the Living Room Studios was born out of a desire to learn how to write/record music, film and edit video, and shoot various photos.
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Whelp. I think the directions makes sense. If you are interested in trying G’s card game, or wanted to print out your own deck the link will take you to both:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rThrW1UXXxYw-uDjD-s2HtlIaz_tKmbr/view?usp=sharing
All cards printed and cut on 120lb card stock. Check.
Need to use the cutter to round the corners and then laminate them to protect from water.
I was showing off Microsoft Designer GenAI image tool (which runs on Dalle-3) and have been having fun with having AI play the game of "Muppet that Musical."
I started with a generic prompt - "Les Miserables as Muppets" and going image 1.
Then changed the medium up and went, "Les Miserables in claymation"...see image 2.
I then wanted to show how adding more specifics to your prompt will generate a more specific image. "Les Miserables scene at the barricade where Eponine is in Marius' arms as she passes away as the claymation figures. The background should show a revolution"
This will be a fun project. G had an idea for a new card game and after hashing through some of the details and working out actual gameplay, I thought I would surprise him with a custom card deck for his game.
It’s called “The Joker’s Duel” because he had the joker in a card deck as the villain, but with Microsoft Designer - I was able to create custom Batman scenes for all 20 types of cards. Now for some heavy card stock, scissors, and patience.
It has been a busy summer, and yes - we plan on recording the next episode soon. In the meantime, we have added a podcast page to Spotify for Mirror Mayhem:
Create, distribute, host, and monetize your podcast, 100% free.
Always fun to jump in and play! Busted out the harmony pedal for the ballad songs. It still holds its own, but i’m curious how newer models perform. 
I’ve got a fun idea brewing for a season announcement for QCMG.
Workin on painting some prints. G is adding Calvin and Hobbes to his bookshelves and B is adding Captain Underpants.
I finally wrapped up one of the tracks I teased a while back. It was an interesting process because, for once, I wrote the lyrics before the music. This change in approach definitely impacted the outcome, resulting in a song that's a departure from my usual style.
Feel free to enjoy it, or not!
Stream and Pre-save Dancin' Through the Fray - Distributed by Catapult Distribution
Taking a stab at painting a 3D print. First time using/mixing acrylic paint. I’ll put a clear coat on it in the morning and call it done.
3D Print Post: Prepping for Chromebook inventory soon. One of the things that is always a need is to scrap of stickers and any other crap the kids put on them. Printed these scrapers to place at the cleaning station.
Putting together a collage to put behind the updated QCMG logo and realized…holy moly, I’ve been at this for some time. 9 years of QCMG photos.
With everyone going to bed early tonight, I was able to edit the rest of episode two that was recorded on Presidents’ Day - with my wife making an appearance as the Candy Queen. We definitely got to a longer episode, but I’m not convinced of my pool of sound effects. Overall a better balance than the first episode.
Thanks for those listening. This will be available sometime tomorrow
Mirror Mayhem: Update
Episode 2 has been recorded. Now on to mixing and adding music/sfx.
I have a couple of new background tracks that I hope will work somewhere in the mix. (I probably should record based on the episode and need and not just what pops in the head. Although, it is fun to record stems of each track in various combos to create subtle variations.)
Here is the start of the new project. The kids are pretty excited about this. We’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts lately. (Six Minutes and Treasure Island 2020) I asked the boys if they wanted to try it out. They said “Sure, as long as it gets shared with the world.”
So here we are. Podcasting little 3 minutes stories your way. We have eight episodes planned for this “season.” Follow at your own risk. 🙂
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mirror-mayhem/id1728975505
I forgot that I also took some time at the start of the new year to try and write a “New year, new year” type of song. This is what came out of it.
Fading Leaves of Change - Single by Dan Pepper & James Dan Pepper
Album · 2023 · 1 Song
It’s been a little while since I’ve been down in the studio recording music. But I found myself down there the other night because the boys and I have a project planned. This is a quick two second noodle on a piano that they locked in on and liked.
So took an hour after everyone went to bed and put this together. It’s just a verse and chorus starting around the 10 second mark. Have to do some clipping and editing around phrases.
Hopefully we can get started on our big project soon.
Singer and Songwriter who loves to record music that is enjoyable to him.
Lego wreath is about halfway there. Need three more leaf pieces, then it’s printing 2 sets of studs. And for the finale, assembly.
Managing a page is not just about seeing how many people view your content, but also about establishing a strong correlation with when specific content is posted. Simply put, it's about building momentum and offering a great product.
For Music Guild’s Sweeney Todd, continuing with engaging content AND word of mouth will continue to drive these numbers higher.
Sometimes AI tools work (like Facebook’s 3D effect)…and sometimes they don’t.
Going through the *gulp* 700+ photos from Quad City Music Guild’s dress rehearsal of Sweeney Todd. Show opens this Friday with 6 performances.
This production will blow you away. The quality is top notch from top to bottom and is a wonderful way to end the season. You’ll walk away feeling like you were just at a Broadway show.
You can get tickets by visiting qcmusicguild.com; or by calling the box office at 309-762-6610.
Working out the final edits on a random ChatGPT Lyric produced song. Second song in this “series.”
This time I ran with the first thing produced:
https://chat.openai.com/share/176e957d-443e-4644-8104-49f315bf0099
Finally got Sweeney Todd publicity photos printed and placed in the QCMG display cases. Projector reels are both updated. The best part about this time of year is seeing the entire season finally locked into the display cases. It only happens once a season.
Always fun to sing and play with friends.
What’s spinning on the record player this week? Early James. I’ve been waiting for this album after they announced it at a concert - where they performed as Early James and the Latests….CD has been out for a few months. I missed the release as I was looking up EJ&L.
Anyway, ‘Racing to a Red Light’ where you will unintentionally find yourself singing either the guitar lick or the chorus. ‘My Sweet Camellia’ awesome writing.
Landed on cover art for a new single “Devil May Care.” Released on October 1st, but you can pre-save the track to your Spotify and will auto add to your rotation on release.
https://www.catapultdistribution.com/magnet/James-Dan-Pepper/Devil-May-Care-%28Single%29 =_
Stream and Pre-save Devil May Care - Distributed by Catapult Distribution
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Lego wreath is about halfway there. Need three more leaf pieces, then it’s printing 2 sets of studs. And for the finale, assembly.
Sometimes AI tools work (like Facebook’s 3D effect)…and sometimes they don’t.
I hope it gets dark early this year for trick or treating so this Slimer projection looks good coming out of the hedges.
Got a new song in the works…but I don’t know what it should be about. Do you?
When people tell me they’re worried about AI taking over their job…
Working on a new song. Lyrics written by ChatGPT. Music composed by me. https://thelivingroomstudiosqca.weebly.com/
Stayed up way too late last night working on a new song idea. This is a little backwards for me as I usually write the instrumental and layer lyrics over top. This time around I had a lyrics and new music. Pretty fun. Definitely not finished. But this is a start.
Alright, the printed guitar I picked up! Not sure what to record with it…
Pepper’d: Covers by Dan Pepper Tom Pepper I Won’t Back Down It’s been a minute since the last Pepper’d Cover. I’ve had this song sitting on the “to-do” list of songs and never got around to it. Slowed the tempo, put it on the piano and that’s when I found the slight change in the chorus. Enjoy!
Lots of projects on the plate, excited to do these. Going back to my PBIS content creation days. Got a video a youth leadership team lead “Rules of Recess.” I love the discints between Cat Stevens and the opening and the Home Depot-esque theme song for the actual introduction of the rules.
Morning melody. Decided to sit and noodle while boys get ready for soccer. This little ditty came out. I imagine a mellow distorted guitar mirroring the melody up top with some added ad lib lines. Maybe it’s simply a building of sound at each turn of progression…or, I need to figure out another section.
Another nugget of an idea. Maybe it’ll come to be something. Maybe not.
I was browsing some of my “to stew on” recordings and found the very first iteration of “Let’er Rip.” Enjoy.
Pepper'd: Don't Let Go (Weezer Cover). Broke a string during the video portion of recording, but had fun recreating the first track from Weezer's Green Album. If you haven't listened to their latest album, "OK Human"...you should.
Late night release of a favorite of mine. Any cover of this song I am obsessed with. Johnny Cash. Theory of a Dead Man. My take is heavily influenced by Johnny Cash, but I try and add my own nuances. (I think the thing that pulls me into this song is the drone of the note G that is played throughout the chorus.) Hope you enjoy! DP ---- *Check out Dan Pepper Originals And Covers* iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dan-pepper/803320417 -or- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vO210fCZ6oLdIyELK0wfu -or- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jdpepper05
I had a couple songs that I wanted to cover, but then this song popped up on my morning drive. Needless to say, I decided to table the other songs and take a swing at this one. Another one of my R.E.M. favorites. *Check out Dan Pepper Originals And Covers* iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dan-pepper/803320417 -or- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vO210fCZ6oLdIyELK0wfu -or- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jdpepper05 -or- www.thelivingroomstudiosqca.weebly.com
Every now and then I get the itch to cover a song that I really enjoy. However, when I cover a song I don't come at it thinking "I'm going to take a different approach to this song." Instead, I am one who attempts to recreate everything heard in the original recording - just so I can say "I can do it too." Here is that attempt for Eve 6's "Inside Out"
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