Dark Before Dawn

About “Dark Before Dawn”

This was a quick album, written and recorded in 10 days. I did this a part of the RPM Challenge (see info below).

Into the darkness

I really let myself go to some dark places with this album. A lot of things are changing lately in my life. I’m moving to the UK this summer and my dad passed last year, so I thought I’d write something that heads straight into the darkness.

Hope you enjoy!

DBD Album Art.jpg

Listen to Album

Dark Before Dawn

Written, performed and recorded by Matthew Baker

Mandolin, Guitar, Midi Bass & Tenor Banjo

RPM Challenge

I started making this album on February 18, 2020 and finished it on February 28, 2020. I created this work to meet the “RPM Challenge”, a songwriting challenge created by the newspaper The Wire out of Portsmouth, NH.

The Rules:

The rules for the RPM challenge are simple. As it is not a contest, there is no monitoring or enforcement of the rules, aside from the March 1 deadline.

  • Produce an album of 10 songs or 35 minutes length

  • Record the album during the month of February

  • A finished CD must be dropped off or postmarked by noon on March 1

While the rules are simple, a number of informal guidelines seem to also have been instituted either by being implied in the official rules, or through consensus of the participants.

  • The album must consist of original material, rather than cover songs.

  • All songs do not necessarily need to be written during the challenge, but it is encouraged by certain members.

  • Any form of recording is acceptable, from a simple tape recording to full studio production.

  • Working on final tweaks after midnight on March 1 is acceptable, as long as you don't sleep.

a full length album, MusicMatthew BakerComment