The Threefinger Opera
Wheaton, IL
Check Out the Album
Original Concept:
On 12/17/15, a tiny bomb went off in my cervical spine. It damaged my C8 nerve, which now refuses to properly carry messages from my brain to two fingers in my left hand. For a working musician, this is not fabulous. The Threefinger Opera will provide a means to examine my experience in a way that compels me to be constructive with a situation that is otherwise a setback, find something positive to say about it, and make some jokes at my own expense - plus, write some fun songs. I've got lemons. Who wants lemonade?
Artist Post-Game:
(2021 update) The album written in 2016 has been fully produced. Digital and CD are available now. Vinyl is in production. I'm thrilled with the work done by Ping, and adore the contributions from our many guests including members of the Fixx, Mannheim Steamroller, Calexico, Resurrection Band, the Choir, the 77s, Adam Again, the Claudettes, PLS PLS and more. The songs stand up and I'm proud of them. It's a privilege to be counted among the creative community found here at incoalmo.com. Best wishes to all!
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(2016 original notes) My goal was to write the album within the challenge period, and I was very happy to develop more than enough material. I was able to throw some material away that either didn't propel the story forward or provide musical breadth. My take on the rules:
40: I trimmed as much as I could stand with a preference to hit 36 minutes. My project might (emphasis on "might") go to vinyl. LP audio quality suffers around 19 minutes and longer. My longer side is 19:15. Since concept albums are the territory of classic prog-rock from the vinyl record age, the Rule of 40 was the one rule I balked at.
30: No problem. Once I decided that I was willing to accept the concept, the songs practically wrote themselves. The concept was to write a batch of songs about personal experience with nerve damage that would somehow be fun, relatable and something that people would actually enjoy hearing. It's not exactly girls, sun and cars, but I think I succeeded. The story has optimism, downfall, a villain, gratitude and growth.
20: My goal wasn't to record anything beyond basic tracks in March. I recorded rhythm guitars and scratch vocals. I have turned the project over to Ping, and recording with the group takes a long time. In the end, I want something that I want to continue listening to, and something I can present as a worthy souvenir of the band.
10: The Threefinger Opera features ten original songs and one cover that pulls various threads together. I arranged a jangly, psychedelic pop version of goth-rock band Dead Artist Syndrome's "In Your Hands." I produced the original version for the DAS album "Saving Grace" in 2003. The Ping version sounds like the Hollies and the Church rather than Love & Rockets or Sisters of Mercy.
0: See above.