"Just a Father" is Joseph’s aching prayer in "Don't blink" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/sets/dontblink), the modern folk singer-songwriter musical retelling of the first Christmas story from the perspective of the minor characters and minor moments that are full of fresh insights into a tale many of us thought we knew inside and out.

In this song, Joseph wrestles with doubts that have dogged him since he first entered stage right. Years after that first visit from a heavenly messenger, he faces the boy he agreed to raise — now twelve years old, confidently stepping away from his parents into the life that calls him, already wiser than any can fathom.

Part lament, part confession, part heartfelt pledge, “Just a Father” is a song of love and hope, dismay and frustration, and - finally - faith and faithfulness, all bound up together. 

Lyrics:

VERSE:

I would have called him Joseph. No one would ask us why.
But you asked me to trust you and a message from on high.

CHORUS:

It’s no small thing to ask. It’s no small thing I’ve done.
Believing better angels telling me that he’s the one.
This boy, this boy, this boy - like no other kind of son
And me, I’m just a father wondering, “Who will he become?”

VERSE:

“My father’s house,” he said and “didn’t you know” as if to shame
the both of us, like he’s through with us, who gave the boy his name.

CHORUS:

It’s no small thing to ask. It’s no small thing I’ve done.
Believing better angels telling me that he’s the one.
This boy, this boy, this boy - like no other kind of son
And me, I’m just a father wondering, “Who will he become?”

BRIDGE:

I know I share the blame. But what am I to do?
When here we are again - you asking me to trust in you
And in our boy - our gift from heaven. He always knows the way
And everything to do and exactly what to say.

CHORUS:

It’s no small thing to ask. It’s no small thing I’ve done.
Believing better angels telling me that he’s the one.
This boy, this boy, this boy - like no other kind of son

JOSEPH:
You know I wanna be faithful. But I’m still wondering - who will he become?

Just a father (Joseph)

“Something for you” is the opening number and title song to the new modern folk singer-songwriter Christmas musical, "Don't blink"

This musical brings forward the minor characters in the first Christmas story — shepherds, innkeepers, fathers and mothers — those whose names we might know, or not. In any case, we rarely linger in their company, and can be left to wonder why the author even included them. "Don't blink" also invites us deeper into previously unexamined moments with the more central characters - Joseph, Mary, the angel Gabriel - to help us grasp how it felt for them to be caught up in this great, grand, mysterious narrative.  

“Something for you” raises the central theme for the whole project:

👉 The heroes at center-stage aren’t the only ones whose stories can point the way to the universal and profound.

With acoustic warmth, lyrical honesty, and a modern folk sensibility, “Something to See” invites listeners to pause, look again, and discover what surprising truths are right there in plain view, waiting to be seen at the edges, between the lines, just below the surface of a story many of us thought we knew inside and out.

LYRICS:

VERSE

You might see me, if you see me, on the outside of the frame,
A kind of “also ran” - you might never know my name.
Maybe all you’ll know is I’m a husband or a wife,
A shepherd or a wise man, just living out my life.

CHORUS

There just might be a reason that all of us are here,
Even if we’re not the center of the story - nowhere near?
If you take a another look, take a moment, take two - 
You might see something that is true as true is true
You might see something for you.

VERSE

I know I’m not the hero. Not many of us are. 
But what if there’s a message written to us in the stars?
Any one of us might hold an illuminating piece
Of the puzzle, whether ours is the greatest or the least.

CHORUS

There just might be a reason that all of us are here,
Even if we’re not the center of the story - nowhere near?
If you take a another look, take a moment, take two - 
You might see something that is true as true is true
You might see something for you.

BRIDGE

You might think truth a fiction some people believe,
Candy that the masses mindlessly receive.
So be fearless with your questions.
Don’t hide it when you doubt.
And never fear to look.
Who knows what you’ll find out?

CHORUS

There just might be a reason that all of us are here,
Even if we’re not the center of the story - nowhere near?
If you take a another look, take a moment, take two - 
You might see something that is true as true is true
You might see something for you.

Something for you

"...all who heard it were amazed." 

A raw, piano-driven ballad from "Don't blink" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/sets/dontblink), the modern folk singer-songwriter musical retelling of the first Christmas story from the perspective of the minor characters and minor moments that are full of fresh insights into a tale many of us thought we knew inside and out.

 “A fair question” is the song of the “all” (as in "all who heard it were amazed") who heard the shepherds tell their breathless story of what they had just witnessed. Closer than any of us and yet, like us, left to grapple with doubt and faith about what’s real and what it means, when all we have to go on is what other people saw and experienced, and what they say about it.

LYRICS

VERSE:

I didn’t see what they saw
All I’ve got to go on is,  
Same as you it’s just their story - 
This whole star and angel biz.
First one, and then a lot of them
The night sky bright as day,
Talking wonders ‘bout some baby
Born in Bethlehem. OK…

CHORUS

If I didn’t know these guys,
Didn’t hear and didn’t see
For myself what had come over them,
Would I still believe?
It’s a fair question - 
To be honest - I don’t know.
I feel for you, I really do,
As the distance grows.
It’s a fair question - 
Would I still believe?
If I were in your shoes - I might just leave. 

VERSE

A baby’s nothing special.
They show up all the time.
But this was no repeat, they said
It’s history when it rhymes
We saw him with our own eyes
Just like the angels said
Wrapped up and in a manger
His parents at his head.

CHORUS

If I didn’t know these guys,
Didn’t hear and didn’t see
For myself what had come over them,
Would I still believe?
It’s a fair question - 
To be honest - I don’t know.
I feel for you, I really do,
As the distance grows.
It’s a fair question - 
Would I still believe?
If I were in your shoes - I might just leave. 

BRIDGE

All who heard it were amazed.
I was too 
By that look in their faces - 
Could a lie do that to you?
What would be the reason
To make up such a tale
To sell it like a promise
If the whole thing’s doomed to fail?

CHORUS

If I didn’t know these guys,
Didn’t hear and didn’t see
For myself what had come over them,
Would I still believe?
It’s a fair question - 
To be honest - I don’t know.
I feel for you , I really do,
As the distance grows.
It’s a fair question - 
Would I still believe?
If I were in your shoes - I might just leave.

A fair question

"The Patient Heart Blues" - A Song About Standing Strong While Walking Away
Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is knowing when to stay and when to go. This song came from studying an ancient Buddhist text about patience—but not the kind of patience where you just take whatever comes. Real patience, the kind that refuses to break.

The Buddha said when people come at you with "swords, sticks, and stones," you should be patient. But here's the twist: being patient doesn't mean being a doormat. It means having such unshakable inner strength that you don't need to hit back—AND being wise enough to protect yourself and walk away when you need to.

Sometimes walking away IS the strongest thing you can do.

Inspired by scholarly analysis of the Lotus Sutra, Chapter 10 For everyone who's still learning to put themselves first without losing their heart

🎵 "It's fire in your belly sayin' 'I won't quit,' / It's wisdom in your heart knowin' when to split" 🎵


Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
Well, they comin’ at me with their sticks and stones,
Yeah, they comin’ at me with their sticks and stones,
But I got a strength inside that won’t leave my bones.

(Verse 2)
Buddha told me, “Son, you think of me,”
Buddha told me, “Child, you think of me,”
When the world gets mean, that’s when you’re finally free.

(Chorus)
‘Cause patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s standin’ so strong that you refuse to quit.

(Verse 3)
Now they call me names and they wish me harm,
Yeah, they call me names and they wish me harm,
But I keep my center, I keep my calm.

(Verse 4)
See, anger’s just a poison in your own sweet cup,
That anger’s just a poison in your own sweet cup,
You drink that down, you’re the one messed up.

(Chorus)
But patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s standin’ so strong that you refuse to quit.

(Bridge - Spoken/Half-sung)
Now listen here, I got somethin’ to say,
‘Bout compassion and boundaries and findin’ your way—
You can love somebody’s soul, their light divine,
But still walk away when they cross that line.

(Verse 5)
I built me a fence, strong and tall,
Yeah, I built me a fence, strong and tall,
Keeps me safe and keeps them from their fall.

(Verse 6)
’Cause if I let ’em hurt me, they hurt themselves more,
If I let ‘em hurt me, they hurt themselves more,
That’s just how karma settles the score.

(Chorus)
See, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s lovin’ so deep but you still don’t quit.

(Verse 7)
Three kinds of patience, that’s what I found,
Yeah, three kinds of patience Buddha laid down,
Face your own pain, handle folks’ mean sound,
And know ain’t nothin’ permanent on this ground.

(Verse 8)
When you realize there ain’t no “you” to defend,
When you realize there ain’t no “you” to defend,
That’s when the sufferin’ finally ends.

(Final Chorus)
‘Cause patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s fire in your belly sayin’ “I won’t quit,”
It’s wisdom in your heart knowin’ when to split,
It’s lovin’ the world while you still protect it.

(Outro)
So when them swords come swingin’, when them stones start flyin’,
When them swords come swingin’, when them stones start flyin’,
I’m walkin’ away strong—ain’t no use in cryin’,
Got a patient heart, yeah, and that ain’t no lyin’.

[Harmonica wail]

The Patient Heart Blues

“Bucket List” is a song about real love, not the movie kind, not the dramatic kind, the kind that grows slow, stays steady, and makes all the wild plans you once had feel small next to one person who feels like home.

It’s acoustic country-rock with warm guitars, soft brushes, light jazz colour, and a baritone vocal that keeps everything close and human.
The whole track sits in that sunrise space: honest, mellow, and a little bit breathtaking in its simplicity.

At its heart, the song is about letting go of the big, flashy dreams you thought you needed and realising that the best moments are the quiet ones beside someone who makes the world feel complete.

Every laugh becomes a landmark.
Every kiss feels like a place you’ve been searching for.

If you’re into music that feels like morning light, long drives, or sitting with someone you love while the world slows down, this one's for you.

Thanks for listening, truly.
Hope it lands where it needs to.

Lyrics:

Used to dream of chasing sunsets,
Climbing mountains just to see the view.
Thought I’d find my heart in places
Where the sky turns deeper blue.
Had a map full of wild intentions,
Every corner marked with things to do.
But I crossed them out the moment
That I fell in love with you.

Now my plans don’t look the same,
You rewrote every page.

You’re my bucket list, my once-in-a-lifetime wish,
Every box I ever meant to tick.
If loving you is all I get to do,
Then I’ve already lived it rich.
Don’t need to see the world to know it’s this—
You’re my bucket list.

Forget skydives and city lights,
I’d rather watch the dawn with you.
Count the freckles on your shoulder
Like the stars I never flew to.
Every laugh becomes a landmark,
Every kiss another dream come true.
I stopped running out for something more
When everything was you.

All the things I thought I’d chase
Fade behind your face.

You’re my bucket list, my once-in-a-lifetime wish,
Every box I ever meant to tick.
If loving you is all I get to do,
Then I’ve already lived it rich.
Don’t need to see the world to know it’s this—
You’re my bucket list.

If tomorrow never comes, I won’t regret a thing,
You’ve given me the kind of life they write about and sing.

You’re my bucket list, my every breath and kiss,
From the first hello to the last goodnight twist.
If I checked it all, it’d still come down to this—
You’re my bucket list.

Yeah, you’re my bucket list.
Everything I ever wanted... ends with you.


Listen on Spotify

Bucket List

“She’s So Perfect” sits in that quiet space where love feels almost unreal.
It is acoustic folk-rock with warm guitars. Everything here is gentle, slow moving and soaked in that feeling you get when someone makes your whole world feel lighter without even trying.

The song is about loving someone who sees you in ways you never learned to see yourself. It is the kind of love that feels soft around the edges, the kind that makes ordinary days glow a little more.

Every line is built from the small moments: holding hands, watching someone breathe, realising that the quiet things matter more than anything loud.

If you like indie folk that feels tender, grounded and a bit vulnerable, this track will probably land with you.

Thanks for listening. Hope it finds the right ears.

Lyrics:

I still trip over my own shoes,
Tryna play it cool when she walks through.
She laughs, and the room gets lighter,
I swear the stars move closer beside her.

Every time her hand finds mine,
I forget the rest of time.
How could someone like that care this much?
How could she see me and still call it love?

She’s so perfect, it don’t make sense,
Like heaven took a second chance.
Every flaw she thinks she hides,
I just see the girl inside
And I can’t believe it’s true 
She’s so perfect, and she loves me too.

She tells me I make her feel safe,
I still don’t know what I did to earn that place.
When she’s asleep, I just watch her breathing,
Afraid to blink and miss this feeling.

Every time her hand finds mine,
The whole world fades behind.
How could someone like that hold on so long?
How could she know me and still feel strong?

She’s so perfect, it don’t make sense,
Like heaven took a second chance.
Every flaw she thinks she hides,
I just see the girl inside
And I can’t believe it’s true 
She’s so perfect, and she loves me too.

She finds beauty in the rain,
Turns loss to something gained.
If forever fades away,
Her love still colours every day.

She’s so perfect, I lose my breath,
When she whispers, “you’re my best.”
Every doubt just fades to blue 
She’s so perfect, and I love her too.


She's so perfect

A spirited Texas remake of Charlie Daniels' classic "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," swapping the fiddle duel for banjos. Follow young cowboy Bobby as he outpicks the devil in a fast-paced, heart-pounding battle of skill, soul, and Texas pride. Full of fiery licks, demonic laughs, and triumphant swings—this track captures the essence of southern storytelling with a banjo twist!

Find the official video here : https://youtu.be/aKsVOgSKPTI

Devil came down to Texas

Dive into the untamed essence of freedom and loyalty with "Spirit of the Wolf," a haunting folk ballad inspired by Dark americana's raw storytelling style. Born under northern moons and guided by shadowed mountains, this track explores inner strength, pack bonds, and the wild call of instinct—perfect for reflective nights or Americana playlists. Watch the official video here: https://youtu.be/NgA-0gzjtVM

Spirit of the Wolf

A brooding Southern Gothic blues ballad, "Dirt Road Crossroads" revisits the classic devil's bargain twenty years later—fame's hollow price coming due under a harvest moon, with mournful fiddle requiems, weeping slide guitar, and raw gravelly vocals painting fateful regret and inevitable collection. Rag'n'Bone Man depth meets Tyler Childers storytelling in this ominous tale of sold souls and borrowed glory.  #SouthernGothic #DirtRoadCrossroads #DevilBargain #DarkAmericana #BluesBallad #OccultFolk

Dirt Road Cross Roads

“I Need You So Much” is one of those late-night confession songs.
The kind that only makes sense at 2 AM, when someone you shouldn’t let in walks through the door and the truth shows itself in the quiet. It’s warm, intimate, a little messy, and honest in a way you feel more than you say.

Built around acoustic folk-rock, the song leans into that space between desire and trust, where something that started as nothing suddenly feels like everything. It’s about crossing lines, admitting what you’ve been holding back, and realising the person you let closest is the one you can’t shake.

If you’re into heartfelt indie folk with warmth, movement and a slow emotional lift, I hope this one lands with you. 

Thanks for listening.

Lyrics:

It’s 2 AM, I leave the door wide
Your silhouette slips in with no disguise
I’m used to nights that never mean too much
But something in your eyes, it pulls me up

I don’t want it planned, I don’t want it staged
Baby, when you move, I can’t look away

You earned my trust
Now I feel your touch
You earned my trust
And I need you so much

We cross that line, but we don’t tell lies
Your body speaks the truth I can’t deny
It feels so wrong, but it feels so right
You’re the only one I let inside

I don’t want it planned, I don’t want it staged
Baby, when you move, I can’t look away

You earned my trust
Now I feel your touch
You earned my trust
And I need you so much

On that lonely night, I couldn’t let go
Broken as we were, we still let it show
The rush was real, and it stayed with us
Every scar we show just builds the trust

You earned my trust
Now I feel your touch
You earned my trust
And I need you so much
(You earned my trust…)


I Need You So Much

LoveBot Army is a music collective pushing beyond genre and form. From cinematic dream pop to raw hip hop, from glacial ballads to underground tech house. Each album is a new chapter in a shape-shifting sound journey.

Our process is human at its core, emotion first, instinct-led, but we embrace technology as a creative amplifier. With AI-assisted, human-driven production, we craft music that’s both visceral and visionary.

LoveBot Army is more than sound. It’s immersive. It’s collaborative. It’s a multi-sensory world built with digital artists, visual storytellers, and rule-breakers across every medium.

Let the music find you.

💖 Let’s create something unforgettable, together.

#LovebotArmy #GenreFluid #AltPop #DreamPop #DarkPop #EDMCollective #ExperimentalMusic #CinematicSound #HipHopUnderground #IndieElectronica #PopNoir #MusicCollective #EmotionalSoundscapes #MultisensoryExperience #CreativeCollaboration #SoundAsStory #BeyondGenre #FutureOfSound #VisualMusic

Please like and share. 
Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

Cursed melodies. Family graves. Crossroads debts.
Southern Gothic nightmares & human heartbreak.
Welcome to 0165 Productions.
Leave pure or don’t leave at all.

Stefan Lanfer writes indie folk singer-songwriter songs with the soul of a storyteller and the heart of a seeker. With a vibe somewhere between Ben Folds and Cat Stevens, his music blends lyrical introspection, spiritual resonance, and quiet power. This song library is for fans who want to feel something and collaborators looking for material ripe with possibilities and ready for their magic. 

SoundCloud is Stefan's songwriting sandbox, with work tapes and rehearsal tapes, multiple versions, works in progress, different drafts tracing the evolutions, and ideas from listeners always welcome to help these songs figure out and become what they want to be before they launch into the wider streaming world. 

Thanks for stopping by. Come back anytime. Bring a friend. 

Backstories collected on The StefStack: https://stefanlanfer.substack.com/ - "a SubStack stuff sack of Stefan stuff"

New tracks tagged #Narrative Folk