Vocals and Art by Stonerjazz @user-911083679
Vocals by Uziel @user-455619833
Beat, synths and mix by Tea Are Sea
Lyrics written or adapted by Stonerjazz (posted below)

This is the first installment in a new collaborative experimental concept album project that Stonerjazz and I have dreamed up! Thanks Uziel and Jeff for an awesome collab experience, this was so much fun!

-- LYRICS --

VERSE 1 (original words by Stonerjazz):

Enjoy and deploy the decoy for the marvelous girl and boy with the dog with the bell who can tell it's a plot or a ploy for Roy the despicable despot in the mysterious land of ZED.
Sleeping in my bed like the dead with the fed who breaks down the door with the might of the law and a mechanized Saw.
Where pity is scarce and money is gone for good, misunderstood in mysterious days and weeks ahead
To be led to the spot where they chop off the heads of all those that disagree that the kids should be free, just around the bend from where the horses run free and there's barely a tree to be seen...

VERSE 2 (A warriors mantra from the book "The Eagles Gift" by Carlos Castaneda):

I'm already given to the powers that rule my fate, and I cling to nothing
so I will have nothing to defend..
I have no thoughts, so I will see
and I fear nothing, so I will remember myself
detached and at ease, I will dart past the eagle to be free.

Johnny's Magical Squeezebox (Land of the ZED #1) - Stonerjazz | Uziel | Tea Are Sea

Arrangement, Words, Vocals, Piano and more by Uziel @user-455619833
Guitar and Mellotron by Stonerjazz @user-911083679
Synth lines and mix by Tea Are Sea

Wow, another incredible collaborative experience! This is the 3rd installment in the Land of ZED concept series that Stonerjazz, Uziel, and I are developing. Check out the whole playlist here if you're interested: https://soundcloud.com/tea_are_sea/sets/land-of-the-zed

Thanks for listening!

Lyrics:

He searched through threads
those bodies struck up in spiderwebs
he cut himself down
tight roped all around
he walk despite the endless evergreen beneath
helping those who were gone
broken compass dial pointing wrong
he hold the auspice firmly
guidance will come
watching changing arrows
red moon call out
the wolves cry up
it's gotten so dark so quickly
will he make it out of here?

Spiderwebs (Land of the ZED #3) - Uziel | Stonerjazz | Tea Are Sea

@enigmacurry gave me some really cool and unique stems to work with and this was the result!

This is my first track that makes use of a real analogue synthesizer(Minilogue XD)after many years of sticking to VSTs. There will be much more on the way where that came from!

Enigma and I have worked on a few other collaborations in the past (Check out my 'collaborations' playlist: https://soundcloud.com/tea_are_sea/sets/tea-are-sea-collabs and look for both his name as well as the 'Extemporaneous' project), but this is the first one posted to my account. Thanks for listening!

After Unsung Motion (Running out of Steam) - w/ Enigma Curry

Image used in cover art from Kirill Ignatyev via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Mycelial Growth

Our second collaboration, it's been great working with @gmo2020 again! 
He provided all the drum parts, then I layered on all the synth parts. I sent to him to dial in the final mix and master. Thanks for listening!

Photo credit to Michael Gwyther-Jones on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Fata Morgana w/ GMO

Photo credit Brandie on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Subterranean

We're back again with another installment in the ongoing SoundCloud collaborative concept album, 'Land of the ZED' !!

Stonerjazz, Uziel, and I developed this idea for a fantastical psychedelic concept album last Spring. We were joined by Francesca/Zed during our last episode (Johnny Sings the Blues) and all 4 of us came together again on this one. 

We've been really enjoying working on this collaboration and we hope you'll enjoy listening!

Check out the whole story (so far) here: soundcloud.com/tea_are_sea/sets/land-of-the-zed

Words and Vocals, Piano, Intro, and Cover Art by Uziel @user-455619833
Words and Vocals + Atmospheric background by Zed @zed4209819
Words and Vocals by Stonerjazz @user-911083679
Beat, Synths, Mix and Master by me @tea_are_sea

Lyrics:

(SJ)
DEEPER DEEPER DOWN THEY GO
PEEPERS PEEPERS SPYING IN THE DARK
STEEPER STEEPER EVERY STEP UPON THE TRAIL
SINGLE FILE IN LIGHT SO PALE

....
(U)
I'll turn the skies around
I'll go back up again
Hold on tight for this one
I'll escape into the sunlight
when will my dream start me?
Or maybe I'm just fine?
Welcome to a maladaptive daydream...

....
(SJ)
MONKEY'S HANGING ONTO MONKEY TAILS
HOTTER HOTTER AND IN THE MIDST OF THIS
THE TRAILS SPLIT, TURNED INTO TWO.
JONNNY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, JOHNNY DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE.
THE CROWS SAY "LEFT" THE RATS SAY "RIGHT"
AND THEY BEGIN TO KUNG FU FIGHT.

....
(Z)
mary
if you are real i'll marry you
if you are real i'll marry you

mary
you were easy to love
or maybe
your love dragged me down
mary
i should leave you alone
you are no dream that i own

mary
if you are real i'll marry you
mary
if you are real i'll marry you

....
(U)
I miss the razzle and dazzle
the trout and the smoke
and all the creatures running amok
I miss the sun's eyes
the moons in the skies
oh... I wish I could see it with you
but I'm stuck here
moving downward to the heart of the core
Zed...
I miss you... I miss you
I miss the razzle and dazzle
trout and the smoke
crows and the feathers all of their beads
rats in the leathers
the smoke and the feathers...
the smoke and the feathers...

Smoke & Feathers: Siren Song of ZED (#7) - with Uziel, Stonerjazz, and Zed

Art credit goes to Vovan UK (CC BY 2.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vovan_uk/6479239957/

Watercolor Waves

I've been following @Ladyofire aka Tanisha Jackland for almost 7 years, ever since I first became more active on SC. At that time, we were both based in Seattle and she was one of the few local people I'd discovered on here. I've always been inspired by her poetry and spoken word pieces set to music. Every so often she posts an open collab. When I stumbled across the original version of this track, Crimes Against Humanity - https://soundcloud.com/ladyofire/crimes-against-humanity-open-collab ... I decided to finally go for it. Great to be collaborating Tanisha!

Vocals, and more persistent drum/bass part(TR-808) by @Ladyofire
Evolving drums part (SR-16), heavier bass line and background synth/keys melody by @tea_are_sea

Photo credit to Thomas Hawk (CC BY-NC 2.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/

Crimes Against Humanity (TRC Remix) by Lady of Fire Poetry

This my and GMO's @gmo2020 third song together! Similar to the others we've collaborated on, he produced all the drums and percussion, I added the melodic parts, and then he finalized the mix and mastered. This is an especially strange experiment-- the slowest tempo I've ever worked with, 50bpm. We thought the resulting ultra slowed down vibe would fit with the concept of absolute zero, "the lowest temperature that is theoretically possible".

I discovered the image used in the cover art on Wikimedia Commons, uploaded by the European Southern Observatory (ESO)-- it is produced by the artist L. Calçada and represents a view from the surface of Pluto.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ESO-L._Cal%C3%A7ada_-_Pluto_(by).jpg

Thanks for listening!

Absolute Zero w/ GMO

Photo credit to Mike Lewinski (CC BY 2.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ikewinski/8667690822

Head In The Clouds

Another fun collaboration with @dough-factory !

We came up with the quirky beat and then went searching for some samples that would fit. I immediately thought of the Big Lebowski. But we'd also been talking about the Netflix show Midnight Gospel so we pulled in some clips from that as well.

I'm hoping this is all fair use (this track and this account are not monetized in any way!)

Credit goes to byronv2 on Flickr for the photo of the mural that the cover art is based on (CC BY-NC 2.0). Here is their description: "Mural of Jeff Bridges as The Dude from the brilliant The Big Lebowski, which adorns the wall outside Lebowski's pub on Morrison Street... " (West End, Scotland, UK)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolamaloo_gazette/51448031627

Dudeish Delve - Dough Factory & tea are sea

Cover photo credit to Gord McKenna (CC BY-ND 2.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

Wending Waterways

I came up with this piece in response to @llanpsych 's open collab, Primrose Riddim 
( https://soundcloud.com/llanpsych/primrose-riddim )

Upon listening, he commented that it sounds like we're jamming together in the same room and I'd have to agree! Always fun to work with these type of beats, and nice to have some guitar in the mix.

The art is a slightly manipulated version of a painting that was uploaded under public domain to Flickr by S Lurk:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lurksart/29186052776

Thanks for listening!

Primrose Dub - Llanpsych & tea are sea

For this track I used volca drum for the lofi beat as I've often done lately. Many of the synth lines are made with the minilogue xd, but I also tested out a modern wavetable vst (vital), a type of synthesis I haven't yet experimented with much. You can hear it in the deep resonant line that comes in for the final minute or so. I'm looking forward to further experimenting with it!

The photo is from a  strange national park in Utah called Goblin Valley  that has a lot of interesting rock forms. I spent some time camping with friends there years ago, though I didn't take this particular photo.

Image Courtesy: Greg Willis (www.flickr.com/photos/gregw66/4058207685/), Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic | Flickr

Alien Landscapes

We are very happy to present song #8 in the prog rock mega collaborative concept album, Land of the ZED!

Check out the whole story (so far) here: soundcloud.com/tea_are_sea/sets/land-of-the-zed

Vocals/Lyrics, Guitar, Drums/Bass, and co-Mixed by Uziel @user-455619833

Vocals/Lyrics and Artwork by Stonerjazz @user-911083679

Additional Drums/Percussion and atmospheric background synths by Zed @zed4209819

Synths and Mix by me @tea_are_sea


Lyrics

Pt. 1

Johnny doesn't know what to do
johnny doesn't have a clue
the crows say "left!"
the rats say "right!"
and they began to kung fu fight
Johnny standing in his golden accordion light says:
"stop this now! no need to fight-
half go left and half go right!"
johnny doesn't know
What to do
Johnny doesn't have a clue

Johnny doesn't know
What to do?
He doesn't have a clue what do do

"Half go left and half go right!"

Here comes Roy! The despicable despot!
shaking in his boots...
he still pokes Johnny "play me some blues!"
"oh Johnny! let's end this now! Whatcha' gonna do Johnny?"
"HAHAHA"

"HALF GO LEFT AND HALF GO RIGHT!"
"Hey Johnny can you play me some blues?!"
"Now no, need to fight!"
"Hey Johnny, he he, oh johnny"
Johnny doesn't know, Johnny doesn't know...

Pt. 2

away and down and to the right, one thousand pilgrims Trudge into the massive cavern bright with River deep and cold and wide and FAIRIES everywhere in flight glowing with an amber light.

On the River bank a CRONE she squats and waits to collect the toll to cross the bridge that's built of blood and bones and ropes of soul.

She says "I'll have your finger or your toe or a small percentage of your soul. If you refuse i'll take it all. It's up to you, It's just like life, you can't go back, You MUST go through!!

Johnny Doesn't Know (Land of the ZED #8) - with Uziel, Zed, and Stonerjazz

Image used on cover is from Gord McKenna (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Information Overflow

Working with the great @enigmacurry always gets me thinking on a different wavelength and stretches my creativity in new ways. This track was no exception, a very cool experience!

Arches Hinge On High Resonance - w/ Enigma Curry

The title is inspired by by these lyrics from Modest Mouse: "Language is the liquid that we're all dissolved in..." from the song Blame it on the Tetons off the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News.

Photo credit to Bureau of Land Management (USA) CC BY 2.0

Language is the Liquid

Photo credit: Julie Falk (CC BY-NC 2.0), found on Flickr

Vapor Trails

The epic saga, ‘Land of ZED’ continues! About 1 year ago, Uziel, Stonerjazz and I started a collaborative prog rock style concept album around the concept of ‘Johnny and his Magical Squeezebox’. We’ve been having a lot of fun playing with different styles, breaking all the musical rules, and writing our own soundcloud inspired mythology. 

For the past 3 songs we’ve been working with a new collaborator, Francesca (a.k.a. Zed) who has added a cool new twist to our sound.
And on this track we’re pulling in a fifth artist who contributed an amazing set of lyrics: Jo Richter (a.k.a. Sonic Structures and Silent Stretches). Thanks for joining us!

Check out the whole story (so far) here: soundcloud.com/tea_are_sea/sets/land-of-the-zed
---
Vocals, drums for part 1, and keys by Jeff / Stonerjazz @user-911083679
Lyrics for part 2, vocals, and artwork by Uziel @user-455619833
Synth, drums, mix, and production for part 2 by Francesca/ Zed @zed4209819
Synths and production for part 1 and final overall mix by Terry / @tea_are_sea
Lyrics for part 1 by Jo Richter / Sonic Structures and Silent Stretches @sonic-textures 
---
Lyrics:

Pt. 1

the shining stone
deep in the mountains
the golden glow
brought forth by fountains
raising in moonlight
raising in moonlight
the golden note
created a player
weaving the node
to cross the mire
of red-shifting ire
of red-shifting ire
the jet black stone
deep in the mountains
wailing in woe
brought forth steep chasms
sucking up moonlight
sucking up moonlight
night‘s dim vibration
created a slayer
cloaked in delusion
trouble to sire
with red-flaring fire
with red-flaring fire
oh, flyers beware
the world is on fire
oh, walkers beware
of footing the mire
oh, jonny beware
never to tire
never to tire

Bickering bikers boyish bravado..emboldened they sly and Jellyfish Souls.
To Plant a finicky trickity fine bomb.
in the administrational heart of Zed.
in the mountain's monstrous mouthcave
Where Roy resides and cruelty is King.
For fear of ferocoius felines prowling the ring.
Imposed by the iron imposter this fine will ask
each creature looking more than three feet ahead
to forfeit three loaves of of freshly baked bread.
Those that cannot comply will lose the sight in one eye…

Pt. 2

Crystalizing at caverns edge
Mouth all shining as we make our descent
We outta be... weary and beware
Perhaps more troubles ahead?
Guided ourselves past the terrors
Into starlight shifting patterns
Of stalactites in space underground
We out to be wary and beware
Perhaps in this beautiful world
More troubles...
Ahead?

The Administrational Heart (Land of the ZED #9) w/ Uziel, Zed, Stonerjazz, and lyrics by Jo Richter

Photo credit: Peter Castleton (CC BY 2.0), found on Flickr

Meandering Memories

I am continuing to hone the approach of building drum beats with the Volca Drum for that lofi foundation to the sound and then adding lots of analogue and hybrid leads with the Minilogue XD. The track also includes a variety of VSTs/iOS based synths.  I was happy with how this one came out!

Photo Credit: Giles Watson (CC BY-SA 2.0) found on Flickr.

Photosynthesis

I recently picked up Korg Module Pro so spending a bit more time within the Gadget ecosystem for this one, although it does still incorporate a few lines using the Minilogue XD. 

The image is from Yellowstone National Park and the crazy colors are from extremophile bacteria. credit to Filip Goč CC BY 2.0, found on Flickr.

Chemotrophic

This is another track that started with a quirky volca drum beat. This time most of the melodic layers were made with Korg Module, and virtual synths from Moog including the Model 15 and the Model D. I also used a variety of other soft synths and a little bit of the Minilogue XD.

Cover image credit: Stewartbaird CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Lighter than Air

I'm taking my turn here at responding to the great Stonerjazz's @user-911083679 amazing open collaboration, Hawk Caught a Rabbit https://soundcloud.com/user-911083679/song-0011wav

Lyrics posted below. The cover image is a photo I found on Flickr and heavily modified. Original is from user Henry (CC BY 2.0)
https://flic.kr/p/2jwgjsg

------

Hawk caught a rabbit , took it high up in the air
Eagle caught the hawk much to his despair.
Eagle didn't notice that the hawk had a Hare.
and they all came down, yeah they all came down
to the ground, to the ground.
They all came down.

Bones and fur and feathers clutched together, tangled in the heather
and i wondered what i was seeing
while standing in the shrubbery by the river in the mountains
where i had a vision of a high way in Nevada
and a sandstone archway floating in the sun.

When i finally got the news, i almost bought a gun..

Hawk Caught a Rabbit, the Stoner Tea Mix (w/ STONERJAZZ)

I've been making drum beats with Patterning 2 on the iPad pro, and then layering synth lines on top: minilogue xd with lots of vst instruments this time, but will be featuring some new hardware very soon.

Cover image credit goes to Stanley Zimny(CC BY-NC 2.0)

Future Echoes

I usually don't sit on unreleased tracks... but this one started last Winter as a proposed collaboration that never came together. After giving it another listen recently, it resonated with me as an especially good track to put out during the week of the Summer Solstice! This is my favorite time of year and I'm finding there is something really nostalgic about this one. Once again the minilogue xd is heavily featured.

Cover image credit to Richard Rydge (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), found on Flickr.

Summer Skies

SolipSystemic

I sent a drum loop to @Azealotrous and here is the result. Always a fun collaboration and cool final product!

Echis carinatus - Azealotrous & Tea Are Sea

Hello! Here you will find downtempo, ambient, electronic and experimental music also influenced by rock, blues, indie, and trip hop styles. Newer songs were made with Cubasis and Ableton Live using a combination of vst classic Korg and Moog synths, a Minilogue XD, and a Volca Drum. Some tracks also use an Alesis SR-16, or were constructed with Patterning 2 and other virtual instruments.

Hope you will check out some of my collaborators!

@dough-factory
@jerome-hearn-994307260
@user-911083679 (STONERJAZZ)
@user-455619833 (Uziel)
@ruizzoidman21centurions
@grevusanjl
@chefboyextreme
@scilentsymphony
@enigmacurry
@azealotrous

I have been inspired by Aphex Twin, Radiohead, Boards of Canada, DJ Shadow, the Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, LCD Soundsystem, M83, Tycho, Godspeed you Black Emperor!, Mogwai, Pink Floyd, Animal Collective, Nicolas Jaar, Dirty Projectors, Massive Attack, Björk, Dan the Automator, Del, the Gorillaz, Reggie Watts, Ween, Neon Indian, Ott, Shpongle, Danger Mouse, Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo, the Books, and too many others to list here.

Thanks so much for stopping by and listening!

Tea Are Sea

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