Demo Review — Get Ahead (Demo)
Everyday Music Every Day #8
For those of you following along, I’ve got a writing group where we do eight to ten songs at a time.
The setup’s simple: you get a prompt on Thursday, and by Wednesday you have to turn your song in. I try to stay about half a week ahead so I don’t freak out or end up having to release something I don’t actually want to release.
This one’s called “Get Ahead.” It’s a blues song, and I ended up doing it acoustic. I think I tried a few different approaches at first, but really — this version just worked, so I didn’t mess with it.
It’s blues-based with short, repeating phrases — an A section, a quick transition, and a B section with a little do-do-do thing happening. It’s got some Buddy Holly and some Bob Dylan in its DNA.
Unlike the previous two demos, the vocal sounds really good here. A little crispy, but it works. It was recorded on my iPhone — just me and the guitar. But the song itself feels strong: short, tight, and complete.
Honestly, I’m proud of this one. I wouldn’t change much. Maybe someday there’s a rock version out there — maybe with the Two Player guys or whoever — but this acoustic version holds up. It’s a simple, fundamental song that could be interpreted a few different ways.
If I were grading it, I’d give it a high B. I’m happy with it.
I’ll probably send it out to the short (but engaged) mailing list — and yes, that’s a little aspirational. I want them to be engaged. But that’s another entry entirely.