I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
****
OK, this is a bit of a departure for me - posting songwriting demos.
This is a one mic recording made this morning in the living room, touch of reverbs…
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day!
Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 13
Written Saturday 19th February 2022
****
UPDATE: 8 Hours after posting I just spotted that I listened to and favourited a song called... um... "We're Done" by oldfolks2 - check it out…
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems.
You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
****
So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
****
OK, this is a bit of a departure for me - posting songwriting demos.
This is a one mic recording made this morning in the living room, touch of reverbs…
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well.
I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 14
Written Monday 21st February 2022
****
This is it ... FAWM's all finished for me... time for a lie down now.
There's still nearly a week to go, but I'm done, 14 songs written in 16…
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 13
Written Saturday 19th February 2022
****
UPDATE: 8 Hours after posting I just spotted that I listened to and favourited a song called... um... "We're Done" by oldfolks2 - check it out…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 10
Written Wednesday 16th February 2022
****
I've had the little guitar bit in the middle for years and years and years.
Even my wife recognises it, I play it so often.
Yesterday while…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 9
Written Tuesday 15th February 2022
****
I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
****
**Once Again - A A J Russe**
Every day
You keep asking…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 7
Written Saturday 12th February 2022
****
This one was easy to write but hard work singing and recording.
I'm fairly certain this one is high on the list of "arrange me later" - I kept…
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 6
Written Friday 11th February 2022
****
I was meant to be resting and chilling.
In fact, I was resting and chilling.
But then I got a message from Lala saying she was listening to the…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
****
What can I say? Mrs R likes it.
I knew she would.
Scheduling-wise, songs per day, I've now caught up with having missed the first 5 days of…
It's been a long 2+ years...
G/Bm - C9
Here we stand, hand in hand
Staring over the edge
Not the way we planned it
But what we have in the end
When the waves were crashing
How were we to know
That nothing would be the same
When we…
rpm 2k26
piano solo Jason Ulanet
I’m coming out my shell
The air is clean and fine
My wings are beautiful
I can’t believe they’re mine
It’s a wonderful feeling
Flying in the sky
I soar above the trees
Nothing can stop me now
I…
One song for my RPM challenge! I'm late to the party...but will try to finish anyhow (did I really sign up for 10 songs??!!!). This song was written while our guitar was in some peculiar tuning - so I just followed along. Kind of minimal but…
Here is my final mix of the last song I'm posting for this 2026 RPM Challenge. I wrote it half way through the challenge in a rough form and just finished the mix at 11:40 pm on February 28th. I did so many layers of synth and piano and stuff…
Trying to pump these out. Here's my next RPM song. When in doubt I just start harmonizing to whatever I write. I don't use any software to do harmonies - I prefer the old fashioned natural method because I love harmonizing to everything I hear…
This was the third song I wrote for RPM this year - took me a while to produce it. I started with a base line and it grew from there by adding piano and synths. Thanks to anyone who listens! My dog was playing with a squeaky toy while I made it…
Another song for my RPM challenge. I wrote this while improvising at the piano - a standard Jazzy chord progression I often play around with. I added some silly lyrics and called it a song (no time to waist here!). Thanks for the listen. People…
This is another one for the RPM Challenge. This is some kind of 'song'... using a lot of repetition. Built with my synths and vocals and with the pressure of a deadline and a new rescue dog requiring most of my attention. Thanks for listening…
Here is a next song for my RPM challenge...(this is my 7th year and I'm off to a slow start...grrrr). I threw this one together kind of quickly and it sort of wrote itself- which is always fun. I kept it minimal and mostly used my Juno Synth…
Another one for the RPM Challenge. This is one is a bit of a mood piece created with my synths. Enjoyed creating the harmonies for this one (I just use intuition for harmonies...sometimes it works and sometimes it gets weird and I usually cut…
Another for the RPM Reg got to thinking again ......
Shes a shaker
She’s a movie star
Blue eyes black skin like coal tar
Shes a vision on the big screen
She is everybodys movie queen
Made up on a keyboard
Chalked out on a blackboard…
Another for the RPM Challenge ...Reg woke up feeling a little pessimistic and started to ask himself the big question...
What does it all mean
The preacher spent his life building churches out of stone
Making money to…
Sometimes Reg gets a little TOO pessimistic to leave me feeling comfortable... but I love where here was going on this one. Hopefully someone bought him a beer or a bar of chocolate after this one.
Sometimes songwriting is easy sometimes its just all noise…..
Sometimes its just all noise
I’ve got this pocket book with a story of my world
With Words misspelt
words misunderstood and
Rhymes that will not work
Chords to a theory…
Trying to pump these out. Here's my next RPM song. When in doubt I just start harmonizing to whatever I write. I don't use any software to do harmonies - I prefer the old fashioned natural method because I love harmonizing to everything I hear…
Another song for my RPM challenge. I wrote this while improvising at the piano - a standard Jazzy chord progression I often play around with. I added some silly lyrics and called it a song (no time to waist here!). Thanks for the listen. People…
Yeah, I'm with you on this... (though, I will admit, if someone does manage to drag me there, I do, invariably, enjoy myself, a little bit, anyway... LOL). Love the piano playing.
Oh yeah. Nice song... makes me feel warm... hope you're keeping warm too. Trying to imagine 7 inches of snow... and in 3 months the Cricket season will have started here!! (Assuming the rain stops!)
Here is a next song for my RPM challenge...(this is my 7th year and I'm off to a slow start...grrrr). I threw this one together kind of quickly and it sort of wrote itself- which is always fun. I kept it minimal and mostly used my Juno Synth…
One song for my RPM challenge! I'm late to the party...but will try to finish anyhow (did I really sign up for 10 songs??!!!). This song was written while our guitar was in some peculiar tuning - so I just followed along. Kind of minimal but…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
Poignant, affecting. Something everyone can relate to. I'm glad you were able to revisit this old song, and I also hope recording it was cathartic.
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day! Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
Funny I don’t get stalker vibes but I can see if one knew the backstory that might be the outcome. Another great piece of writing!!
Sparse and beautiful
This is a good listen.
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems. You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well. I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
Glad you didn't bin it! Liking the driving feel - immediately hooky also.
A sweet almost-lullaby - glad this one found a home in your February. So very pretty.
Really love this melody and the breezy feel. Some gorgeous little acoustic guitar runs in there too.
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
Woohoo! Logged in and back from Brighton. <3 Can now fave this utter classic.
Hauntingly sad and beautiful
Great tune Andrew. we held back on a few old ideas too. i'm glad you put it out there
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
That's rather wonderful ...... a bit of youthful angst ??
You've been a writer / poet for so many years!!! How delightful to put these songs out. I'm glad you found the shoe box.
Another beautiful piece of storytelling through haunting voice and gentle music
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yeah. I like these tracks. Especially this last one... love how it makes me feel.
Nice one
Enjoyable album. Cool sounds.
Digging this set. Nice one guys.
And this is just gorgeous.
Yep.
Still like it same as first listen a few days ago.
Woo! Love this too.
And I like this even more on second listen.
This one grabs me too. I like the repetition. And I like the "some kind of" in the title and the blurb.
I'm just sad I can't favourite it again! Yeah.... LOVE this one.
Cool opener
Another fine RPM! Mighty fine. Well done :)
Sometimes Reg gets a little TOO pessimistic to leave me feeling comfortable... but I love where here was going on this one. Hopefully someone bought him a beer or a bar of chocolate after this one.
Yep !👍
Oh yeah. Like this.
Yeah, I'm with you on this... (though, I will admit, if someone does manage to drag me there, I do, invariably, enjoy myself, a little bit, anyway... LOL). Love the piano playing.
Oh yeah. Nice song... makes me feel warm... hope you're keeping warm too. Trying to imagine 7 inches of snow... and in 3 months the Cricket season will have started here!! (Assuming the rain stops!)
Love the message in this one. It is SO comforting.
Yep, like it. The minimalism works for me. And really effective harmonies.