Cool Rock

Wednesday Collection #57

I feel blessed to be able to keep Alpha Roots’ vibe shining bright for the SoundCloud community to continue to enjoy. 

Alpha Roots sent me these reggae bass and rhythm guitar stem a long time ago, maybe even three years ago in 2016 (bad couch, bad couch)! I originally planned on having Evelyn (of the Reiki Run Rampant tracks on my page) sing over the rhythm but then I moved from Santa Cruz to Portland and she moved from the Pacific Northwest to Santa Cruz, bummer! So the stems sat in my hard drive until new inspiration arrived in the form of Johnny Minstrel, one of favorite song writers on SoundCloud, agreeing to write lyrics and sing over the track. Once Johnny added his deep felt lyrics and magical vocal chords to the mix, the rest of the song came together pretty quickly for me, lol! I often try to put together virtual bands for my tracks and I knew I had to have Jamie Rhind on the track since he worked with Alphio on multiple songs and a reunion was due. I always wanted to work with Jonathan Beckenstein, whose sensitive and thoughtful guitar work is always sublime. Darren and Russ came naturally.  My original drum production work was based on an old Sly Dunbar sample (I like to include the essence of some of my favorite artists in the tracks I work on) but the quality of the drums just wasn’t up to Russ’ standards, hahaha, so we brought Bitzone on board to lay down some drums and voila, roots reggae magic!

Big thanks to the band for coming together on this in fine fashion! Big ups to the SoundCloud community and the spirit of collaboration. Keep on digging! 

And massive thanks to Wou-Wou to bringing his visual arts talent to the project! My goal is to eventually put together a reggae album (possibly a double album which will also include some reggae collaborations between Alpha Roots and friends including Jamie Rhind and Russ Sinfield) with all profits going to the Cancer Research Institute. Be on the look out for a possible dub version of Red Earth Clay as well!!!

Johnny Minstrel: Lyrics and Vocals
https://soundcloud.com/johnny-minstrel
Alpha Roots: Bass and Rhythm Guitar
https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots
Jamie Rhind: Steel Drum
https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind
Jonathan Beckenstein: Lead Guitar
https://soundcloud.com/jonathan_beckenstein
D. D. Danahy: Keyboard
https://soundcloud.com/darren-d-danahy
Bitzone: Drums and Additional Background Vocals
https://soundcloud.com/bitzone
Couch King: Background Vocals and Arrangement
Russell Sinfield: Mixing, Mastering, and Knobs
https://soundcloud.com/russell-sinfield
Wou-Wou & the Wormling: Art
https://soundcloud.com/wouwouandthewormling

Lyrics: 
Hold you tongue don’t wag that finger
Just shine a light on me my friend
Too much fuss will only hinder
All the good things the spirit sends
We were made of dust and fire
Born beneath a brooding sky
On the stairs of Babel we climb higher 
To sights not seen by human eye

And now I dig, dig deep into the 
Red Earth Clay
Dig, dig deep
And I toil for no pay
I dig, dig deep into the
Red Earth Clay
Down to the root I’ll find my way

Some have called democracy into question
Saying we like sheep have gone astray
That it’s been the rich man’s intention
To steel by night and rule by day
I washed your feet with my tears
I wiped them dry with my hair
Can a hungry mouth still offer prayers
Or are they whispers of despair 

And now I dig, dig deep into the 
Red Earth Clay
Dig, dig deep
And I toil for no pay
I dig, dig deep into the
Red Earth Clay
Down to the root I’ll find my way
I dig, dig deep into the
Red Earth Clay
Dig, dig deep
And I toil for no pay
I dig, dig deep into the
Red Earth Clay
Down to the root I’ll find my way

Alpha Roots, J. Minstrel, J.Rhind, J.Beckenstein, D.Danahy, Bitzone, CK, R.Sinfield - Red Earth Clay

Don't declaw your cats. It's really bad for them. Growing up my family always had cats and my parents always had them declawed to keep us safe. That shit's whack, though. It basically fucks over their paws forever and makes it more difficult to balance and walk. Don't do it.

Just the Beginning

Don't Declaw My Cat

Just a random collection of thoughts. I was kind of in my feels when I wrote this, and I always just think about life and shit when I'm in that type of mood. I think the lyrics can resonate with a lot of people. We all have stumbled, we've doubted ourselves, we've gone astray even when we knew the right path. The goal is to get out of your head and LIVE. Do what you know to be right.

Some times I wonder why my life's this way
I've always been alone, no reason to change
I've been on the path and I've been astray
When life's like a losing battle every day
I'm just stuck in my head all the time
Will I ever reach these dreams of mine
Just stuck in my head all the time
So many answers left to find

Some times I wonder if I'll be alright
When darkness closes in and there's no light
When I'm much too weak to keep up the fight
Who'll be there to help, who's on my side
Just stuck in my head all the time
Will I ever reach these dreams of mine
Just stuck in my head all the time
So many answers left to find

Some times I wonder if I'll ever be
Like the kind of man I always see
When I drift away in my daydream
Will I ever amount to anything
Just stuck in my head all the time
Will I ever reach these dreams of mine
Just stuck in my head all the time
So many answers left to find

Stuck In My Head

You can't change your life until you let go of the stuff holding you back. I'd probably already be making a full time income from my music if I hadn't been so fucking addicted to smoking weed and playing video games all day. I'm always gonna fuck with that shit, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I need to put my purpose first.

I want to provide value, to truly reach people, through my music. To do that, I know I've got to put in the time every day to be that kind of musician. I'm on my way, I've made lots of progress. Now I just need to keep walking the path.

I won't back down again
I've learned my lesson
I can't live well when
I give in to temptation

Can't fail myself anymore 
No, I've been shown the way
I've made my decision
And now it's up to faith
All the strength I could ever need
Is already deep inside
I can make a brand new start
And live my life with pride

I won't back down again
I've learned my lesson
I can't live well when
I give in to temptation

Temptation

Just sitting by yourself, thinking about life and all the people you're missing. I think about my dad and how different things would be if he were still alive. I think about the life I want and am moving toward every day. I think of the future, past regrets, everything really.

I'm trying to just live more in the moment. Everything is ok as is. Accept it, then make it better if you must. Nothing can be rushed, everything happens in its own time. I guess I'm just striving for peace.

Faith

Missing You

It's important to know the difference between love and infatuation. Sometimes you gotta learn it the hard way. 

It's crazy because the song this girl is about truly loved me and I loved her. Like all through middle school up until almost 11th grade she was the only girl I really thought about. But I guess that's just how desire works. It comes on strong, but once you finally get what you want, you start wondering if you truly want it after all. I broke up with her in the summer before 11th grade.

She was envisioning a future with me, but I couldn't really even envision a future. 10th grade was when I realized that everything I'd ever done, being an honor roll kid and doing my best in school and sports and shit, all of that was for my parents. For approval, yes, but also out of fear.

Once I stopped fearing my parents I realized I was empty. I didn't know who I was, there wasn't anything I really wanted out of life. I didn't really even particularly want to be alive.

It's sad because she kind of got caught up in my own internal struggle, like collateral damage. She wanted to be with me, but I just wanted nothing. I definitely hurt her, but that was never the intention. I was just numb.

 Last I've heard, she's married now and might even have a kid on the way. I guess things worked out for both of us. I don't want kids and I'm not going to marry, so we probably would've fallen off sooner or later anyway. I wish her nothing but the best.

I'm still kind of ambivalent about love. I miss being loved and touched and cared for and all that shit, but idk if I'm ever really going to have the capacity for something serious like that. Maybe I'll figure it out someday. 

Do you remember when we met that day
In middle school I couldn't look away
The finest girl I had ever seen
I never thought you would fall for me
For five years I loved you from afar
Wondering if my chance would ever start
Then you saw me how I saw you
I thought it was too good to be true

But oh, then you told me
That now you know I'm the one
But soon it occurred to me
This might just be infatuation

Yeah I thought I was in love in the summer 2013
But I soon realized it was all just a dream
I like the idea but now I think
The reality of love might just not be for me
I once wanted you to spend your life with me
There was a time I thought that was everything that I'd need
It sounded kind of nice but now I see
The reality of love might just not be for me

Sure at first I was deep in love
The excitement lasted about six months
We grew more and more serious
It was a stressful experience
You wanted to have a future
But as for me I was so unsure
Just let things be how they will
I wanted time to just stand still

But oh, then you told me
You wanted more than high school romance
I just didn't want to
Grow up and be a man

Yeah I thought I was in love in the summer 2013
But I soon realized it was all just a dream
I like the idea but now I think
The reality of love might just not be for me
I don't even know when things changed for me
But a lifelong commitment seemed so terrifying
No other explanation looking back I think
The reality of love was just never for me

I only love the idea
I don't love the reality
I guess I'm just too self centered
To give you what you want from me
 
I thought I knew what I wanted
But I was more confused than ever
Oh, looking back now
I wish that I'd been up front with her

Yeah I thought I was in love in the summer 2013
But I soon realized it was all just a dream
I like the idea but now I think
The reality of love might just not be for me
You told me that you wanted to marry me
That kind of planning for the future seemed a little extreme
Oh how was I to know at the age of sixteen
That the reality of love might just not be for me

Summer 2013

From the upcoming album 'Consecutive Correlation'
Release: 20.03.2020 digitally worldwide via Tokyo's fantastic label @breadandcakerecords ! Buy/stream it here: https://fanlink.to/KyleEgret-CC 

The song "Die Zeit Ist An Ihrem Platz" is written, performed and produced by Kyle Egret and TOKYO MARRY https://soundcloud.com/tokyomarry

Mastering by TOKYO MARRY 

www.kyleegret.de
www.facebook.com/kyleegret
kyleegret.bandcamp.com/

Die Zeit Ist An Ihrem Platz (with TOKYO MARRY from the album 'Consecutive Correlation' OUT NOW!)


With many thanks to Rian Trench for the drums! 

Lyrics:

This is not your native darkness
I invite you in 
I regret that I encroach upon
your light so long-reaching
What creature am I?
I have been asking
I am no night creature 
but the night does want me

Oooooooooooh

Will you hide from your wolves?
Will you hide, will you hide?
Will you hide from your wolves?
Will you hide, will you hide?
Your unworthinesses, your pets,
your tagalongs,
when you tell them you're done with them
they lie down for a while,
like good dogs.

You're lying down as I write this part
your face breaks my heart 
It's like that thing they say 
I feel we rise from the same clay 
How is it my sky caves in
and through cracks in my darkness
I see you still standing 
in the realm of the sun? 
A smile within your eyes,
counting true things like money;
sorcery is so simple.
I only see that now

Will you hide from your wolves?
Will you hide? Will you hide?
Will you hide from your wolves? 
Will you hide? Will you hide?
Your unworthinesses, 
your pets, your tagalongs,
When you tell them you're done with them
they lie down for a while,
like good dogs.

Allow me to take you for granted 
and I'll be a given
They have seen fit to bestow gifts,
let us not question it.
I look to you when I'm 
not feeling worthy 
and you and only you 
untie all my points of pain.
I am unlearning terror -
Empty promiser,
Inflammation of the soul -
Let's have a new fire

Will you hide from your wolves?
Will you hide? Will you hide?

No Night Creature [Your Wolves]

Two years ago today, on Rudi's birthday, we released "Dream of Hebrides", our first collab. We decided to release another version, we had created, at a later date, but where does the time go, Rudi said this morning.... as it is 2 years later, on this anniversary, that we now give you that version.
A big happy birthday Rudi, and thankyou for letting me share your beautiful music, always magic to work with you <3 
Keep safe and well everyone!

Rudi  - Music, Lyrics, Arrangement and Mixing
Lizzie - Vocals and guitar
Cover picture - Lizzie Pentland " The Starry Selkie"
Lyrics
We are all just grains of sand
But together we form the shore
And we are all just tiny sparks
But we fill the sky with stars

And we are all just breath
But it forms the wind that cradles the grass
And we are all just tiny streams
But together we fill the Sea

An we are all just a moment in time
Just a moment in time
But together Eternity
But together Eternity
But together Eternity

Dream Of Hebrides - Anniversary    (Rudi & Lizzie)

Oh Janelle, thanks for your fantastic lyrics and vocals! :)

Lyrics, Vocals: @the-real-janelle from @juniperoband
Music, Mix & Mastering, Guitars (Tele & I don't know), Bass (P), Drums (AD2) and Mello Keys: @bonetender

========== Lyrics ==========

The golden curtains
Are burning down
This great palace I built
Is falling to the ground
And I pay no mind, no
While everybody’s losing theirs
And I cut the ties
No longer while I look behind

Go forward, what are the odds
Of not finding nothing
Keep forward, pushing strong
Their words mean nothing

Their words mean nothing (8x)

You would always say
That you never had enough
When you had it all

Having everything was never
Quite enough
What do you want?

A restless need won’t let you sleep my friend
What do you want?

Having everything is a bless and a course
What do you want?

Sometimes things don’t matter at all
At all times you should be who you are
Life as we are, we are, we are, we are
To live life as we are, we are, we are

©Janelle & Bonetender 2020 All Rights Reserved

You can be king

You Can Be King (ft. Janelle)

This is our late night, voice memo contribution to the global pile of indie-pop quarin-tunes.

"Marigolds" by Russ Stone and Annie Nirschel: they met at a murder mystery seahorse jamboree in 2004 and have been quarantining together ever since. They are not friends.