NOTE
the vision: full jazz band, 'snarky puppy family dinner' style, funk it up. keep it light and cheesy.
tried hard to use my "indoor voice" on this one for my roommates working from home on the other side of the door. bless their souls.

not even gonna type the lyrics for this one--too basic.

original, recorded on iPhone 7

1   too much too soon (3.27)

NOTE
this one kind of just fell in place. I still don't understand how.
If you listen closely enough you'll hear the birds chirping outside, unaffected by COVID-19.
am I feeling actually...proud of this one?

when the warmer days are gone
when my armor is withdrawn
and the night might glow with wondrous hues
but my eyes are tired too

oh it's a long long road to rest
and it's a longer road ahead
but I know I'll find my way
cause I've made it here with you

here with you

and we'll wait here for the sun
and we'll wait til summer comes
together we'll be still
and I'll be still with you

original, recorded on iPhone 7

2   lullaby (3.27)

NOTES
just a lil something.

you're that one thing
you're that something
there's just something
and I've got nothing

tell me something
give me one thing
I'll give you something

original, recorded on iPhone 7
music video!! https://youtu.be/GaArawmAfTg

3 Something (4.12)

NOTES
Recorded on a day so windy that a gust blew the door to the balcony open while I was recording. Ty shitty weather for fun wind effects.

I think I wanna dive, but I like to stay standing
I think I wanna fly, but what I like most is landing
I think I wanna thrive, but will the ones around me grow?
I wanna feel alive on my own, but I still want someone to hold,
still want someone to hold me

Cause I've been searching for security
the more I find the less I fight
and all my fears fade to obscurity
but in those fears lie my desires

I think I wanna dive, so I can wade in new waters
I think I wanna fly, so my landings are broader
I think I wanna thrive and bring the ones around me along
once I feel alive on my own, I'll find someone just as strong
and we'll get only stronger

original (2018), recorded on iPhone 7

4 I Think (4.13, nov 2018)

the song I've had by far the most difficulty pulling off, time after time. no idea why. it doesn't even sound that intense.

lyrics
and I can't believe
after all we've been through
I get to be with you

and after all this time
after all these tired days and nights
with you I've found respite

and there's so much wrong
and we don't know what to do
but there's something right
right here with you

and there's so much wrong
and we don't know where to start
but there's something right
right here with you in my heart

so rest your mind with me
I know we've both got insecurities
but here together we'll set them free

so rest your mind with me
we'll make way for vulnerability
tonight it's all about you and me

and tomorrow we'll get up
and show them what we're made of
and tomorrow we'll go out
and show them what we're made of
and again and again, we'll show the world what we're made of
but tonight it's only us
and we both know we're enough

original, written oct 2019, recorded 4.27.20 on iPhone 7

6   rest your mind (4.27, oct 2019)

An audio-visual poem, an exchange, in a moment in time.
"Icarus" by April, postlude by me.

Original video: https://youtu.be/Dg80q4zUNMk

Recorded separately as a duo

7 "Icarus" & postlude (5.21) - collab w/ April Zhu

When my over-trained mind nitpicks too much over diff takes, I choose the first take, out of principle and to punish myself. Enjoy.

Video recording: https://youtu.be/ufM6TnIJ15w

Lyrics reference April Zhu's "Icarus"

8 April's Postlude (Part II) (5.22)

For accountability’s sake
graceming.com (Portfolio)
@ bygraceming (Instagram)

Grace Ming

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