If Primea was a Playlist

Glitter

2nd place winner of Yishan Wong's 2021 Solarpunk Art Contest! 🎉
medium.com/@yishan/solarpunk-art-contest-2021-winners-d935df357c84

Lyrics:

A city in ruin
But only for the blink of an eye
A pitiful tune
But only for a moment in time
In the long run

We came back to these old streets
When the barriers had all gotten
Buried at sea
And when these buildings all
Turned green
We agreed
It’s better than it used to be

How long has it been
Since we last felt fear of the sun and the wind
And how long will it be till we feel
The Metropolis of Eden we live in is real?

A city in bloom
A city with that adapts to survive
A little more room
For underdogs and misfits to thrive

In the rooftop gardens
The Purple Finches are pecking out the eyes
Of the wild yellow sunflowers
Smiling at vanilla skies
And you and I are finally free
To do the things we like
Be it making art or making out
And stargazing every night, and oh
How sweet would it be
If an Eastern Phoebe nested
On the balcony, and oh
How sweet to begin
Seeing life as a gift,
Not a contest to win

We came back to these old streets
When the barriers had all gotten
Buried at sea
And when these buildings all
Turned green
We agreed
It’s better than it used to be

How long has it been
Since we last felt fear of the sun and the wind
And how long will it be till we feel
The Metropolis of Eden we live in is real?

How long has it been
Since we last felt fear of the sun and the wind
And how long will it be till we feel
The Metropolis of Eden we live in is real?

A city in bloom
(We can do the things we like)
A city in bloom
(We can do the things we like)
A city in bloom
(We can do the things we like)
A city in bloom
credits
releases December 24, 2021
Music & lyrics by Stephan Nance
Arrangement by Stephan Nance

Piano/vocals/synths - Stephan Nance
Percussion - Mathias Kunzli

Mixing & mastering by Thaddeus Moore, Liquid Mixing & Mastering

Recorded in Portland and Los Angeles

Artwork by Leif Holt
Graphic design by Chad Lowe

Metropolis of Eden

Ta-da!
Today
The headache finally goes away
The headache finally goes
Ta-da!
Today
I feel the harmony between
My heart and body and my brain
Everything will be okay

And if you ask what bird I want to be
I'll say a blue jay
If you ask what time I want to leave
I'll change the conversation
If you lean in close and kiss me
I won't mind
I’ll probably respond in kind

Ta-da!
Today
I find the energy to play
I find the energy
Ta-da!
Today
I hear a friendly melody
In every enemy refrain
Everything will be okay
Everything will be okay

Ta-da!
Today
I see the light across the bay
Ta-da!
Today
A sudden symphony
is somewhere out there trumpeting my name
Everything will be okay

And if you ask what bird I want to be
I'll say a blue jay
If you ask what time I want to leave
I'll change the conversation
If you lean in close and kiss me
I won't mind
I’ll probably respond in kind
I’ll probably respond in kind
I’ll probably respond in kind
I’ll probably respond in kind.


credits

released January 7, 2022
Music & lyrics by Stephan Nance
Arrangement by Stephan Nance

Piano/vocals - Stephan Nance
Percussion - Mathias Kunzli
Electric bass - Jeni Magana
Trumpet - Jackie Coleman

Mixing & mastering by Thaddeus Moore, Liquid Mixing & Mastering

Recorded in Portland, Los Angeles, and New York

Artwork by Rebecca DeMoss
Graphic design by Chad Lowe

Blue Jay

This song was written and produced completely in my dorm with a $20 mic. Forgive me for the oddities it causes. 

Background:
And Eve was told not to eat the fruit, because "she would surely die." Instead, she learned information that she was not given before—she gained a power in that sense; she became the apocalypse.  What other powers are women "forbidden" from, all in the name of holiness? Maybe we should take a bite of that apple, feel some warmth from that lit match, explore ourselves, explore each other. They are baptizing the candles of tomorrow: they are snuffing flames. Why? They're scared of the heat we might just bring to the table. Mwah-ha-ha...

I digress... lyrics!!:
baptiser, baptise her, rose water, soft daughter
rectify and sanctify her, hold a moth and let it flutter
Don’t forget to floralize, don’t vocalize the smoke in eyes
Don’t don’t don’t strike.
catchin’ on that distant lie she’s gotta be divine
death-defier hanging on a burning tether line
then line breaks, spine aches, coiled snake, broken rope and Joanie chokes
they hope her perfume’s stronger than the soul

They’ll put an apple in your hand but don’t you dare bite it
A match and a wick but don’t you dare light it
They say temptation be a sin, don’t look any more behind it
That’s just how it is, don’t you dare fight it
They’ll put an apple in your hand but don’t you dare bite it
A match and a wick but don’t you dare light it
Life’s only meant to live, don’t fill it with excitement
Abstain, restrain, forgive, yeah, that’s how he likes it

Wax-dripper, flame-kisser, lost-livered life giver
Crucify and waterlog the sinner mother, sinner daughter
She could take you by surprise   
Beware the July fire ides
She’s a locked and loaded inferno with underglow she cannot know so drown that power fore it overflows
Sorry man, it’s way to late, her choice is made, the apple’s ate, the candle starts to flicker in a wicked little divine state
Rising and rising, gently respiring

she can’t let the candle burn
She can’t let the candle burn
So they’ve gotta teach her so she knows how to learn
That she can’t let the candle burn

CANDLEBURN

CANDLEBURN (Dorm Demo)

Played by The Crane Wives...
Kate Pillsbury - Emilee Petersmark - Ben Zito - Dan Rickabus

featuring their friends…
Steven Leaf - Seth Bernard - Rachel Gorman
Savannah Buist - Katie Larson

Produced by The Crane Wives & Ian Gorman
Mixed by Ian Gorman
Engineered by Ian Gorman & Ben Zito
Recorded at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mastered by Glenn Brown at GBP Studios in Lansing Michigan

Artwork by Rebecca Green
Album Design and Layout by Bill Chesney

Thank you to our loving families and dear friends, Ian & Rachel Gorman, Glenn Brown, Rebecca Green, The Accidentals, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine Bernard, Steve Leaf & the Ex Pats, Joey Schultz of Chickenbach, John Campos, Kris Kessel, Sean, Sarah & Arlo Lamborne, Tyler Rehm, 88.1 WYCE, Matt Jarrells, John Sinkevics at Local Spins, Emily Fox & Michigan Radio, Kevin Romeo & Rhino Media, Joey Basch, Josiah Barber, Amber Buist, Josh Gibson, Bill Chesney, Leah Pillsbury, Mark Sturr, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, The Appleseed Collective, Joy & Tim Lago, Marianne & Jim Fischer, Carmen & Javier Vargas of Mi Pueblo in Kalamazoo and Edith the Kitty. Thank you to all of the people who have welcomed us into their homes, fed us a warm meal, or shared with us their stories. 

Special thanks to our PledgeMusic contributors. This album would not exist without the help of our fans! We are grateful for your support and humbled by your loyalty.

Curses

jar of sand captures a moment in a bottle, traveling across the waves, all the way to you... reminiscent and rare, this dreamy pop gem pulls you out of the suburbs, into the town square, and leaves you with a summer romance for the ages.

jar of sand

I Am Not a Stranger Here

Varied Thrush

The Light That Comes Through

Certain Birds

Living Ghost: Still Rising

Wolf House

To douse a scalded tongue

A Thousand Songs About It All: Act 1 is out now!
Download/Stream: https://madilynmei.lnk.to/AThousandSongsAboutItAll
Album Merch + Vinyl & CD: https://shop.madilynmei.com/ 
 
Written and Performed by Madilyn Mei 
Produced and Mixed by Scrawny 
Mastered by Joe Hutchinson 
Video Animation by Scrawny 
Intro/Outro Animation by Madilyn Mei & Scrawny 
 
Lyrics:
I am a one man circus
I do everything 
So incredibly 
Since I’m the one that’s pullin all the strings
Give a bow
Tip your hat
Marvel at the fact
That there’s no list of writers on the screen
It’s just me, only me
 
Oooh
LA LA LA LA
Oooh
LA LA LA LA
 
I am the sole director
I’m the soul behind the show
Hell I AM the show
So give a clap, show some respect
Great job Mads, take five! Thanks Mads!
No prob Mads
I’m a gas, a lovely crowd
Make me laugh out loud
Even when no one else is around
 
I gotta do what I gotta do
I've got me and you’ve got you
If my shoulders were broad
I’d rule your world too
The fate of it all in my palms
You’d applaud
At the drop of a hat
You’d excuse all I do
I could dine at the Ritz in my birthday suit
But I’m hardly a man, and yet I’m hardly a girl
I’m the hand of God in my own little world
 
I am a one man circus
I’m the host if you will
And still I am also the tent
And the elephant in the room
My very own personal peanut gallery
And my own worst critic
And all my own five star reviews
I’m the spot with the best view
And can you guess it?
You’re also the best view!
 
Now you’re getting it!
 
Oooh
LA LA LA LA
Oooh
LA LA LA LA
 
I am a one man circus
I’m the singer and the song
And the writer and the dreamer
And the show that must go on
I’m the “silence all your cellphones please, yes even the buzz”
I’m the buzz that keeps me wanting more
And therefore coming back for more
Because 
 
I’ll always do what I gotta do
I’ve got me, I don't need you
No one can help even if they wanted to
I’m the player one and the player two
I’m the acrobat, I’m the net down below
Catching myself when I choose to let go
I’m the puppeteer and yet the puppet still
I’m a marionette at my very own will
I’m hardly a man, and yet I’m hardly a girl
I’m the hand of God in my own little world
 
I gotta do what I gotta do
I’ve got me and you've got you
Used to play the part well
But now it seems I forgot
You’ll never know who I am, who I’m not
Don’t look too close
Or it’ll seem odd
This world that you see
Can be quite the façade
You’ll still applaud
Not your job to ask
But backstage I know
I’m wearing a mask
 
And when I burn out
And I wish to be done
I’ll yank at my strings
It’s only Act 1

One Man Circus

Stream/Buy

A Thousand Songs About It All: Act 1 is out now!
Download/Stream: https://madilynmei.lnk.to/AThousandSongsAboutItAll
Album Merch + Vinyl & CD: https://shop.madilynmei.com/ 
 
Written and Performed by Madilyn Mei 
Produced and Mixed by Scrawny 
Mastered by Joe Hutchinson 
Video Animation by Scrawny 
Intro/Outro Animation by Madilyn Mei & Scrawny 
 
Lyrics:
No time to waste
Gonna be late for fate
You know what they say ‘bout bright flames
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace you
Replicate
AI generate you
 
No time to waste
Gonna be late for fate
You know what they say ‘bout bright flames
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace you
Replicate
AI generate
 
I don't know the things I wanna say until I say it
I hate it till I play it
Up on stage and see your faces
Let go of the reins
Now my whole brain’s a one man circus
This has to be my fate
It’s my only sense of purpose
 
Make it a character
You're her but you're not her

No you can’t take a day
You’re our brightest flame
No you can’t change your name
You’re our brightest flame, woah!
 
I don't know which way to go
So I continue forward

The pure and utter horror
Realizing I left me behind
I'm lonelier than ever
But I guess that's for the better
Time to kill and bills to pay
And plenty things to write

I’m just a little not myself lately
Too late to contemplate
You chose your fate
Maybe I should
 
Make it a character
You're her but you're not her

No you can’t take a day
You’re our brightest flame
No you can’t change your name
You’re our brightest flame
No you can’t take a day
You’re our brightest flame
No you can’t change your name
You’re our brightest flame

I’m done, I’ve just begun (la la la)
Why am I burning out?
Did I fly too close to the sun? (la la la)
Why am I burning out?
It was just starting to get fun (la la la)
Why am I slowing down?
Why am I burning out? (la la la)
Why am I burning?
It’s burning
 
No time to waste
Gonna be late for fate
I know what they say ‘bout bright flames
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace me
Replicate
AI generate me
 
Gotta keep up
I’m eating my own dust
Don’t know what to do or to trust
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace me
Replicate
AI generate

No time to waste (I don’t know if I can go on)
Gonna be late for fate
You know what they ‘bout bright flames
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace you
Replicate
AI generate you
 
No time to waste (but I know the show must go on)
Gonna be late for fate
You know what they ‘bout bright flames
Gonna burn out
They gonna replace you
Replicate
AI generate
 
I don't know which way to go
So I continue forward
The pure and utter horror
Realizing I left me behind
 
I could write
A thousand songs about it all
I've just begun, now I can't stop
Lose your mind
Stay who you’re not
But the brightest of flames
Burn half as long

A Thousand Songs About It All: Act 1

My Only Sense Of Purpose

Neither in the street nor in death nor if you go some place where nobody can see you….

Rubio’s Lament

Wake up and look out the window
Half the yard is burning and
The other half is covered in snow

Is it Arbor Day?
Is it Boxing Day?
I’m sure today must be a
Minor holiday

Season’s grievings to us, one and all
Once we get the hang of it
We’ll forget to get upset

Bearing each unsettling new pall
So adaptable
We’re so adaptable

So adaptable
We’re so adaptable
As the world is ending
We can keep pretending

That none of this will matter in an hour
First we lose the polar bears
Now we lose the flowers

Not a summer’s day
Not a winter’s day
Not a summer’s day
Not a winter’s day
Shall I compare thee to
The Judgment Day?

Is it All Saints’ Day?
Is it All Souls’ Day?
Is it All Fools’ Day?
Is it All Saints’ Day?
Is It All Souls’ Day?
Is it All Fools’ Day?

Is it Arbor Day?
Is it Boxing Day?
I’m sure today must be a
Minor holiday

And the world is ending
And we keep pretending
That none of this will matter in an hour

---

Music & lyrics by Stephan Nance
Arrangement by Stephan Nance

Piano/vocals - Stephan Nance
Percussion - Mathias Kunzli
Strings - Yoed Nir
Upright bass - Jeni Magana
Backing vocals - Greta Gertler
Clarinet - Lisa Parrott

Mixing & mastering by Thaddeus Moore, Liquid Mixing & Mastering

Recorded in Portland, Los Angeles, New York, and Sydney, Australia!

Minor Holiday

I listen to far too much music and just found out soundcloud has 100x better sound quality than spotify and im basically feral over it.

indie chamber pop (bardcore)
pronouns: they/them

I Am Not a Stranger Here

Sparkbird

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