Final Project Evaluation

My extensive review and evaluation of my FMP process with the experience and results gained from it:

Success for an FMP (Final Major Project) cannot be answered simply with a definite single answer; it encompasses many aspects. For my circumstances - it had initially been to create and formulate an EP that conveys and articulates my artistic endeavors, a professional standard of my creation of music. This comes forth with carefully carving, and crafting music - my artistic expression to communicate through, to live and to breathe and so involved in understanding production, and to be introspective in learning, as it is not just about the outcome but the journey and experiences that come forth along with it, in experience, knowledge, growth and relationships...Throughout the entirety of the project, every experience - whether it is seen as good, or bad - ultimately helps you, the artist grow - and so it did for me. That can be interpreted in many different aspects - exploring different genres you are not familiar with, or learning different production techniques - even for many, the process itself, or perhaps grasping technical aspects you may not be accustomed to - even the entirety of the process, the entire lead up and research, music creation, release - at least for me, the whole experience was abstract to what I am comfortable with doing. It is a journey, that is not just about the initial destination as there is much more opportunity to come - it helps you embrace challenges and feelings of dismay, creative boundaries being broken alongside pushing through mental blocks - not letting anything stop you from your process and being resilient,  it pushes you outside of your comfort zone and ultimately gives introspective insights into the music industry that contribute to your future as a musician. In conclusion, what I perceive as a successful FMP' comes down to the artist's feelings - their pride in their work and artistic expression - whilst also accounting for their musical, and personal development throughout the process.

My FMP this term, whilst it did not stay on track with the original project plan, has resulted in the release of two demo songs - in which I have collaborated with a shoegaze professional - setting up the foundation whereby I can release fully across various streaming platforms in the following summer, whereby I will help this flourish. It encompasses nearly everything I had envisioned in my songs, meeting aspirations and artistic conveyance across songwriting and the outcome itself, articulating the concise sound I wanted, voiced further through its production. This term - the process of creating my FMP has been an invaluable opportunity - not only that I am proud of, in my work, but to be a part of for myself and around others. This experience and knowledge gained throughout this journey has inspired me to change my initial proposal and plans to further sculpt my music to a finer detail - an artistic craft that I want to cherish and uphold beyond the timeframe given - to be finished and released in the following year, working over the summer - to captivate an audience with a newly confounded musical experience that is unique to my own identity and name.

From the beginning of the project, even with the proposal - I wasn't exactly sure where I would ultimately be left - as conclusively looking back on my presentation, even then my vision was a little distorted with the incoherent mindset of being able to complete 4 tracks across different genres - with little singing experience and comfortability in pushing past my usual limits into releasing music and the research of production, genres, resources and so on...However I decided to make two dark, modern shoegaze tracks alongside a metalcore, post+hardcore, screamo cover song - this was realistic however I came to terms with the fact the final product would not exceed my wanted expectations in the small timeframe given, as I did start late and had the coursework to also consider - my problem solving was very well executed here - evaluating the situation and directing my projection towards creating a musical foundation for a professional standard EP/release of two dark, modern shoegaze singles under my artist name, featuring 'RichMnkey' for critical acclaim and personal satisfaction - given I started late, this ultimately solved the problem of time by illustrating and focusing on the groundwork for my music to flourish in the following summer.

During my project - I had reached out to the artist 'RichMnkey' via Instagram, offering a lease whereby I received rights to the use of two beats - for the drums and fx that encapsulated the dark, modern sound of shoegaze. I took this opportunity for myself by messaging them - it was out of my comfort zone, especially since I'm a fan of his music, and many critically acclaimed shoegaze/alt-rock hits that he has credits for -  in songwriting/production, on streaming services, such as Spotify, by other industry name artist. Negotiating and reaching verbal agreement via messages for my exclusive royalty cut in exchange, interviewing him briefly too - gaining insight into the use of social media, particularly the use of TikTok. Previously in my project plan - I had mentioned about my girlfriend, who is a singer on the same course, collaborating on my songs with vocals - as originally I was not planning on doing so - however I have picked up with starting to sing - and for her own FMP she got too busy, getting caught up in her work - that I am proud of, but unfortunately meant this opportunity fell-through, however ultimately - with each of us doing shoe gaze, inspired by two contrasting aspects, elements and sounds, it may be better for collaborative effort on other future projects.

As briefly mentioned prior - I was confined to a limited timeframe whereby I had started the process later than what was planned, this resulted in me having to salvage my creative cover song for future use; It's guaranteed I will finish this, as it one of my favorite songs, and something I am passionate about - and my scream vocals have significantly improved, alongside my singing whereby I would feel confident recording in that aspect too. A lot of time was spent researching vocal exercises, warmups, practicing - research into other aspects as well as plug-ins, how to eq for voices, particularly in the genres I was exploring. However, conclusively If I reflect upon this - this was not inherently a flaw at all, as it has only allowed me to grow as a musician and expand my capabilities for future endeavors. The flaw was that despite this improvement - it is yet to be at the standard of my instrumental, songwriting, and production capabilities - in all regards, this has resulted in some complications, by having to work the instrumentals around rough vocal melodies with lyrics that fortunately, I have completed and written, with articulated phrases and vocal runs.

As a college student - studying a music performance course, there can be a financial burden when straining yourself in certain ways of producing your art, with the creation of music. Some aspiring, younger musicians, particularly those in need of financial aid may apply for bursaries such as from the PRS Foundation, etc... This may be particular for studio space. For my project, as it is an independent shoegaze EP / two single tracks, I haven't put myself in a position of needing studio time. I have used my equipment, and instrumentation that I already own in both aspects of hardware and software. Any plug-ins needed have also been free. The only subscription model cost is with DistroKid (Musicians+), which I felt secure about purchasing as it is ultimately an investment into my career over the next 12 months. (£36/12 months). The only other upfront cost was a personal decision to collaborate with artist 'RichMnkey' who I had paid an upfront cost of ≈£60 for rights to private music leases on two drums tracks, mixed/mastered with some atmospheric FX - the song being cut privately at 20% royalty splits as with collaboration on the actual track itself being involved. For mixing/mastering in the final processes - I had taken up the opportunity to learn and research a lot of time into it - as I am quite innate with production, and have found myself being tuned to it very easily, understanding the process and how to convey my artistic interpretation, particularly researching more-so about mastering, as-well-as any hidden features on Logic Pro X. For cover art - I had learned how to do basic graphic art, just to adjust any sections to my means, in the past doing some art for horror, gothic and grayscale imagery, helping with the process, and relying on the foundation of AI to generate images to work from with a given prompt.

Overall I think that the objective of the FMP was to help find my, and others' independence, not just as musicians but as people, to initiate our entry into the professional music industry, to grow, to develop the essential skills we will need in what is a very self-isolating industry - whereby success and opportunity have to be earned by us - as well as connections with others, and the value that imposes. Its purpose was to let us grow with the development of new skills - to expand our knowledge, and enable us to enhance our abilities, to grow ultimately, as musicians. This journey has rooted us into our first steps whereby, we now have a foundation for our future, equipping ourselves with the knowledge, the skills needed to navigate the treacherous and chaotic nature of the music industry with a newfound confidence and raw, visceral perspective. In conclusion, this journey has served as a transformative catalyst for personal growth, preparation and help, and health for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead into the unknown of whatever could happen, which is the ultimate future, of us young, aspiring musicians.