Written, performed and recorded by Neli CoKo, 2024, all rights reserved. 
Thank you for listening :)

Lyrics:
You go your way the best you can
No one was there to guide you
You did not get protection and
You tried to get your way through
Little phoenix, little phoenix, little phoenix, do it again.

You had to look for shelter
You had to teach yourself
You stumbled and you fell
You always were rising as well
Little phoenix, little phoenix, little phoenix, do it again.

Your willpower is unbreakable
You try and try again
Your courage is unshakable
although you know the pain
Little phoenix, little phoenix, little phoenix, do it again.

Little Phoenix

One of Seven

(Free WAV Download available here under '••• More'; and eventually as part of my Foul Weather Friends album)

Greetings to the music community. I’m glad you stopped by. Today, I have the privilege of sharing another collaboration (#8 in fact) with our ever inspiring friend, Carlos Vivanco (https://soundcloud.com/carlosvivanco-1, https://carlosvivanco1.bandcamp.com). I always get stunning results, working with this fellow. :)

But first, the haiku that inspired the title:

O snail,
climb Mount Fuji,
but slowly, slowly
- Kobayashi Issa

I literally discovered ‘O snail’ as Carlos was sending me his guitar elements. The timing was too coincidental (thus the title).

As you may well imagine, the haiku of the Snail climbing Mount Fuji implies patience, perseverance, and remembering to enjoy the journey. But we never understand the trials of the snail; only his speed limitations. I feel like it’s good to face some truths about ourselves that might be interfering with our journey; and hearing someone else share their challenges has often helped me not feel so overwhelmed by mine.

For example, I have a strangely persistent ‘low self-esteem’ issue that has been with me for as long as I can remember. There are numerous childhood experiences keeping that thinking alive. But if I’m being completely honest with myself, they are all just part of my story… and the majority of them are not even happening to me any more. Yet despite 55 year old Justin’s accomplishments, that dark little fellow shows up from time to time, to… I don’t know… put me back in my place? Or something?

And here’s the annoying thing. There is an abundance of evidence indicating I’m a good person, living a worthwhile life, doing good things. I’m a highly logical person; and the math on this is pretty solid. This should be a breeze to overcome.

Surprisingly, it’s not. 

So clearly, there are certain perspectives that simply defy logic. And I suspect many of us carry similar thoughts and feelings deep inside; those annoying little clingers-on that defy reason, and fight to keep us down. That part of us that always wanted to be accepted by and fit into something that never really matched our shape to begin with. 

This is ultimately about us realizing that we are ridiculously amazing beings. Higher minded Justin truly believes every one of us is fundamentally perfect (and perfectly capable), because we are here right now… living this. I believe we are all in a very advanced class (or at the very least, approaching finals on a very rigorous curriculum), and we wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t met the prerequisites. We stand here right now (although I'm sitting as I type), with purpose and opportunity coming at us full steam. It’s going to be an amazing, sometimes horrifying, sometimes beautiful beyond words experience. And we all get to do it together. Wild ride, right?

The bottom line is… it’s time we gave ourselves a break, and loved and accepted ourselves… as is. That is so key to the rest of it working out for us, and it’s truly worth prioritizing. 

Also, what if we try our hardest to honor and respect each other’s paths. Every path is sacred… even if some seem harder to understand. And they all combine to make up this story, which would not be so poignant (or easy to learn from) if not for the extreme light and extreme dark elements giving us such wide angle perspective.

Carlos and I hope you enjoy ‘Climbing Mount Fuji With My Snail.” :)

F.W. Friends

Climbing Mount Fuji With My Snail | Carlos Vivanco & GrevusAnjl

From the album “Obscure Silhouettes and Random Reflections” - https://moodexhibit.bandcamp.com/album/obscure-silhouettes-and-random-reflections

Obscure Silhouettes and Random Reflections

Mood Exhibit - Parallel West

Me on the vocals again :)

For those moments when you feel your passion and your purpose...

Free download.


Lyrics

Chorus

The universe reached out
there was no need to shout
I could see the signs
I could figure them out

Verse 1

I'm on a new path
oh you may laugh
you've heard it all before
you know it for sure

Open up the floodgates
flow towards where the one waits
it's so close I know
I've searched high and low

Verse 2

The freedom of constraint
shows a picture i can paint
I am free to be at one
no need for restraint

Somethings come alive
like the drones within a hive
let it bleed out
let it wash away the doubt

Verse 3

As I travel deeper
words wake from there sleeper
an interrupted flow
can still begin to grow

Cover art created with https://www.canva.com/

RiZLiX - Signs (Free Download)

It's the month for some dark music! 🎃
The lyrics to this song is a poem that my friend, Keith Dorman had published in 1993 called Commission. When I first read it I thought wow, this is dark! And it stuck with me ever since.
Keith kindly gave me permission to use the poem for a track. 
I blended a pitch shift in with my vocals whilst I recited the poem as I didn't want it to sound like myself as I wanted it to sound more horror movie vibe! 
Anyway, hope you all enjoy a rare vocal performance from myself.


Commission 

I commission you artist 
Paint me a terminal illness
Mixed media make it real
I commission you artist
Paint me worry and emptiness 
I must feel the hurt
I commission you artist 
Paint agony and horrific pain 
Reds and lightning flashes
I commission you artist 
Paint death and stench
Let it make me ill
I commission you artist 
Paint me dead

K. Dorman 1993

Guitars used:
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Yamaha Revstar Standard (P90 pickups)
Fender Precision Bass 

Plugins used:
Neural DSP Mesa Boogie MKiiC+ suite 
Line 6 Helix Native
Spitfire Audio Labs - Amplified Cello & Evil Cello
Crow Hill Company Vaults - Attic Grand Piano

Drums:
Toontrack EZ Drummer 3 - Dark Industrial 

I Commission You

Here is my new composition, inspired by Gustavo Santaolalla's music.

Watch the video on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/GxTIfhIltWY
https://youtu.be/qGpChduIXzU

You Can't Stay

Foggy Street

InertTraffic

(If you rip any of these tunes, I will find you.)

Most of my unfinished projects are here:

1. HeartTones - Sad Songs (HeartTones Rework)
2. HeartTones - ID
3. HeartTones - ID (My favorite, and the most recent one)
4. HeartTones - ID (no mix)
5. HeartTones - ID
6. HeartTones - Petal Whispers
7. HeartTones - ID
8. HeartTones - ID
9. HeartTones - ID

Chrysalis - Mini ID Showcase

Raven

Mood Exhibit is the sound expression outlet for Robert Salchak. Exploring the genres of electronic, post classical, world instrumental, and melody laced soundtrack styles. The music of ME has a strong emphasis on visual texture and emotion.