IMF Favorites (Jan 2021)

The tracks I released in 2021. Hoping for even more tracks to come out in 2022 (including a few that just didn't make it out in 2021)

2021 Tracks

Pocket Dial Demos

A playlist of the original songs I've put on soundcloud, pretty self explanatory. Roughly in the order of what songs I like at whatever random moment I decided to edit the playlist.

Originals

Made this as part of Soran Leif's series Life's Everyday Soundtrack using samples supplied by DHXP. The used DHXP samples include the bass used throughout the verse, the vocals in the chorus, and several instruments in the solo backing. Also used a vocal sample from Bowie's 'Life on Mars' since it fit with the track theme so well.

DHXP spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0tFQdSuiB782kyqB6g5hO4?si=iLDVcIH_Ty6tbWv0qTNcvw&nd=1

Soran Leif's spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ClYYxeqnIiCFNBHjNBTeJ

LES Video: https://youtu.be/bw3v3iSyYTw

(I Know There Is) Life On Mars feat. DHXP

Recorded this as part of the Indie Music Feedback Undercover event, the theme was sci-fi and whats more sci-fi than a song about going to space played on an 80s synth.

I made a silly video for it which you can check out here: https://youtu.be/CJxzQr67fg8

Space Oddity - David Bowie (Omnichord Cover)

Wrote as part of Songwriting Blitz on the IMF discord. Challenge was to write and record a song based on the theme 'wise tunnel man'.

I decided the wise tunnel man was an old almost mythical man living down in the sewers. The person in the song is looking for him. I'm not convinced the wise tunnel man acutally exists

Massive thanks to the incredible Barrabas T. Jones for doing some fantastic drums for me in absolutely no time at all. Check him out: https://linktr.ee/BarabbasTJones

Lyrics
--------------------------------------------
Wise Tunnel Man
I hope you can help me
My outside life 
Outside this pipe
Is full of misery

Wise Tunnel Man
I'm searching for your lair
Through the streams
Of human means
I'm choking on this air

Wise Tunnel Man
Can you hear my cries
Lost down here
I start to fear
I wont leave with my life

Wise Tunnel Man
You've left me here for dead
But I don't buy
Their bulshit lie
That you're just in my head

Wise Tunnel Man
Wise Tunnel Man 
Wise Tunnel Man
Wise Tunnel Man what you do to me

Wise Tunnel Man (IMF 24 hour song challenge) feat. Barabbas T. Jones

A track I've been working on in some form for many years. Was originally called 'Pink Floyd Song' which definitely gives an indication of the inspiration. Lyrically its about drifting away from a friend, neither of you say anything, but you both know it. Image found on pixabay, pretty sure this is the right account (was a few months ago i found it): https://pixabay.com/users/cdd20-1193381/

Lyrics:
Converging viewpoints
Diverging paths
Was all based on a symmetry 
That wouldn’t last
Interference 
We welcomed in
Got us pushing back and forth
We gotta deal with our sins

Saying nothing says enough
I feel it the air has got so tense
I know I should care but it don’t make sense no more
Saying something has got so tough
Still see a friend don’t get me wrong
Don’t Want it to end but the world keeps turning on

We could talk for hours
Say nothing new
Tell the same old stories
It’s like the same old you
Laughters fading  
It’s not the same
Drifted so far apart
And we’ve only ourselves to blame

Saying Nothing Says Enough

A country/folk cover of toxic I made for the IMF Undercover event. Guitar was arranged so that it could be played solo at an open mic then just continued to add more layers. What a way to learn I cant sing like Britney Spears but think I did a decent job.

Toxic but I guess it's a country song now Feat. Barabbas T. Jones

2023 Demo of Lovesick Lullaby, recorded super quickly to compare with other demos

Lovesick Lullaby (Acoustic Demo)

2023 Demo, recorded super quick to compare to other demos

DYHM (Acoustic Demo)

Limerence (Acoustic Demo)

Stutter neatly

Wrote this for the r/songaweek challenge for week 24, delay. Came up with the verse riff by using a shite ton of delay and then was able to fit in some old lyrics about when you're breaking up but you just want to DELAY it by one more day.

Lyrics:
Such a lovely day
Sitting by the river
What a place to be to end it all
We both know whats coming but I just can’t face it
I want
One more day like this

My takeaway
I had to pay 
Can’t runaway
From what you want or what you had to say

Skip the clichés 
Don’t need coffee just to speak my truth 
We’re at an end
You say today was nice we need to keep it going just have
One more day like this

My takeaway
I had to pay 
Can’t runaway
From what I want or what I had to say

One more day
One more day

Takeaway (r/songaweek 24: Delay)

This is a song about breaking up, not because you want to, but because it seems like the best thing for both of you. Or maybe thats just how you rationalise it to yourself. Started working on this over a year ago but decided to not redo any of the guitars and do the best I could with it. Maybe that was a bad decision. If I ever decide to rerecord it I could probably make it sound better.  Kinda just wanted to get it out there and move on from the song (for now).

Lyrics:
Don’t do this easily
Don’t wanna cause you strife
Slowly killing us, I can’t safeguard your life
So much we could work on, so hard to find the time
Between breakups and breakdowns
Between half truths and lies

It’s not for myself
It’s for us both there is something wrong
We both need some more help
Taking our time, but everything leads back to this

Unhealthy partnership unhealthy minds
Searching for something you never find
Build it back to normal
Build walls in our lives
Between breakups and breakdowns
Between half truth and lies 

It’s not for myself
It’s for us both there is something wrong
We both need some more help
Wasting our time, cus everything leads back to this

I promised you this wouldn’t happen
A promise I could never keep
Both our worlds are so misshapen
This is what we really need
I’m ending this right now
Just need to find a way out

It’s not for myself
It’s for us both there is something wrong
We both need some more help
Taking our time, but everything leads back to this

Unhealthy Minds (Demo)

Don't think the rest of this song holds up but still like the solo so thought I'd upload that. Mostly just a practice at mixing metal fro when I acc need to make a real song.

Random Metal Solo

The theme for this 24 hour challenge was the picture of Gertrude the Gigantosaur (without the hearts). Wrote a silly love song for Gertrude the Gigantosaur. There's defo a few bars where I go out of time but it's a 24 hour challenge and didn't have time to fix it.

Lyrics:
1 - 2 - dinosaur
Gertrude, I think that I love you
Gertrude, you make my heart giganto-soar
Largest terrestrial carnivore
You are my favourite dinosaur
Oh Gertrude, I've fell in love with you

Gertrude, we could be carbon dating
Gertrude, my late cretaceous friend
Therepod with the giant bod
Till you were took by an act of god
Oh Gertrude we never will be near
Cus you've been dead for 100 million years

Gertrude The Gigantosaur(IMF 24 Hour Challenge)

Had the guitar written for this for ages and recently put it to some nice lyrics about performing at an open mic, no ones listening except the one person you care about, and that's all you need. Lots of clean up possible but kinda burnt out on it and wanna move on, initially thought id have harmonising vocals and some strings but I never got them to work (hence the demo).

Lyrics:
The bar is filled with noise
Louder than my voice
My song will go unheard
Aren't open mics absurd
But you're always listening
I know that you care
lost the room but I'm focusing
On the moment that we share


Guess it feels the same
Our secret type of fame
You can't be outdone
My audience of one
Well do it all again
Our self indulgent game
You always make it fun
My audience of one


I crack a stupid joke
Your laughter gives me hope
You've heard them all before
Still laugh while they ignore
Dont care they're not listening
I just care that you do
Lost the room but I'm focusing
Focusing on you


Guess it feels the same
A secret type of fame
You can't be outdone
My audience of one
Well do it all again
Our self indulgent game
You always make it fun
My audience of one

Audience Of One (Demo)

From the upcoming album, Synestalgia

Written by Marlon Chaplin
Produced by Ewan Kay

Recorded at Candle Recording (Toronto, ON)
Mixed and mastered by Ewan Kay

Personnel:
Marlon Chaplin - Vocals, Guitars
Ewan Kay - Guitars, Bass, Synths
Spencer Cole - Drums

Lyrics:

Weights + Feathers 

I’ve been shaking my head,
I never wanted to,
I’ve been sick and in bed,
I know you’ve been there too,
Something’s sticking inside,
I’m ready to confide in you,
Just pickin' on words and wine,
With something left to prove,

I know after all I’ve done to you I shouldn’t ask,
But for the first time in my life I’m taking off this mask,
There’s a hundred little pieces left to stick together,
But after letting it drop I feel light as a feather,

I’ve been taking my time,
And letting it unwind,
Unravel and fray and tear,
I’m trying not to stare,
You’ve been looking at me,
And trying not to see,
I’ve been looking at you,
And trying not to do,

I know after all I’ve done to you I shouldn’t ask,
But for the first time in my life I’m taking off this mask,
There’s a hundred little pieces left to stick together,
But after letting it drop I feel light as a feather,

I know after all I’ve promised you I shouldn’t ask,
And at the risk of sounding too cliche I want you back,
There’s a hundred little pieces left to stick together,
But after letting it drop I feel light as a feather,

I hope that you’ll be there for me when I show my hand,
I hope that you’ll be understanding when the shit hits the fan,
I know I haven’t always stood where I said I’d stand,
But if you want to I’ll be there for you and me if you can.

©℗ Marlon Chaplin 2020

Weights + Feathers

self-sacrifice

Collision

Started writing this back in december 2020, at the time I was feeling constantly under (self imposed) pressure about not spending my time right or wasting too much time. Started a real job and not having a lot of free time monday to friday took a toll.  Doing better now but i still feel this song resonate with me. Have also been working on an acoustic open mic version so maybe upload that too at some point.

Lyrics:
Life, Ain't a race
But I feel, Behind pace
Strife, has a place
Slowing me down
But I cant wait


Time don't wait for no man
But I'm feeling the clock
Slipping right through my hands
I can't make it stop


What, Do I want
Got what I need, But I'm left to haunt
Shut, out these thoughts,
Pulling me down
Leaving me lost


Time don't wait for no man
But I'm feeling the clock
Slipping right through my hands
I can't make it stop

Time Dont Wait (Demo)

NI based guitarist tryna write and record good songs