walls of sound are the only walls we build.

written by naldo, synths & keyboards by guillaume
drums by greek god yannis alfiers & kief moon
guitars by naldo

listen to more of Guillaume's music here:
https://soundcloud.com/guillaumelecompositeur/tracks

Recorded on 1/2" Otari MX5050 at the Laundry Room, Oakland California
mastered by naldo in logic
joss sticks 4.3

Joss Sticks for Yannis

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Pop/Rock Version

Mr. President, a moment if you please
We used to be like brothers now you're coming after me
Mm-hmm we fought together, died together too
And I can't believe this nightmare is all because of you
So let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my home, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
Don't wannabe your 51st state now

Friends like us gotta find a way
To make things right for the USA
Friends and family across the border
It's elbows up when we get in the corner
Where we live is happy home
Reaching for something that ain't your own
We understand you want to grow
Our advice, just leave it alone

I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wanna
Don't wannabe your 51st state now

Cover Art: Cheetah Girl

All rights reserved

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) [Pop/Rock]

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Pop/Rock REMIX

In Search Of Purpose blends delicate solo piano by Francesco Adornetto with the haunting, ethereal voice of Blackbird — a sonic reflection on longing, surrender, and inner stillness.
This piece invites the listener into a meditative space, where questions echo softly and answers float just beyond the horizon.
Perfect for moments of contemplation and quiet connection.

In Search Of Purpose

In Search of Purpose – Vocals by Blackbird

Soul Searching

URBAN SOULS. is a mix of genres,Jazz and ambient, a walk through the maze of streets where each one reveals its soul....

URBAN SOULS. 🎧

WATER TO WINE
 
Words & Music: Goff Johnson
Vocals: Todd J McLean
Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar: Goff Johnson
Drums and Hammond Organ: Kat Hendrix
Lead Guitar: Tim Porter
 
Mixed and Mastered by Kat Hendrix at Absolute Time Studios, Vancouver, May 2025
 
About the Song

"Water to Wine" is a song about the appeal of perfection we often see online, contrasted with the seemingly unremarkable and ordinary lives that most of us lead. It’s a reflection on the emotional toll that comes from chasing validation through likes and follower counts— and the emptiness that can follow when the spotlight fades.

Our value, though, goes far deeper than what shows up on a screen and authenticity holds more power than appearances. Take a deep breath and if we look up from the scroll and take a brave look at the world — and each other — we might find something much more real!

Behind the Song (from Goff Johnson)

Ironically, while the message of the track talks about isolation and the cost of surface-level connection, the making of Water to Wine was the exact opposite of that! It came to life through collaboration with the incredibly talented Todd J McLean, who, in addition to his awesome vocals, and red-hot music connections, also created the cover art (Woman in Yellow Chair) for the track! The overall result is something far richer than either of us could have created alone.

Working together brought depth, direction, and new energy to the song — proof that the best things happen when we connect for real. No filters, just music, shared purpose, and mutual trust!

Final Notes (from Todd)

This is my first collaboration on SoundCloud. I could not have been more fortunate than to work with Goff Johnson, an immensely talented singer/songwriter/musician. When I first came across Goff, I listened to his entire Stories of Stardust album end-to-end and I was so impressed with this concept and significant body of work. I highly recommend checking it out on Goff’s SoundCloud page. https://soundcloud.com/goff-johnson/sets/stories-of-stardust?si=9db35566a42747b9b63a5780334f67ea&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Although Water to Wine is not part of Goff’s Stardust series, it is nonetheless a beautifully written song and it’s been a privilege for me to sing it. Besides, I love to sing the Blues. Thank you so much, Goff!

We owe a huge shout-out to both Kat Hendrix, a master musician and our producer, and Tim Porter, a virtuoso on guitar. It is a real privilege to work with these West coast legends.

Lyrics: 

Verse 1
Someone wrote a playbook for perfection 
with lives of photo ops, their outtakes seldom seen 
today a star, the next you’re a pariah 
“Be Kind” they say, but that ain’t what they mean 
 
Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine 
 
Verse 2 
Well there’s nothing quite as quiet as “the silence” 
after fame has passed, so flashbulb fast, away 
and i wonder if it really makes a difference 
cos the next in line wait for their time, to shine but not to stay”

Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine

Cover Art: Woman in Yellow Chair, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

Water to Wine

Loosely based on the traditional song.  120 bpm. (Painting: Manuel M. Remartinez)

Loch Lomond (Interpretation)

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Vocal
Gary Reeves: Toms
Hans Albers: All other instruments, Arrangement & Production

Photo of Max from The Albers' Archive

What to say about Maximilian?
There are so many things to be told: a lifetime of 24 years, full of special moments, joys, fears, sorrows, worries, hopes, dreams, ups, downs, progress, regress, searching, finding, winning, losing, restlessness, peace...
His life had begun with an extremely difficult birth, almost as if the world didn’t want him. They told us he had a life-threatening infection, there were probably holes in his lungs and he obviously had no kidneys. In total, his chances of surviving were exceedingly slim. However, after endless weeks of both despair and hope, he overcame the infection, the diagnosis of holes in his lungs turned out to be totally wrong and they even discovered a kidney.  Just one maybe but at least it worked perfectly.  His journey into existence had begun.
As he grew, so did the never-ending nightmare of problems, challenges and battles, until we began to wonder what could possibly happen next.  Through it all, Max took every opportunity to accumulate extreme experiences - never hiding, always   seeking.  For that, we loved him even more…and even more it broke our hearts that we couldn’t help him find what he was looking for.
But suddenly, as the Summer of 2011 dawned, his troubles seemed to merely fade away.  Was he just arriving in life, coming of age, finding his place in society?  To be honest, we hadn’t the faintest idea.  But it was abundantly clear that, having always been an underdog, that same unwelcoming world had simply started to like and respect him.  He began to realise his many talents, enjoying his job as never before, finally becoming something he had never been - happy.
Fast forward to the gorgeous Summer evening of June 28th, the eve of a 4-week vacation to which he had been looking forward so very much.  A smile on his face, he said he was in the mood to go jogging, something he loved. Sometimes, he ran and ran for ages.  He’d been gone about 3 hours, quite a long time even for him, so Carina called his phone and he answered, cheerfully telling her not to worry and assuring her he’d be home very soon.  Seconds after the call, out of the blue, he collapsed.  A pulmonary embolism.  They told us he died instantly. 
Max, we have no words for what happened, nor for the eternal gratitude we feel for every single second of your life.  We do know we will never stop loving you.”
(Hans & Carina Albers)

Small chance of survival, words from the first day
Stretching all emotions not a single which way
Asking whys and reasons, a chance to breathe long
Heartbreaking moments, hopes remained strong

Such a short distance, but a life running miles
Bring every sensation, fear to a million smiles
Experience not forgotten, continuous hug of care      
Born with fighting spirit, giving back more to share

24 years of love, no single regret
24 years of love, never to forget

Every challenge building, inner muscles to be felt
Secret ways to be happy, never question hand dealt         
Complication of thinking to find a new sentence 
Pathways to friendships, dreams of acceptance

24 years of love, no single regret
24 years of love, never to forget

A vision full of truth with strength to admire
Finding a hidden talent, past helping to aspire 
No journey of distance could prevent direction
A phone call assurance became last connection

It’s hard to find words, express feelings remaining 
Deep down inside shell, empty, sad, self-complaining 
But we will never forget our boy hero from birth
Brought love and kindness, past and future unblurred

24 years of love, no single regret
24 years of love, will never forget
24 years of love…

MAXIMILIAN - CRIPPLE CLUB  (Please Read Description)

Land of love

I felt like this one needed the extra time to unfold and develop in the direction it wanted to go, could be my longest solo piece yet! My songwriting process has moved almost entirely to Ableton Live and I'm find it to be such an inspiring workflow. This is yet another recent track where I'm having fun weaving in the guitar.

Cover image: Norman Zabusky/Hilary Shames (CC BY 3.0)

Time and Space

I might as well 
be made of clay
behind closed doors
I hide away 
Hide away
https://open.spotify.com/album/4COtd8lAfsZKpAlg8ri41k?si=bAieCzHtQOWk2fPX0fuOKg

HideAway

Thank you for visiting!  Please listen with headphones for the full effect.  

I just want to say that not much would have been done here without the encouragement from really great and talented people here in the SoundCloud community.  Thank you.
🇺🇸🇮🇹🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Loch Lomond (Interpretation)

~Mark F