I struggle with self promotion. I have pretty much given up on it to be honest. That's why it has taken me so long to compose this blog article.
I entered the Lights & Lines Grim17 remix competition. I've wanted to do a remix for a long time, but the opportunity has never really presented itself. When I saw that all of the original stems would be made available for the Bitter Shine single it seemed to good to be true.
I've been an admirer of Grim17's work for only a short time, since discovering the label basically. On my first listening I really liked the single. I think it's very rare that a remix betters the original. When the original is such a high quality I think you have to just try and not butcher it.
The focal point for me was the backing vocal that had Grim17's distinctive scream. This gave me a place to start, I planned to make this more of a lead vocal in my mix, and I hoped it would create an interesting twist.
I added absolutely nothing of my own to the original stems, I chopped up the drum, guitar, bass and synth tracks, added FX here and there, but other than that it's all Grim17. I'm not a good enough musician to add anything better. I just mashed it up slightly.
It took me no more than three hours from starting to mastering, which I was slightly embarrassed about when submitting it. I was worried that it would like I was taking the piss (which I certainly wasn't)...
I was very much in a musical slump when the winners of the competition were announced. At the best of times I think my work is substandard, so to find myself a winner at this low point was both a shock and pleasant surprise.
The remix is going to be included on a sampler CD for the label, which is a huge reward for me. It's proved to be a very enjoyable experience, and one that I'm glad that I embarked on.
Alright here we go! The winners of the @Grim17music remix competition are
— 🎸🤘Mike Five🤘🎸 (@Mike1inFive) August 8, 2022
🥁🥁🥁@aseawarren with his #BitterGrimRemix
And@HartshornMusic with his Beyond The Fringe #ShineGrimRemkx
Congratulations both! I’ll be in touch to sort prizes. See previous tweet for details!
