Hello? 
Is there anybody out there.
All of a sudden I am out where
I really don't belong.

Why?
Remind me why I thought that leaving
Would set me loose from what I'm feeling
Not make the feeling grow.

God?
If you're there I sure could use you.
I still remember how I'd choose you
Every time I didn't now.

How?
Could I feel you all around me?
I'd wander off until you found me.
I've wandered off again.

Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Take it in.
Let it out.
Just like you taught me to.

Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Take it in.
Let it all fall out.
'Till you find the way to you.

Now?
Have I used up all my findings?
The magic spells of my unwindings?
I'm all wound up again.

Hello?
Is there anybody out there?
All of a sudden I am out where.
I really don't belong.

Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Take it in.
Let it out.
Just like you taught me to.

Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Take it in.
Let it all fall out.
'Till you find the way to you.


Words and music by Stefan Lanfer (c) 2021

The Way to You

The Mountain

One minute the skies went grey
We got soaked to the skin
It was that kind of horrible day.
But the next minute just as suddenly we found
When something said, "Stop! You better turn yourself around."
And my God
Right there
What a feeling in the air
As a million light beams bend
A double rainbow end to end

And all is well
Everything is well
Everything is well with my soul

One minute everything that you say
Makes me so angry I feel myself going grey
But the next minute just as suddenly we found
When a look from our miracle child say, "Turn this around."
And my God, can it be?
In an instant we agree.
And all my anger breaks.
What a difference a moment makes.

And all is well
Everything is well
Everything is well with my soul

One minute we all keep far away
It's all for the best is what all the experts say
But the next minute just as suddenly we found
Such a beautiful mess of
Good people around
And my God, whatever you believe about it all
It's a reprieve!
But there's a million different ways
All the colors stuck on grays

Will it ever all be well?
Weill it all just go to hell?
With all of us digging deeper than before?

I know it all depends
On how this story ends
And if the next minute brings some miracle
To make it all well.

The Next Minute

You'd Adore Me Now

What's the More?

The narrative lead in to "What I know" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/what-i-know) from the "Something for you" modern folk Christmas musical project that features the minor characters with major insights into a story many of us thought we knew inside and out. "What I know" is Elizabeth's song to her cousin, Mary, when they meet both pregnant with children who will change the world, by a kind of miracle.

Text:

Soon after, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant, as the Angel Gabriel had said she would. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “He has shown me his favor, and taken away my disgrace.” As was their custom, Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months - during which Mary, as we have heard, also became pregnant. When she did, Mary hurried into the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. When Mary entered their home, Zechariah was still unable to speak. So Mary called out her own greeting and, hearing it, Elizabeth felt something unlike anything she had ever felt before.

What I know (Dialogue Track)

The story:
A rock-musical adaptation of the best-selling book "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

Background:
The Alchemist is essentially our attempt at writing a rock-musical within a pop context. I had just finished the book and the protagonist, Santiago, really resonated with me. The book was gifted to me. My god-sis found that I was quite lost and needed some direction. I actually have a couple of copies of the book now because I tend to buy them at airport bookstores for flights.  

Tim had also begun taking his guitar playing a lot more seriously. He always did, but it was around this time that he really formalised his learning by plowing through theory books. We took as somewhat classical approach to the song. I went to the library to borrow tapes on musicals because we didn't have Youtube. Tim was listening to more classical music. Jon and Jarell had always known what they were doing. It somehow always came more naturally to them when determining the vibe of a song. 

The intro and first verse were written to capture the feeling of a monologue on stage. Because, the song loosely follows the three-act structure (of a play), the breakdown was heavier to represent the confrontation of a second act. The chorus was written last since the song ends with it. We actually had a lot of trouble writing it because M.I.’s approach to choruses was always “big, loud and preferably catchy”. 

If I remember correctly, we'd actually finalised the guitar parts and Jarell came up with the idea to do a drummer-boy baroque-style beat with only the snare. We loved it, so Tim and Jon adapted. Harun recorded the bass and we demanded a brief solo from him. - Illyas 

Trivia:
- The Alchemist is Jon's favourite M.I. song. 
- Tim did not provide vocals for the song because we wanted to remain true to the source material. Santiago was alone on his journey.

Lyrics:
Wandering lost, wondering where this road will take me
A shepherd boy no different from his sheep
This fork might bend, but will it shape for me?
To each his own, so I'll dethrone the destiny that life has set for me

Don't cry
Fall into my arms, I'll sing you to sleep
In time, 
I will return to you my queen

The eastern sky has lightened to mourn the night
Omens have spoken, nothing will break my stride
In search of a treasure residing beyond the brine

No reprieve, I don't need relief 
Faith has kept me on my feet
Cos there is nothing I won't give 
To feel so alive

Credits
Written by: Timothy Adalia, Jonathan Chua, Illyas Lim Effandi, Jarell Monteiro & Harun Rashid
Lyrics by: Illyas Lim Effandi

Vocals: Illyas Lim Effandi
Guitars: Timothy Adalia
Guitars & Keyboards: Jonathan Chua
Bass: Harun Nur Rashid
Drums: Jarell Monteiro

Recorded and Produced by Neil Lim

Moving On (17/1/2016 9:44:45 PM)

The Alchemist

Lyrics:
If I can speak in the tongues of men
Or like an angel sing
If there's no love in what I say,
It doesn't mean a thing.
It's only noise, a lot of noise, it's only noise, it's not the way.

If I know what the future holds
How every mystery unfolds
And how to move the mountains in my way.
If there's no love in all I know, it doesn't matter where I go.
I'm just a fool, I'm such a fool,  I am a fool, who's lost their way.

If I give all I have away
Even lay down my own life today
And people of importance say a word.
If there's no love in all I give, it doesn't matter how long I live,
There's nothing I gain.
It's just a show, good people know, it's all a show, a stupid game.

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love won't leave anyone behind
Love is always glad to know that you are well.
Love walks humbly and with grace.
Love never gets up in your face.
Keeps no record of the things that you got wrong.
Love always trusts, 
always hopes,
always protects,
Love perseveres.
When all the hope seems lost, then love appears.

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love won't leave anyone behind
Love is always glad to know that you are well.
Love walks humbly and with grace.
Love never gets up in your face.
Keeps no record of the things that you get wrong.
Love always trusts, 
always hopes,
always protects,
Love never fails.
Darkness may endure a night, but love prevails.

Words and music by Stefan Lanfer (c) 2021

Lyrics adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Love Is

Stefan Lanfer writes piano-centered indie folk songs with the soul of a storyteller and the heart of a seeker. These are raw, unpolished recordings—work tapes that capture the emotion and depth of songs still becoming. With a vibe somewhere between Ben Folds and Cat Stevens, his music blends lyrical introspection, spiritual resonance, and quiet power. For fans who want to feel something and collaborators looking for raw material ready for their magic.

What I know (Dialogue Track)

Stefan Lanfer

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