ABOUT
I'm a bassist and composer from Belfast. Decades of experience on the road & in the studio, just now finding the time to record rough versions of solo compositions.
I'm slowly creating a body of work with which I can be satisfied: that is my criterion.
Interested in the dark side, the quirky side, but mainly in that buttery biscuit bass.
Fancy a collaboration? Drop me a line NOW.
I am interested in Sonic Arts as investigation but I can't escape my faith and belief in the song form; in the composition being an end unto itself.
I'm also very interested in soundtrack work.
We are the music-makers and we are the dreamers of dreams. World-losers and world-forsakers.
- Screen name:
- mysterioso
- Member since:
- Jun 08 2017
- Active within 1 week
- Level of commitment:
- Committed
- Years playing music:
- 30
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 4-5 nights a week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
Black Sabbath, DJ Shadow, Photek, Jeff Wayne, Scott Walker, Faith No More, Chris Isaak, Minutemen.
Instrument experience:
- Bass Guitar:
- Advanced
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Moderate
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Intermediate
- Lead Guitar:
- Intermediate
- Upright bass:
- Intermediate
- Keyboard:
- Beginner
- Electronic Music:
- Beginner
MUSIC
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The Grunderhunter
The Grunderhunter Track number: 51 Year: 2016 Album: WeeklyBeats Genre: Rock
Here's a high-energy song about a kids TV show.
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This is the Great Void
This is the Great VoidI decided to play around with a couple of synths, a bit of MIDI, a handmade BEW pedal and see what happened. This is the result. In the process I taught myself a couple of new things about recording too. I got to the end of the lyrics and realised I really ought to have rewritten the first verse but time was not on my side. So have at thee. Guest vocals written and performed by Becca Allen.
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The Overall Immobility of Things
The Overall Immobility of ThingsNumber seven. I took a slightly different approach with this piece, layering four or five sounds to make each gong strike and building up the drone from 15 channels of voice (Becca and I). Download for free on The Artist Union
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Sump's Theme (reprise)
Sump's Theme (reprise)This week's work is the theme for the protagonist of a dystopian sci-fi movie. Sump is a lot like Rick Deckard. I'm not sure if the reprise is used for the trailer, i.e. for a montage, or for the final moments of the film as Sump stares into his melting ice-cubes recalling the details he hasn't shared with anyone.
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Blind (Full Version)
Blind (Full Version)I decided to assemble a track that has been sitting in bits & pieces gathering dust, and apply some of the things I've learned so far to the arrangement and production. I'd intended the song to have lyrics, but I've come round to the idea of it being an instrumental, using guitars & synths to highlight the vocal melody. Also my falsetto disappeared about 15 years ago, so my vocals were never gonna work ;)
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That's the Message
That's the MessageThis piece, number 24, started off inspired by Black Heart Procession, but then traveled through Gravenhurst and latter day Nick Cave. Once again, it's a bit dark. Becca Allen joined in on backing vocals and autoharp. Download for free on The Artist Union
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It Came From Below
It Came From BelowI count this as more a remix than an original, as it's based on a series of VCS samples by Barry Cullen. Download for free on The Artist Union
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Cheesecloth Redux
Cheesecloth ReduxI've re-set a set of my lyrics from the early 90s and created new music to make the mood a little more sinister. Download for free on The Artist Union
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Annerton Pit
Annerton PitI'm not sure what to say about this piece; I wanted to wrong-foot the listener then leave them feeling uncomfortable in the dusk in a vaguely familiar place. Download for free on The Artist Union
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Doctor Swagger and the Diary of a Coconut
Doctor Swagger and the Diary of a CoconutI had a big dirty groove, then I found a bass patch called The Ox. It all seemed propitious. My good friend Steven McKnight gave me the story, an excerpt from his Diary of a Coconut, and some tasty guitar solos.
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A Hand in the Dark
A Hand in the DarkAiming for a little horror, a little of the Electrician. Vocals by Rebecca Allen, nylon guitar by Steven McKnight. I'm calling this genre "creepy-little-girl-core" Download for free on The Artist Union
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Intractable
IntractableFor the big four-0, I started with a 3-track vocal line, then this happened. I thought I was building the basis for a double-bass improvisation, but adding anything else felt like overkill.
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Eyes Like Walls
Eyes Like WallsVisiting themes of loss, resignation and out-of-body experiences for week 44.
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Platonic Sands
Platonic SandsEnjoying the learning curve using a tracker while channelling Krautrock. *news* Listen to this amazing version of Platonic Sands by The Institute 91' https://soundcloud.com/theinstitute91/platonic-sands-chris-allenmysterioso-cover
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Holy Fool
Holy FoolI decided to strap them on with this tune. There may be a slight Horslips reference and possibly a slightly less subtle 'DC reference at the end. Plus me getting all stentorian on it. One of my favourite choruses, it turned out.
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Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New JerseyI pushed the boat out this week, since this piece sees the completion of my Song a Week for a Year challenge. I reached towards realisation of that apocalyptic vision I've always had and I'm satisfied that this song approaches it. Vocals were very kindly performed by Martin Byrne https://soundcloud.com/djmcflymo
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The Skittering
The SkitteringMoar processed double bass.
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They Return to Claim What is Theirs
They Return to Claim What is TheirsI have finally completed my trilogy.
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Loaded Dice
Loaded DiceThis track I blame entirely on a new guitar and playing with reverbs...
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The Grunderhunter (Slight Return)
The Grunderhunter (Slight Return)New rhythm guitar parts for the verses, a complete new bass part, a completely new drum module and a new mix. Playing through an amp again is like falling in love with guitar all over again! The original version is here: https://soundcloud.com/mysterioso/the-grunderhunter
