Ryan Conway

... count all songs in 8ths... "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & ..."... don't count in quarters, always count in 8ths. It is the best way you can begin to properly feel syncopation and groove. 

Hello Ryan,
I´ve listened to a few clips, Coldplay and James Blunt. There are some technical issues, but what is really getting in your way right now is rhythm and melody, you are kinda going blindfolded at the songs it seems.
Listen more to these songs, pay attention to the tempo of the phrasing, notice which parts the singer uses a more "connected" sound (no pause between notes), and the more rhythimic parts (strong marking to the beat, longer pauses).
Perhaps sit down on a piano or keyboard, and map the whole melody as reference. In my opinion its where you will see most improvement from what you are doing now.
For these songs you might want to get a bit lighter handed, I don´t mind the more aggressive approach but most people won´t enjoy it so much.

really cool!, for me this is a mix of 3 distortion types, false folds, creaking (vocal fry dragged up in range which is done on the true folds), and arytenoid rattle distortion  
i wanna congratulate you, you found a really cool sound, that a lot of people would like to be able to do!
to answer your post, yes, you are using your throat, but this isnt bad, since -anatomically- you ARE producing those distortions on your throat and it would be impossible to do them in any other part (since it is done with the true & false vocal chords, and with the arytenoids vibrating, at varying degrees, at the same time). if it isnt uncomfortable, it means that it is well coordinated and efficient in regards to the distortion + throat shape + support, so if it feels good, keep doing it like that, and maintaining the sensation you found for this distortion, you are doing great!

Hi Ryan!
First, I must confess, I'm not as familiar with some of the terms geran89 is using. However, I would agree it sounds as though you may be using "true folds" in some of your vocal effects. I agree with geran89 that you should be wary of any discomfort.
I thought I would leave a comment since many years ago I had the same questions you have. I did a lot of experimentation and research to discover what it really meant to be able to sing with distortion, rasp, grit, etc. and not cause any damage.
I would underscore two main ideas as answers to your questions which I discovered made all the difference for me in being able to apply said vocal effects without damage or strain.
1- appaggio - without proper support of the breath, NO distortion technique will effectively avoid damage or discomfort.
2- Never with "true cords" - only false cord distortion will avoid damage. (only one exception - refer to #1).
Good Luck dude!
k

When I sing I like to put an extreme distortion sound on for fun, and I think I've always been able to naturally do it. I have read about it being harmful if done incorrectly and not utilising the false vocal chords, so I am curious if I'm using my throat or not to produce the sound. It's not uncomfortable to do but If I do it quite strongly for a while my throat does feel somewhat dry / warm, so I tend to stop when that sets in. If I was to describe how I do it I'd say its like a screaming whisper but done in speaking voice.

Here is a recording from me messing around online ruining peoples ears and then singing straight after without it
(This is quite loud)
http://picosong.com/pdpS/

Hi Robert
The wait is no problem at all, I have a Smule already so here is two I think are okay, although I still think they sound like your average karaoke singer.
https://www.smule.com/recording/wilson-pickett-mustang-sally/713718466_1064059716
Here is a Coldplay cover I recorded on FL Studio with just me which I quite like but don't believe it's good enough to share as people say I can't sing.
http://picosong.com/GGrp

Thank you, I've always been able to naturally do that distortion without discomfort, I do wonder if it's done in healthy way though!