunch of pedals to create this.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled later this week when I'll post another version using the same setup. In part 2, instead of a guitar I used a synth.

End of May, Part 1 (guitar) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Seven of clubs came about because this weekend was really great, the weather was great, and I was feeling good. So I wrote this nonsense as an attempt to describe it.

Remeber The Sound Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I thought of the chord progression for this song on the A Train coming back from the Cloisters on Sunday afternoon. I was able to record it into my phone so I could remember it and it became this song. It's my pop-punk hit of '09. Rock it!

My good friend, Ben Lord, came in to play drums on this song. He and I were in Up The Empire together and run The Cougar Label together now. Thanks, Ben.

Featherlight Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Last Monday I had a bad day. Things we just not going right for me. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say I was in a rotten mood. I started this song that Monday night and was going to make a bad day song or bad song day or some kind of bad durge. The bad day continued right into the night and I had a problem with my computer and I had to stop recording. Ugh.

So, I finished the song today, Sunday, and since that badday Monday, I have had a few much better days and I was not in such a bad mood anymore. So, this song is what happens when you start it on a bad day and finish it on a good day.

This song is influenced by a bad day, Steve Reich, and Jim O'Rourke.

Bad Day/Song Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Two days after we visited Coney Island I created this song. There isn't much to say about it except for: acoustic guitar and mass feedback.

Two Days After A Day At Coney Island Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It was a beautiful day. It felt like Summer had come ahead of schedule this year. I spent the day in Coney Island with my fiancée and some friends from Boston. I've been living in Brooklyn for about 9.5 years now but I'd never ridden on the Wonder Wheel until today. I am glad we did it. And of course we took a ride on the Cyclone; that is not to be missed. After a Nathan's dog we came back to my part of town.

This 'song' was made all in one take. There are no overdubs at all. I did it at the space this evening. I've been into Robert Fripp and his "frippertronics" in the last several months and this is influenced by that in part. Also, if you've seen Up The Empire you might have seen me do something similar to parts of this at points in the set with my bass. Things that I would recommend checking out if you like this: Brian Eno: Discreet Music, Fripp & Eno: No Pussyfooting and Evening Star. Those are all excellent albums.

(the crackling you will hear on the left side at about 8:10 is the signal coming in too hot. I could choose live with it or do the whole thing over again. I chose to live with it.)

After A Day At Coney Island Play Now | Play in Popup | Download