**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 04
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
This was quite a quick write.
I was watching a film.
Someone said "No matter what the odds".
So I thought: what about a song called No…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 03
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I started this one first but got stuck in the surrealism of the opening line (it was "He" originally). I really didn't want to give the suntan…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 02
Written 3-5th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I had most of it on the 3rd, but wanted a middle 8 (bridge).
Struggled a bit with energy and how busy I am at work...
I managed to write…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 05
Written 8th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I was writing this from about 1am this morning before I went to bed, then on and off in between takes on the demos of the previous three today…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 03
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I started this one first but got stuck in the surrealism of the opening line (it was "He" originally). I really didn't want to give the suntan…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 01
Written Saturday-Sunday 1st-2nd February 2025
Written 1st-2nd Feb
Demo recorded 2nd Feb
****
I wasn't gonna do this FAWM thing this year, but they sent me an email...
And then I wrote…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 05
Written 8th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I was writing this from about 1am this morning before I went to bed, then on and off in between takes on the demos of the previous three today…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 03
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I started this one first but got stuck in the surrealism of the opening line (it was "He" originally). I really didn't want to give the suntan…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 02
Written 3-5th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I had most of it on the 3rd, but wanted a middle 8 (bridge).
Struggled a bit with energy and how busy I am at work...
I managed to write…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 04
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
This was quite a quick write.
I was watching a film.
Someone said "No matter what the odds".
So I thought: what about a song called No…
Love this one too! I hear a big production anthem style someday. An arena full of people singing this at the top of their lungs! Fantastic! What a fun morning for me to listen to so much of your great music!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 05
Written 8th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I was writing this from about 1am this morning before I went to bed, then on and off in between takes on the demos of the previous three today…
Wow! This one really hits a deep emotional chord. Your writing is superb as usual, but this spare arrangement just feels like raw emotion. An instant fav!!!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 03
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I started this one first but got stuck in the surrealism of the opening line (it was "He" originally). I really didn't want to give the suntan…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 05
Written 8th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I was writing this from about 1am this morning before I went to bed, then on and off in between takes on the demos of the previous three today…
oh my, another beauty! Your voice is out of this world. The wee hours are great for creativity. The structure of this song is great and the melody!!! Bravo.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 03
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I started this one first but got stuck in the surrealism of the opening line (it was "He" originally). I really didn't want to give the suntan…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 05
Written 8th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
I was writing this from about 1am this morning before I went to bed, then on and off in between takes on the demos of the previous three today…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 04
Written 6th Feb
Demo recorded 8th Feb
****
This was quite a quick write.
I was watching a film.
Someone said "No matter what the odds".
So I thought: what about a song called No…
Hello peeps!
Long time no public activity from me.
I've been working on a bunch of stuff with the guitarist from my old band. None of its ready...
However, I've been experimenting with different ways of jamming and doing demos. And in the…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 01
Written Saturday-Sunday 1st-2nd February 2025
Written 1st-2nd Feb
Demo recorded 2nd Feb
****
I wasn't gonna do this FAWM thing this year, but they sent me an email...
And then I wrote…
Hello again! Great to see you back :) Beautiful song!! You are off to a great start. Amazing what you can do with just guitar and voice...real musicianship.
Who Is My Neighbour - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1992
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
I wrote this 30 years ago when I was 29. There were a bunch of people killing other people. There were refugees.
By the…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2025**
Song number 01
Written Saturday-Sunday 1st-2nd February 2025
Written 1st-2nd Feb
Demo recorded 2nd Feb
****
I wasn't gonna do this FAWM thing this year, but they sent me an email...
And then I wrote…
---------------------------------------------
EDIT:
---------------------------------------------
I finally was able to remix the song. Please listen to "Fide On The Broom Stick (Version 2012)" in my track list to compare…
This celtic folk piece is a collaboration with lyricist Donna Devine.
This is Donna's explanation:
===============================
Background: In earlier centuries, young men were captured by "press gangs" - often literally torn away from…
Another goodie...
Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far...
I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially.
But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well.
I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Guitar: Billy Playle
Bass: Andy Gupta
Drums: Alex Zulaika
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Tricia Dovidio
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I?
I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far.
I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Vocals: Paul T. Bathen
Lyrics: Michael Taub
Bass: William Fisher
Guitars: Bill Gifford
Drums: Gerald Langefeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
I'm glad this song finally got finished. I had lost the synth draft and with it…
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Vocals: Eric Savoie
Acoustic Guitar: Dan Clancy
Electric Guitars: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Trevor Tillotson
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Eric Savoie
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Oh yeah, this is a special one.
He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it.
Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Vocals: Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics: Bob Beckley
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This one was tricky to do because the piano does not play at a fixed tempo, and it was an online collaboration (like all my collaborations).
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!!
I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
A pop/rock tune in the veins of the 80s. At least that was the goal.
UPDATE: This is the Jan 2017 version!
Lyrics: Casia
Vocals: Jessica Rasche
Solo Guitar: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Jay Carros
Composed, arranged…
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here.
You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-)
Another classy one.
Vocals: Sabrina Doughty
Lyrics: Grant D. McLeman
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This is the 2012 remix.
This song was based on a free-form lyric by Grant D. McLeman from Scotland. Quite a challenge ... :)
Lyrics & Lead Vocals: Angela Baird
Background Vocals: TSV
Bass: Matt Lewin
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This song is a problem ... the vocal track was never meant for production (although…
Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Bass & Drums: Neal Vanderhoof
Guitar: Andrew Doherty
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
James is actually a country singer. This was the first time for him to sing a jazzy piano…
He did a fine job (vocal).
I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons...
"When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant.
Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
This was written as part of a concept album inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso ,Trevor Lewis is a member of Songcrafters music forum , he came up with the idea of writing poems to 12 Picasso paintings , then put them out for people to put music…
Didn't realise you were on here!
I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
February
t boudreau
I'm stuck inside of February
With little chance of escape
And all you bar-stool visionaries
giving me advice that you'd never take
Wanna seat on a slow boat heading
South down a stream that seems to never end
Or…
Make Up Your Mind
T Boudreau
I've been lying here all alone waiting for you to pick up the phone oh yea
I've been dying here all along praying for you to come and save my soul oh yea
Where you gonna run when the well gets dry
Or are you…
Originally conceived as a mellow-ish, Stephen Stills sounding number (at least the verses), then the chorus came to me out of nowhere and turned the whole song on it's ear. I think that was for the better. I have to admit that I surprised myself…
Monster stuff.
It rocks, it's melodic, big in-the-face scrunchy guitar, love those vocals. And the bass at 3.10 or so!
Then the build up to 4.35 and the guitar and last chorus... Those top harmonies at the end.
Big grin on the face time...
A masterpiece.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
I swoon ...I think its a beauty as it is
I'm the one who made the mess ......
shame your not about when I'm coming home from the pub ......another good one Andrew
Had another listen….. haunting…. I just love this one!
Europe, and in Ancient Russia
This hits home. You got me laughing. It’s all true!
Wow! I listened to this last night and again this morning. Lots of emotion in here. Well done.
Fun way to start a song! This is another great one. I love the energy of it. Those chord changes are amazing. oohhh, fun use of the voice too.
Love the chorus on this one!
Love this one too! I hear a big production anthem style someday. An arena full of people singing this at the top of their lungs! Fantastic! What a fun morning for me to listen to so much of your great music!
Wow! This one really hits a deep emotional chord. Your writing is superb as usual, but this spare arrangement just feels like raw emotion. An instant fav!!!
Your dip into the surreal has left my imagination spinning! Awesome!
oh my, another beauty! Your voice is out of this world. The wee hours are great for creativity. The structure of this song is great and the melody!!! Bravo.
"Brandishing his lethal daffodil" Genius! Good god, my man: Good god!
Awesome!
Outstanding! You are an inspiration
oohhhh. Also beautiful! Fun to come back and find your new music :)
Hello again! Great to see you back :) Beautiful song!! You are off to a great start. Amazing what you can do with just guitar and voice...real musicianship.
thanks for your comment andrew , this is great song , love the lyrics and vocals , great listen ,......cheers tony cee
this is brill love your voice , nice guitar to ,.....cheers tony cee
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yep, lovely stuff, this works as it is for me
Another goodie... Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far... I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially. But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well. I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I? I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far. I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Oh yeah, this is a special one. He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it. Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!! I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here. You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-) Another classy one.
Works for me. Great track and the vocal just sits there like it should.
I like it. I see what you mean about the vocal take... but I think it adds to it's effect.
He did a fine job (vocal). I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons... "When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant. Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
Wow... First time I've heard this one. Excellent song... and SUPERB vocal
Didn't realise you were on here! I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
Beautiful. I've got some goodbyes it would have fitted. Many thanks.
Liked this a lot.
Great finish to an excellent album. Loved the whole thing, nice work guys. When you coming to London? :-)
Digging this album BIGTIME so far. This track has really made me sit up and pay attention. Actually, stand up and boogie is more accurate :-)
I know what it is, you're a mixture of Lennon AND McCartney, with a bunch of seventies rock chucked in - this is why I love your stuff so much...
Monster stuff. It rocks, it's melodic, big in-the-face scrunchy guitar, love those vocals. And the bass at 3.10 or so! Then the build up to 4.35 and the guitar and last chorus... Those top harmonies at the end. Big grin on the face time... A masterpiece.