Trying to write songs! Still getting used to how my voice sounds. Please listen with headphones.

Help me break the pattern of the centuries way before me
Of narcissistic men preying on your self-esteem and your body

Why do I attract broken people, why is loving you oh so evil, when do we begin to fall apart? 
Why did you have to be so deceitful, why couldn’t we all just be equal, why do you rely on me to repair you?
Sleepless nights and crying endlessly, holding in all this anxiety, while you talk to your friends who barely saw me
Constant arguments that you’d always win, loneliness that’s caused by your gaslighting, compassion that’s returned for your deliberate conniving

So this why I think before speaking, knowing that you’re always listening, and criticizing the things I have to say
But you’d go on on and on talking about philosophy and your pessimistic views
Meanwhile friends would sit around you, captivated and yet confused
But the worst thing they’d do, is turn theirs eyes to you and say I guess you silently support his view
But all I thought to myself was “fuck you”

Why do I attract broken people, why is loving you oh so evil, when do we begin to fall apart? 
Why did you have to be so deceitful, why couldn’t we all just be equal, why do you rely on me to repair you?
Sleepless nights and crying endlessly, holding in all this anxiety, while you talk to your friends who barely saw me
Constant arguments that you’d always win, loneliness that’s caused by your gaslighting, compassion that’s returned for your deliberate conniving

Break the Pattern

release October 6, 2021

Music and lyrics by Formerly Alien, except:
"Somewhere" and "Somewhere (Reprise)" music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Rights secured via Harry Fox Agency

Drums and percussion by Jason Burger
CTS Elysium announcements by Jessica Jacobson
Fraudcast news updates by Liesel Hanson
Cover photo by Eric Halvorsen

Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Formerly Alien
all rights reserved

Somewhere

21st Century

Premiered by the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, 2005.

This work explores the fascinating microscopic world of the interval, rarely heard or considered on its own, as experienced through gradually shortening periods of time. It begins with a simple B octave, first in the high strings and winds and gradually descending into the lower-pitched instruments (with some commentary from the timpani). At the moment of complete saturation, fifty-seven measures into the piece, the
upper B of the octave descends a half-step and becomes Bb (or A#) and the process begins again, but lasts for only forty-nine measures until the lower B raises a half-step and becomes C and the orchestral development begins anew. In this way, the original interval of the B octave compresses, gradually but in ever-faster waves, until – after the
dust settles after the interval of a minor second – all that’s left is a solitary F, played by the solo violin just as it played the B’s to begin the piece.

Compression Waves

More Love

Margot's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/margotseigle

Photo by Jess Benjamin, taken at Let My People Sing! Summer Retreat 2023

Spider / Araña Nigun - Margot Seigle

by Bernice Johnson Reagon (adapted by Toshi Reagon, I think)

Let your light shine, shine, shine
There is someone down in the valley tryin' to get home
It may be one and it may be two, it may be me and it may be you
(Call + response)
1: Tryin' to get home
2: Let your little light shine

Let Your Light Shine (w/ Harmony)

Here are some of the songs and rounds I've written over the years for folks to sing during the Winter Holidays

The Snow Falls Lightly

Winter Round

how can I ...

be a little more soft today
feel a little more connected today
get a little more grounded today
be a little more free today 
___ a little more ____ today

A part of the melody inspired by and based on "Faith's Hymn" by Beautiful Chorus

How Can I

Vocal accompaniment and production by Baci Weiler

I will carry you through these changes
V'ad seva ani esbol
(When you turn grey, I'll still carry you/be patient with you/bear you) 
- Isaiah 46:4

(((It's odd to do this as a duet because to me, it's about learning to hold myself and have my own back, and sometimes feeling like the universe is holding me too.)))

I Will Carry You/V'ad Seva — Inspired by Isaiah 46:4

Episode 29 includes music & discussion of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring selections by Stevie Wonder, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Sonia Sanchez, Rodney Whittenberg ("We Stood Up" project), The Sprout U School of the Arts Choir, Lingelbach School Students, Don Henry, Professor Louie, Luciano Berio, Magpie, Two of a Kind, Nina Simone, Charlotte Blake Alston, James Taylor, Soweto Gospel Choir and U2, and testimonials from Julian Bond and Rabbi Harry Sky.

Playlist:
1. Stevie Wonder: Happy Birthday
2. Sweet Honey in the Rock: Letter To Dr. Martin Luther King (text: Sonia Sanchez)
3. The Honorable Julian Bond On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (from "We Stood Up")
4. The Civil Rights Act (from "We Stood Up")
5. The Sprout U School of the Arts Choir: Free To Be (by Rodney Whittenberg; from "We Stood Up")
6. Lingelbach School: We Should Talk Our Problems Out (recorded with Two of a Kind & Rodney Whittenberg)
7. Don Henry: Beautiful Fool
8. Professor Louie: More Than a Dreamer
9. Luciano Berio: Sinfonia - Section II. O King
10. Two of a Kind: I Just Want to Sing Your Name (The Martin Luther King Song, by Greg Artzner/Terry Leonino, Magpie)
11. Nina Simone: Why? (The King of Love is Dead)
12. Charlotte Blake Alston: Martin Luther King Rap
13. Rabbi Harry Sky On The March On Washington (from "We Stood Up")
14. James Taylor: Shed a Little Light
15. Soweto Gospel Choir: Pride (In The Name Of Love) (by U2)

Episode 29: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

For bio, list of compositions, media, and more:
https://www.russellnadel.com

Compression Waves

Russell Nadel

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