For the longest time, I’ve harbored a desire to record an album of solo material, but I realized a few weeks ago that I’m not an album kind of guy. I mean, I like albums, but I don’t really have the focus required to record a dozen or so tunes that are linked by a common theme — or even a common style. That said, I still wanted to gather a few of my recent and forthcoming songs together and make them available in one convenient package. The collection, This Is Not an EP, includes six tracks and is available for free through GetMusic.fm: https://getmusic.fm/r/marc-schuster-this-is-not-an-ep

Here’s the track list:

Read the Room: A sludgy lo-fi gem that will be available on streaming services in December. The idea for this one came to me while I was sitting in a meeting that had clearly gone on for too long. I love the fat, distorted drum sound on this one.

Your World Now: This one sounds like some of my older songs, which is to say it has a bit of a Belle & Sebastian vibe. It also has hints of Fleetwood Mac, particularly if you focus on the electric piano. It will be available in on streaming services on January 1.

Take Away Your Pain: A version of this one first appeared in a short film I was involved in making a few years ago. At the time, all I had was the chorus. I added some verses and played with the arrangement a bit to give it a grungy Depeche Mode feel. It will be available on streaming services on February 1.

Daylight: This one is a cover of a song by the band Failure. It’s on a compilation from Audio Mirage Studios called Stuck on You and will also be on a compilation from Bitume Records called Fantastic Planet. My friend Quizboy plays guitar on this one and really shreds. It’s streaming everywhere except Spotify.

Krampus Is Coming: I recorded this one for a compilation of Christmas songs that Audio Mirage Studios is putting out. I was going for a jazzy sound reminiscent of “Is That You, Santa Claus?” by Louis Armstrong. Streaming everywhere December 4.

Betty White Is Alive: I recorded this one last December for a compilation called Short Music for Even Shorter Attention Spans. It’s a fun little number with a total running time of thirty seconds. Currently streaming everywhere.

Though some of the songs won’t be available on streaming services for a little while, you can get them all now by clicking on the image below…