Tag: New Music

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Infinite Black: Audio From The Abyss – Out Now!!!

Back in 2022, I remember getting a message from my friend Dan Verkys regarding a bunch of amazing new stuff he had coming in the near future, which included a book called “Infinite Black” which he was co releasing with poet Jeff Oliver. He had the very cool idea of an audio soundtrack to go with the book and wondered if I might want to be a part of it. While I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, if this fine fellow comes your way, the immediate answer is “OF COURSE”!!!

So as it turned out Dan was well on top of things and had been experimenting with things and had created these awesome digital soundscapes that would make the basis of the tracks on “Infinite Black Audio From The Abyss”. The idea was for me to add bits and pieces to what he had and we would see where we end up. I had never really played stuff like this before, although if you know my playing, you will hear pretty quickly that it’s me on there! The other thing was that, especially being new territory, I was very mindful of going on a weird trip and getting carried away with something that might not necessarily fit the concept of the album. Dan was so great with everything though and encouraged me to go off on those trips if they looked like happening!! What a pleasure!!

We didn’t quite manage to get it out at the same time as the book due to things being really crazy on my end at the time of that release, but again Dan being Dan, was so amazing with everything and assured me it can come out when it comes out, no stress and all that. We’ve worked together on things since 2009, but this is the first time it’s been a musical collaboration. I’m excited for everyone to hear it!!! And don’t be suprised if more stuff like this happens in the future.

Please check out the book and audio releases if you can. What an honour to be a part of it!!!

Hardcover – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/hardcover/product-rpym66.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Paperback – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/paperback/product-r5e9m6.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Album – https://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-black-audio-from-the-abyss

“Sentiel Rising” – Official Video.
“Welcome To The Machine” – Official Video.

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New music from TCSO – “The Best Of” out now!!!!

Was a great thing to finally get the remainder of the TCSO songs I recorded with Dennis Leeflang, Mathew Szkup and Rob Lundgren finally finished and released, and boy did they come up amazing!!! Listen below – in the process of creating a section of the site for this which will feature all kinds of “making of” and “story behind the song” type of stuff!! More sooooon!! 😀

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New Music!!! – “Your Song” available now!!!

New music!!! This is “Your Song”…..

A little tribute to our boy Keds who left us in December last year at 14 years of age. This was written and recorded during Feb 28, and March 1, 2019. Audio, video and playing on all tracks by me. I hope you enjoy!!

LYRICS:

First thing I see when I get home
The same friendly familiar face I know
Talking before I get indoors
You went next to the tray on the floor

You pissed on me, made me retrieve
You from the neighbours roof next door
Approached every day comically
Fly through the air before chicken hit the floor
You’d run to stay right by my side
The galloping of horses running with such pride
With the choice of an empty queen size bed
You’d stretch out along my ribcage instead

Accepted me, quickly
I guess it was, meant to be
That side of you, many would never see
How they misunderstood you, is how they don’t get me

Don’t worry we won’t tell your brother how you felt
You were always down for it, no matter what you were dealt
Ultimate gangster right til the end
Your territory you’d die to defend
Never back down, if right or wrong
My mate Kedi, I say “so long” (this is your song)

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New Music – “Following”!!!

Full length video for the song “Following” that I wrote in 2003, when I knew that I had to leave my home town and move away to keep growing. At the time I played in the metal band Jigsore, but was also getting into more melodic things like this and it was coming out in my writing. Wanted to keep both things going, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.

Had been pondering whether I should wait til I have the money to give it the full production, or just release it quick, as is. Turns out with the loss of my old mate Keds recently that my soul really needed some healing, so I finished it up on boxing day. Here it is, warts and all. Music purely for the soul.

All vox, guitars, bass, percussion, mixing, mastering and video editing by me, artwork by Dan Verkys. Hope you dig! 😀

Free – Grab a copy of the song for FREE here!

 

FULL LENGTH VIDEO:

 

LYRICS:

Dreams to follow, yet so bogged down
Nothing more for me in this town
Lands far away, they’re calling me
What they propose, I’d like to see

What exists now, will always be
Around as far as I can see
I will not change, what makes me me
Be back some day you will see

Want to acheive, in myself I believe
Don’t be sorry but, happy when I leave

Following that I dream
Much closer than it seems

Something I, I need to do
How can you know if ya don’t pursue?
And it may prosper, and it may sour
If my way’s had I’ll progress in the hour

I need respect, for what I’ll do
I’d have no problem if I was you
We’ll carry on, do what we do
All the things that get us through

Following that I dream
Much closer than it seems
Still a part of the team
The last of me not yet seen

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New TCSO song – “I Will Wait For You”!!!

The fourth in a “once a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, a very personal song, “I Will Wait For You”, and as Chris will tell you, one of his proudest moments as a songwriter.

Featuring TCSO regulars Rob Lundgren (vocals) and Dennis Leeflang (drums and mix) alongside Chris Szkup (guitars and bass), due to the content of this song, Mathew Szkup was high on the list of people that Chris wanted to try and get on the track. While his schedule was tight, he does appear on acoustic guitar which was an awesome touch, and makes the whole thing “complete” in a lot of ways.

“Lyrically the song talks about the whole dealing with losing loved ones, and also what it means for the people left behind, really trying to make sense of everything and offering some thoughts on it all, as well as some personal recollections of people that were close to me who are no longer with us”, says Chris.

Another thing of note with this song is that with the “bridge” of the song, which to me was meant to be a bit of a Beatles esque jammy section, I realised that the lyric “Come Together” was in that section followed by a gap, so I had Rob sing “shoot me” as a little nod to the masters. Great fun to do that, and I think it sets the section offperfectly.

Once again, mastering on this track was done by Andy VanDette at Engineroom Audio in NYC, while artwork was done by Dan Verkys.

Listen in full and purchase (if you wish) via Bandcamp!!!

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New Music – “Forgotten Ones”

“Forgotten Ones” is a piece I had for years and years that never ended up on any album. I actually recorded an early version of this with Colin Mahoney in 1994 that was my first time ever in a studio come to think of it! As there is a bit of a gap in TCSO studio releases coming out right now I thought it might be a good time to put it out 100% on my own, right down to the playing of all the parts, “mixing”, “mastering” and video editing, and liked the idea of a full length accompanying video for it.

I started it on March 17, 2018 and intended it to be all done within a day. Sometimes you just aim a little bigger than is possible though haha. So while I did most of it on that day, there was also a small amount of work a week later, and the final touches being added today on April 1, 2018. My shirt changes in some of the clips will give you an idea as to what was tracked when. I did some mic’ed up electric guitars for the piece but for some reason the direct recorded ones sounded better on this. So that’s how I kept it.

All up, a very fun thing for me to do, and something I may do again at some point! I hope you enjoy!! 

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New songs – Line up / Video!!!

When I started getting these tunes that you’ll hear soon together it was pretty clear very fast that I didn’t have the nads required to do the vocals justice. In the past I had successfully found killer singers from little old Youtube and thought I would try it again. Eventually I came across this guy by the name of Mr Rob Lundgren from Sweden, and hoooooly shiiiiit – what a voice!!!! Going through his channel I saw amazing diversity – and with every different song and style I watched, I was just blown away how much he was killing it no matter what!!!! Upon getting in touch I found him to be a fantastic guy also, and we banged out the tracks for the EP real fast, with ease. Such a pleasure!

Here’s a short video from tracking of the last song we did:

The full line up for these next tunes (aside from the occasional guest who may pop up here and there) is:

Rob Lundgren (Vocals)
Mathew Szkup (Guitars)
Dennis Leeflang (Drums)
Chris Szkup (Guitars and Bass)

I’m so pumped and can’t wait for you guys to hear the stuff – more soon!!!! 😀

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Another sneak peak…..

Yet another sneak peak into the new music coming your way very soon! Unfortunately Skube (drums / lead guitar) and Paul Jolley (keys) couldn’t make it due to living in Tasmania and England respectively, so instead you get the CS Trio for the footage!

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New music from Chris – A sneak peak….

Just a tiny peak at the new music I’ll have coming very soon. Joining me on these songs is my bro in life and music, Mr Mathew Szkup, who you’ll see rocking out in this video for a moment!

The audio here is unmastered but I hope you dig it all the same and I’m sure you’ll agree that the mixing by Mr Dennis Leeflang crushes!