Nathan Trace Records Process
How I make music
Studio artist. Pretty much a one-man show.
I write songs from real life. I build most of the tracks myself. Own imprint: Nathan Trace Records. I make it work with what I have. I’m not a rich man. I don’t tour — don’t have the money for that. I just make the records.
Songs
From real life
I write my own songs. Lyrics and ideas come from things I’ve lived — not from a template.
Production
Cakewalk SONAR
Most tracks get built alone, start to finish, in Cakewalk SONAR:
- Write the song — words, melody, feel
- Map the structure — verse / chorus / bridge
- Track vocals
- Build the beat with a drum plugin — no drummer; I program and shape the drums myself
- Build the rest of the instrumental with regular plugins
- Layer, edit, clean up
- Mix
- Bounce the final
Guitar
Still learning
I play some guitar. Still learning — not where I want to be yet. On a few songs I bring a guitarist in when the part needs it. Collaboration on the part; the song is still mine.
Release
Nathan Trace Records
Finished tracks go out under Nathan Trace Records. Out now: Whisky On The Dashboard. Up next: Haters — and the rest of the catalog.
Shorts
Music + motion
Shorts use my music. I build the backgrounds — motion, no stills. Different look each cut. The Nathan Trace Records wordmark fades in late.
Appreciate everybody who’s been listening and sticking with it. Means more than you know.