A playlist full of tracks created by the writers, musicians and producers of our music community, "The MusiCollective" - this is the April 2024 edition, featuring both new songs and a couple of oldies from the last few years.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in this. We have a mix of complete recording newbies, seasoned pros and everything in between. All as incredible as each other.

The MusiCollective is a community of people that get behind each others' projects, for example by helping with songwriting, arrangements, recording and production. It is a continuation of TGS Records (@tgs-records) which started as a lockdown project and has been snowballing new members in ever since. If you'd like to join us, get in touch by emailing themusicollective21@gmail.com or filling in this short form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL…wform?usp=sf_link

TMC Records - April 2024 playlist

Polaroid Demo

An exploration of the union of light and darkness.

Equinox

Demo 9 of songs from my songwriting group. The prompt was "new bookshelf energy", a song about the new year. Enjoy! 

photo by Jenn Seguinot (Thru Jenn’s Frames Photography)

New Bookshelf Energy 

I want that new bookshelf energy
A new version of me 
Where the top’s been dusted off 

I want that new year energy
Where I feel suddenly 
Like I am not lost 

In the blink of an eye
The click of a hand
I will feel firm 
Where I stand

Just after midnight
Its time for goodbye 
To things I did not like and
Hello to who I am 

I want that new bookshelf energy
Some more space to breathe
And rearrange as I please 

I want that new year energy 
Where I feel happy 
And I know what I need 

In the blink of an eye
The click of a hand
I will feel firm 
Where I stand

Just after midnight
Its time for goodbye 
To things I did not like and
Hello to who I am

So hello to who I am

New Bookshelf Energy (demo)

remembering someone, for just a moment, at the secondhand shop

Secondhand

A song about getting to know someone for the first time and already seeing how it’s going to end.

The First Time

A song about depression and wanting to bounce back. Written and recorded in a bit of a rush, thus subject to change.

Verse 1
Sometimes I try to cry myself to sleep 
but it seems I’m never quite tired enough
I close my eyes but I can’t help but see
That downward spiral while I’m dreaming of things like

Chorus 
Brighter days ahead
When all our sorrows will be gone 
Without a trace, instead
Tomorrow every game is won, 
and my mom and dad are laughing, smiling, holding hands,
And I pretend…
They’re alright again

Verse 2
Sometimes I fail to find a way to keep
My mind from spinning round and out of control
It’s telling tales of endless pain and grief
And I’m beginning to slip out of my soul
And dream of

Chorus 
Brighter days ahead
When all our sorrows will be gone 
Without a trace, instead
Tomorrow plays a better song, 
I sing along and beg for it to guide me, hold my hand
While I pretend…
It’s alright again

Verse 3
Sometimes I feel like a vital part of me
Has finally broken and the damage is done,
When there’s no reason to be down the dumps but I see 
no hope, no happiness, no fun…
And I need

Chorus 
Brighter days ahead
When all our sorrows will be gone 
Without a trace, instead
Tomorrow moves the clouds along, 
And sunny rays I’ve craved will finally
warm my hands,
I won’t have to pretend...
I’m alright again.

Alright Again (demo)

Some reflections on how life changes

If you try to find me I might not be the same
It might seem like a stranger's stolen my old name
And if I try to see the young man I once was
Well he is just a memory now, that memory's lost
Everything changes bye and bye
Everything Changes, and so do I

If you have a lover, someone you hold tight
They might be forever, it might just be one night
And if they choose to leave you, as one day they might
Time rolls over them, you'll be alright
Everything changes, you know its true
Everything changes and so do you

Times winged chariot oftentimes I hear
He is changing everything, that much is clear
Tides rise and fall as the moon pulls the sea
The earth is spinning everything, including me
Everything changes, can't you see
Everything changes and so do we

If you try to find me I might not be the same
It might seem like a stranger's stolen my old name
And if I try to see the young man I once was
Well he is just a memory now, that memory's lost
Everything changes bye and bye
Everything Changes, and so do I

Everything Changes

Honey (in A Poison Cup)

An old song I wrote ages ago basically about the mixed feelings that can come with unexpectedly running into someone from your past. It's a rough one take demo which I meant to redo but several years on I still haven't so might as well share as is even though the accidental "maywe be" bit always does my head in :)

Lyrics:
Verse 1 & 2
So now you’re looking at me across the room, and I can tell your Heart skipped a beat as well, was it 
Part of your plan to walk all over the ending again
That I had settled for?

And now you open your arms all of a sudden, next thing I
Know you pouring all of your charms over me
Again and talk to me like we’re old friends, 
Don’t you agree this is a little bizarre?

Chorus 1
Why don’t you fly back up to your cloud in the sky 
where you’ve been hiding out 
from all the horrors of your mind when you’re high as a kite
Sooner or later you’re bound to come down.

Verse 3 & 4
I haven’t seen you for ages, and to be honest, 
I’ve been through all of the stages, this is the oddest
By a mile, what’s up with that funny smile on your face, 
I thought I’m dead to you?

Somehow I can’t help but feel it’s all just in my head now, 
Oh this is rather surreal I thought it’s all been said and done,
Now you’re here, do you expect me to cheer
Suddenly I’m really mad at you.

Chorus 2
Why don’t you crawl back down into your hole in the ground 
Until the coast is clear
And drown your sorrows and fear when you’re down and out
Sooner or later I’ll see you up here

Bridge
… So now you’re looking at me… (I thought I’m dead to you)
… And my heart skips a beat… (I’m really mad at you)
… Cos here you are… (do you expect me to cheer?)
… With your open arms… (is the coast really clear?)
… And that funny smile… (maybe we could sit…)
… And talk for a while…

Chorus 1 & 2
Before crawl back down into your hole in the ground 
Until the coast is clear
And drown your sorrows and fear when you’re down and out
Sooner or later, I’ll see you up here

Before you fly back up to your cloud in the sky 
where you are always hiding out 
From all the horrors of your mind when you’re high as a kite
Sooner or later you’re bound to come down
Sooner or later I’ll see you around…

Sooner Or Later - demo

A song I threw together in a bit of a rush to have something new ready for the TMC May playlist, based on an old progression I had lying around, about resurfacing after burnout/depression/any kind of rough time. Ironically, it almost sent me straight into the next crisis, because the verses weren't exactly jumping out of my head, but I got there in the end I think.

Lyrics:
Verse 1
Climbing - I can almost see the peak it’s within reach for me
The sky above is free and clear now,
The clouds and - my doubts disperse below 
they’re no more hanging over me right now I feel serenity

Chorus 1 
But I was off the rails, I couldn’t set my sails in the head wind and rain
I let the tide pull me away from myself
But now I’m back, I’m back, I’m back on track and back in the game, I navigate
The space between heaven and hell and everything else

Verse 2
Healing - believing hope will rise and dot 
the darkest skies with starry guides towards a brandnew dawn/morning 
Blinding - light that opens up my eyes 
to new horizons now, and beauty thriving all around

Chorus 2
I was lost on forbidden trails winding away through the thicket of my brain
I let the fog lead me astray in myself
But now I’m back, I’m back, I’m back on track and back in the game, I navigate
The space between heaven and hell and everything else

Verse 3
Breathing - leaving distant pistol shots ricocheting round my mind 
behind and tune into the silence
I don’t - know how long the calm before the storm will last this time
But I’ll enjoy the view while I am… fine

I'm back (demo)

I'm Back (demo)

Through the Years
by Nalini Lasiewicz

Through the years
Our love has grown
Our house became a home.
I’ve learned to give
A little better
You’ve learned you’re not alone.

Take my hand now
And rest a while.
There’s nothing you must do.
Each day just gets
A little better
The longer I’m with you.

We’ve had our highs.
We’ve had our lows.
We’ve both gone through the blues.
Each time we get 
A little better
At knowing what to do.

Kiss me. Hold me.
We’ll share the night
Just like we always do.
I’ll wake and feel
A little better
Just being close to you.

© All rights reserved, Nalprana Music Company 2018

Through the Years

Was It Real?
by Nalini Lasiewicz

I don’t feel like crying anymore, that’s not what love is for
I’m brooding, moody and mad. Don’t it make you wonder what it was we had
And was it real, or just a show?  Don’t ask me, cause I don’t know

I don’t feel you love me anymore. It’s not like it was before
You say things that hurt me so bad that it makes me wonder what it was we had
Was it real, can it grow past all this pain, I’ve got to know

(Chorus)
Show me what our love means to you. My confidence is shattered it’s true
And now you need to share from your heart
And when the morning comes I’ll know if love has won

I don’t feel we’re living anymore. We gave up and shut the door
You tell me I made you so sad that it made you wonder what it was we had
Was it real, is it gone?  I’m so confused, feel alone

(c) Nalprana Music 2018 All Rights Reserved

Was It Real?

Calm and sincere, featuring delicate acoustic guitar and female lead vocals creating a sweet, heartwarming mood.

I Remember Your Smile
Nalini Lasiewicz, BMI  
nalini@lasiewicz.com

I remember your smile I remember your laughter
The palm trees swaying at night
And under all of those stars you would tell us
What you had learned in your life
I remember songs and all the harmonies
When all of us sang along

(Chorus)
Most of all I remember you gave me your love
That’s all I wanted
Most of all, I remember you gave me your love

I remember goodbyes I remember the heartache
The storms that tore us apart
I remember the way you were pushed away from us
But we stayed there in your heart

(Pre Chorus)
I remember you gave me lots of time
‘Til I found my way back to you

(Chorus)

(Refrain)
You gave me hope that a broken heart can mend

I remember you called me every year you were the first one to say
Happy Birthday baby, that’s right
I remember your pride as my own was unfolding
Happy endings daddy, good night

(Pre Chorus)
And I remember songs and all the harmonies
When all of us sang along

(Chorus)

(c) Nalprana Music Company 2018

I Remember Your Smile

The MusiCollective is a community of musicians that get behind each others' projects, for example by helping with songwriting, arrangements, recording and production. It is a continuation of TGS Records (https://soundcloud.com/tgs-records) which started as a lockdown project and has been snowballing new members in ever since. If you'd like to join us, get in touch by emailing themusicollective21@gmail.com or filling in this short form: https://forms.gle/yhyjNKzWGidVCZgN9

New Bookshelf Energy (demo)

Melanie McDowell

Related tracks