"Who else is singing on this song?" asks my 9 yr old son Feidhlim :)

hey..  now we wish our band Karma Coat had a pianist xD yall are rad

We actually believe This is still magic !!!

Written for the 2019 Wintergreen Composers' Retreat. a huge thank you to everyone involved!
Alison Hall, Violin
Jeannette Jang, Violin
Johanna Beaver, Viola
Adam Carter, Cello

Skybox

side-scroller (2021) is inspired by “death music” in 2D platform video games (platformers). When a player loses or “dies” in a video game, often specific music will play, indicating to the player they have failed. Death music in early platformers often had upbeat descending melodic lines underlaid with triadic harmonies. In side-scroller’s opening phrases, failed jumps can be heard followed by death music. The piece chronicles a player’s progress through a game world. There’s extra health to be found. Secret passageways to be discovered. And a boss fight! Plus, a little “game over” sequence at the end.

"side-scroller" performed by JACK Quartet

Immersion - for string orchestra

composed and conducted by J. A. Devor
performed by the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra
on 29 April 2021

dedicated to Maestro Joseph Caminiti

Copyright © 2020 JDevor Music, LLC

Immersion

4/28/21
Performed by the Hartt School Foot in the Door Ensemble, conducted by James Minnix

A dream from different spaces

written for the 2021 Wintergreen Composers' Retreat

Oboe - Jessica Warren
Clarinet - Joe Beverly
Violin - Jim Lyon
Cello - Sarah Kapps
Conductor - Erin Freeman

Photo by Tim Oun on Unslpash

Explorational Planes

all tracks by Mick Kelly, recorded on a zoom mic in a bedroom in the Bronx, New York and mixed on Adobe Audition. completed and published in Virginia.

head was mastered by Atlas Glaas in Berlin, Germany. (https://soundcloud.com/atlasglaas)

Gray Man

head

I Wore It Just For You

Music, lyrics and Arrangement by Michael Laster
Mixed by Michael Laster and Taylor Bradshaw.
Recorded and Produced by Taylor Bradshaw at the Sonic Arts Center, New York, NY. 

Lead vocals, guitars, bass, backing vocals, tambourine, midi drums, kazoo, chain, blender and backing vocals performed by Michael Laster
Piano performed by Alon Tayar
Additional backing vocals by Taylor Bradshaw
.
1)Through the lives of the various characters, the lyrics are meant to shed light on human suffering as a whole. The show tune/musical theater arrangement serves as a grimly ironic backdrop to the words. This juxtaposition is a statement on escapism, and isn't trying to make light of serious issues, or criticize people's coping mechanisms. 
2) Wear headphones to pick up on the little details of the mix. 
3) Enjoy.
.
This Machine
.
(piano intro)
(Verse 1)
Meet Fred - his kids are off in college and he leads a busy life
At home - the silence so potent you can cut it with a knife
Fred's wife - makes a decent living as an actress on the screen
Just now - he's starting to pick up on what goes on behind the scenes
.
(Chorus)
Roll those gears about 'cause everybody dreams
But things are not exactly as they seem
No need to go and hide away
One day we'll break free from this machine
.
(Verse 2)
Meet Jill - has a tattoo of a penguin on her neck
Each day she takes her medication so her mood is kept in check
At school - the teachers all agree that she's the brightest in her grade
Who knew - she wears long sleeves cause the scars have yet to fade
.
(Chorus)
Roll those gears about 'cause everybody dreams
But things are not exactly as they seem
No need to go and hide away
We're starting to break free from this machine
.
(Bridge)
Oh the many shadows in your mind
You know that they belong to all of mankind
Oh you know that something's very wrong
When darkness feels like an upbeat and catchy song
.
(piano interlude)
.
(Verse 3)
Meet Bill - baptist priest, knows the scriptures word for word
Each year - he sees the sense of right and wrong's becoming somewhat blurred
Outside - he tries to tell a pusher to be saved you must repent
He says - can't find a job gotta pay my family's rent
.
(Chorus)
Roll those gears about 'cause everybody dreams
But things are not exactly as they seem
No need to go and hide away
We're finally breaking free from this machine
.
(Guitar solo)
(piano interlude)
.
(Verse 4)
Meet Ralph - his knowledge of astronomy's extensive and immense
On earth - he barely leaves the house he feels the world does not make sense
Ralph's mom - manages to pay the bills with longer daily shifts
It's hard - but nothing that a nightly glass of whiskey cannot fix
.
(Chorus)
Roll those gears about 'cause everybody dreams
But things are not exactly as they seem 
(blender)
No need to go and hide away
We've finally broken free from this machine
.
(piano outro)
.
Michaellaster.net
Taylorjamesbradshaw.com
Alontayarmusic.com

This Machine

“this was her, Mick Kelly, walking in the daytime and by herself at night. in the hot sun and in the dark with all the plans and feelings. this music was her—the real plain her...this music did not take a long time or a short time. it did not have anything to do with time going by at all. she sat with her arms around her legs, biting her salty knee very hard. the whole world was this symphony, and there was not enough of her to listen... now that it was over there was only her heart beating like a rabbit and this terrible hurt.” 

– the heart is a lonely hunter by Carson McCullers

track 5 is a cover and a rip off. 

track 8 was mixed & mastered by Atlas Glås in Berlin, Germany.

everything else done by Mick Kelly in the Bronx, New York, on Munsee Lenape land, from 2018-2020. 
 
cover art includes an image from a "chirologia; or, the naturall language of the hand" by John Bulwer, 1644, an early English study of gesture.

thank you Efrem, Aaron, Jane, Jello, Jacob, and Grace, I love you and yours.

X

Reedeemer

11:11pm you can't decrypt mee

As if there were deer in the next field

Classical composer/alt rock songwriter, arranger, and private guitar and piano teacher living in NYC. Click the tracks for lyrics, descriptions, and performers. More at michaellaster.com.

This Machine

Michael Laster

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