this is one of the best songs I've ever heard, the more I listen to it the more I love it

Until I Reach the Sun - Vol. 1 is the first part of a longer album. This collection of songs, written from 2012-2021 contains three, maybe four different stories. It begins with the story of a teenage boy who tries to make sense of life (It All Makes Sense, 2012). Then, it tells the story of a curious Icarus who burned himself by flying too close to the sun (When a Man Touches the Sun, 2012).  It also tells the story of an Alice-type figure who retreats into her dream world to escape her bleak reality (Wonderland, 2014).

The most notable of these stories is that of the prodigal son (Prodigal’s Anthem, 2015, and all the songs that follow, 2017-2021). The prodigal son left home thinking he was ready to face the world, only to find himself miserable and alone. But at the end of the journey, he was greeted with a warm embrace from the father he ran away from. His ending is one that we hope all the other characters experience, too. Their stories will be continued in Vol. 2.

These stories are meant for you, dear listener. We hope that the last one — the one about the prodigal son — would give you hope that that suffering can end in comfort, and isolation can lead us closer to presence.

There are many, many, many more songs in the vault. For now, we give you these seven. Thank you for listening to the stories we tell through songs.

From morning light/’til break of dawn,
The Ridleys

04 Prodigal’s Anthem (or ‘The Gods We Hold Dear’)

Free Your Mind is an acoustic instrumental track that serves as a serene soundscape for contemplation and relaxation. Its gentle, introspective melodies foster deep thinking and stress relief, creating an ambiance of openness and tranquility. This soft, psychological music is a balm for the soul, inviting listeners to unwind and free their minds

Free Your Mind

Cherry Wine (a Hozier cover)

i hear them calling
they're calling out to me
they tell me freedom is here
yeah freedom's finally here

all the while rain is falling
just like notes on a symphony
they tell me not to feel fear
'cause freedom's finally here

'take one bite to take the fall
i'll be right next to you through it all'
with these words i saw
with these words i saw

i once was caged but now i'm free
and i don't really wanna go home
i once was blind but now i see
yeah i don't really wanna go home
i've paid the price, i know the cost
don't preach to me, i know i'm lost
and if my father calls for me
tell him i don't wanna go home

tell me again
what's it like on the other side
are you still living in fear?
aren't we all just human
we turn to dust when we die
sacrifice every year
to please the gods we hold dear

'take one bite to take the fall
we'll be right next to you through it all'
with these words i saw
with these words i saw

i once was caged but now i'm free
and i don't really wanna go home
i once was blind but now i see
yeah i don't really wanna go home
i've paid the price, i know the cost
don't preach to me, i know i'm lost
and if my father calls for me
tell him i don't really wanna go, don't really wanna go home

no i don't wanna go back to where i couldn't run
do you see me now? i've only just begun
i won't stop to lay my head
until i've reached the sun
no i don't wanna go back to where i couldn't run

prodigal's anthem (or 'the gods we hold dear')

These are original songs recorded right after they were written. :)

Rorschach Blots (prototype)

Our first EP! Special thanks to Kian Ransom for making this EP possible. :) Check out his band, The Ransom Collective: https://soundcloud.com/theransomcollective

To support our music, you can buy this EP on Bandcamp for $3.99. Just click

Vocals & Acoustic Guitar - Benny Manaligod
Back-up Vocals & Lead Guitar - Jan De Vera
Drums & Percussions - Bryant Ayes
Bass - Joric Canlas

All songs written by Benny Manaligod
All songs arranged by Benny Manaligod, Jan De Vera, and Bryant Ayes
All songs recorded and produced by Kian Ransom

Aphrodite EP

Yvaine

02 Yvaine

A song I wrote 9 months ago. Hope you like it~
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She'll sail around the world
Ride the waves and feel the winds
Just a frightened little girl
Sailing farther from her sins

He says,
"Scarlet Ocean,
there's nothing left to save
Scarlet Ocean,
you will be my grave"

He shouldn't walk along these streets
With these buses passing by
But he's tired of his beliefs
He's tired of asking why

He says,
"Starlit Ocean,
there's nothing left to save
Scarlet Ocean,
you will be my grave"

She says,
"Starlit Ocean,
there's nothing left to save
Scarlet Ocean,
you will be my grave
you will be my grave"

Starlit Ocean (Commonwealth Avenue)

Lyrics:
Tell me where your treasure is
Tell me, what does your heart miss?
Tell me of the men you've kissed
In this city made of mist

Tell me of your search for truth
Through the lens of foolish youth
Tell me what you had to lose
In this life we did not choose

There's much to say
These sunken eyes won't stay awake for long
But I will stay
From morning light until the break of dawn

Raconteur (raw)

Meaningful Silence (solo)

Do You Want To Be Mine (solo)

JULY 16, 2019 just making this public now for the band lol hope no one notices

She is a girl I met one January noon
Borrowed some books and said that I’d return them soon
When she asked about them I couldn’t find the words to say
I’ve never read a page until this day

Please be careful
You’ll be careful
Won’t you
Do be careful
Don’t you dare fall for words like these

I won’t dare to make a move
No I won’t dare to make a move

She is a girl who’s made of sugar more than spice
And, by some lovely accident, everything nice
She’s wise beyond her years. It’s in her soul, it’s in her name.
She’s clumsy and childlike all the same.

Please be careful
You’ll be careful won’t you
Do be careful
Don’t you dare fall for words like these

I won’t dare to make a move
No I won’t dare to make a move

Keep this story in a bottle
Throw it out into the sea
It could sink under the water
Or find its way to you and me
And by God if it’s the latter
Then maybe then maybe
Just maybe...

She was a poet who was barefoot on stage
Saw her December under starlight and the rain
I am a troubadour, my feet were meant to roam
But when I heard her voice I longed for home

She (draft)

Telling stories through songs.
A band composed of Benny Manaligod (songwriter, vocals, acoustic guitar), Jan De Vera (backup vocals, lead guitarist), Joric Canlas (bass), and Bryant Ayes (drums, percussion)

Raconteur (raw)

The Ridleys

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