Released March 4th, 2008

Coming off the spontaneous creative joy of writing + recording "Hotel Hell" in under an hour, I decided to keep the same restraints and record another song. This next song I wrote, "A Place Called Firefly Grove", was based on the mythology of a creative writing project I had worked on a few years prior and leading up to early 2008. This song was written and recorded probably within a few hours of starting.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world with scattered and disconnected villages in an immense forest, Firefly Grove is the secret destination of many of the children. For the younger children, Firefly Grove is a playground only discoverable by the those who are worthy. For those who are older and coming of age, Firefly Grove is a threshold leading to the mysterious realms of the Deep Forest. This song explores the point-of-view of a younger kid discovering + arriving at the Grove for the first time.

* * * * * * *

It's outside of the village, but it ain't too far
Just above the growing earth, just below the fallin' stars
I'm talking about a place called Firefly Grove
I'll take you there to see it, if with me you will roam

Until we're outside of the village, stay on your tippie-toes
'Cause the Elders wouldn't like it they knew where we were goin'
Not until we've made it 'neath the cover of the trees
Can we shout n' hoot n' hollar just as loud as we please

Hmmm, da da, oh-da-lolly, hum-dee hey
We've made it to the forest, look at us, we're on our way
The pathway to the Grove, it twists and winds
Only way to find it is to follow the signs

Catch a fallin' leaf or hear a whisper in the wind
Spot the red shelled turtle and our journey will begin
Keep your eyes peeled but don't lose your shirt
Or, the Tanglewood Root will tie a knot up in your skirt

We've found the path, we've on our way, we're gettin' real close
A little further and we'll be there, wipe that dirt off of your nose
There's a shortcut to mushrooms and the Burrow just ahead
In Beggar's Canyon never-never land your speeder's painted red

Across the final threshold, what do we have here
A giant meadow, ain't she pretty, better than a phoenix tear
Welcome now, we've made it to Firefly Grove
For a little welcome gift how 'bout a four leaf clove

Forest all around us, tall grass in between
With the Great Tree in the middle, she's the best you'll ever see
The other children of the village have also found their way
They're playing on the tottalot of root and vine and hay

Quick now, let's play "don't touch the ground"
Jump and hop and hang while making seven silly sounds
Black bird singing with a star for an eye
Supernatural things sounding sweet from the sky

The Deep Forest looks upon us with an ancient gaze
Maybe one day we'll be swallowed by her mystic haze
Listen to the tales of them coming of age
The older ones among us taking lessons from the sage

By themselves into the forest where the path is most dark
To bring back the secret fire and the Arden oak's bark
In a few years, we'll take that journey ourselves
Until that day comes, let's keep our stones up on the shelf



A Place Called Firefly Grove

Released March 18th, 2008

This song continues the songwriting project I'd started weeks earlier (giving myself a very tight deadline to write + record). "The Hat Man" pulled freely from the archetype of the Trickster in comparative mythology: a force of disruption, mischief, irreverence, and often chaos that in turn often leads to creation and revitalization. Great fodder for songwriting imagery.

* * * * * * *

Well, I was traveling alone in the forest one night
Slowly making my way by the dim lantern light
I was just between two thoughts, you know the sound of one hand clapping
Well, it hit me, and then...

A stranger then appeared with some sparkle in his motion
His many-color coat it flowed like the ocean
With his cane, he rapped on the ground three times
...And do you know what happened?

A magical flask appeared in my grip
I'm not one to argue so I took quite the sip
and swallowed the potion down, it worked its magic

And at that moment I did recall
The reason I was in that forest at all
A memory I'd otherwise forgotten, left behind years ago
I looked up at the stranger and said,

You're the Hat Man, I've heard about you
Being who you are, and doing what they say you do
I offered my kindest thanks, and he just smiled
And kept on walkin' along

He's the Hat Man, travelin far and wide
Spannin seven leagues with every single stride
Footloose and fancy free
Ramblin' on however he please

The Hat Man travels from town to town
He doesn't seem effected by the ups and downs
He doesn't care for beginnings,
and has got no concerns for endings

He's got bowlers, berets, bucket hats too,
Fedoras, Panamas, he's got a Stetson for you
He's got caps & gowns & scarves & bandanas to boot
That's just scratchin' the surface

Money is not what the Hat Man seeks
He prefers to barter with smiles and winks
He once sold a green fedora for three deep breaths

It ain't really about the trades that he makes,
but rather the good luck he leaves in his wake
For if you see him coming your way, you best crack a smile
Unless you like fightin' the wind, 'cause...

He's the Hat Man, what's he up to now?
Walkin' on water or lougin up in a cloud
Ain't no way to tell just where he's at
Would you look at that, here he comes,

He's the Hat Man, up up and away
Planting them seeds all throughout the day
He's your best friend when you need 'em,
and even when you don't

Everybody get yourselves together
Nevermind the stormy weather
Oh, up on your feet,
Here comes the Hat Man

Now, the Hat Man travels as the Hat Man please
with a crook to his step and a shake in his knee
And no, that was no stumble, he's just dancing
Who do you think we're talking about, here?

He strolls along with his corn-cob pipe
If there was sweat on his brow, he'd give it a wipe
But he doesn't have to. It's not there. He's not sweating

The Hat Man goes where he doesn't want to be seen
And he's seen where he doesn't want to go
But he'll go there just the same

There and back again, and two times more
There's no place he ain't ever been before
When will he be in town next? Just look behind ya.

It's the Hat Man, coming to town
Come on and put your money down!
Let the chips fall where they may,
That's where he wants 'em... yeah you'll see,

He's the Hat Man, arriving today
From over them hills and so far away
Trampled underfoot, nearly forgotten
Yeah, he'll bring that fire back to life, oh!

Everybody get yourselves together
Nevermind the stormy weather
Oh, up on your feet,
Here comes the Hat Man

Rolling thunder, Spirit Train
The rhythm rolls with his refrain
His tune carries on high
into the heavens

Whether loom of the fruit or the fruit of the loom
From the Tomb of the womb to womb of the tomb
The Hat Man, he's traveled on, but not forgotten
not by me, at least

We're hoping real hard he'll be back soon
But no use lookin' at the finger that points at the moon
So we'll carry on his work ourselves
And if he does come back, we'll be ready



The Hat Man

Released March 2nd, 2008

In early 2008, one of my favorite blogs would occasionally publish lyrics for song ideas -- some the author recorded as songs, some not.  One day while over caffeinated at a coffee shop and having trouble with Photoshop, I saw new lyrics had been posted on this blog for a song named "Hotel Hell". Too caffeinated to focus on that day's web design project, I decided to go home and record a spin-off version of the song (which is the kind of thing the author would have loved, I knew). The first verse and chorus were taken from the original lyrics, with the 2nd and 3rd verses being original from me. Within an hour I wrote + recorded the song on my pocket digital recorder. 

This was the first song I'd written + recorded in over five years, and kicked off a few weeks/months of very productive songwriting of the likes I'd never known. Unlike the past, where songwriting attempts took weeks at a time (and never yielded results I was happy with), the very tight time constraints of "Hotel Hell" taught me how useful it can be to give yourself a strict deadline. The content of the 2nd and 3rd verses were directly inspired by having too much caffeine that day (on account of drinking a tea the waitress had recommended), which I enjoyed spinning off into lyrics to fit the theme of the first verse + chorus.

Hotel Hell

Released March 5th, 2008

A comment on the internet made me mad. I decided to write this song to feel better about it. This one is for the people who have it 100% all figured out with absolute certainty, whichever side of the fence they may fall on.

* * * * * * *

Down in the valley, where the grass has stopped growing
In the empty open plain where you'll find no wind blowing
There lives an old man, just as sharp as a tack
He lives all alone in an old wooden shack

He's got all the answers, there isn't any doubt
There is no solution that he could live without
There's no need for wonder with brains like he's got
He's not even bothered by the things he's forgot

With all his explanations to fend off the fright
You can sure bet your britches he sleeps well at night
The darkness doesn't bother him, nor does old age
He always knows what to expect on the next page

The birds all have left him the clouds have gone by
The color has faded from the berries in his pie
He clings on so tightly to his answers so dear
Laying waste to the mysteries he can't stand to hear

He's been there forever, and forever he'll stay
If you're looking for an answer its your lucky day
Go see him if you want to, he loves his own kind
And please would tell him that I'm doing fine

La la, la la la la...



Sinai High

Practicing "When The Man Comes Around" By Johnny Cash

Practicing "The Weight" by The Band on ukulele, trying to focus on a different strumming pattern than my usual go-to's

Ukulele practice: "The Weight" by The Band (instrumental/rhythm)

Ukulele practice: "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

Internet TV, the lean back UX, and UGC channels

Day #3 of my practice of Father John Misty's "Cheateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)"

Guitar practice of "Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)"

Me practicing "Dear Yoko" on ukulele while the kids take a bath. Recorded on my Apple Watch.

Kid Bathtime + "Dear Yoko" Ukulele Practice

Find my tabs for this version here: http://davidpots.com/ukulele/music/2016/02/09/ukulele-lesson-surrender-cheap-trick.html

Ukulele version of "Surrender" by Cheap Trick

Chloe (2yo) and Norah (6yo) giving orders to Alexa, or at least attempting to do so.

Chloe & Norah using the Amazon Echo

Acoustic cover of Mrs Robinson, by Simon and Garfunkel. This audio is from the first of three videos I'll be making showing how to play the song. Check it out on www.playsongnotes.com (videos coming late February).

Mrs Robinson (acoustic cover)

The first verse of "A Lovely Night," from La La Land, played on my acoustic guitar with me singing along. This is a preview audio clip from my upcoming full video lesson for this song.

A Lovely Night (acoustic cover)

I started supporting Daniel Donato on Patreon today, and he asked me, "Are there any specific kinds of content that you'd like to see on this platform? Unreleased music, instructional material, etc?" 

Here's my answer! Came after a solid dish cleaning session, having rocked the eff out to his music, and listened to a few of his podcasts & interviews over the last couple days. Was vibin' in that headspace, replaying the convos & ideas in my head, and this came to mind.

Shared via audio b/c it felt like the proper medium given the context. Sharing it here, having typed this up later.

davidpots

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