Americana has been described as "Six String Story Telling" ... but sometimes there are other acoustic instruments, such as piano or A Capella, and sometimes there are some amplifiers. Basically it is a new wave of independent music that is distinguished from Indie by having a clear connection to Country, Folk, Blues, Blue Grass, Zydeco and other American Roots Music. So... it could also include styles such as Rag Time, Dixieland. Gospel etc.

This album is my personal exploration of this rich and varied genre.

Americana

Explorations of software, electronic and electric gear with the intent of maximizing results from minimal tools. 

Examples: Audacity is Recording Software, not meant to create music per se; but Pluck and Drum uses only Audacity. 

Rock Twist uses one sample and Audacity. 

A majic music box bass uses one setting on ImpOscar and Audacity... 

Oh... and I also use my brain and my ears and sometimes one or two fingers... again, minimal tools...more to come, you can be sure.

Audacity

Various genres and arrangements. Not imitations... these bands have never been heard... until now.

Imaginary Bands

Heavy with Beauty

No, I have never smoked in my entire life and I have no intention to, but I am trying to forget a suffocating situation, that felt as if I was having to breathe inside a smoker's den, you know, one of those aquariums where these people are purposely locked up.


Don't Forget to Breathe

This is to myself
While I'm trying to forget
That I must be a machine
That can't erase its mind
By cramming it with
Aptitude to better 
Times and light

This is to myself
While I'm trying to ignore
The biting on my tongue
To elevate a sore
Comparing what is worse
The moment or the matter
After the fight

Don't forget to breathe
Don't forget to breathe

This is to myself
While I'm trying to grey out
The picture of a cityscape
The sky of which has left
Its ever fading white
Its badly written text
Will bleed onto the next

This is to myself
I'm hoping to repair
The stitches in the canvas
The colour of the grass
That must return its green
The all removing eye
Will feed the dye

Don't Forget To Breathe (2021 remaster)

Kalimba, Duo Stand up Bass, Drums and Synth with a mellow moody beat.

Grasshopper

Rock Blues with a Sci-Fi Conspiracy Theory story

Bluetooth

Glaciaa was written to accompany tilt shift footage taken from my first North American tour with Hundred Waters and Braids. Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/yBAXmreRfUI

Glaciaa

A Dreamy Psychedelic track slowly unfolds while longing to talk to my Angel... and then... she calls... she is on her way... I'm so excited!

Piano with heavy effects, Bass, Percussion, Guitar, Cello, Vocals

Angel

Piano in reflections... Prismatic Piano Sonata
A live piano recording with one note from a Bass Guitar pitch shifted to make other notes; a bit of percussion and.... here it is

Prismatic Piano

A psychedelic Rock Trip, longing for the Angels to return. Loosely based on Ezekiel.

I Looked at the Sky

I Looked At The Sky

Glittering with cold 
The path she walks 
All the storm clouds gather 
When she talks 

Numbingly removed 
With scorn she mocks 
Her pride held high 
Even when she chokes 

Skeletons she finds 
Hollow country lanes 
She can not concentrate 
Fog consumes her brains 

Pretty puppet let me sleep 
I can not keep up this face 
While I bleed 

Memories who she once was 
Scattered pieces 
Shards of broken glass 

Do you think you're one of us 
Do you think you'll run with us 
Help me, I need a friend here 

Do you think you're one of us 
Do you think you can run from us 
She says help me, I need a friend here 

Eternal youth 
Can make you fly 
Airy spirits lost and found 
But wry and dry 

The constant cycle 
Of the butterfly 
Her silver hair 
Becomes the sky 

Do you think you're one of us 
Do you think you'll run with us 
Help me, I need a friend here 

Do you think you're one of us 
Do you think you can run from us 
She says help me, I need a friend here 

Beauty is so vain they say 
It betrays the soul they say 
She doesn't want to play the game 
She doesn't want to be this way 
So she's getting out of here 
Living over ocean air 

She says 
Good bye 
Good bye

Cherry Blossoms in March

This is the beautiful and poignant film that inspired me to write this song. It was like I had Ellen in my head for three days..... https://www.channel4.com/programmes/ellen
Ellen is taken from The Hag and the Whore, the third album from Steph Sweet, singer-songwriter and underground musician and author. Influences of freak-folk, psychedelia and angel-punk and songs about hags and whores, paedophilia, the selfie-generation, a beautiful girl, a break-up, teepees, death and spamsters and wolves. Album art by Skinny Graphix
stephsweet.bandcamp.com/album/the-hag…e-whore-album

Ellen.
Ellen, she’s at the changeling age, only fourteen.
Her Mum’s lived inside a bottle, since she had her at fifteen.
There’s drinking ‘round the house most days.
Let the men in. Let the men in.
Her Mum just wants to dance with them.
Her Mum just wants to dance with them.
It’s like they’re factory-farming humans just to boost the GDP.
There’s no way out for the working classes, no jobs and no money.
Ellen’s lonely and she’s hurting, hurting so bad inside her head.
She lashes out at everything.
Ellen wishes she were dead.
She’s difficult and mouthy.
Doesn’t make a good poster-girl for the BBC.
And everybody turns their head.
Ellen is the girl that they don’t want to see.
And everybody turns their head.
They don’t want to see.

He’s older and she thinks she loves him, he gives her tenners, vodka and speed.
A plastic bead of kindness in a vacuum looks like a diamond ring.
Who's going to help Ellen?
Nobody.
Who's going to help Ellen?
Nobody.
There’s a million girls like Ellen in all the big cities.
Too difficult and mouthy to be poster-girls on tv.
It’s like they’re factory farming humans just to boost the GDP.
No vegetables unless they’re frozen, crisp sandwiches for tea.
Ellen’s lonely and she’s hurting, hurting bad inside her head.
She lashes out at everyone.
Ellen wishes she were dead.
Who’s helping Ellen?
Nobody.
Who’s helping Ellen?
Nobody.
Nobody.
Nobody.
©Steph Sweet September 2016 All Rights Reserved

The Hag and the Whore

Ellen

download

On the 25th February 2016, an idea came into my head for a song involving the concept of a lighthouse in space. What would it be like to be in the back of beyond, all alone in deep space? 

Lyrics followed and then musical ideas involving orchestration to denote the expanse of space and incorporating strings and  brass mixed together with synthesizers and electric guitar.

Just over 1.5 years later (560 days), this 16.5 minute monster is finally ready.  This track has acted for me as an apprenticeship in recording, mixing and simple mastering. The original rough demo was completed by December 2016 but final construction only truly began in January 2017, with everything being re-recorded. 

The track itself isn't particularly lyric heavy, with instrumental sections very much in keeping with a larger Prog Rock piece. Since it is quite long at 16.5 minutes I suggest listeners settle down and hopefully lose themselves  in Deep Space for a while.  :-)

There is now a YouTube video to go with this track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVP11ZIN1f4

The story of the Lighthouse Keeper will continue with four more songs planned. Check out the project website or Facebook page for more details.

** A big shout- out to Len Rice for guidance and encouragement during the recording of this  track. (You taught me how to listen critically and got me up to speed with some technical stuff) Cheers :-) 

https://soundcloud.com/lenrice

Lighthouse Keeper

Two simple moves on guitar... call and response, eventually overlapping, unfold behind  melodic fragments and short gestures bowed on a lone string.

Everything else is in support of the conversation.

All with one finger and a pair of headphones.

Imaginary Sound Tracks

Moon Blossom

Martin D-18 Acoustic, Gemeinhardt Flute, and a little help from Garage Band

IF IT HURTS AGAIN
Late February 2017 Elkwood Bar

I know I got it wrong
I know it's been too long
I can't believe you're gone

And I don't care if it hurts again 
I'm just a fool without you ... without you

I don't wake at daylight 
I walk the floor all night
Nothing seems quite right

And I don't care if it hurts again 
I'm just a fool without you ... without you

I can't stop trembling and sweating
I spend my time regretting 
It's no use forgetting

And I don't care if it hurts again 
I'm just a fool without you ... without you

If It Hurts Again

I use a lot of suspended notes... this piece explores the SUS2 sometimes as a SUS9.

Also explores overlapping harmonies between the guitar and the keyboard. 

Enjoy!

Suspended

This song was inspired by an opening act for Van Morrison.  The guy played what I would describe as Appalachian folk ukulele, he was great... I wish I could remember his name.  In any case, listening to that guy reminded me that I always wanted to write a song in that style; something along the lines of “There’s a Hole in My Bucket.”

 Here it is… Performed on my Martin D-18  that I bought in… I think… 1973.

Was a farmer had a wife 
Was the  best thing in his life 
Farmers wife would milk the cow 
Pail would ring and sing aloud 
Cat would sniff around the pail 
Watch the mouse and twitch his tail 
Mouse was hiding in the hay 
Mowed and pitched there yesterday 
Pitchfork stood there by the hoe 
The one that chopped the garden row 
Garden fed the farmer’s son 
His wife’s first and only one 
Was a farmer had a wife 
Was the best thing in his life

Was A Farmer

This soundscape expresses the chaos of homeless encampments and the slim but grim hope of salvation offered by the outside world. 

It was inspired by two things, “Doctor Dark” by Captain Beefheart (I was a big fan back in the day) and the painting by Ismael Cazarez called “Man with Two Hats”  used here for the track art.

The first version of the lyrics came to me Summer 2012 on the ramp from the 101 to the 405. I tweaked it a bit here and there over time until one morning a rather large black crow sat on the lawn outside my studio window making a racket that was obviously meant to grab my attention: it did... I recorded the crow and the rest of the soundscape quickly unfolded. I tweaked that over a number of months before finally deciding it was time to commit to a mix... that was hard... but here it is... enjoy.

HOBO JUNGLE 

Steal into Hobo Jungle stepping down through pucker-brush stickers stuck in dirty socks hot dirty feet baptized in shallow cool eddies wash away sins into deep pools of the river 

Fires leap high watching sparks and ash float down into open lid cans

Standing in sandy circles by railroad tracks watching black smokestacks looming over rails and railroad ties grapevines tied and trained row on row crosses holy outstretched arms on headstones  black crows in graveyards peck at vines while sun glints on rails as the train goes slow watching black sleek crows circle slowly seeking grapes and warily watching hobos

Blackberries in plastic hoops sheltered from flocks of swallows dip and swoop beaks glide low for mud and scoop riverbank holes

Huffs and puffs belching black smoke clicks and clacks steel wheels stroke by Hobo Jungles hiding under riverside steep slopes

Men with broken hats sleep and hide with broken lives maintain their pride In the Hobo Jungle by the riverside slide down muddy banks to wash their sins and cleanse their souls
Pork and bean cans laid in coals plastic draped over willow poles the whistling train comes to save their souls The train whistles by the graveyard and comes to save their souls The train whistling by the graveyard arrives to save their souls

Hobo Jungle

Parlor Piano Tune ... before there was internet, before TV and radio, before the Victrola there was the piano in the parlor... that was good clean family entertainment; of course in some households the songs could get a little racy after the kids went upstairs to bed.

OK so there is no vocal on this track... working on it. Here are the lyrics:

HALO

 Halo, there’s a halo 
 Shining gently in the snow 
 And I don’t know where to go 
 as I contemplate the winter of my life 

 I was always chasing rainbows through the storm 
 Shoved my hands deep in my pockets to keep them warm 
 Passing through the shadows to the light 

 Angel, there’s an angel 
 She closed the wound in my heart 
 Love until death do us part 
 Took me from the dark into the light 

 I was always chasing rainbows through the storm 
 Shoved my hands deep in my pockets to keep them warm 
 Passing through the shadows to the light

Halo

Broken hearted love song sung as a psychedelic funeral dirge.

DESIERTO DE TU CORAZON

849 S. Broadway the Salon  February 22nd 2017

Cuando yo
Cuando te veo 
Cuando te oigo 
Recuerdo que estamos separados
Caminando por el desierto de tu corazón


When I
When I see you
When i hear you
I remember we are apart
Walking through the desert of your heart

Desierto de Tu Corazon

Desierto De Tu Corazón

The synth is Imposcar. The mix and master were done in Audacity.

A Majic Music Box Bass

There are eight choices under “Generate” in the Audacity tool bar, one of them is “Pluck” and one of them is “Risset Drum” ... this piece uses only those two choices.

Pluck And Drum

One sample from “Notwist” twisted using only the tools provided by Audacity.

Rock Twist

Quiet... somber, thoughtful. My first try composing on Sibelius. I really like Sibelius... great tool for composition; hard work but worth it.

C Minor Trio

Deep majestic strings with a touch of glockenspiel in a crystal flowing motif. Ends with an afterthought.

Snow Bannered Peaks

Happy sounds... mixture of live flute and Garageband. Final mix with Audacity.

Did I mention "Happy Sounds?"

Newish Age

Flute and guitar composed on Sibelius in a Brazilian Cool School style.

Latina

Sometimes a song comes tumbling out all on it's own... and if you're lucky you are paying attention and write it down right away... and then play it a bunch until it feels as natural as breathing; This is one of those... Drop D on my Martin Dreadnought... a little strum with a tasty voicing and... well... here it is.

Recording and mixing it was more of a chore than it should have been, technical difficulties and the necessities of life kept the process in slow motion. I am happy with it though... I hope you enjoy it.

Mountain of My Pride

Mountain Of My Pride

An Exploration of Minimal Use of Tools

Tools used: Audacity to record and mix, also the source of the Low Drum. ImpOscar Synthesizer, Cymbal with Mallets, Hand Drums

Chris Dicksion - Hand Drums

Thank you to the IDM Forum for advice and encouragement

First Born - Trip

This song wrote itself. It's not autobiographical, but I did draw from personal experience to create parts of the story. "Write what you know" as they say.

Thank you to "Brogner" and my family for the good advice on the mixing ... "we want to hear your voice!"

DUSTY ROAD 
Elkwood Bar - Early 2008 

Driving Fast... Beneath and endless sky 
Dirt cracks the tear ... in the corner of my eye 
On Dusty Road... Dusty Road... Dusty Road 

I still remember... the day I drove away 
You were holding back my children... as you sent on my way 
Down Dusty Road... Dusty Road... Dusty Road 

I'll keep on searching until the day I find 
A way that leads me back to you 
Until then I'll wind 
Down Dusty Road 
I'll wind my way down Dusty Road... 
Oh I'll wind my way down that Dusty Road 

Our parents suffered long and hard as each one passed away 
Long we mourned, they turned to dust 
The wind blew them away 
Down Dusty Road... Dusty Road... Dusty Road 

I'll keep on searching until the day I find 
A way that leads me back to you 
Until then I'll wind 
Down Dusty Road 
I'll wind my way down Dusty Road... 
Oh I'll wind my way down that Dusty Road

Dusty Road

Sketch in Garage Band for IPad with Live Flute and Cymbals. Finalized in it's 5th mix using Reaper.

Much appreciation to the IDM forum for direction and encouragement.
Also thanks to Chris Dicksion for the Cymbal track.

Mojo Hand

I lived in Downtown Los Angeles for 12 years. There were many great opportunities and some challenges. Living with the homeless as neighbors was sometimes challenging.

I learned that a smile can help and sometimes you could have a conversation. I learned that mental illness is a big part of the problem. I learned that there is a Paradox in that things that seemed like they should help, in the end don't help.

This piece is my expression of that Paradox.

I DON’T NEED HELP 

March 11, 2018 - Elkwood Street

Lying on the sidewalk at the foot of your stairs I don’t need help, I don’t need help...

Don’t push me away I know nobody cares ...I don’t need help, i don’t need help, I need answers to my prayers

Don’t give me food don’t give me drink don’t give me money I don’t need drugs 

Don’t give me sympathy don’t give me blankets I don’t need hugs 
don’t give me Jesus or good news I do do what I choose don’t give me things that I can lose i don’t need shoes 
don’t look at me with blank eyed stares I don’t need help I don’t need help I need answers to my prayers

I’m not a raving lunatic I’m not a lay about I’m not about to go when the neighbors push me out I don’t pretend to understand what it’s all about I’m not about to listen to the voices screaming doubt 

I don’t need protection from the night or from the rain I avoid deception but I can’t avoid the pain I look at my reflection all the questions still remain questions have no answers of that I’m well aware I don’t need help, I don’t need help, I need answers to my prayers
​

I Don't! Need Help!

I Don’t! Need Help!

This song was inspired by two things: a book my brother gave me called “UFOs In Nevada” and that road trip experience where you find yourself in the middle of nowhere wishing you could find a station worth listening to...

Here are the Lyrics

OLD COUNTRY SONG
05/29/16 Elkwood Bar
                                                                                           
On a long desert highway on a dark lonely night 
When you need miles behind you before the daylight
Your eyelids grow weary in the light of the moon
Desperately in need of an old country tune                 

I get love and mental health tips reggae n' Jesus        
I know all of these stations are trying to please us 
I get electronic musings and the jazz is confusing 
I need stimulation to stop me from snoozing 

I get bootleg Dead concerts and I listen for a while  
Sometimes a little country creeps into their style
But the Dead don't bring comfort like a sad lonesome tune
When Hank Williams paints clouds on the face of the moon  

Hypnotized in the dark the white line keeps the beat   
You can tap on the dashboard but you can't tap your feet
In the desert in Nevada the roads are so long
I'm just looking for a station with an old             country song

I get static n' silence rock rap n' violence
Piano concertos n' opera galore
I've been fiddling a while with the radio dial
I'm beginning to think I can't take any more

I get local news daily n' talk shows about cars
I get talkshows about aliens from Mexico and Mars
Headlights in the distance shoot up to the sky
Another UFO is passing me by

Hypnotized in the dark the white line keeps the beat
You can tap on the dashboard but you can't tap your feet
In the desert in Nevada the roads are so long
I'm just looking for a station with an old             country song

Old Country Song

My Grandson is fascinated by everything in the Studio. He plays drums, piano, "air guitar" and has a knack for singing and improvising lyrics.... and he loves the microphone!

At age 3 he recorded the vocal and I made a little dance track from it. He would laugh hysterically when I played it for him and over time he developed a sort of dance routine "...wanna see my moves?!!!" At age 4 I made a video, upgraded the mix and here you have it. (you can see the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUetHJ5eYlE enjoy!)

Any Door

Blues riff on a Fender Stratocaster with Drums and Bass. Driving Rock rhythm alternating with Rubato Guitar.

The Moon Comes Up

Didgeridoo with Percussion and Synth. The Synth recording was done years before the Didgeridoo. They were both experiments and had nothing to do with each other. 

Fast forward a few more years and the recordings were discovered while purging old recordings while setting up a new laptop. Not sure why... but I had to mash these together.

Adding the Percussion and some alchemy from the Digital Studio brought it all to life. 

There is also a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJQ3qlnM7J8

Wabi Sabi Didge

For Sync and Licensing Contact the Artist 
Text or VM 805-217-2198
Email mark.ames@1roomstudio.com

Mark Ames has been writing and singing songs since the 70’s. He plays guitar, flute, piano and composes in a wide variety of Genres. He has composed for Choral, Orchestral, Soundscapes, String Trios and various ensembles including Electronica, Rock, Blues, Jazz and Folk.

Recent focus has been on mixing live instruments with electronic and studio techniques. Also working on inputting various compositions written in the past into Sebelius and resurrecting old analog tape recordings for source material.

Educated at Pierce Community College, Moorpark Community College, and California State Northridge; majored in Composition and Theory with Guitar as Major Instrument. Also took all the classes available for Electronic Music or Music in the Studio.

Reality is one thing... but perception is everything...

For Sync and Licensing Contact the Artist 
Text or VM 805-217-2198

1roomstudio

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