William A Ferguson: guitars, bass, electronic percussion.

Vocals by Suno.ai

Hey, Substack fam! Buckle up, because I’ve got a fresh track for you that’s as real as it gets. Inspired by a spicy X post I stumbled across, I cooked up a country pop banger called “You Can’t Filter The Truth”—and it’s here to throw some shade at the gap between online fantasies and cold, hard reality.

If you’re tired of the digital smoke and mirrors, this one’s for you.

You Can’t Filter the Truth

I'm currently sitting on several thousand dollars of recording and mastering software, along with a shit ton of virtual synthesizers and virtual guitars (no, I don't actually play a real guitar, or a bass for that matter - diabetic neuropathy has all but robbed me of the dexterity to handle them; but I can scoot a mouse and draw lines and, while my body has basically gone to shit, my mind still works. I still have the knowledge to write music. I feel a lot like Stephen Hawking in that respect).

Anyhoo, to answer your question: Logic Pro X for Mac.

For the guitars, I use Native Instruments Vintage, Electric Mint, Electric Sunburst, Acoustic+Nylon Picked and Acoustic Strummed.

I use EZBass for my bass tracks and Native Instrument Acoustic Bass.

For the synthesizers, I have (virtual) an Arp 2600, Moog Mini and Modular V, Synthi V, Buchla Easel, Fairlight CMI from Arturia.

25 years ago, had I developed Diabetes and the associated neuropathy that robbed me of the ability to play bass and guitar, I probably wouldn't be here talking to you right now as I would have pretty much unalived myself as life would have been unbearable at that point.

Thankfully, I now have the technology to keep my hand in the music game.

And how bad is my diabetes? Upon diagnosis my A1C was 11.5 and I was coming down off a 500+ point glucose level. It's amazing I didn't lapse into a diabetic coma.

And how bad is my neuropathy?

I can barely write my name, filling out forms is a chore. I have to have someone do that for me.

My balance is nearly fucked as I have difficulty standing and/or walking. Riding a bike or a motorcycle is out of the question.

It has affected my vision.

My feet are in constant pain, especially my left foot that feels like stepping on broken glass all the time, and did I mention my fingers don't work anymore?

Basically, having been dealt a shitty hand, I didn't give up - I fought back.