You'd walk past it
Most do
Paint chipped like bad decisions
One leg shorter than it used to be
Still, it waits
Under that half-dead tree

Enters girl, maybe seventeen?
Big sunglasses, bigger bubble tea
and a mop of joy named Pickle
Yes, she named the dog Pickle

She sits, cross-legged, like a question mark
tells Pickle he's a star
Snaps twenty-five angles
of one floppy ear and one historic bench

Caption?
"Look who found the philosopher's throne
😊😊😂❤️
#deepbarkthoughts"

Pickle pees on the tree
Bench approves
Tree does not comment

Then: a man and a woman
The date
They bring mulled wine in a thermos
Sit sideways, legs tangled like headphones in a drawer
He says something about stars
She says something about Lady Gaga
They kiss somewhere in the middle

A busker walks by singing Wonderwall
They tip him a sandwich and a smile
Bench approves
God of music sighs

Third act: Old man
Corduroy jacket in summer
Hands folded like quiet apologies

He doesn't speak
Doesn't blink much either
Just feeds pigeons one crumb at a time
like each one is a password to another day

He might be waiting
Or forgetting
Or remembering wrong on purpose

Bench knows his name
And age
And weight
And history
Doesn't say it out loud
Not polite

Pickle runs past again
He is twice as large now
The couple, now maybe married, maybe not, walk by
With a stroller

The old man doesn't come anymore
The bench doesn't judge
It just
Is there

The Bench

When I Went Away ( free download mp3 )

Those once used captcha phrases inspired a new age lyricist as well, and a new age composer gladly took over the next job -- again leaving me to arrange, mix and produce the whole presentation. And yes, there are topsy turvy and cats' pajamas as well ... 

Silly World

Tragédie dans ma tasse de café

The city holds its breath behind the stone,
The windows blinded, voices worn and thin.
Each heart is beating silently, alone,
Afraid to let the wider world come in.
The silent streets in shades of grey are cast,
A heavy quiet where no new thing grows,
A generation frozen in the past.

But from the cracks, a single green shoot climbs,
A whispered word that turns into a song.
A bell that for a different future chimes,
Where fragile hands are suddenly made strong.

We call, we call!
Hear our voices call!
More courage, more courage!
Before we all fall.
We stand, we stand!
A light in the land.
More courage, more courage!
We demand!
More courage, more courage, now!

They have no sword of steel, no battle-cry,
Their only shield, a truth they hold inside.
Their courage is a language for the sky,
A root that runs beneath the turning tide.
They walk against the wind of what has been,
To face the towers, powerful and tall,
To let a new and hopeful era in.

And from the stone, a single green shoot climbs,
A whispered word that turns into a song.
A bell that for a different future chimes,
Where fragile hands are suddenly made strong!

We call, we call!
Hear our voices call!
More courage, more courage!
Before we all fall.
We stand, we stand!
A light in the land.
More courage, more courage!
We demand!
More courage, more courage, now!

To wake the lion sleeping in the halls
Of power, deaf to all our pleading calls.
To turn the tide, to let the future bloom,
And chase the shadows from this silent room.
A single voice becomes a rising sea...
For you and me!

We rise, we rise!
See the new sun rise!
More courage, more courage!
Fills the skies.
We are, we are!
A burning star!
More courage, more courage!
Here we are!
More courage, now!

—
Arrangement and vocals: Volker Redder, Udio, Apple's GarageBand
Loops and samples: Volker Redder, Apple's GarageBand
Editing and sound design: Volker Redder, Ozone 11, Sound Studio, VirtualDJ, GarageBand
Lyrics: Volker Redder, translated with the help of Google Translate
Cover design: Volker Redder, Adobe Photoshop, FLUXpro, Apple's Keynote

More Courage, Now!

_Prison de Verre_

Bernie's Tune (Cover)

_Je Suis le Monstre_

Audio Visualizer: https://youtu.be/g2rQjc2mZLs

from the album 'Royal Bizkit' - https://sparkybonehead.bandcamp.com/album/royal-bizkit

Ȼaravan  (from the album 'Royal Bizkit')

The rap lyrics based on those captcha phrases inspired another rap tune, with beefed up organ, drums and other gimmicks. 

topsy spin

“Instrumental, dark, and atmospheric electronic music; creating a cinematic feel with ambient textures, strings, and synth melodies.”

Old Blacklist

"Redder" is a palindrome. Like "racecar" or "level". These pieces of music ain't.

Hi, I’m Volker – or "docredder"/"redder" when it comes to music. My journey into sound started early: as a child I sang Bach in a boys’ church choir, and that’s when I discovered how music can feel like both mathematics and magic at the same time. Later in life, I studied science and technology, but music has always stayed with me, as a way to process emotions, ideas, and imagination.
I’m not a virtuoso on any instrument, just a little guitar and some keyboard, but that never stopped me. For me, music is not about technical perfection, it’s about creating moods, telling small stories, and experimenting with sounds. That’s why I produce everything myself: the writing, the arrangements, the vocals, the mixing, and even the cover artwork. It’s a DIY approach, but it allows me to keep every piece authentic.
My influences are eclectic. I’ve always admired the timeless soundscapes of Pink Floyd and Genesis, the storytelling of Supertramp, the bold arrangements of Yes, Electric Light Orchestra and Muse, and the free spirit of Miles Davis. From progressive rock and indie pop to touches of jazz, funk, or ambient - I enjoy blending different textures until something new emerges.
Over the past years I’ve released a wide range of tracks, from introspective ballads like "Lament of the Last Generation" and "The End of Our Human Days" to playful experiments such as "Anna Sutter" or "Das Sein im Tinder-Schein". Some songs are melancholic, others ironic, some are inspired by literature, history, or science fiction. What connects them all is that they come straight from the heart - and from curiosity.
Every song is a little adventure for me. Sometimes it begins with a lyric, sometimes with a guitar loop, sometimes just with a feeling. I use simple tools like GarageBand, samples, my own voice and AI voices, but I try to arrange and transform them in ways that keep the listener surprised. My hope is that, even if just for a few minutes, the music opens a window into a different perspective.
I’m grateful for everyone who listens, shares, or gives feedback. Music for me is about connection - and every play, every comment, every message makes this journey worthwhile. If you enjoy honest, handmade songs that mix styles and don’t always follow the rules, I’d love for you to join me on this path.

More Courage, Now!

docredder

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