SwankiVY sings "Daniel" by Bat For Lashes

[cyberdaemon]

Your voice sounds so elvish, could you please sing the "Arwens Song" alias "Houses of Healing"? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! :D

[swankivy]

@cyberdaemon I'd like to, but I don't see anywhere offering an instrumental. That would be fun though. If you know where to find the instrumental I could try it.

[AWinterDemise]

Excellent job Swankivy!!!

[swankivy]

@AWinterDemise Danke!

[sydbarrett1994]

That's really beautiful :3 I admire you.

[swankivy]

@sydbarrett1994 Why thank you! :)

[freddiecintron]

Wonderful. 

[swankivy]

@freddiecintron Thanks, I appreciate that.

[hslicee813]

@swankivy you're welcome :)

[hslicee813]

i love this song, and your voice is amaazing :) kinda reminds me of debbie harry's when she sung heart of glass, a little bit

[swankivy]

@hslicee813 ::gasp:: THANK YOU!

[xXRoBeRtXHaYdNXx]

I liked this one better than the original. Well done!

[swankivy]

@xXRoBeRtXHaYdNXx Really?  Holy crap. Well thank you!

[xXRoBeRtXHaYdNXx]

@swankivy Yes, really. I call it like I see it. No BS here. If you make something I don't like, I'll tell you, and if I like what I see, I'll tell you. I'm just honest like that. No need to thank me; it's just the way I am.

[LadyVLR]

Beautiful voice and video! You're very creative and talented!

[swankivy]

@LadyVLR Thanks, nice person! :)

[RareHarmony]

I showed my brother this video. He said he likes it. He is 7 years old. Great singing.

[singingturtle]

You have a very pretty voice!

[swankivy]

@singingturtle That is very nice of you to say, thanks.

[lovSina]

yu welcome!

[lovSina]

you have nice style!

[swankivy]

@lovSina I appreciate that. Thanks.

[cpi23]

When SomethingAwful linked to this, I wasn't expecting much. I guess they were just being jerks because this is an incredibley diffcicult song and one that would be incredibley easy to screw up. You pulled it togetether very well, conrgats.

Of course it's not the original, but how many interenet people could ever even approach a song like that?

[swankivy]

@cpi23 Thanks for checking it out, even if you followed a link expecting to find something suckworthy. I'm still unsure of why SA decided to feature me--they just kind of threw a bunch of stuff I did in the links and went like "omg she does this and this and this, LAAAAAME LOL" as if no explanation was even needed and anyone with a brain could see how offensively hilarious and pathetic I am. Heh, gee, should I be insulted or honored? Anyway, glad you liked it.

[eStefresco]

I love you girl..

[eStefresco]

was the program you use to make the video!!!!!!!

[swankivy]

@eStefresco I taped all the footage with my analog video camera, used a device called Dazzle to convert it into digital input, and used the program Studio X to edit the scenes together and insert transitions.

[eStefresco]

@swankivy thank you very sweet.. also you seem like a teenager! prodogy

[swankivy]

@eStefresco Heh, well I haven't been a teenager for many years. ^___^

[eStefresco]

@swankivy .really !! mm you look like a 15 to 17 year old!! more videos please lol

[swankivy]

@eStefresco I have some other videos up that have singing, and one other video with the "music video" style, but eventually I'll be doing more I'm sure. As for my age, I'm 32.

[eStefresco]

you should write and make your own music..I mean dam you are amazing voice also nice cover..

[swankivy]

@eStefresco Thanks. I don't write music very well but I appreciate you saying so.

[jojijojo123]

You have a very nice voice :) And judging by your other videos, quite a high IQ too. :P

[swankivy]

@jojijojo123 Thanks for the compliments, and for watching my other stuff as well.

[RogueLockhart]

That was amazing - you have a beautiful voice.

[swankivy]

I appreciate that, thanks.

[chromesthesia]

Dude, your voice rocks.

[swankivy]

Wow, thank you!

[sometimesjessica]

I love Bat for Lashes! Great JOb! 5 Stars ;D

[PalmyBruce]

Lotsa wonderful magic imagery , and that lovely soft voice and lyrics. Would be interesting to see if, to 'mesmerise' fully and make a million dollars, it had slow motion (scenes where lip synch isn't necessary) and fades, and maybe some delay echo, so the movement and transitions sustained a tender dreamy effect. Beautiful as it is though.

[swankivy]

Actually my software doesn't have any slow motion options. It does have some clever fades (I used some of them) but slow motion is something I've wanted to do and can't. (Same with splitting the screen--it doesn't have the option.) :(

I dunno about making a million dollars singing someone else's song though. Heh.

[PaganSteve]

you have a beautiful voice

[swankivy]

That's nice of you to say. Thank you.

[AsexualAtheist]

Brava! Bellissimo! Encore!

[SJAB1958]

@AsexualAtheist ... I couldn't agree more, that was excellent ... I bet it was a lot of hard work but fun to do. :)

[amarchandra100]

it's toooooooooooo good.

[chocolatepoundcake]

WOW, this is sooooo nice!!! Amazing!!!

You sing beautifully and so naturally, unlike many "singers" on YouTube!! Definitely something to come back to! Very nice video, too!

Which program did you use to record? Is this a karaoke version?

I have a few songs on my channel, too, to which I wrote my own lyrics. It's one of my very favourite pastimes!

[swankivy]

I'm so happy you liked it, and thanks for the compliments. It was an experiment, so I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

I used an analog video camera transferred to my computer via Dazzle device and cut together using Studio 10 software. The music I used was an instrumental version (not really karaoke version; I had to add my own backup vocals).

I've written a few songs too but they suck. I'm not a good enough musician to write songs; I prefer performing the work of others.

[chocolatepoundcake]

I had never heard of BFL before, and from your version I assumed it was an 80s song. So I checked it out and I'm mesmerized! It is *extremely* rare for me to 'discover' new musicians that I like & deem special. I love how she seems very different from mainstream Hollywood-style musicians, in looks, vocals & video style.

Thanks to you!

I will check if you uploaded your original songs. Thanks for sharing what tech gear you use.

I have too much fun with writing lyrics/singing to think they suck...

[swankivy]

I hadn't heard of Bat For Lashes either before the person I got the request from sent it in. I also tend to prefer older music. Do you like The Bird and the Bee? They're pretty recent and I like them too. As for my original songs, some clips are on the vocals section of my Web site, but they're really nothing special. I attempt to accompany myself with piano and I do it pretty badly. I prefer to write in general, without writing for music. (I did major in music in college though.)

[chocolatepoundcake]

No, I don't know The Bird & the Bee. Will look into it.

Could it be that you're overly critical of yourself, especially coming form a music background?

Honestly, if you think you do badly, MY skills are in the depths of hell (sadly, singing & instruments were never part of my life). Still have to listen to your original songs, but I highly doubt I will dislike them after what I've heard of you so far. ;-)

[swankivy]

I recommend looking up "The Polite Dance Song." And maybe "Again & Again." As for my criticism of myself, eh, maybe. They say you're your own worst critic, and I do come from a musical family and whatnot, but I do think that puts me in a position to be at least somewhat realistic about my own abilities when compared with my appreciation for others'.

Most of the skills I apply for songwriting were self-taught, and you can tell. :/

[chocolatepoundcake]

Sorry, I just noticed that you only mentioned how you make your vids, not your song. Which music program do you use to record yourself & add vocal effects? Thanks! :-)

[swankivy]

Ah yes, for sound recording I just have a plug-in USB computer mic. I recorded and added the echo effect using WaveLab. Also mixed the harmony in--recorded the three-part "Daniel" backing bit to mix into the lead vocal.

[kentlad83]

good cover u done there u r the only one who has got all the words right keep up the good work :-)

[swankivy]

Thank you. I just imitated what I thought I heard the singer singing. . . .

I appreciate your comment!

[CartoonCity500]

I just can't stop listening to this, this is great!

[swankivy]

Thank you for the compliment. ;)

[Darkpressure100]

Very mystical...

[egripme]

WoW~!~! Ivy,,,This is wonderful.

Your such a talented

lady. Very well done~!

*******Barry******from SingSnap.

[swankivy]

I appreciate that, Barry. Thanks so much!

[Akira625]

Are you planning on doing another song anytime soon?

[swankivy]

I do have two songs lined up, but on one of them I'm not satisfied with the quality of the recording, and on the other I haven't figured out what I'd do in the video yet. I don't know about "soon," but it won't be incredibly long either.

[EggsScrambled]

Do you like Sharleen Spiteri?

[swankivy]

Sorry, I don't actually know who that is.

[EggsScrambled]

Oh, well, nevermind. I was just going to ask you to sing a Sharleen Spiteri song. But I have a better idea! Have you heard Bruises by Chairlift? xD

[swankivy]

Nope.  Never heard of that.

I had also never heard of Bat For Lashes when someone suggested this song, though.

[EggsScrambled]

It'd be awesome if you could do Bruises! You could probably make a cool video to go with it, too. xD

[swankivy]

I've got ideas for Within Temptation and Tori Amos videos, but I'll have to check out what you're talking about if you really think it'd make a good match for my style and voice. In order to perform the songs I do need to find karaoke or instrumental versions, though, so I'll be much more likely to be able to do a song if the backup track is readily available.

[EggsScrambled]

Yeah, I didn't think of that. You'd probably have a hard time finding a karaoke version. =[

[swankivy]

Ah. Yeah, the place I buy karaoke from doesn't have "Bruises" (though they do show you what's been suggested often enough that they're looking for it, and "Bruises" is there). They have one Sharleen Spiteri song for sale there, incidentally.

[mingshidrew]

Wow! This is extremely professional even as you proclaim yourself not to be a professional. Well, if not 100%, at least 90%? I definitely see an artist in you, as I tend to be more of an artistic and creative person myself. Gosh, if only I could make a video like this! Though in my case, it would probably take me years. Not to mention all the beautiful props you got. Best amateur work indeed, including the vocal. I actually prefer your version over the original :)

[swankivy]

Thank you for your kind comment. I don't have professional equipment or any knowledge about really "how" to shoot a video, so I'm just floating through it experimenting with what I've got available. Thanks for saying you like the vocal! That was my favorite. I wasn't really expecting a whole lot of appreciation for the video because I literally threw everything together in one weekend, doing the vocal on a Friday, filming on Saturday, editing it together Sunday morning. Thanks for watching!

[majesticmeteor]

Wow you are good! And I could hear it. A few of your asexuality vids I still can't hear.

I know you're not on here groveling for it, nor are you impressed by such... but, DAMN BABY YOU ARE HOT, HOT, HOT!

[swankivy]

Thanks for listening. I suppose the mic on my video camera isn't very good, so some of them sound pretty soft. Not sure why that is. They do all have sound though. I've heard complaints about it being soft, but not one about not being able to hear it at all.

[WickedAwesomeBaboon]

How did you do that thing where you materialized in the ring of candles?

[swankivy]

Teleportation!

Kidding, kidding. My video editing software has lots of transition options. One of them is to make one clip fade into another one, and you can control how fast it does it. I put one clip of the candle ring and one clip of me once I sat down in it, and I "faded" them together. It is a very easy effect.

[WickedAwesomeBaboon]

Oh, okay! Thanks for the quick reply. I think you mentioned somewhere that you used an old analog camcorder. I've always thought your videos looked different than most of the videos on YouTube. Is that way?

[swankivy]

The camera's new-ish (I've only had it for about a year, and it was bought new), but it is not digital It records on 8mm tape.  I convert it to the computer with a cool analog to USB interface, and I process it with the software that came with it. I can use the same device to digitize VHS tapes and old audio tapes!

I wasn't aware my videos look different from others on YouTube in any particular way, but if they look kinda crappy, I dunno, maybe that's why.

[WickedAwesomeBaboon]

No, they don't look crappy. They just look different. I don't know what it is exactly. I can't put my finger on it.

[swankivy]

Interesting to know!

[WickedAwesomeBaboon]

Anyways, I hope you make more videos. They're fun to watch.

[swankivy]

Thanks. I plan to make more, just don't know what's next yet. I recorded a version of "Memories" by Within Temptation that I really wanted to make my next video to, but I think the audio quality isn't good enough--it's unbalanced, with my vocal much louder than the background. I think I have to re-do it for the video not to be crap. I have a pretty good recording of "Winter" by Tori Amos too, but I don't know what kind of video I'd make to that.

[WickedAwesomeBaboon]

I wish you could do a Ween video. I know you like Ween. I saw the poster on your wall. By the way, did you see the video of Ween at the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival? Gener is lookin' old! :(

[swankivy]

I didn't see that, no. I can't find any Ween karaoke tracks. . . .

[theravingraven]

thats very pretty but the vid was kinda funny XD

[swankivy]

Then laugh as you will.

[theravingraven]

woah u need to learn how to take criticism i even complimented your singing i just think u should try to make improvements 2 ur video :P

[swankivy]

Huh? How am I "not taking criticism"? You said it was "funny," I so I said "then laugh." You can react however you like; I didn't object in the slightest. Please express yourself more clearly in the future.

Also, you didn't say anything about "needing to make improvements" in your comment--you said the video was funny. If you've a legitimate criticism, you're welcome to make it, but you haven't done so even now. "u need 2 improve" doesn't tell me anything. Critique is welcome. "Haha" is not.

[skygawker]

Oh, and I didn't even mention -- great job on the singing! *lol* Guess I'm so used to that being good that I take it for granted, but the video editing and clips of scenes were what was new. Haha!~

[swankivy]

LOL, and thanks for that.

[skygawker]

This is really cool! If you just had slightly more sophisticated equipment, this would look like a professional music video to me. The creativity and talent is all there! I especially liked the feather pen and ending with blowing out the candle. This must have been a lot of fun to put together. Thanks for sharing!

[swankivy]

Thanks for the compliments. It was definitely fun (though also a little bit monotonous at times) to put together. I don't think I really have the knowledge or experience to put together a professional video even if I had the equipment, though, to tell you the truth.

[Akira625]

Whoa, a SwankiVY music video! Your editing skills are getting better! The video has a sort-of early-80's new-wave feel to it.

[swankivy]

Heehee!  Yes, SwankiVY music video. I like to sing and be cheesy on the Internet, as you can see. Glad you like the editing skills.

[Elyazateran]

I really love your rendition of this song. It's one of my all time favourites and you did a great job. You've really dedicated a lot of time and effort in both the audio and video. I also love the fact that you didn't butcher the song( ahha I've seen covers that can made me cover my ears).

Great job , swank ivy...

[swankivy]

Aww, well thank you so much! It was actually kind of a weird whim, though--it seemed like I was putting a lot of time in, but I recorded the song part last Friday, did the taping for the video on Saturday, and edited it together on Sunday morning. So I'm not sure that counts for a lot of TIME, but I did put my best (amateur) effort forward! Thanks for saying I didn't butcher the song. :) I didn't listen to any other covers before I tried it myself, and I guess that's a good thing. . . .

[CorvidTabard]

cheesy vid, but a decent effort. i actually prefer yer vocals over the original artist's on this song. gj

[swankivy]

Thanks for the compliment. :)

[whitedogsrule]

Oh yeesssss! Swankivy does post-prod!!

Love the singing, of course, but I'm totally floored by the fades and dissolves and cuts. The sound was much better than usual and it had quite a surprising level of production quality. As a bollywood film fan, I also love the wind machine effect.

It was really all so good and I'm so proud that you got so good so fast. You've really raised the bar for self-produced vids and also for your own future work. Nice camera work, too!

[swankivy]

Wow, thanks. :) It's funny hearing "production quality" when I'm screwing around with a home computer, cheap mic, and analog video camera. My "wind machine" is, ya know, a tabletop fan. LOL!

I had some practice on using the video software on my slideshow-type videos--the Negative One and the Finding Mulligan videos. It was easier than I expected; I recorded the song Friday night, filming Saturday, edited and posted Sunday.

[AislinCade]

The more often I listen to this, the more awed I am that you were able to produce something on your own, literally in your own home. It doesn't sound -exactly- professional, but it's pretty damn close. And considering you're a one-woman production team, that's pretty damned impressive.

How has a pretty thing like you not been snatched up yet, eh? ;) <3

I love your voice.

[swankivy]

Thank you for such a nice compliment. Yeah, it sounds a lot better, quality-wise, than I expected it would. A little echo effect goes a long way. And I'm kinda glad it doesn't sound 100% professional (I don't think it does either!) because I was afraid people might say it was FAKE or something, as idiots are wont to do on the Internet.

YOU could always snatch me up, right, sexy? :)

I'm already thinking about my next song, actually. I think I want to do this kinda thing again.

[Akira625]

"Snatched-up", like from a record company? ;)

[Frankavende]

Hello Swankivy

Super song and great work to cut the

Video . :)

Frank

[swankivy]

Thank you Frank. I'm glad you liked it!

[iwasrain]

Omg swankivy, I wasn't really expecting to be blown away. Your vocals are amazing. Thank you so much for accepting my request. I can see that you've put a lot of effort on it and I greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much :)

[swankivy]

Wow, thanks! I'm happy you suggested this song to me because I ended up really liking it, and I probably wouldn't have heard of it otherwise. ;)

"Blown away," that's a high compliment . . . thanks for watching.

[kev404]

Turned out Great!!! Nice vocal mix and production work since I know you are a one woman production crew.

I had to look up the original song. I think this is the best cover that I've heard you do. I'll put it on my MySpace Youtube Section.

I'll try to write you soon,

Bye for now

[swankivy]

Thanks a bunch! Yep, one-woman production crew over here! It's a bit limiting. And frustrating. Especially when you record whole pieces and realize you're not in the camera or something, or you've cut off your own head, or you forgot to press record.

I think this might be my best cover too. Thanks for the compliment and the MySpace-ing. What's funny is I thought about you several times while I was recording this! :)

[MsThingummy]

Great song, great voice, I'm impressed... You sound like Maggie Reilly... Hooray for cheesyness!

[swankivy]

Wow, well thank you! I'm afraid I don't know who Maggie Reilly is though. :)

[MsThingummy]

look her up on youtube, she's amazing...

[DasEnde2006]

Interesting Video! And it sounds good too! :)

[swankivy]

Thank you very very much! I was a little concerned about whether the singing would be good enough, so that means a lot!

[DasEnde2006]

Oh, and I have to say, I like the Candles in this Video! :)

[swankivy]

Thank you for that. I collect candles! I had to put in extra shelves on my walls to hold all the candles because I collected too many of them for my tabletops and counters.

[brownbearclan]

I loved it! So cool! ♥

[swankivy]

Thanks D. :)  You're sweet.

[violetinspired]

I like how you captured what they do in videos where they have the wind blowing through the hair too and how you pushed back your hair in the scene with the broom just as you were singing the end of the stanza where it goes "ohhh": good timing. Totally loved this video. Bat For Lashes would be proud if they saw this! A+

(had to post twice cause Youtube said the comment was too long) :P

[swankivy]

Heh, well, with the blowing hair I thought that was probably one of the cheesier bits! And it's tough to sit in your room with the fan on singing without laughing. :D

So happy you gave me an A+. :)

[violetinspired]

Wow, beautiful video clip and voice. It really seemed like a professional video clip like in an Enigma or Sarah Brightman style with the Earthy/new age/feminine feel to it that you were so creative and comfortable with. You have such grace and poise and I'm sure the viewers can feel your sense of calm and happiness through watching this but it's also cool how you were annoyed in some of it as well and really convincing with that, telling a story through your video. (2 part comment) ;)

[swankivy]

Thanks! :) I don't think it seemed like a professional clip, but I do think it ended up looking about as professional as I can do while filming by myself with a regular old video camera and bad lighting and editing it together myself without any training or anything. I really couldn't have expected better from my equipment and my editing skills, ya know?

Heehee, you like the annoyed parts huh? :)

[DIVAKaiWilliams]

Wow wow wow! This was amazing!! ^_^

I loved the video soo much. Who cares if it's cheesy! I found it quite enchanting myself. And you have such sweet vocals, Im really impressed.Very well done :)

I agree it's fun trying to sing with yourself haha! When I record stuff I love doing my own backing. You did a fantastic job with yours.

[swankivy]

Ahh thank yooou! And thanks for watching! Someone asked me to do the song and I hadn't ever heard of it before, but I thought it was a good fit for my voice type and I guess it was! Thanks for calling it "sweet." :)

Yeah, I love doing harmony too. Since the instrumental doesn't have any I had to do it or it wouldn't sound right. I think the original has two-part harmony on the "Daniel" echoes and I did three voices.

I don't have much experience recording, but I think this was my best so far!

[woodsprout]

Ivy's first music video! Lip-syncing to her cover of Daniel!

(that's what I said to myself when I watched this.)

Maybe it is not your calling, but when you threw your hair back in that blouse and jeans outfit, I for a moment imagined you as a famous well known singer!

Nice visuals, & w/ checking up on you over the years, it's nice to see some inklings of your life.

Ha ha, I caught myself wondering if those people in the background (sweeping) knew they were in a historical video ? ^0^

[swankivy]

Heh, well I was actually singing most of the time (except the outside one by the tree). :) So, not quite lip-syncing.

As for the background people, I couldn't avoid them. My apartment complex was having some crazy fair at the time I was filming, and their music was blaring and people were everywhere milling around and claiming raffle prizes. ::sigh::

Now they're famous. :)

Not sure what you mean about the "inklings of my life," though . . . glad you like them. :)

[woodsprout]

Well maybe "inklings" was an understatement. (I like that word "inkling") So would you say all those things simply ARE your life ?

Maybe I am learning what lip-syncing means. I thought it meant singing but not recording.

[swankivy]

I guess "lip sync" implies that you are just mouthing the words.

On "inklings," I'm not following what you're talking about really.

[woodsprout]

Oh by "inklings of your life" I meant your props and sets which I assumed are your home and your stuff.

Also in reading others comments, I agree you did excellent, especially considering you self- produced this with things on hand.

Ha, and anything "cheesy" and you-being-yourself, makes it all the better. I hope you do more. Nice scenes!

[swankivy]

Thanks! Yeah, that's where I live and my items. You can see a lot of my belongings and surroundings in my other videos too though.

Thanks so much for being appreciative of my cheesiness!

[porkchopexpress07]

Great vocals Ivy! That cute-cheesy. Good editing.

[swankivy]

Thanks a lot!

[VicShowZ9]

Wow, that was very cool! *clap clap* I hope everyone that sees this realizes that you are doing all the vocals that they hear.

[swankivy]

Thanks. :) Yeah, I said I did the singing, but I dunno if everyone will notice that. . . . Nope, not just a lip-syncing show. :)

[yesindeedybob]

Nice job, Ivy!  You sing very well, and the video is cool.

[swankivy]

Woww, thank you!! :) I put a lot of work into it this weekend, so I am glad you approve.

[oneofthefew82]

Spectacular! *standing ovation*

[swankivy]

Whoa, rilly? Thanks! (Yay, first comment!)