Throwing Caution To The Wind

A very lofi synth outing recalling fond memories of working in Wallonia...

Chanson De Charleroi

NeverReady

It was on 17th December 2020 when VPP and I first exchanged messages, discussing the possibility of a collaboration. Fast-forward precisely one year to 17th December 2021 and here we are, launching the fruits of our labour upon the unsuspecting masses. I've always been an admirer of VPP's "synth noir" productions with their unique lyrics full of European cultural reference points and I've always fancied having a crack at working with singer, Keith's trademark vocals. So, as you can imagine, I was delighted when the opportunity to do so presented itself but, if truth be told, I've surprised myself a bit with what I came up with (musically) to accompany the vocal he sent me... I think it's fair to say that the end product is neither a typical VPP track nor a typical Observatory track. I sincerely hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

Hear more of VPP's brilliant output at: @through-the-square-window and https://voltagepoetryproject.bandcamp.com/

How Did It Get This Wrong?
Lyrics and vocal by Voltage Poetry Project;
Music and production by Observatory;
Photography by Voltage Poetry Project.

"I was high, as the flying eye
Looking down upon Teflon town -
A place that I just could not stick,
I could escape; I was well equipped.

Then one day, who knows when or why?
I became the disenfranchised,
Angry, young, at the kitchen sink
Though Amis or Osborne, I don’t think.

Tell me
How did it get this wrong?
Where did it go so wrong?

Now I walk, and there is this talk
Of redress against our progress,
Somewhere Hare and Mercurio
Warned that it all could go.

How did it get this wrong?
Where did it go so wrong?"

How Did It Get This Wrong? (feat. Voltage Poetry Project)

This song is my 'single entry' for the Lights and Lines Album Writing Club.
Please listen to the end, the messages get more potent as the song progresses.
Part of the album titled 'The Product' an electro-folk protest album about the state of the country and my interpretation of the causes...

Lyrics:

This life of comfort, this life of life of opportunities,
What was the price of your big house in the country?

Should you ask for forgiveness,
And should you make amends?

How did you come to be so powerful?
How did things come to be so unequal?

Should you ask for forgiveness,
And should you make amends?
Should you ask for forgiveness,
And should you make amends?

Should you pay back the profits?
Should you recompense?
Should you give up the titles?
And should you start again,
With nothing, like we did, like we did?

Is it who you grew up with,
And where you went to school?
Are we the ones that deserve it?
Or are we just a tool?

Should we ask for forgiveness,
And should we make amends?

Reparations

You can sit wherever you like, but
Don't distract the autopilot
For your safety and mine
Please be orderly behind the line

The future's bright
And the past is dead
Put your trust in the power of rust
At least I think that's what he said

Please can I politely advise you
To do whatever the autopilot says
Please relax and enjoy the ride
As we plummet to our fiery deaths
We could try to fight or run but
I guess it all depends
If you value your freedom or comfort more
It's all the same in the end

The future's written
And the past is gone
For your safety and convenience
The camera is always on

Invest your every movement with meaning
That's the only way we'll beat them
Are you certain who you're talking to?
Are you certain that you've thought this through?

The past is yours but the future's dead (repeat)
Ah I think that's what he said

Don't distract the autopilot

You can sit wherever you like, but
Don't distract the autopilot
Or he might bring your vehicle
To a sudden stop

Don't Distract the Autopilot

The Kiss of the Enchantress 

High up in the Sierra			
both sides are terrified			
It’s so hot in here 				
the snow waits outside 		

Sweat drips from the ceiling
Blood slips on the floor 	
Fear takes its icy grip		
The wolf is at the door		

Release me from this fever		
Release me from this spell		
High up on a snowy mountain 	
But my angel fell				

Like a Murnau movie 			
Monochrome and vivid red 	
The Kiss of the Enchantress 
An evil crown on your head

KISS OF THE ENCHANTRESS

The partners of HJJW present to you Playing Office from their business themed album ‘Sound Investments’. Combining the skills of Andrew Hartshorn, Cosmic Bos (the Jackson brothers) and ASeaWarren, this musical slice of modern office life takes you on a journey through the 9 to 5, examining the existential crisis of work life balances and overtime taxes, timesheets and insurance policies, major lifts and minor falls. The themes of the album are directly represented in Playing Office, with its references to Michael Scott and David Brent, and a couple of other hidden Easter eggs for the office media savvy, the job is what you make it, so make it fun.

HJJ&W are here to represent music made by the people for the people, vote for Playing Office and help HJJ&W become the legitimate musical firm they are destined to become.

PLAYING OFFICE by HJJ&W

Went to the music market today
We did a business and came away
With a bag full of bass lines and half whistled tunes
A four to the floor that we accent with spoons
Tidy melodies all stocked and shared
Progressive chord structures harmonically paired
Time to play office, we’re cutting it fine 
Under a tight rapidly approaching deadline

I wanna be Jim
But I’m probably Dwight
Or Michael Scott at threat level midnight
It’s entertainment 
Clear for all to see
We’re victims of the industry 

But it’s okay, we are artists at heart
Our dedication needs to be to our art
We’re playing office so we can pay the bills
While in our spare time keep developing skills
Turning hobbies into business is hard
Your wits must be sharp and always on guard
Reading contracts when you’re just a bard
That makes albums in sheds in a tiny backyard 

Feeling like Tim
But acting like Brent
So much time paid for and poorly misspent 
Wake up like Dawn
Take charge like Pam
The sweetest of sounds always spread like jam
Be your own boss
Bend all the rules
Stop playing office and start playing school
Learning’s cool
We are all fools

Break the habit, break, break the habit
Chase the rabbit, chase, chase the rabbit
We’ve never had it, never, ever had it
We blinked it bolted and no one could grab it

Change the pattern, change, change the pattern
Pass the baton, pass, pass the baton
It’s bound to happen, bound, bound to happen 
Right on the seats that we’re sat on

I wanna be Jim
But I’m probably Dwight
Or Michael Scott, Threat Level Midnight all right
Feeling like Tim
But foolish like Brent
Time milked for money just to barely scrape rent
Waking to Dawn
Open like Pam
Doing the business and not falling for scams
With my red stapler
I’m going to town
Say otherwise and I’ll burn the whole building down

Playing Office

The single from the EP IV...ready for the #AlbumWritingClub Challenge. Let's hope that this song does have the right effect on you...not a Placebo Effect!

Tell your false acquaintance I won’t be ignored
I’ll sell it to the tabloids and I’ll shock the under-awed
Staying well ahead because I’m dedicated
Feeling pretty good because I’m medicated

Can’t tell just what it is that you’ve been giving me
Sugar coated capsules, have you no integrity?
We’re undercover agents of the corporation
Thank you very much for your cooperation

I’ve got nothing but an altered ego
You’re nothing
Placebo

Don’t know how on earth this stuff is helping me
I can’t think straight, my mind has left a hole, a vacancy
This is no calling nor a life vocation
My body’s not valid for appropriation

Give it to me, let me feel the power come
It’s having no effect, what the hell is going wrong?
I’ve taken what you’ve got, but I’m so deflated
The stuff you gave to me is so overrated

I’ve got nothing but an altered ego
You’re nothing
Placebo

Red white pink light blue an anomaly
Staring at the pills you're putting right in front of me
Don't have to claim to be an intellectual
Taking a placebo is completely ineffectual

I wanna shout “Just flush it out, whatever’s running through me”
You can’t explain what’s in my brain or what it’s doing to me
No knowing what they get away with
No knowing what you’re gonna pay with
Meditation, medication, lead us not into temptation

I’ve got nothing but an altered ego
You’re nothing
Placebo
I’ve got nothing but an altered ego
You’re nothing
Placebo

Placebo Effect

Dare you press the Big Red Button? These guys did and they're having a great time.

"I'm... Playing... The Bass... And It... Sounds... Like... This."

Big Red Button was composed during winter 2024/25 and was made entirely using Ableton Live v11.

Picture credit: Matt Walsh on Unsplash.

Big Red Button

Crucifixion Street

Lo-fi songs on synths. Twitter: www.twitter.com/voltage_poetry Bandcamp: www.voltagepoetryproject.bandcamp.com