✵ No Advice

2 weeks ago by @max

Liner Notes

https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/no-advice
Over 20 years of participating in February Album Writing Month (FAWM), I’ve developed a workflow that allows me to quickly create a decent recording of a freshly written song. My process always starts with guitar chords and humming a melody. Once a few words come to mind the songcrafting starts.
Despite all the digital possibilities out there, I prefer to keep things pure by using real instruments. I print the lyrics in large text, hang them above a camera, and play the song several times in a row. Usually, the fourth or fifth take is good enough. Thanks to FAWM, I’ve learned not to dwell too long on whether something is "perfect."

Next, I separate the one-take audio track from the video and load it into a mixing program. Most of the effects I use are already preset. Then I record additional vocal tracks and layer in more instruments like guitar, banjo, piano, and keyboard. Once the mix sounds decent, I sync it back with the video footage. Each year, I choose a different color theme for my two-tone videos.

If a song is recorded this way during FAWM, it’s done. After FAWM, I usually end up with three or four keepers, which I test live on stage. Songs often grow and evolve during live performances, but I never rerecord them. Around 90% of the songs I’ve written over the past 20 years were created during FAWM—simple and effective.

These days, I use ChatGPT to check my lyrics for grammar and spelling mistakes and to give suggestions. In the past, I relied on native-speaking FAWMers for this.
The audio mix I upload to Bandcamp is the same as the one in the videos. My style is defined by one-take, single-mic recordings with additional vocals and instruments.
#guywithguitar #single-mic #acoustic

Lyrics

I’ve chased foolish dreams
thought I knew
how to
turn the page
I traveled many roads
from A to B
simply
because I tried

One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough
One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough

To tell you how everything should be done
but the truth is, no advice no I have none

I have tried steadying my mind
to be kind
and find-ing
my own way
where it ends,well, no one knows
life’s not easy
but feel free
enjoy the ride!

One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough
One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough

To tell you how everything should be done
but the truth is, no advice no I have none

I held on to simple thoughts
learned a lot
glad I got
a chance each day
you will find out how it goes
try to see
you will be
your own guide

One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough
One would expect I’d finally reached the age
To be old and wise, old and wise enough

To tell you how everything should be done
but the truth is, no advice no I have none
yeah the truth is, no advice no I have none
yeah the truth is, no advice no I have none

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© Max Vanremmerden / vanremmerdenmusic 2025.
fawm.org/@max

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