South Bend | Songwriters talk with producer/arranger Michael Kelsey about creating alternate versions

Making of the Album - Another Universe

Nov 5 2022 • 22 mins

Show notes for the episode about the creation of the song, South Bend by Vickie Maris and Scott Greeson.
Album: Another Universe

:00 Intro of the podcast episode about Track 8, South Bend, on the album, Another Universe.

To see links for the album, Another Universe, in many of the streaming services, visit: https://vickiemaris.hearnow.com/another-universe

:45 Back story about South Bend, starting with discussion about the version of the song that had been played by the band, Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday.

1:20 Changing South Bend to a different key before going to the recording studio.

1:39 Encouragement by recording engineer / arranger, Michael Kelsey, to record the song in a different arrangement than how it's been played out for live audiences.

2:24 Introduction of co-hosts, Scott Greeson and Michael Kelsey, and the topic of the podcast episode

2:50 A shout-out to friend and fellow singer-songwriter, Joe Peters.

3:23 Mention of S.A.M.I. - Songwriters' Association of Mid-North Indiana, http://samisong.com

3:37 Description of 2-disc album, Collaboration.

4:12 Vocals for the songs on the Collaboration project were recorded at REC Room Recording at TAF (The Arts Federation) in Lafayette, Indiana.

4:58 Joe Peters asked Vickie Maris to sing, Nature's Acts of Wrath (Spotify link) by Joe Peters (melody) and Frederick Michaels (lyrics). Michael Kelsey played the instrument tracks.

5:35 Introduction of the new accordion, Petosa Little Pro XT. Vickie Maris played an accordion track on Nature's Acts of Wrath (Soundcloud link), recorded and mixed by Michael Kelsey.

6:25 Thank you Joe Peters and Frederick Michaels!

6:33 Thank you Michael Kelsey!

7:13 Asking the trees for input about how to sing the song, Nature's Acts of Wrath.

8:13 Thank you Scott Greeson!

8:40 Conversation about Track 8, South Bend, on the album, Another Universe.

9:35 Go Irish! Commuting to and from the University of Notre Dame for an executive education position.

10:32 Scott Greeson describes that he and Vickie were born the same hospital just a few days apart.

11:11 When you called, it was always, "a little bit south of South Bend."

12:17 Writing a song in a way that others can relate to the story even if they don't know the history behind the lyrics.

13:13 Scott taking care of Vickie's farm and livestock while she was commuting to work.

13:57 Using a smartphone as a songwriting tool.

14:50 South Bend was a part of the song group for the first recording session when Vickie thought the project was going to be an EP.

15:17 Writing other versions of South Bend during a coaching session the year before.

15:35 Interesting how songs take on a different identity.

16:09 Point of encouragement to songwriters about giving freedom to the musicians around you to interpret your music.

17:04 Michael Kelsey talks about creative value in writing a song in a different key from the original.

18:07 Trying out a new song idea in different tempos, different keys and other variations.

19:02 Scott Greeson talks about a life lesson learned during the songwriting of the song, South Bend.

21:44 Wrap-up of the conversation about South Bend, Track 8 on the album, Another Universe.

Thank you for listening, and for sharing the podcast!

Show co-hosts and album producers:

Vickie Maris ... https://vickiemarismusic.com

Scott Greeson ... https://scottgreesonmusic.com

Michael Kelsey ... https://michaelkelsey.com