Although the Interbay music project tends to release tracks that blend the barriers of electronic dance music and post-punk, resulting in what I call "mutant pop," there are definitely some Interbay tracks that just simply rock.  

Sadly, many of these don't get the attention that they deserve--people who have gotten used to the type of dance music they usually get from Interbay might not feel like hearing someone turn their amps up all the way to eleven.

...but dance music and rock music have always been intertwined in my life.  I think that's been lost as scenes just leave each other alone now, content to stay in their lane and fill their niche.  A lot of rock music CAN be danced to, some will even have build ups and drops.  ;)    

Now, rock music has various genres and sub genres--not nearly as many as dance music, I'm pretty sure--and just as I like to blend unlikely genres together when I make dance music, I like doing that when I make more rock-sounding or guitar based tracks as well.  

If in doubt, I'll probably add them to the playlist--so don't get too pedantic about what does or doesn't, should or shouldn't, be considered "rock"--if it rocks, it goes on this playlist.  

As always, as the new Interbay tracks continue to drop (every single day, so far) I will update this playlist when there's a track that I think belongs on here.  

So, take a listen...share with a friend...and kick out the jams, motherf$#@%&rs!!!

The Rock Side of Interbay (this weekend, we rock portland!)

With guitars a la The Temper Trap (or U2), keyboards a la Kraftwerk, and some processed samples...again, this was made quickly (one afternoon) and simply...for more of a pop vibe.  

"Fantastic" by Interbay *SoundCloud Exclusive*

The record store that I was a co-manager at had a big, powerful heating unit right over the front door--and the name on that heating unit was REZNOR.  Not sure that has anything to do with this track--it might.  Running already processed drums through a guitar distortion rack turns this into a pretty downward spiralling machine, which might be a bit too on the nose.  

CONTENT WARNING:  This track includes airplane system warning noises as well as ATC and CVR recordings.  If those things might bother you, feel free to click on any other Interbay track instead.

"Terrain" by Interbay *SoundCloud Exclusive*

"What's up with all these putty-looking-ass whips, y'all?"--H. Green

A fun uptempo punky thing with obnoxious synths and a relentless race forward this track is a favorite of mine--both for how it turned out and how it came together.

I watched one of my favorite vlogs and felt inspired to create this.  While this is not sponsored by anyone, I hope this video makes you want to shop from the Good Store (where one can join the Awesome Socks Club) or watch some episodes of Crash Course, or, perhaps, sign-up for the Dropout streaming service by June 12th so you can see a particularly anticipated stand-up comedy special.  

I would like to think that if the subject of this track ever heard this track, he would be amused at what an old man (who owns both of his books and is anticipating socks...and who can totally relate to having had cancer and then doing stand-up comedy about it) can create in homage to someone doing wonderful work as well as being entertaining as all get out.  

(And, most importantly, I hope that he will not sue me.  I don't monetize anything I do, yet...so, please treat this for what it is...an homage from a fan.  And, absolutely, if it amuses you...feel free to share it with anyone you might like.)

 

"PLAW" by Interbay *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Did someone say "been awhile since" Interbay has posted a "proper rock song???"  

Yes.  Someone did.  

I did.  Yesterday.  

So, let's do this!  

Including the songs that were posted on Interbay's Facebook page, I think THIS is the most credible rock song I've managed to commit to...ummm....whatever the digital equipment to "tape" would best fit in such a cliched statement.  

And yet, it still has electronic elements to it--bolstering the blistering tempo of this rather dark alternative post-punk rock track.  Very much inline with the Interbay vibe.  

Obviously, this track will appeal more to anyone who has watched the HBO "Chernobyl" mini-series...but even for those of you who haven't (but should, it's quite good...even if it might stray occasionally from perfect accuracy), I think you'll get into it, too.  

I see some similarities with this track that some of you might recognize--there's definitely a dollop of "Public Image" by Public Image Ltd.  The ending seems like a proper homage to the Adam and the Ants b-side/rarity/fan-favorite "Beat My Guest."  And, surprisingly, when the keyboards join the guitars for an instrumental bridge--my head goes to the Sex Pistols classic material (surprising, because they're not a band one would associate with keyboards.)  

At the risk of sounding even more self-indulgent than I normally am in these descriptions, I could see "A Zed 5" as a song that would have fit on the never produced second album for my band DangerScience--and it could have been a monster of a track for either the live version of DangerScience or my previous band, Cremation Dance.  (Of course, you'd need a time machine for either of those to have occurred.)  

For those of you here for the purely electronic stuff, there'll be plenty more of that to come, I'm sure...but THIS is definitely a song that fits what Interbay is now (though, if Crash wanted me to...I'd attribute this to DangerScience instead.  Legally, this is as DangerScience as "Frightening Things" and could sit along side "Aircrash" and "Goodbye?")  

Once again, it would help me immeasurably if you did all the things--Listen, Like, Repost, Share, Comment and, most of all, Follow!  

Thank you!  

PS--Suddenly, "Beneath These Trees" has become Interbay's most played track...someone out there must have done many of the things for this sudden burst of unexpected popularity.  It is definitely appreciated!

"A Zed 5" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Having a technical problem here at Phantom Laboratories West and the track I worked on (and finished) late last night simply will not export--meaning, I can't post it here at the moment..  I've got the Lab Techs working on that issue, but, in the meantime...here's a track I'd stored in The Vault just in case such a scenario would present itself.  

For the longest time, this track was simply a cool sounding instrumental--and, had I continued posting tracks on Interbay's Facebook page (where you'll find 140 Interbay tracks that have not been shared here on SoundCloud), it might have stayed exactly that way.  

...but, one of my rules for posting tracks here on SoundCloud is that every track posted here must have some sort of vocal component.  And I wasn't entirely certain what vocals would fit on this instrumental track (I have to remind people how strange it is for me to produce songs "music first", when in the way back ago times, I always wrote words first and then discovered the melodies that would best complement those words.  I haven't done it that way in a long time, but I've only just recently started going "music first.")  

The temporary project name I gave this track was "Tangy"--as that's the word I thought of to describe the distorted guitar and bass synth tones on this track.  So, when I finally got around to writing words for the song, I started tossing the idea of "Tangy" around in my head...so, the project name stuck.  

Now, I can't say that I had anything profound to share about the idea of "Tangy."  (Though, if the UK-based Tango soft drink company wanted...I'd rewrite the words for their promotional purposes if they could make a steady supply of their products available to me here in Seattle.  Just because I'm not monetizing any of my music efforts, doesn't mean I wouldn't be willing to sell out...at least, I would for Tango. ;) )

I do think that the single verse I wrote (and have repeated throughout the song) could actually be sung with the melody of this track (though, I'm still reticent to start singing on my tracks, personally--it will come, sooner than later...just not now, so, I've used a text to speech program to bring the words to the level of "dramatic reading.")  That suggests that someday, I might take another crack at making this a "proper" song...with "proper" lyrics.  Proper.  

Sometimes, my guitar-forward tracks struggle to achieve the same level of plays and likes as my more electronic/dance tracks tend to--though, this track is as danceable as a "rock" song could be..  Hopefully, you'll give this "Tangy" track a go (or a "goooo" as Mike O from That Chapter might say.)  

Please listen! Like! Repost! Share! Comment! Playlist! Follow!  
(...and consider checking out the back catalog--maybe start with the track "Fades" from a couple of days ago, as I still think that deserves many more spins than its received so far.) 

"Tangy" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

First of all, thanks to my friend Wells Thiede (who was active in the same Eau Claire indie music scene in the mid-80s to early 90s that I was part of.  Wells was in Social Sanctuary and, later, Capsize the Stars...and I'm sure a bunch of others.)  Wells is an excellent photographer and I've told him many times that his images would make great album covers.  As I was thinking of what image I'd want to use as a thumbnail image for this track, I snagged one of Wells' images..cropped it, flipped it around, tinted it, and processed the hell out of it...and Wells gave me permission to use it.  It is appreciated.  Now, I'm not sure if Wells will like this Interbay track, specifically...but that's on me, not Wells.  ;) )  

This may be the best structured and most straight ahead rock song in the Interbay catalog so far.  It almost feels polished enough to be radio ready.  I pieced the vocals together from a few royalty-free samples, that were mostly unrelated, though sung by the same voice.  Those were placed on an extremely simple arrangement.  There are two guitar parts, two drum parts (one of the drum parts is played at normal speed and, later, at double speed...creating the illusion that there are three drum parts), and there are two synthesizers.  And that's it.  (Some creative editing, like the drum part that is played at different speeds at different times, keeps it from ever being boring.  Though, the short length means that, even though this is simple, it doesn't overstay its welcome.)

Now, I called this a straight ahead rock song--but the synthesizers come in really strong, with a killer beat switch drop...I feel comfortable including more electronic-centric tags on it.    

The proof, of course, will be with what you think.  Give "In the Shadows I Shine" a listen and tell me what you think, either with a comment or a message.  If you like it, go ahead and give it a like...consider reposting it or sharing it with friends...and if it would fit on one of your playlists, add it to that.  

And maybe give this page a follow, so you don't miss any of the Interbay tracks, as a brand new track is posted EVERY SINGLE DAY (so far!)  If you're really interested, there's well over 20 hours of Interbay tracks in the back catalog shared here on SoundCloud.  

UPDATE:  I've heard from Wells...and they actually DO like "In the Shadows I Shine"--saying they hear some late 80s post-punk in this (which, is really my wheelhouse, so that's high praise.)  And yes, I've now added "post punk" to the tags on this song.  :)

"In the Shadows I Shine" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Don't be fooled by the pretty synth pads at the start of this track--this one gets noisy pretty fast...and it only gets crazier from there!  Please fasten your seatbelts and return your tray to its upright and locked position, because there could be turbulence on this journey!  

Sometimes, I have a very specific idea for what I think I want to make (not that I ever really get close to that original target, but it's at least pointing me in a particular direction.)  For today's Interbay track post, I have to admit that I didn't have any sort of road map or compass--I just sort of found pieces and parts that I took a blow torch to weld everything together.  

I started by looking through my virtual instruments for something I haven't used before--or haven't used in awhile.  Taiko Drums.  Sure...why not.  And why not throw some reverb and echo to really make those drums sound massive?  

After that, I added the pretty pads (later, I'd move them to the start of the track.)  I thought I would use the Moog Mariana for a bassline--but instead I came up with a bouncy riff that is somewhere between a bassline and a lead--and I really liked how that riff played off the Taiko Drums and the pad, but in different and intriguing ways.  

Add a very straight forward but impactful kick loop and an anciently simple synth, that I through a wavery and inconsistent bit of processing on that synth to make it more and more complex...and that's basically the track.  

...at least it is, until the acid rock freak out happens.    

Adding a busy and energetic drum track from the time before click tracks and machine tempos to a modern electronic track is always going to be a bit awkward.  Rather than try to correct all of the timing conflicts, I just decided to run with the live drums in control for a bit.  The same source that gave me the drums also provided some guitar sounds (that I chopped and processed), and the vocal hook.  

"I use the juju of my ancestors" is a very evocative phrase.  I can't say that its meaning speaks to me, but it sure sounds good repeated in this track.  

I had planned on using more of the vocal--but, instead, I kept it simple.  Shock! Horror! I actually edited myself for a change!!!  Hard to believe after yesterday's 9+ minute track, but occasionally I can push myself away from the banquet table and say "that's enough for now."  However, the parts that I worked on and decided not to use have been saved separately and stuck into The Vault.  Who knows?  Perhaps a completely separate track might someday emerge from what was left on the laboratory floor when today's track was created.  

All this at a pretty fast for electronic dance music tempo--with parts of the mix that is just daring your speakers to consume itself trying to reproduce it for you...it is definitely an adventure--one I hope you're up for!  

As always, I hope you give today's track a listen--and it would be so helpful if you gave it a like, a repost, a share, add it to a playlist, and/or leave a comment on it.  Most of all, I hope you follow this page for more Interbay tracks, a new never-before-heard track gets posted every single day (so far!)  By following along, you'll get to experience something new and unexpected daily!  (And, as ever, a follow earns a follow back.)

Dig the wall of sound that is "Juju of My Ancestors" and always remember to kick out the jams srekcufrehtom!!!

"Juju of My Ancestors" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Did you know that "Bad" by Michael Jackson was written to be a duet with Prince?  Whether or not Prince would have ever actually done it, we'll never know--but, he didn't like the first lyric of the track.  "'Your butt is mine'?" Prince remembered, incredulously.  "Who's gonna sing that?  I'm certainly not going to sing that to you, Michael.  And you're DAMN sure not going to sing that to me."  

I mention this story because I must acknowledge that Prince probably would have turned down the chance to duet with Interbay on today's SoundCloud Exclusive track.  As the first line of this song is "I 'eard you was 'ard."  

(Of course, there are plenty of other reasons why Prince wouldn't duet with Interbay on this track.  I mean, for one thing, His Royal Badness has, of course, passed on.  That would make ANY collaboration (however unlikely) rather impossible.  

The dog you see in the thumbnail is one of the dogs that appeared on long running UK soap opera, "Eastenders", playing the role of Wellard.  (The dog.  Did I need to add that clarification?  It's not like the dog was playing Ian, the cafe owner.  In fact, Wellard BIT Ian the cafe owner--in the story, not the actual dog...and not the actor playing Ian.  Look, there's Google for clarification, this is getting too confusing.)  

The name "Wellard" is, of course, a portmanteau of "well hard"--meaning "very tough, rugged".  UK comedians Hale & Pace made an obsession with being, appearing, and meeting others who were well 'ard, indeed into a running sketch gag.  

Is this song, "Wellard", well 'ard?  Well...I think it is at least quite hard.  Big drums, guitars and some thick nasty synths...and, as you might have guessed, some cheeky snippets.  

A toast then to Zenna, Chancer, and Kyte--the three dogs who played Wellard on Eastenders from 1994 to 2008.  (Ironically, all three dogs were female--and Zenna was briefly subbed out for so she could have a litter of puppies...one of her daughters was Chancer...one of Chancer's daughters was Kyte.  Of course, giving birth to a litter of puppies...well'ard Wellard.  Well'ard indeed.  

(Listen! Like! Repost! Share! Comment! Playlist! Follow!  That would be well'ard of you.)



"Wellard" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

"...because of my kevlaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr!"  

What would an American Killing Joke sound like?  Maybe like this.  

I've always loved the crossroads between new wave and hard rock, between dance music and tribal punk...and there really aren't a ton of bands out there that fit that template.  I know, because I tried a couple of times in the mid to late 80s to do it myself...and only occasionally made the mark.  

So, the fact that this track reminds me of something that Cremation Dance or DangerScience would have done--although baffling to 99.999% of you as that statement is, there is 0.001% of you who will think "Yeah, that's true."--it means that, perhaps, my skills are improving to the point where I'm making the sounds...and the songs...that I hear in my head.  

(It IS still an Interbay song...so, it ain't perfect by any stretch of the imagination.  I do have a tendency, especially in my post-punk/rock tracks to turn the faders all the way up and leave them there--so, when the track gets a bit manic about 3/4ths of the way through, it can verge on the cacophonus.  But I can't say that isn't by design nor can I say that it isn't thematically appropriate.)  

The idea to reframe the North Hollywood shootout as a description for someone protecting themselves from a toxic relationship has no particular inspiration from my own romantic history, but it seemed appropriate for the vibe of the track I was creating.  (It also has that Drew Magary "Song That Would Make You Run Through All Wall" spiciness to it.)  

Does anyone else hear a little Rick Sanchez in the "Kevlar, baby!" line in the chorus?  It could be that I spent ten days with my kid who kept [adult swim] going whenever we were in the hotel (at least, at the hotels where the Game Show Network wasn't available), so I'm hearing certain voices wherever I am, now.  (Though, I might lose it if I run into anyone in the grocery store who sounds like anyone from Squidbillys.)  

So, yeah, there are synths, there are various electronic touches--but, for the most part, this is a dark, guitar-centric post-punk track...and I tried my best to dial back the more obvious effects.  (I mean, could this be the first EVER Interbay song where nothing gets autopanned?  Could be!)  

If you like your post-punk with an orange distortion pedal on the guitars, then this might be the perfect Interbay track for you.  

If you like the dance stuff or the chimey/jangly guitar stuff more...well, that's ok.  I can't be bruised by your opinions, because I'm basically bulletproof...

"I will still remain."   

As always, listen, like, share, repost, comment, playlist...and, most of all, please consider following this page.  Thank you! 

"Kevlar (Bulletproof)" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

"Let me usher you inside..."  

Have you ever seen the movie "The Hunger"?   The 1983 directorial debut for Tony Scott, it is a modern day vampire tale starring Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon, and David Bowie.  

In the opening scene, at a spacious new wave club where Bauhaus plays "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (many of people's first time hearing the band, hearing the song, learning that there is something known as "goth culture"), David and Catherine scope out and pick out younger people dancing--because they need to feed (not that their victims know this.)  It is very alluring, very sexual, and very dark.  

It certainly fueled my life long crush on Ann Magnuson, who plays David Bowie's victim.  

That combination of vampire-related psycho-sexual drama--the power games, the implied threats, the surrendering, the intimacy...no wonder Anne Rice got all hot and bothered with her own vampires.  (I mean, it's there in the original...and nearly all of the movies based on the vampire legend, certainly in Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula".)  

But, being a sensitive modern male...let me reassure of you a few things when it comes to this latest Interbay track, inspired by all of that--but then putting my own drum & bass spin on it all.  

--The use of the terms "Kindergoth" and "Baby Bat" are references to specific goth fashion archetypes and/or to people relatively new to the goth scene.  It does NOT mean children.  (In my mind, "Kindergoth" takes place at a goth club--everybody involved is at least 21. ;) )  

--There is a power imbalance assumed here, between our narrator (who may or may not be an actual vampire) and a less experienced subject.  I imagine this as a roleplaying fantasy, with each of them consenting to play it out.  There is power in surrendering, there is a fascination with being "taken"...and, as long as there was enthusiastic consent from all parties for this scenario playing out, there's nothing wrong with exploring these "dangerous fantasies" (or "wonderous nightmares" if you will.)  

This is theater.  (And certainly fiction.)  

Do I have the goth credibility to pull something like this off?  Probably not.  Although I've loved Bauhaus, Joy Division, and The Cure, often seen as the wellspring from which a more regimented "goth" culture flowed, I was always more of a post-punk than a goth.  (For one thing, I was only briefly skinny enough to pull off a proper goth look.  The closest I ever got was back combing and Sebastian Sphritz Forte-ing my hair into a proper Robert Smith volume (though it was usually more blonde than any respecting goth would have ever allowed.)  

Certainly, the bands that I've been in have enjoyed playing with some of the darker elements of music--there's definitely a goth influence...but, there's also that sense of theater.  When it came to the bands on, say, compilations from London's The Bat Cave...i loved the cartoonish and glam metal nature of Specimen rather than some of the dirgier outfits.    

This is a swimming pool that I continue to dip my toe into, but, as with all things, the end result ends up sounding more like Interbay than anything more specific.  (Not having access to a Peter Murphy-esque vocal has something to do with the Interbay-ness of what I do.)  

Does this blending of the electronic dance music of the past twenty years mix well with the sounds associated with the goth rock/post-punk from 40 years ago?  That's up to you to decide.  (I think so--but, as always, I am biased.)  

Give this monstrosity a listen.  Is it actually the "goth drum & bass" I'm selling it as?  

All I can ask is that you listen.  Give it a like, if you do.  Repost it, share it, comment up on it, add it to a playlist--all appreciated.  Most of all, follow for more Interbay.  A new track is added every single day (so far!) and if this isn't your cup of tea, maybe tomorrow's will be.  

"I'd give you my heart, if I had one to give.  Wjy spend a lifetime dying when you can live?"

"Kindergoth" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Maslow's may have defined and ranked our hierarchy of needs, but in "Felony," the latest posted track from mutant pop purveyors Interbay, what happens when your wants and your needs are both ill-defined and all encompassing?  

No wonder our vocalist has the blues!  He wants!  He needs!  OWWWWWWWWWWW!!!  

Take a big beefy breakbeat.  Add in some human beatboxing and wubby bass.  Throw some bassy synth pads into the mix at well.  Then, top all of that off with an assortment of blues guitars and some seriously overdriven blues vocals--that, my friends is a crime.  

Not just a misdemeanor either.  This...is a "Felony."  

(The title might not seem intuitive.  I think I was going for a "what can a limitless desire lead to?" connection between our vocalists wants and needs and their obvious pain that they can't satisfy any of them.)  

Like Moby, Primitive Radio Gods, and Fatboy Slim--I knew there could be good stuff mined from the intersection of electronic dance music, breaks, and gospel/blues.  I think the Interbay take on the crossing of these streams is, perhaps, a bit more aggressive than the others mentioned.  

Still works, though.  

At least I think so.  Your mileage may vary, and the only way to find out what your mileage, in regards to "Felony," might be...is to listen to it.  

I would also appreciate it if you gave this track a like, repost it, share it, leave a comment on it, add it to a playlist--that sort of thing definitely helps spread the word about Interbay beyond its current fragile parameters.  Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.  

What could help more than anything, though, would be for you to follow this page for more Interbay track drops.  Did you know that for over a year now, a never-before-heard Interbay track has been posted here every single day (so far!)?  It's true--and you can dive into the back catalog anytime you find yourself wanting proof...it's all there to find.  

I'm thinking that there should be some more guitar stuff headed your way--maybe some electropunk...maybe even some straight up punk rock?  (I mean, if it is good enough for Superman...and Lois...it should be good for you, me, and Interbay, too!)  

For now, though, enjoy this "Felony" from Interbay.

"Felony" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

(Once again, an Interbay track has been done dirty by the SoundCloud algorithms--as yesterday's posted track, "Felony"--a melding of blues shouting and breakbeats, with guitars--has been woefully ignored.  Again, all I can ask is that you give it a listen--it deserves better.  Go check that out now and then come back and check out today's track.  Thanks!)  

Yesterday, I'd predicted that there'd be an uptempo guitar-based track coming soon--I even suggested that the next track would be bitpunk...and I think this track fits that description well.  Over drum machines, synth bass, and synth candy...a distinctive and pronouncd plucked guitar and some eurosynths propels this track into breathlessness.    

If this track had come out when I was regularly attending new wave nights at the nearby dance club--well, that would be astonishing, as it would mean that time travel had been perfected...but, beyond that, it would have been something that I'd jump up and run to the dancefloor.  

There's a touch of Devo in this track (I hear it most on the "don't lose your grip" lyric--take a listen and tell me if you hear it, too!). 

But, for as retro as this track can feel--it is, at the same time, very modern.  It doesn't sound dated (I hope) as much as it sounds like the old sounds have influenced a new production.  

...which is exactly what it is!  

If you need a pick me up, something to get your pulse rate up and make you pump your fist and shout "Zipliner, YEAH!"--probably freaking out your neighbors or your co-workers--I think you'll find this latest Interbay track to be a reasonable coffee alternative.    

But you don't need to read me talking about it.  Give it a listen.  It's under 4 minutes long, what do you have to lose?  (And if you just said "four minutes" to answer that rhetorical question...well, congrats...but also, I'll have  my eye on you.  Not literally of course, that would be gross.)  

I hope you like this latest Interbay track:  "Zipliner"  

(All of the usual requests:  Listen to the track, give it a like, follow the page for more Interbay--new tracks post EVERY SINGLE DAY, so far, you know!  If you're feeling extra appreciative, consider reposting this track or sharing it, or adding it to one of your playlists, or, especially if you have something positive to say, leave a comment.  All of that helps.  Thank you!)

"Zipliner" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Last night, I watched a YouTube video about the song "River Man" by Nick Drake and I was inspired to craft a song in a similar style.  

(Spoiler:  "Forever In This Moment" doesn't sound ANYTHING like Nick Drake.)  

I had a funny idea for some lyrics and I'd say I was 85% done when suddenly I swerved, veered off course, and landed here this morning with "Forever In This Moment."  

What happened?  Quite simply, the lyrics didn't fit with the vibe of the song I had at the time.  So, I paused and took a second look at what I'd made.  I took out some parts, I added other elements, I changed the arrangement, I swapped out instruments, I gated the hell out of my drums...and suddenly, I had something VERY different.  

So, I took out the lyrics that no longer fit (I'll try to use them sometime in the future) and I found a couple of vocal samples that I felt fit...and suddenly, a completely new narrative for the track revealed itself.  

...this was a seance.  

This was an attempt to speak with the deceased through a medium...or maybe it was just someone so heartbroken that they tried simply to speak to the sky in hopes they could make contact on their own.  

It wasn't what I was thinking when I started this track, but I embraced it and went with it.  

Despite the newly discovered theme, this isn't a spooky song (otherwise, I'd be saving it for a few months).  Instead, this is some 80s style "big music"--and I tried to produce it like I thought Steve Lillywhite might have produced it.  Not only do the pianos sound large and majestic, but there's s major melodic element based around a viola.  (Reminder to myself--write more songs with viola!)  

There are synths, to be sure.  The bass is a synth bass (though I thought many times about swapping that out...but, in the end, I felt like it worked) and there's some glitchy arpeggios going on, too.  

Oh, and did I mention that I managed to get a Rickenbacker guitar sound on here, too?  (That's a rather dumb question, seeing as I can see what I'm writing before I post this...and I know damn well that I haven't mentioned that.  No wonder these descriptions get so long!)  

If "Visitation" was a fun, bouncy slice of dance pop cheese--perfect for a Saturday night...then "Forever In This Moment" feels just as appropriate for a Sunday afternoon.  Or anytime, really...I don't know what your schedule is like.  

As always, I just ask that you give this track a listen and this page a follow.  (...though, certainly, I like getting likes...and reposts, shares, comments and playlist adds, as well.)  

"Forever in This Moment" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Thank you for still clicking on this track, even if the thumbnail might have given you some caution.  The music normally associated imagery of the historic American West doesn't usually sound very much like Interbay.  

But, trust me--"He Comes Riding" is SO Interbay.  So, hit play and read along!  

Like yesterday's posted track, "Over the Course of One Night," today's track was a leftover from when I was posting music videos on Facebook.  The only vocal I had at the time was two instances of the gospel blues shout of the title, "He Comes Riding."  

It sat in the Vaults for a long time, until I produced the song "Felony," which I posted about a week ago.  "Felony" is a dance song with redlined throaty shouts of basic wants and needs.  I thought it worked quite well...and I remembered that THIS track (which I had given a temporary project name of "Round the Mountain"--so the fact that our heroic cowboy in the thumbnail is coming from around the mountain is another Interbay easter egg.  (Bonus Interbay points if you didn't need me to tell you that to make a connection between the image and the nursery rhyme.)  

I liked the idea of working with shouty blues vocals.  

Meanwhile, the inspiration I had for the music wasn't actually Western music (in the "Country & Western" use of that term.)  It was actually The Beatles, specifically "Taxman."  So, that means that "He Comes Riding" is also inspired by "Start!" by The Jam.  ;)  

It was only later that I recognized that rather than being sharp and angular, like a Gang of Four song, the single note plucked guitars gave the track a Western feel.  So, call it Americana or Alt-Country if you wish, Vicar.    

There are some rather thick synths in this track and some stutter edits and other modern fx, so I feel less sheepish than perhaps I should in using "Electronic" as the main tag.  (Tracks where I DON'T give "Electronic" as the main tag typically do not get as many listens as the one that I do...so, I'll grab any excuse to do so.)  

It's odd, the thing that took the most time once I decided to grab this project out of the Vaults and get it ready to post today was settling on a title.  There are three distinct vocal sections.  You've got the "When It All Falls Down" part, the "He Comes Riding" part, and the "Baby Please Don't Go" part...and all of them could have given this track its name.  I also spent a fruitless search for a word or phrase that connected all of the various lyrics and the general vibe.  (Does this feel like it was based on an imaginary TV Western show's theme song?  I did...so, I considered calling this "Hi Ho Silver" or "Blazing Side Saddles" or "There's a New Sheriff in Town"--but none of those felt right.  

So, if what you wanted on your Saturday afternoon was a track that blends Teddy Pendergrass style insistent male vocals, Beatles and post-punk angular funk music, with touches of gospel, the blues and even some Western tropes...and a synthesizer and a more complicated than it has to be name--well, how serendipitous, because that's exactly what "He Comes Riding" is!  You're welcome (?!?)  

Hear for yourself and give it a listen.  While you're at it, give a listen to "Felony" and see if you feel there's a connection between the two Interbay songs.  Give a like to the one you like best--or both!

...it would also be cool if you reposted this track, if you shared it with a friend, if you added it to a playlist, if you left a comment, and if you follow this page for MORE Interbay--as never heard before tracks are dropping every single day (and have for well over a year now!)    

"(When It All Falls Down) He Comes Riding" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Hmmmm...I seem to have angered the algorithm.  Yesterday's track, "Quest" should have received more than nine listens...and yet, as I type this out, that's all it has.  Normally, by the time I post the next day's track, Interbay songs generate, on average, 140 listens.  People just curious by the title or the thumbnail...and a few people who listen to Interbay regularly.  

Occasionally, a track would just stumble out of the gates and there seemed to be no rhyme or reason why...but, if that only happened every three months or so, it wouldn't bother me too much (except that I tend to think that every Interbay track is worth a listen, you know?)  

Well, in just about a week, I've had FOUR tracks now to suffer this fate.  And "Quest" is still being "evaluated" for the Artist Pro promotion feature...and I'm not sure why.  

So, if you have any love for this Interbay music project--check out "The Undeservedly Ignored Side" Interbay playlist.  Give a listen to some of the tracks stranded on the Island of Misfit Toys, and see if maybe you need a locomotive with square wheels.  

Meanwhile, it is another day and that means another Interbay track--let the algorithm do whatever it will do with this one.  

I wanted something dark...and basing a techno song on the life of author/artist Edward Gorey felt like just the thing (though, I considered saving it for the upcoming "Spooky Week"--you can't beat that "hot off the griddle" vibe of JUST finishing a track moments before uploading it to SoundCloud.)  

This might need a remix to bring the vocals down a bit--there's a bit of a crisp on them, but I think that could work for them here.  Not sure, but I'll add it to the growing list of "Interbay songs that could use a remix".  

Lately I've been trying to steer away from a dependence on samples and loops, trying to construct what I need from the various instruments and effects that I have at my disposal at Phantom Laboratories West.  But, occasionally, I'm still drawn to find inspiration from the sample packs I also have available to me (and rightly so, considering how much I've paid and am paying for them!).  

This track started with a repetitive bass loop.  I transposed it a few times, I dumped a bunch of effects on it, and then I layered instrument after instrument on top of it--topping it off with some vocal elements--spoken word and a heavily gated bit.  

What might not work for some of you is the drums here.  I thought many times for swapping these scratch drums out for something beefier--but, for a change, I thought that maybe by downplaying the presence of the drums, it might bring out the bass, as a rhythmic element, more.  

It's a theory.  A music production theory.  

...and I do like to try different things, if only to make it fun for me--hopefully that means it'll be fun for you, too.

You'll only know if it could be fun for you if you give this track (or any Interbay track, for that matter--there sure is a lot of 'em!) a listen.  Give it a like if you do!  

(Reposting it, sharing it, adding it to a playlist, commenting on it--all are good things, too.)  

And follow this page for more!  Did you know that a brand new track is posted here EVERY SINGLE DAY(so far...and it's well over a year, so far!)  

Meanwhile, I'll see what I can do to recapture the magic that the algorithm and I once enjoyed.  Flowers and chocolates might work...but so could cleaning up the Labs.  I'll work on it.

"Yarmouth" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

First of all--the algorithm has done yesterday's track a bit dirty.  Maybe the unpronounceable name has limited the number of people it gets recommended to--but "Xylyl" is a track deserving more listens than just 14 (which it has as I type this)...so, even before checking out today's Interbay track, take a couple moments to give that one a listen...then come back here and give that same love to "I Can See The Light."  

Now then...(thank you, for those of you who actually did that!)...here's a little bit about "I Can See The Light".  This is synth pop with horns (both synth horns and heavily filtered 'real" brass) and a rock song structure.  In other words, once again, it's an Interbay track.  

I think what will get the most attention in this track are the vocals.  No spoken word narrators on this track, this is proper singing from a proper singer...bluesy and full of emotion.  (And taken completely out of context, which I hope is enough to keep Icarus safe for their efforts here.)  

My favorite part is probably the tom tom heavy drum break with chopped up vocal samples flying back and forth.  Reminds me of the sometimes dubby sounding middle breaks found in certain Led Zeppelin songs--which, you have to admit, is an odd thing to say about a synth pop tune made in 2025.    

So, if you like the poppier or rock-leaning Interbay tracks...or you're a trainspotter who might be shocked by the audacity displayed here...or you just enjoy the crazy rollercoaster that Interbay takes you on every single day (so far!)...I think you'll like "I Can See The Light".  (I also think that you'll like "Xylyl"--though they are quite different adventures entirely.)  

So, all the usual requests:  Listen, like, repost, share, playlist, comment...and follow.  
Thank you!

"I Can See The Light" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

"Promises, thoughts, and poetry.  My only prayer for immortality."  

(Once again, this still isn't the song about sex that I promised a couple of days ago.)

I was going to save this song for a big round number that's coming up, but something about this...something about this time of year...made me want to drop this track earlier than I'd planned.  

If all you've heard from Interbay has been edm, indie, or synth pop--this track will be something different.  You could call it shoegaze.  You could think of it as thick guitar and synth driven alternative rock.  You could hear it as a wall of noise.  

Ironically, this track has a lyric I've written that I'm especially proud of--and then I buried it under phased guitars that drowned almost all of those words under black sheets of rain.  Those words are there, floating somewhere between the left speaker and the right...and painfully difficult to pick out...like the last verse of "Pretty in Pink" (the original version, not the movie's remake) by the Psychedlic Furs.  

That might actually be a good comparison to  make when trying to share what "Garland of Me" sounds like--thick, dense, epic, impenetrable, moody.  

The narrative of this song is based on the second definition of "garland"--not the ring of flowers or plants, the way I'm using this word is as an anthology or collection.  Imagine a broken hearted man who has been unwillingly cast aside by his love.  He wonders about his place in her world as her life continues without him in it.  What will she remember?  What stories will she tell?  

So, seeking to leave a more positive documentation of himself than their recent split might suggest, the man compiles photographs, ticket stubs, sections from letters, poetry, drawings...all of these things to specific moments, tethered to a shared past...all of that, into a book--like a photo album.  And, upon seeing her sitting at an outside table of a coffee shop, he appears only to hand the book he'd made for her over to her...and walks away.  

He knows that he can't make her keep the book.  He knows, really, he can't control how he is remembered by her...  But, if she is ever feeling nostalgic, if she happens to have not trashed the book immediately, she could lean upon the book being able to reminder about the times that they were happy together.  

She does respond, suggesting her own doubts in the wake of the sadness she feels, but she ends up only talking to herself...because he's already walked away.  

It is quite the narrative, especially for a loud and noisy shoegaze track.  (Maybe I redo this someday to make the spoken lyrics a bit more prominent--or, at least, understandable?  Maybe.)  

My favorite part of this track is when the full drums come in...it feels epic to me.  I hope it does to you, too!  

I hope you give this a listen and a like.  Often, when I really like a track I've made, it can struggle to get listens or likes...but you can help prove me wrong.  Consider reposting it, sharing it or adding it to a playlist.  

And, as always, I recommend you follow this page.  Each day brings a brand new, never heard before, Interbay track.  And each day, they'll be different.  Who knows what tomorrow might bring?  (Maybe that song about sex?  Why am I trying to make a song topic "a thing."?  But, it could be that song...or another.  I won't know until I hit "upload"...and then, if you're following this page, you'll know!

"Garland of Me" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

It is Monday, and for the fourth straight Monday, we're digging into the past to unearth a track originally shared on Facebook (before switching to SoundCloud), but having gone through a Rethink, Remake, Remix process to bring it up to the standards of what I post here on SoundCloud.  

This time, a fourth "R" should be added:  "Remaster."  Because the track known as "Experiment 15" was already meeting most of the directives that I've added to my productions that weren't in place when I was posting on Facebook.  It didn't need as much of a Rethink or a Remake as the previous three RRR exclusive remixes needed to post here.

I'll even go a step further.  I think this was the first Interbay track that felt like it could have been a DangerScience track (DangerScience being the post-punk band I was in back in the late 80s early 90s, and the only previous music project of mine that had ever recorded and distributed our original music before.)  I'm not sure if Crash, my former songwriting partner in a couple of different bands, would agree--but the combination of synths, guitars, drum machines and Sci-Fi dialogue snippets sure fits into what we were cooking up back then, in the original Phantom Laboratories.  

(One of the movies with a snippet in this track is the classic "War of the Worlds" from the 50s.  The long planned but never finished second DangerScience album had a track that I had written that was based on samples from that movie--so, there's a direct link from the DangerScience past to the Interbay present.)  

Certainly not nearly as "personal" as yesterday's track (and thanks to those of you who gave "Birthday Wishes" a listen), this is definitely very me...and I'm happy that it took a little dusting off, freshening up, and some power boosting to be able to share it with you here on SoundCloud.  

As always, I'm just asking you to give this track a listen.  Let me know what you think of it by giving it a like and/or leaving a comment.  If you feel like reposting it, sharing it, or adding to a playlist of yours--that would be awesome as well.  

And, the best way to stay current with the daily (so far!) Interbay track drops, is to follow this page (and a follow earns a follow back!)  

"Our Power (exp15 RRR)" *exclusive remix*

(First off--once again, the algorithm has been unkind to a random Interbay track--yesterday's drop, "Hostilities."  So, if you could give THAT a listen...like it if you do, then come back and check out today's track.  Thanks!)  

A bit premature, this one, yes?  

I mean--it is only September, which means rain here in Seattle.  Plenty of time to enjoy before the icy winds of January come (and even in January, it's not so bad here in the Emerald City.  I grew up in Wisconsin, where they have a word for Seattle winters.  "Unseasonable.")  

This track has been germinating since the heat of summer (felt more in our trip to Wisconsin this year, oh irony.)  I read something about the microgenre of "coldwave" that reframed that term for me by saying that the 1988 song "Julia" by the French band Asylum Party was the purest "coldwave" song ever.  

That song, with lyrics about Winston Smith's idealized but betrayed young lover in Orwell's 1984, is crisp and minimal post-punk, lead bass, some post-punk processed guitar and a keyboard that I can only describe as "petulant" (though you might have guessed that just from knowing they're French) all over the most basic of drum machine presets, which never changes throughout the song--like an early DangerScience track. ;)  If you need a word for the vocals, I'd say "plaintive."  (Can you tell I used to write music reviews?)

I had never heard the song before, never even heard of the band before--but if that's what coldwave is, then I want Interbay to be (among many other things) capable of making coldwave music.    

So, I had a target in mind.  And "January" is what I've come up wth.  And, like every other track that I have an intended target in mind, the end result sounds like...Interbay.  

If anything, there's too much energy in this track.  The drums are actually trying.  It lurches from an oddly awkward beat to almost disco/rock.  The synths are doing a bunch of different things, none of them could be described as petulant (or French, for that matter.)  

I do like the lyrics.  I do think they'd be better if I'd sung them--and I'm adding this to the list of tracks I want to revisit once I get back to being more comfortable singing on Interbay tracks.  

But, I think you can feel the inspiration here (though, you may need to check out the Asylum Party track to agree) and even if it isn't purely coldwave...I like it.  It is a solid post-punk track, at the very least...and a good addition to the (evergrowing) Interbay catalog.  Indeed, I liked it enough to drop it here, in September, rather than store it in The Vault for when it might seem more thematic.

...and I'm sure I'll revisit coldwave more in the future, potentially based on this winter's weather. ;)    

Please give it a listen. Like it if you do.  Repost it, share it, add it to a playlist, if you are so moved.  Comment on it.  And, if you want to see whatever might be next for Interbay, give this page a follow...as never-heard-before tracks drop here EVERY SINGLE DAY (so far!)  

(...and, as mentioned above, give "Hostilities" a listen, too!)

"January" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

You've got your dance pop in my metal/punk!  

Well, you've got your metal/punk in my dance pop!  

Yes, once again...Interbay has become the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of music, shared exclusively here on SoundCloud.  So, let's kick up the tempo, turn those amps up to eleven, overclock the synthesizers and make Icarus VERY nervous...for today's latest drop, "Xelebration."  

(And yes, we are at the point where most of the tracks that have titles that start with the letter "X" are more and more likely going to be made-up words...but, in this case, I do think it actually sounds like the title in the processed vocal sample used.)  

So, Interbay has dropped synthpunk tracks in the past--this time, I think there's more of a metal vibe in the guitars, rather than strictly punk.  I grew up in the Midwest, the metal thing is part of who I am, even if I leaned more towards the punk/post-punk and pop/dance scenes.  

And, as you already know if you've been following Interbay for any length of time, I do love tossing lots of ingredients into the pot as it cooks on the stove...even those that you wouldn't think should go together.  

Even if those ingredients really don't go together--how else can I learn?  

If you're feeling slightly sluggish this weekend, this might be the injection of energy you need to kick start your day and get to the projects you've been putting off too long.  Hook up your bluetooth speakers (which, being bluetooth, really don't need to be "hooked up"--I am so old) and crank up a little "Xelebration" and see if that doesn't put a little pep in your step.  (I just used the word pep--again, I am so old.)  

Give it a listen, at least.  See if you like it (and give it a like if you do!)  You could repost it, share it,  add it to a playlist, leave a comment on it.  

And follow this page--even if "Xelebration" isn't your particular cup of tea.  Every day, there's some new tea, perhaps a flavor you'll like.  We're only a handful of tracks away from 500 consecutive days of dropping an original Interbay track here on SoundCloud.  

That's probably worthy of a Xelebration, right?

"Xelebration" *SoundCloud Exclusive*

Post-punk, dance, indie, electronic, and mutant pop in various styles (seriously!)--new tracks being posted daily (every day for over a year, so far!)

Interbay is the new project of Peter Greyy (previously of Cremation Dance and DangerScience), based out of Seattle and Phantom Laboratories West.