Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

It's been quite a while, but things have been pretty wild lately.
I'm finally moved in here in Arlington, I've started my job, and things are really falling into place. Recording is sitting at a stand-still at the moment due to everything going on, but within the next two weeks or so, I hope to have a track listing set alongside more pre-production demo takes.

After thinking about it, I'm hesitantly writing under the name "Road." Though I'm not completely sold on the idea of it, I just figured that if calling this blog "Road to a Record" came so naturally, maybe I could just shorten it and run with it. Who knows, feel free to let me know what you think, considering most people reading this are people that I talk to on a daily/weekly basis.

Thanks for stopping by,
Matthew

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

I'm really starting to figure out just how many songs will be included on this record. I originally decided on 6, but I've been writing more here lately and I'm really starting to invest time and lyrics and music in too many different directions. I think I should just pull together, crop and edit the most powerful/honest material I've got, and focus on that original solid 6. I will assure you though, there will be material I will release outside of this main record, considering it B-side material. Whoever reads this will definitely get ahold of all that before anyone else even knows about it. More news soon, Matthew

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

- Still making good progress writing over the pre-production tracks
- In the process of finding a distribution company that will package all of the albums for me
- Ideas are flooding my head like crazy for this record, and everything seems to be falling into place in the midst of everything going on in life
- I'm talking to a great friend of mine, Garrett Oakley, about recording a live session for YouTube later on in the summer

I'm all in at this point. I'll be ordering 1000 hard copies of this album prior to its release. Whether I sell 10 or 100 or however many, it's worth it to me.

Thanks for checking in on all this,
Matthew

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Over the weekend, I made a trip over to Ben's place to get a few things tracked for official pre-production!

After a couple hours of hanging out, laughing, and leaving the room mics armed for recording, we ended up with 3 of the songs tracked with the basic guitar structure. The next step is to record the lyrics over the tracks, find out what really sounds good, and revamp some of the lyrical writing to make sure that every single word contributes to the song. After that, I'll sit down and decide which instruments I want to feature in each of the parts, whether it be banjo, slide guitar, shaker, tambourine, etc.

I'm very excited to have some of this music tracked and documented already. Pre-production is going to be a long/fun/occasionally-tough experience, but it's all a part in making this record the best it can be!

Thanks for all of the support,
Matthew

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

There is so much going on already:

I've been writing more and more from day to day, really taking the time to make every lyric matter. Putting thought into ever single note and melody is definitely an experience in itself, but I just can't wait to watch all of this music unfold more and more.

On a personal note, I've just simply never been here before. I have spent my fair share of time writing and recording over the years, but never have I really prepared everything like I'm trying to do through all of this. There is just something special and different about this whole process. It's weird to sit back and think "I Can Hold My Own," the very first reputable thing me and the boys in Hey Jersey ever tracked, was done back in 2009, and how the whole idea of local music has seemed to take on a new shape. I have so much heart for the bands still pumping out energetic, upbeat, slammin' music, and I'll always love the fun shows and experiences that I have gained from this life of a musician so far, but it's been long overdue for me to really revitalize my roots. I'm not finished with the pop/punk scene by any means, but I'm on this road to fulfilling my dreams and making the music that I've always wanted to make, whether the world welcomes it with open arms or disapproves of every single song.

I'm maturing and shaping my music, my wide variety of musical tastes, and just who I am as a man. This record will be just that. If it's not genuine, it doesn't matter, and it's about time someone has truly done something that has mattered.

Things are changing and growing for the best,
Matthew

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Things are really beginning to come together even at such an early time in this whole process.
After making a trip back to my hometown over the Easter weekend, I already feel like I have friends and family rallied together that are more than willing to support me to the ends of the earth. This is all making me really open my eyes to how blessed I am, and I'm so thankful already, and this is only the beginning.

Record Updates:
---I have 9 songs at this point, but the album will only consist of 6 tracks most likely.

---I've made the decision that everyone that will be working on the record needs to be someone that has impacted me and my music and has changed my life. I feel like that is the only way this album will be able to have that genuine, honest feel and be able to hit home with anyone who hears it.

---With that being said, I have recruited a brother of mine, Mark Nichols, to sing harmony with me on a few of the tracks. I should be getting his brother, Matt, to be featured on the record for auxillary stringed instruments and possibly a 3rd harmony at times. Both of these men are family to me, and it's an awesome feeling to know that they believe in me enough to put in time and effort to better this album with me.

---I'm in the process of putting together an equipment list of gear that needs to be available throughout the time in the studio.

---Not quite sure what name I'm going to release this album under. Though that is always a thought, I'm letting that portion of this process work itself out in due time. I want the music to shape the moniker that I write, record, and perform under. I want a similar feel as Iron and Wine in the sense that when Sam Bean performs, he is "Sam Bean AS Iron and Wine" rather than "Same Bean OF Iron and Wine." Other examples being Dallas Green/City and Colour or Kristian Matsson/The Tallest Man on Earth. I want Matthew McNeal to be synonymous with whatever name I end up choosing.


Thanks for checking in,
Matthew

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Since this site will be a "current events" type journal for the record, I think it's best to catch everyone up on what has been going on thus far!

Lyrically-
I have most of the lyrics for the album ready for demoing and pre-production. I definitely expect some of the lyrics and melodies to change and take shape as I start recording the final product, but I'm already really excited to demo these songs as is just to see!

Musically-
All of the songs have guitar parts set out and ready! Just like the vocals, I left a lot of room for change and growth and progression, but it's turning out to be a really fun group of songs to play for me personally. Though countless other instruments will be featured on the record as well, I'll most likely just demo the songs with lyrics and vocals.

Studio Preparations-
I'll be recording the album with my best friend and brother Ben Starr at Moose Tracks Audio. Luckily for me, he is the best guitarist I know and we have great musical chemistry, so he'll be featured on the album quite a bit. He has a great ear for music and always has good ideas. If there's anyone in the world that can make this debut record become monumental, it's Ben.


Looking forward to the days/weeks/months to come,
Matthew

The Beginning: Road to a Record

Well, here's the site! Just to give a little run down of what all of this is for, I wanted to cover a few things:

The Mission
After dreaming about it for years and years, I figured that there is no better time than now to do something with all of these songs floating around. I will be spending the next few months recording my own personal music from over the years and releasing it as a legitimate album. It's been a long overdue decision, but I look forward to the months to come!

"What will this site be used for?"
I will use this site as a tool to keep anyone and everyone involved with the whole process of releasing this debut album of mine. There are some perks involved for anyone who goes through this journey:
-I will be posting track listings, lyrics, and song order
-I will be previewing all of the album artwork on this site
-I will be keeping everyone up to date with all demos and pre-production tracking
-I will be posting videos when possible
-I will release certain songs that don't make it onto the album through this site
-I will post information on upcoming gigs, events, etc.
-A whole bunch of other things that will come with time!

The Basics
Luckily, I have been blessed beyond compare with the whole music scene thus far. I have been given the opportunity to have the time of my life writing, recording, and playing shows with my brothers in Hey Jersey. All the while, I had been leading worship for my hometown church for over 5 years, so I have been able to do what I love for quite a time. With this being said, you may wonder if the record will be moving in a pop/punk direction or lean toward the intimate styles of worship. Since the album is in a state of pre-production right now, all I can really say is that it will be a more rootsy, genuine, honest record. There will be times of intimacy and beauty as well as grittiness and power, with a wide variety of influences and styles. The common ground with it all is that it will genuinely be me and the music that really hits home to me, the kind of music I feel like I was born to write and sing and play. That definitely doesn't help you understand the sound of the album, but it looks like we'll have to wait and see. It's going to be a crazy ride, and who knows where I'll end up, but I'm taking all of you with me.


Normally posts won't be this long, but I just wanted to give everyone a little bit of an understanding on what's going on!

Thank you for all of the love and support, even so early in the game,
Matthew