I started writing a lyric and didn't know where else to go with it - "I don't wanna live off a desert highway" and most of the first verse - I suppose some focus on isolation, limited recourses, then I watched Joe Rogan on Netflix (stand up) talking about these people that have elected to be the first travellers to Mars, going on to highlight that there's one very simple activity they could do that would change their minds forever - send them to the desert!  And as a result, I found myself making Mars the focal point. 


Ukuleles featured here, Clearwater Concert (High G) - composite back, solid spruce top - love this uke (quite cheap too), and a Kala U-Bass, in addition to a couple of extra sounds!

I Don't Wanna Go To Mars

It's clearly not finished, a demo - need to think about it a bit more, but like it enough to share. 

With a lot of recent experience doing mindfulness, with apps like Sam Harris' Waking Up app, I have become really curious about things like MDMA, and Psilocybin. I get a lot out of meditation but would like to experience something like the visions we saw Dr Strange experience in that Marvel movie, for example, and things like that, just to connect with something completely different, within the same physical environment, as led by a somewhat drug induced sense of perspective. I tried ecstasy when I was in my early 20s, and had one particularly good night with it, remember it vividly, which seems strange, but that was the end of it. In any case it's not that youthful soul of mine, of way back when (long since dead) yearning to experience a stimulant like this, it's a rather more curious adult in me in search of something different! (I'm not about to drift into anything like this - it's just a sense of wonder). 

Main instrument here is my Islander Tenor Ukulele, and a bit of light piano.

Ecstasy

Not sure where I was with this one - sense of feeling a little stuck in a rut, I guess.  I at least say as much in the lyrics.  Free wheeled a little with the lyrics - I guess it's going somewhere or other.

So far the Same

Not the best example of homemade production values out there, but as scrappy as it might seem I like it regardless! 

Lyrics (speaks for itself I think - shouldn't need to explain it). 

Oh how time flies away
I fail to see through the days
And I don't really know a thing about the signs - the in betweens
A sudden change is all I seem to see

I'd love to slow down
Put the fire out
I love to calm down
Not miss the next round

Oh how things just disappear all alone 
Another year has blown away the sun I feel so cold
I go to sleep, and wake up old
Another change has come to me

I'd love to slow down
Put the fire out
Shine light where i've found
A clock I've unwound

I'd really like to know
Why I don't cool down in the snow
Why i'm running on the wind
Why I can't just stem the flow I'm in
I'm burning through the sky
Like a comet in the night
You might remember for a spell
But gone as far as you can tell!

I'd like to slow down
Put the fire out
I love to calm down
Not miss the next round

I'd love to slow down
Put the fire out
Shine light where i've found
A clock I've unwound

Slow Down

This was inspired by the following BBC artical.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08jjh3x

Although, it's turned into more of a love song to a stalker, can at least be interpretted that way.  That was unintended, but there we go! 

In searching for a "fly on the wall" image on Google, I was annoyed to find this was also the title to a Miley Cyrus song - ah well! 

Lyrics...

You could just watch me through the window
To see a little glimmer show 
of my life much like a bird at rest
It’s the one place that I’m at my best

You could just watch me while I’m eating,
Watching TV, pick my toes, and sleepin 
Who knows how well, can you see through my shell?
Who knows what I dream underneath your spell

You’re like a fly on the wall
One that silently crawls
I don’t see you at all but I feel
A little shift in the air
While I whisper alone
It’s the only way you’ll see me for real

You needn’t hide you’ve got this covered
These lights inside mean that I won’t discover
What might lay outside, gazing with those scoped eyes
Kind of out of mind, in the dark of night

No need to stop I won’t know better
You may just pass by fade much like the weather
Guess I’d never know, won’t feel what you admire
Like a worm in sight of birds upon a wire

You’re like a fly on the wall
One that silently crawls
I don’t see you at all but I feel
A little shift in the air
While I whisper alone
It’s the only way you’ll see me for real

Fly On The Wall

Written when I had a bad cold I just couldn't escape.  Kept hold of an old recording of it, with my cold and flu strained voice, and then re did the vocal two years later. It's evidently about a little more than a wish to escape the cold I was suffering with, I guess it reinforced something of a negative bias at the time it was written. 

In some ways it feels like I wondered somewhere into the 90s to write this one! Lol!

I'd Like it if ...

I wrote and uploaded this prior to Ukraine getting attacked as it has, and their demonstrable resolve.  I think it fits, to some extent! 


Originally, this was written with a particular friend in mind, a particularly resilient individual!

The vocal has been getting on my nerves - sounds deep enough in the mix on my main headphones, but on anything else it's too damned loud, and drowns out the backing.  Then I've mixed it on other headphones as well, and find it goes out of whack in other ways when I put my main set on - causing an unhelpful mixing conflict! Comes about from not being a pro I guess! 

Anyway, it's a positive message, least I think so - about acceptance, and how we adapt in the face of change and other challenges, but ultimately not wishing for anything different to our lived experience.

It's a warrior song I guess, about someone shaped by their experiences, who wouldn't be without them, wouldn't undo them, on account of having a certain sense of strength that can be attributed them, and ultimately being at peace with what they've come to be, in light of all experiences.  I visualised all sorts of things, but ultimately it focusses on resilience in the face of new difficulties life throws at you , and feeling more equiped than we would have been way back when... it's that sort of thing.

Water Rises

Feel a need, again, to date this particular one, given it's 19/20 years old, at least the recording is. Wrote this in 1998 though, so it's nearly 24 years old.  FFS - time flies!    Anyway it's as it was, only i've added some layers to give it a little extra something. I was able to retrieve the original and remix the vocal, which was an unexpected bonus. I've added one or two layers, some modern sounds, but not a lot more than 2 synths (really love Aparillo).

I thought I might just try and re do this, as it's old, but there's something I still like about it, in particular it transporting me back to when it was made in 2002, while actively living a dream to make it somehow in the music industry. I keenly remember the enthusiasm I was struck by back then.

Anyway, this is upload 3 from an album, if you like, that I slung together - called it "Red" - one of the song's titles.  Some of the tracks have some naff lyrics, but so far those I've uploaded seem safe.

No (1998)

15 years old, at this time, at least the original recording I did is. The only thing that remains in this from 2006 is the vocal.  I guess I could have re-recorded it, but I wanted to keep a lock onto something from the time I originally wrote and recorded it.  The original backing is little to be desired, these days at least!      

I like how everything has come together in this, especially in the verses - almost sounds like a small group recording a single take, maybe not 100%, but I think it sounds reasonably natural. 

Continuing to adjust old songs right now, in the interests of connecting with that time, way back when I had dreams, very particulary ones anyway!

History for Myself

The only thing from the original recording is the vocal, me in 2002.  I've kept the original vocal because I like how I stylised it, though not entirely sure what I was aiming for here - memory doesn't serve me all that well! It's got the benefits of being a voice about 19/20 years younger than the present one!  I'm by no means an old fart, but have a notably different voice at 42 to the one I had at 22! I did try to re record a lyric, just a couple of words, won't say which bit, only because it was a lyric I didn't love, but sadly made the voice difference glaringly obvious, which seemed worse to me! 

Not sure about my genre pick - I tend to mess those up!

Lyrics

You always tell me that I'm looking fine
I know you know I've got things on my mind
I know I've been lost and, in the freeze,
Been beaten down, the bruises only I can see!

I feel the cold wind cut close to the bone
At times when I feel like I’m on my own
But no, I ‘m still me 
I’m still me!

Just need a little recovery
Try and be the way I used to be
And see the things I used to see
A smile on my face
But smiles can be misplaced
In time, can be erased
But mine will be replaced
Will be replaced!

You exorcize the things that haunt my soul
Can leap through fire when I’m not alone
But no I'm not brave
My life's another slay
Inner punches by my fist alone
Struggles twine themselves around my throat
But no I'm still me
I’m still me!

Just need a little recovery
Try and be the way I used to be
And see the things I used to see
A smile on my face
But smiles can be misplaced
In time, can be erased
But mine will be replaced
Will be replaced!

Sometimes I feel like there’s just no way out
Feel like my body’s knocked into the ground
I know I seem to have lost all control
My frail image might have lost it’s soul

But I know, still, I won’t go! 

Just need a little recovery
Try and be the way I used to be
And see the things I used to see
A smile on my face
But smiles can be misplaced
In time, can be erased
But mine will be replaced
Will be replaced!

Recovery

I wrote this in 2004.  I forgot about it, and quite by accident found it lurking in a box of paperwork just the other day.  I've had a few nice finds like that recently.  This one was a nice find, and turned out to be remarkably relevant with consideration to feelings I'm locked into at this present time, because of which I thought I'd record it.  I did change a couple of lyrics, to better link it to me as I am now, and make it a little better, but otherwise, it's how it was some 18 years ago.

Stop!

Recorded this today, 5th Jan 2022, wrote it 6th Sept 1999 - as a 19 year old sprite.   Another lyric I found while trawling through piles of old paperwork.  I didn't record it previously, but I was able to quite easily remember the melody and chords.  Seemed weird to remember it like that, but then again I must have played it a lot to myself at the time.

I started singing it lower than it was originally, thinking my voice couldn't handle the higher register, but then I just threw myself into it, and I think managed to pull it off.  Starts in a lower register, but then changed gear, which paid off better than I thought it would.

She'll Be Coming Round Again

Wrote this in 2006, but the original chorus was really odd, and in listening back to it I couldn't work out what on earth I was thinking, so this is an updated version.  The verses are pretty much as they were in 2006, though have adjusted the melody a little bit, and the chorus is entirely new, middle 8 added too, those parts written in 2022.

Too Much Fear

Written in 2004.  Recent recording (21/01/22). It was previously very fluffy and jazzy, back in 2004, but now it's a bit more brooding.  I quite like it like this, though it still lends itself quite nicely to a more jazzy approach.

It should sound a little brighter I guess - "I've got it made" - so I could maybe adjust the lyrics to suit the new mood a little better.  It was originally written with a family friend's wedding in mind, I was asked to play some stuff live, and thought it might be nice to write a little something.  I'm not sure I actually got around to playing it in the end, so feel a need to make it more me than them - this wasn't written with my own experiences of love in mind - though maybe it was to some extent when I think about lyrics like "even through the rough and weeds..." in there.

Lyrics

You see we’re still alright
Nothing seems to hurt us as we are
We sometimes take a bashing but we’re stronger now
Nothing seems to want to let us down
You see nothing quite compares
Cause I’m the only one who’s got you there
It seems I’ll spend a lifetime knowing I’m okay
And even through the rough and weeds I’d love to stay

I’ve got it made

Yeah it seems I’m on the brighter side, I never saw before
Doesn’t look like there’s a darker side for me here anymore
I’ve weighed up my old tear and know most I won’t cry again   
And it seems I’ve closed past chapters, ripped them up to start again
Cause it seems I’m on the mend
 
Cause I’ve felt love nothing beats this
I’m not afraid if I fall to pieces
See I feel love 
And I know I can’t resist
The meaning of your kiss

***Interlude

Yeah it seems I’m on the brighter side, I never saw before
Doesn’t look like there’s a darker side for me here anymore
I’ve weighed up my old tear and know most I won’t cry again   
And it seems I’ve closed past chapters, ripped them up to start again
Cause it seems I’m on the mend
 
Cause I’ve felt love nothing beats this
I’m not afraid if I fall to pieces
See I feel love 
And I know I can’t resist
The meaning of your kiss

You see we’re still alright
Nothing seems to hurt us as we are
It seems I’ll spend a lifetime knowing I’m okay
And even through the rough and weeds I’d love to stay

I’ve got it made

I've Got It Made

Originally written and recorded in 2002.  The vocal is still 2002, only there is a 2022 line adjustment in this mix that I think I've been able to get away with, at least to some extent with a voice that's 20 years older!

I did want to re-record some of the "fine" segments, did actually, only with my 42-year-old voice the "fine" vocals were rather whiney, and felt too different tonally for me to get away with that bit especially, so had to knock that on the head. 

It's about how I think I saw myself as a friend, at the time - and at that time I don't think I was much of a friend to myself, in that I directed attention towards the needs of others in a way that was quite unhealthy for me - in quite a dysfunctional way when I think about it - a senseless, more often than not drunk, idiot!  Still, the sentiments here remain quite nice - only my boundaries are somewhat better defined these days! 

Anyway, there's another mix of it if you scroll down my tracklist.

I'll See You Fine

Mostly 2006.   

I tried to re-do the vocal, however my 2022 (42-year-old) voice couldn't quite seem to handle the falsetto moments.  Well, sort of falsetto, odd words here and there, little moments where it probably wasn't done properly back then either!  Could sing them away from the mic, a little light practice around the house, yet the moment I sang in time to the backing track they all fell apart - breathless, nearly zero sound failures.  Breathing might have been a bit off.  

I did a new recording of the vocal, without going into falsetto, wasn't in love with it, but found I was able to use segments of the new recording to improve sections of the original, and it pleased me to notice that my present voice generally speaking wasn't too far away, and I think I've gotten away with a mixed vocal here - a recording of me in 2006 and 2022.

Anyway, I'm convinced I've gotten away with a voice 16 years younger and older than itself in this one - however that's what my ears are willing to believe - however to you the difference may be glaringly obvious - fingers crossed not!

Lots of hiss in the original backing - but ah well, I don't mind a bit of that!

Lyrics

I don’t feel like I need to cry,  though I feel tears around my eyes
There’s too much that I recognise, it’s serious!
I wish that I could beat the ghost, the one thing that I loved the most
Has once again gone up in smoke, you’re done with us!
And I can’t breath, it’s so deceiving, what I believed in every day
Could you see me sick from trying, while you were hiding yourself away?

I see things differently to you
Regretfully it’s true
I’m not delirious
I’m serious
I’ve given everything to you
Got nothing left to use
I’m feeling weakness
I’m speechless
And it is over my head
I can’t help what you’ve left
I’ve no control and I’m best
Just taking on what you said

Don’t feel like I’m ashamed but I can’t believe how hard I tried
To smooth the rough, ignore your lies, it’s ludicrous!
I can’t believe I loved you most, to you I was nothing just a joke
So you could laugh when I turned to smoke, I’m furious!
Cause you were fooling my head, held me with lies in my bed.
Thought you were more than you said, and I saw more in my head!

I see things differently to you
Regretfully it’s true
I’m not delirious
I’m serious
I’ve given everything to you
Got nothing left to use
I’m feeling weakness
I’m speechless
And it is over my head
I can’t help what you’ve left
I’ve no control and I’m best
Just taking on what you said

I See Things Differently To You (Piano/vocal)

I thought this, as a demo, was good enough to upload - it's far away from where I'm likely going to go with it, but good enough, at least I think so.   Not 100% on the lyrics at this moment, nor the arrangement.

It's about death, and dread in that regard, hoping for the best, trying to live with and ignore it at the same time.  A movie I liked a whole lot called A Ghost Story (where the pic comes from), came a little bit to mind, and is the only reason I've put that picture up with it, though it's not really about that, though the first verse somewhat is a little like that, a little.

For Heaven's Sake! (Demo)

Right then, my first COLLAB.  OneSixTwo offered to mix up our styles, and it was a fun thing to experiment with.   We decided it would be cool to mix up both of our styles and see what we could come up with~
let us know what you think in the comments below!
Please also check out OneSixTwo's music by following his page @ https://soundcloud.com/onesixtwo (hope that link works) 

If interested to know, OneSixTwo did all the backing, the mixing, and the vocal that clearly isn't me (spoken section), I wrote the melody for the verse and the refrain, sung that bit, gave him those recordings, and he otherwise did all that rest. 

Thank you!

Honey On My Mind Ft. OneSixTwo

Lyrics - Old Shoes (I'll Just Make Do)

I guess ill make do with the phone that ive got
I’ll make it through, guess I’ve had most of my shots
I might look slowed down but got my own sense of pace
I don’t really mind please trust the look on my face

You see all I’ve got, 
Isn't limited to these teeth I should floss (we all get nagged about this - we nagged him about a lot more)
It seems you believe I’ve got all I need
In this boxful of frogs (I used to think he possibly had ADHD)
It’s not all I’ve got, in this willing mind
For holes in my socks
You see I’ve got what I’ve got
And I can just about make anything rock!

There’s so much I’d like but ain’t that life - 
Missing something that I really could use?
But I guess I don’t have too much to loose!
Sure there’ll be a time I’d come to know
You’ve got something new I just can’t own
But it would loose
Something with use
Not like these old shoes
Don’t need something new
I’ll just make do

Sometimes it’s for money, sometimes cause I’m alone
But I’ve got good reason hell this work ain’t a joke
I may get a pittance, but hey that’s just what you get
When you care about something else far more than your bed (more than your own comfort is what I'm driving at)

Might seem like all I’ve got, 
Is quite limited, but it’s not
There’s so much more I’ve come to believe in
That’s a whole lot more important to me and
See all I’ve got
Is a willing mind, might be more than you’ve got
Might be something you’re not able to see
But there’s so much less here bothering me

There’s so much I’d like but ain’t that life - 
Missing something that I really could use?
But I guess I don’t have too much to loose!
Sure there’ll be a time I’d come to know
You’ve got something new I just can’t own
But it would loose
Something with use
Not like these old shoes
Don’t need something new
I’ll just make do


For Jay, https://soundcloud.com/jay-hughes-30 , a friend of mine who died over the weekend, at 47 yrs.

I appear to have caught covid at the get-together with friends in the pub that day, this was after we heard Jay had passed away, so naturally all the covid barriers were forgotten about.  

In any case, while feeling utterly miserable with Covid symptoms, have tested positive, I thought I'd try and write something to distract myself, and I guess because I've been thinking a lot about my friend, this is what came of it. 

It's written with him in mind, as he seemed in life, imagining some things from his perspective - he didn't earn a lot, worked really hard, and did really well making the best out of what he had - not up to date with trends, couldn't afford to be.  In so far as making the best of what he had was concerned, he really did, which more often than not concerned time spent with particular people, and really embracing simple pleasures!    None of it was easy for him though, he was down about areas of life, and some of those simple pleasures were driven towards altered states of perseption, mostly with a drink, in addition to other persuits!  I wonder what other worlds he went to in some of those moments!

In any case, focusing on "old shoes" because somethings really do improve with wear! Most of Jay's stuff was really well worn, and loved too! (Not on about his clothing - this was a guy really happy with a Wii, an age old Xbox, etc, while evey other bugger was keeping up to date with all sorts of trends left and right, and Jay had limitations, money induced, but boy did he love what he could use).

Old Shoes (I'll just make do) For Jay

Quite early on with this one, but here it is anyway...

Happy End (Demo)

This is written about Alex Honnold, and similar folk I suppose! Though not completely on the nose in that regard, however he was an influence for this one. 

Evidently watching Free Solo has had an effect, enough for me to process it in a manner I do with most things that disturb me, write it down and sing through it! Oh no, it wasn't free solo, but his new one in VR - Quite a surprising experience!

Started to write a song, just thought I'd see what came out, and this just jumped forward, still lingering in the back of my mind somewhere it seems.
Lyrics

I'm hanging in the balance
the scene is set
Feels like I'm gonna lose my grip here
That's a safe bet! (might change to "on my ascent")
I'll take it slow
It's good to know
The threat is real
Here's the deal

The Devil's in the details
Or so it seems
Regardless of my cause
What I believe
There's no clear road
But it's good to know
Feel out the plan
With just my hands

I’m hanging in the balance and it’s real I know
I guess it’s good to show
At least I’ve got some balance between good and bad
Although I might seem mad
I’m hanging in the balance and I guess it feels, 
Not that it should, but a little good, cause it’s real
Even if I lose the deal

I might slam the ground 
But only feel the fall
Otherwise, I'm just another spider
On the wall
Guess I'll move slow
No web to throw
My soul will crawl
My will will forestall the fall

I’m hanging in the balance and it’s real I know
I guess it’s good to show
At least I’ve got some balance between good and bad
Although I might as well be made of glass                  
I’m hanging in the balance and I guess it feels, 
Not that it should, but a little good, cause it’s real
Even if I lose the deal

I’m hanging in the balance and it’s real I know
I guess it’s good not just to show, but to grow
At least I’ve got some balance between good and bad
Although I might seem mad
I’m hanging in the balance and I guess it feels, 
Not that it should, but a little good, cause it’s real
Even if I lose the deal

In the Balance (quirky demo about Alex Honnold)

Written in 2008, part of the vocal is from then, but only the droning "Low" backing vocal, the rest I re-recorded.

Lyrics 

I’m so low
I’m in pain
If I was high 
I’d be insane
I’m so low 
It’s not okay
I don’t know why 
I feel so strange

I’m so low
It’s like a plague
I’ve got stones
In my rib cage
I’m so low
It’s such a waste
Forever lost
Inside this place                 

I wouldn’t know when the winter comes
It’s summertime but I don’t feel the sun
This winter chill, it breaks my bones
It seems so cold I barely fill my lungs

I’ve lost my flow, caught in the snow
I’ve no way home, I feel so low

I’m so low
I’m afraid
I might die
It seems I’ve strayed
I’m so low
Lost my way
These clouded eyes 
Can’t find my sleigh

Lost my way

I’m so low
Forgot my name
Might find it somewhere
On a grave
I’m so low
I've got no trace
Frozen like
I’m lost in space

I wouldn’t know when the winter comes
It’s summertime but I don’t feel the sun
This winter chill, it breaks my bones
It seems so cold I barely fill my lungs

I’ve lost my flow, caught in the snow
I’ve no way home, I feel so low


As far as the lyrics go - at the time I was working in a very, very challenging hospital environment, surrounded by young girls wanting little more than death for the most part (on account of some pretty dreadful early life experiences), in a mental health, somewhat secure hospital environment - and such experiences have an effect! I can at least place myself where I was at the time anyway and, because of what I'm droning on about, it must relate to that particular nugget of work experience! 

I used to hate that job, really took it out of me, and I remember feeling quite resentful, towards myself, for putting myself back in that situation.   I left that job once before, and lived in China for the best part of a year, ended up going back home, full of dreams, but ended up back in my old job!  What a bloody misery - much different now thank goodness - onwards and upwards!

Low (2008)

14 Pieces, largely composed 2013/2014, with some exceptions; 'Paris Par Nuis 1st' was a GCSE Music piano composition composed in 1995, tweaked in 2013, and 'Paris Par Nuis 2nd,' started in 1996, left it, then decided to pick it up and finish it in Feb 2014, can't remember where it would have gone had I bothered to finish it 18 years ago, but I’m very happy with what came out of it. Nearly all composed strictly for the purposes of my own enjoyment (2013 and 2014), a wedding or two (2007 and 2012), and in the end, after 43 mins worth, I thought it might be nice for me to share this particular hobby of mine.  I've come to enjoy doing this far more than any of my former compositions, songs mostly, when I was stricken with delusions about singer/songwriter success, while remaining firmly rooted to one spot.   All tracks in this play list were entirely written by me, Nathan Passchier, but I would like to make note of influences in mind, most of the time, including artists such as Erik Satie, Michael Nyman, Philip Glass, Franz Liszt, however I do hope that isn't entirely clear in the hearing, however 'Paris Par Nuis' should, I suppose, be something of a dead giveaway.  Another influence, one that inspired my 'Variations,' is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, however my own Variation on a Theme, isn't quite up to that particular standard.  In any case I'm delight with this little compilation of Piano pieces I've written so far, this is all of them, and I very much look forward to making more.

A Strange Dream (2013)

This is quite simply about the ongoing lockdown situation, and living life a lot differently.  It's not a sad song, but it does make vague references to trials and tribulations that occur when following the rules in that regard.   I'm hopeful it might be meaningful in other ways too, however, it's most certainly inspired by the current situation.  Wishing my time away in the most positive sense... 

(Part of a collection of songs to be uploaded, or album if you like, if I like, but more of a playlist with a title - A Place for all the Lost Things, me and my songs generally, and other things too).

A Place for all the Lost Things

Wishing My Time Away

Independent Alternative. Having had difficulties with anxiety most of my adult life, I wanted to write something that represents how I can sometimes feel when riding that particular wave.  It's quite rough, which also represents those feelings somewhat.

You Poor Old Anxious Soul

Not a break up song, though it sounds like one, and could easily be one.  It's more about being your own worst enemy, and the unhelpful things we do for and to ourselves, being hopeless and helpless in that regard, and carrying on regardless. Talking about myself and to myself.  This isn't how I am all the time, but when I indulge in certain behaviours I can quite often become quite short sighted.  I think we can all be like that sometimes, the worst possible company for ourselves.  Not completely on the nose in that regard, lyrically, but that's what I'm driving at.   How we fall apart when it comes to body and soul I guess.

How We Fall Apart

This really is a song about everyone - as best as I could possibly dream up anyway.  In light of the ongoing pandemic, in reflection I allowed this to seem in my mind like something of a foreshadowing.  I wrote it in November 2019, and then the Coronavirus descended upon us in January (in the news anyway), showing just how vulnerably everyone makes everyone.  Weird little coincidence for me. Anyway, hopefully I can get away with saying this one is about everyone.  This is a personal favourite for me, one of those ones that worked really well - at least in my opinion.

Everyone

Didn't know where to put this - in the Genre area.

I used to smoke - not a lot (well - doing it at all is too much), but enough to be completely hooked into it.  My best smokes were the ones that were accompanied by friends and alcohol.  Actually, some of the best ones came in breaks from work, when able to get permission to sneak an extra little break in.  I then stopped smoking in the day, making it a social/drink only venture, however that instead meant I was drunk most nights.   "My Old Friend" seemed a suitable play on words, in so far as how it connected me to certain people, while also to itself, when even alone with one (a cigarette) I felt saved for a brief period!

This is a love song to that time and, because of the addiction aspect, not allowing the potential draw backs to get in the way of the relationship.  

I started vaping 10 years ago, went crazy with that to start with, and spent a long while taking it down to 0% nicotine, and now, thankfully, I barely even touch that anymore - though will occasionally.  

It's so disgusting, smoking, and yet totally and utterly seductive too.

(Doesn't really mix well with the other songs I've posted, however I'd hate to put people under the impression I only write and record one type of thing).

My Old Friend

All the "sugar" bits in the lyrics were entirely random, while i put the song together, and then it just morphed into what it eventually became, me never changing those original lyrics. The sugar in this songs story is missing, representing a desperate craving for a return of something.   Doesn't have to be another person, could be anything we feel otherwise hooked on.

This track uses two live Ukulele's - A baritone, and a U-Bass.   Might seem an odd pick, the baritone uke at least, given it's quite light, but I like the contrast it brings here. 

The chorus was actually really tough to sing (not a lot of air room) - don't know if I'd be able to do it live with much ease!

LYRICS - Sugar!

Come out sugar the reeds, sugar my trees, sugar those leaves

Hey babe where did you go, 
please don’t you leave me all alone, 
feels like I’m slipping to new lows
Hey babe you’re all I need, 
the colour’s slipped out of my tree, 
a winter chill has crippled me

Come out sugar the reeds, sugar my trees, sugar those leaves

Hey babe why did you leave, 
can’t grab the air that’s in this breeze, 
without you near I fail to breath
Hey babe please don’t toy, 
I feel too much like a little boy, 
but one without his needed joy

Don’t come around to put me down
Don’t come around to send me out
Don’t come around to make me drown
Just come around with your sweet sound
Please come around to feed it to me
Everything I need I need it
Come around to help me feel the sugar in your heart I’m bleeding
 
Come out sugar the reeds, sugar my trees, sugar those leaves

Hey babe see my heart, 
I’ve torn away at this rough bark, 
I’m reeling from the shock you’ve sparked
Hey babe I can’t rest, 
I just wanna make an arrest, 
no other answer to this test!

Come out sugar the reeds, sugar my trees, sugar those leaves

Hey babe feel the free, 
but please come back to a you and me, 
bring back some life - a little green!
Hey babe please don’t set, 
me alight I’d like to bet, 
with a little time we’ll be the best - and always will be!  

Don’t come around to put me down
Don’t come around to send me out
Don’t come around to make me drown
Just come around with your sweet sound
Please come around to feed it to me
Everything I need I need it
Come around to help me feel the sugar in your heart I’m bleeding

Come out sugar the reeds, sugar my trees, sugar those leaves

Sugar!

Be warned, if you dig in too deeply, you'll see just how incredibly inconsistent I am, from a production standpoint.  My "Popular Tracks" tab area, and "Spotlight" might all be reasonably respectable zones to wonder around though, maybe!  

Gradually going through them all, and giving them a touch up, in some vein effort to make them much more polished! 

For some of the evident demo tracks, those with bugger all going on, I'm open to collaborating, as would be nice to get another mind in the mix, to steer me away from my typical approach!

There's quite a bit of schmultz and schlock here and there, given the amount I've put on here so far.  Need to sort out some well cobbled together playlists, because of my random approach to uploading.  There are nuggets of goodness here though, however taste dependent.  I'm sharing most things as they are though, even the ones I don't like so much at the moment, because other people like/love things I don't, and hate things I do like/love, and some might have ideas and a will to collaborate. 

If you're playing something of mine - thanks!! They're all written and recorded at home - and as I've suggested just a bunch of rough and ready demo's combined with a few slightly better polished bits and bobs, odds and sods.   

Please comment, give suggestions, etc... if I'm honest, I think I tend to bring my voice a bit too forward in my mixes - only clear to me when I listen with different headphones!  Someone highlighted my vocal mixes seem a little more to the right, which is unintentional - something I need to look at.  So, anything like that is appreciated.

Also, my genre lables might make some raise an eyebrow, upon listening, but only because I don't always know what the best fit is, which may be evident, so even comments that give me a better idea about how it sounds to others would be good.  

I must really annoy my neighbours! I play the piano, also the ukulele.  I like what I do - got to share it, otherwise I'm the only bugger who ever hears it (other than my neighbours, in the most unwelcome manner)!  It's all me, and only me, playing this and that, using things like Komplete (NI) and Play (EWQL) for sound samples of instruments I can't play myself - drums, brass, strings, guitar - all of which sequenced in Cubase 10.  I need to get a better handle of soundcloud, wonder around in search of similar people, listen, say hi, and maybe get listened to too!  Otherwise I'll only have those soundcloud bots, or whatever they are, offering hundereds of followers and similar rubbish!  Getting less of those now.  I do tend to send people messages when I follow, with a playlist - not being pushy, just a networking thing I suppose!  Anyway, ultimately I'm just trying to ensure my listeners, likes, and comments are all real, otherwise it's all meaningless.

Dirk Diamond

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