Artist Bio
Influences: Laudanum
Lyricist who drifts between gazing into the navel and the soul.
Pronouns: He/him
Preferred pronoun: You (I'd rather be talked to than about)
Constructive criticism: Welcomed
Collaboration policy:
My lyrics should not be assumed to be exclusive (too many excellent multiple takes). However, if you are not the first to claim a lyric, I recommend checking with the other FAWMer(s) that they're OK with you jumping on board. Similarly, you can quietly ask me if you want exclusive rights to do a demo for a song, and I will likely grant you that.
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
15 years! 15 years I've been drinking from this well of madness. My FAWM account is old enough to apply for a driver's license. Fortunately, I am yet to have a hit.
Songs (36)
| #1 |  Your Eyes |
18 Feb 2022 |
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| #2 | Haves and Have-nots |
5 Feb 2022 |
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| #3 | The Chicken |
12 Feb 2022 |
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| #4 | Etude No. 11 - The Chicken @psyt |
7 Feb 2022 |
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| #5 | Steal this Song (I dare ya) |
20 Feb 2022 |
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| #6 | A Toast (or: Me, Adolf Niederkirchnerstrasse and the Swiss Cheese Model) |
10 Feb 2022 |
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| #7 | Initial Thoughts |
9 Feb 2022 |
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| #8 | The God of all that Grows |
11 Feb 2022 |
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| #9 | Your Eyes @cheslain
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22 Feb 2022 |
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| #10 | I Work In The Factory @petemurphy |
16 Feb 2022 |
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| #11 | Can you? |
12 Feb 2022 |
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| #12 | An announcement |
14 Feb 2022 |
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| #13 | Undo |
13 Feb 2022 |
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| #14 | A Little Learning |
14 Feb 2022 |
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| #15 | Can You? @metalfoot
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15 Feb 2022 |
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| #16 | A little learning @mikeskliar |
13 Feb 2022 |
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| #17 | YOUR EYES @dutch1967
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10 Feb 2022 |
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| #18 | Initial Thoughts (w/ stephenwordsmith lyrics) @moonraccoon |
8 Feb 2022 |
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| #19 | Hang Them All |
5 Feb 2022 |
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| #20 | Hang them All @berni1954 |
13 Feb 2022 |
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| #21 | 24 Coins @jibbidy34
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24 Feb 2022 |
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| #22 | Initial Thoughts @vainhirvain |
10 Feb 2022 |
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| #23 | The god of all that grows @helenseviltwin |
15 Feb 2022 |
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| #24 | Periodic Tables @metalfoot |
12 Feb 2022 |
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| #25 | The Button (w/ stephenwordsmith lyrics, aka Undo) @moonraccoon |
6 Feb 2022 |
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| #26 | Nuance |
8 Feb 2022 |
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| #27 | An Announcement @ductapeguy |
12 Feb 2022 |
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| #28 | The Chicken @mistermann |
8 Feb 2022 |
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| #29 | Nuance @nancyrost |
6 Feb 2022 |
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| #30 | Nuance @sapient |
13 Feb 2022 |
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| #31 | Haves and Have-Nots @nateger |
6 Feb 2022 |
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| #32 | Announcements (w/ stephenwordsmith lyrics) @moonraccoon |
5 Feb 2022 |
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| #33 | Unexpected @unpronounceable |
7 Feb 2022 |
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| #34 | Haves and Have-nots @tinear |
10 Feb 2022 |
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| #35 | Toast @rshakesp |
15 Feb 2022 |
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| #36 | Can You? (Solo Rough Cut) @kenmattsson |
14 Feb 2022 |
Soundboard
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@wylddandelyon Mar 2022
The percussion for Call Me Master was taken from an actual Dr. Who episode--not a sound sample, but me imitating the sound that various characters made, usually drumming with their hand on a table or something similar.
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@katestantonsings Mar 2022
I've admired your writing abilities and creations since I first read them at 50/90. Your comment made my evening, Stephen! Lyrics are probably the hardest thing for me because it requires so much courage to share. Thank you for listening. I'll probably go back and read it every time I'm discouraged with a lyric:)
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@andrea Mar 2022
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments on Sticky Fingers. On the edge of erotic is interesting. I didn't mean it come off quite that way, but the idea of getting pleasure is purposeful, so that makes sense. Your comments are very much appreciated!
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@davidtaro Mar 2022
50/90, it's deal! Easier to do collabs then anyway, looking forward to it, cheers man!
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@davidtaro Mar 2022
Stephen, thank you for the tit4tat listen the other day. I'll look out for your stuff next year, would be great to collab! Do you do 50/90 as well?
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@sheslin Mar 2022
Stephen thank you so much for your insightful review of Without You. I like creating contrast in my music, but never really thought about what you so articulately pointed out. Thanks for taking the time to listen carefully and enlighten me on what is working in that song. I really appreciate it!
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@hmorg Mar 2022
Thanks for the comment on "Ascension"! What you said further confirms to me that I've done an alright job creating the dramatic movement I intended to in the context of the overarching narrative this became a part of. Two of my other songs this year became part of it as well, "Point of No Return" precedes this one and "Arms of Andromeda" comes after, and I'm thinking "Wireweaver's Theme" might fit the whole as well, though it will be a far earlier chapter.
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@radiobenedetto Mar 2022
Thanks for the comments on "After the Rain." I enjoyed my #tit4tat journey through your work. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with words. I attempted a semi-autobiographical concept album this year. I'd be curious to get your take on a few tracks that you might like that have a bit more of a lyrical emphasis: The Boy Remains, Nothing But Love, and Harlequin Falls. Cheers!
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@nadine Mar 2022
Thanks a lot for your lovely poetic words on "Rendezvous". The sketch is just aerobic and rhythmic backbone, we have lot of work ahead.
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@guitarpatz83 Mar 2022
Hey man, thanks for the comment on the Shackleton track. Just wanted to reference that I love you spotted the at juxtaposition at the start. I was trying to capture the excitement of exploration before disaster struck with the intro - and despite the horrors that were to come, throughout that sense of adventure is kind of woven through. The only time the song relaxes into something more downbeat is the coda, once the crew have been rescued, which to my mind was staying in position as the ship slowly falls to the bottom of the ocean floor. Will take a listen to some more of your tracks over the next few days :)
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@jayjay Mar 2022
Such nice feedback. Thank you.
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@beacon Mar 2022
Stephen,
I don't think I had your email, and now that I'm a bit more skills at DAWing, I think I want to tweak that recording a little and improve it, and I can send it on. Granted, it's on my EP, but let me get you another copy of it. I'll send you an email with it. When you do need it by?
Ken -
@thedutchwidows Mar 2022
I really enjoyed it! I don’t know if it was conceived as the musical I heard in my head, but it’s definitely got that structure and flow, and it works really well. I wish there were more things like this - it’s nice to commit to a longer-form thing and pick up the themes and cohesion.
@improvyssey did a 28 part improvised musical story (one a day) that I went back for every day.
I guess that kind of thing appeals to me, because it’s so far beyond me to produce that, that I really admire it in others.
You messaged my board quickly enough after that I wonder whether you got my comments almost in real-time. Even if my comments were not the most insightful, I would imagine that might have been cool! -
@frogspawn Mar 2022
I've only got #1 to do/finish so given your need for sleep, if you open them all just before you retire, that should work out fine. (It will ahve taken me 25 hours duration. Oh the shame. Why oh why did I sleep in this morning...)
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@frogspawn Mar 2022
#12 Shyer #13 Thir13en ready
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@frogspawn Mar 2022
#8 the grocery #9 Entry/exit ready
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@timfatchen Mar 2022
Are you stillawake? if so, wait 20 minutes (FAWM shuts) then list @frogspawn as collab on nos. 2,3,4,5,6,7 as I'll have those ready for posting within the hour. WW3 permitting of course
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@timfatchen Feb 2022
I will sing outside, beside the pond, and watch the frogspawn surface.
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@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Just ended up posting the original cut on it separately, so that you can get some credit on it.
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@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Agreed. I did a rough recording, and then Tassja was going to do a lot of epic music behind it, and then I was going to record a big vocal on it. I think we're still going to try to do it, but ran out of time this month.
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@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Just got a rough recording posted of Can You as a collab with me and @pianoonthepatio. It's still not finished but we'll probably keep working on it after FAWM. Hope you like it.
https://fawm.org/songs/138211/ -
@rshakesp Feb 2022
Thank you - and thanks for your brilliant and inspiring lyric - fyi - the banjolele this was played on was my grandfather’s travel companion in wwii - so it felt super relevant
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@rshakesp Feb 2022
I finally finished toast and have posted it - hope you like it!
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@tinear Feb 2022
Tis posted up, Cheers. BTW, if I sound familiar to you that's because I am familiar to you ;)
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@rshakesp Feb 2022
Not at all - toast took a big step forward today - watch this space….
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@nateger Feb 2022
Thank you for sharing your brilliant lyrics! You were the catalyst for the inspiration :)
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@axl Feb 2022
I usually don’t do thank you for your comment comments but.. I appreciate your comments very very much, Stephen. Thank you, you’re awesome.
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@ampersandman Feb 2022
Thank you for your elaborate thoughts on „Killer Machines“. You elevate commenting to an art form.
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@sapient Feb 2022
Just sent you an email...
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@popmythology Feb 2022
So much gratitude for your deeply encouraging and strengthening comments on "F*ck Your Money" Parts 2 and 3.
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@mikedebenham Feb 2022
You're too kind, Stephen. Maybe next year I'll finally get around to setting some of your lyrics. My February brain really struggles with the gear shift between listening and reading, so I have a nasty habit of gliding past bare lyrics during FAWM. (Explanation, not excuse.) And my standard 'Nice guitar tone!' feedback doesn't seem to go down so well for some reason. Anyway, cheers, Way behind this year, but will circle back in March.
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@metalfoot Feb 2022
Ah yes.
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@metalfoot Feb 2022
Was the other one Department if Redundancy Department?
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@metalfoot Feb 2022
Pretty sure you started the Periodic Tables thing. I just ran with it. So you get a collab.
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@vainhirvain Feb 2022
Hey! Thank you for your lyrics, and also thanks for C% clever commenting on my version of Initial Thoughts! :D Made me chuckle.
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@donna Feb 2022
Stephen, thank you for. your very kind mention of 'Tiny Grass' in the Recommendation thread. Much appreciated. (-:
I hope to have the demo up soon. -
@dzdandcunfsd Feb 2022
LOL! https://files.fawmers.org/FAWM_2022/dzdandcunfsd/rimshot.mp3
serf-rock is more than worthy of one of those. -
@charliecheney Feb 2022
"it lands like the casual patter of your most insightful friend shooting the breeze on a warm Sunday afternoon."
We really need to spend a few of those afternoons together some time, I would love that. I need to figure out a way to get to NZ sooner than later. -
@scubed Feb 2022
Thank you so much for your generous comment on “Decluttering My Heart”!
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@berni1954 Feb 2022
It's up. I hope you like it.
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@berni1954 Feb 2022
Hi Stephen,
I have got a one take recording done of "Hang them All" - Do you want me to post it as a new song or shall I send you the link and you can post it? -
@helenseviltwin Feb 2022
Thanks for your comment on "Happens all the time". I wasn't sure what I was writing when I started it, but it was kind of intended as an antidote to the modern trope in film and comedy that if a guy hangs around a woman long enough, and wants her enough, she'll fall for him, so I guess the backward version where the listener thinks she's his gf at the beginning, but she never was.
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@theodamus Feb 2022
Honestly THIS WEATHER is just... i'm not sure how to write about anything else at the moment it is too pervasive. Thanks for another thoughtful listen and comment, honestly the animals line was more a feeling than a real awareness of what the line would end up saying in stand alone words -I mucked around with a few drafts of it and I think I achieved/provoked the feeling I was after in the end, but the sentence itself is tricky to parse.. I hope the water stays down where you are!
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@leslie Feb 2022
I adore Dolores O'Riordon. Huge compliment, thank you. I really miss 90s rock! I played with a lot of numbers but they all started with 3 and ended with "seven percent of" - those chosen serve the cadence, lucky them. ;)
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@berni1954 Feb 2022
Glad you liked my Brief Encounters. I have had a few good ones too, that, like yours, led to friendships, but my narrator is one of those people who remember the disasters before the triumphs :-)
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@mikeskliar Feb 2022
thanks- thing is, I think I need to do a little trim and rearrange-just to make it more singable- will email you a draft of what i have in mind, let me know what you think.
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@moonraccoon Feb 2022
Big <3 for your review of Mixed Pears, Stephen. Very very much appreciated.
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@hbusse Feb 2022
Thanks for listening and commenting on In Peace! I appreciate it.
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@kristinchambers Feb 2022
Hey there- thanks you for your thoughtful feedback on "Sign of the Times" It's will be fun to go back and polish it later.
Cheers! -
@serene123 Feb 2022
Thank you for your very kind comment on 'kindness'
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@cloudboy Feb 2022
Verbal simplicity with twists. That's what I am heading towards with "In the In Between". I'll keep working on it. Specifically the second section. Thanks for the love and I'll be sure to listen sooooon!
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@stephentanner Feb 2022
Thank you for your comment on ‘Someone You Can Rely On’. So pleased with the response to it.
I’ve just been reading through some of your lyrics. Wow, beautiful stuff. The comments below don’t lie. Stunning. -
@nahlej381 Feb 2022
I totally understand the owls are not what they seem, my friend. From Indiana, with love.
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@nahlej381 Feb 2022
It’s actually an electric acoustic fence but the color schemes were dead on!
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@meadows Feb 2022
Hey Stephen! What? 10 years already since "I Spy"? I would love to have a follow up. If you have a lyric in mind please let me know. Unfortunately I was not able to take part in FAWM by now. But I'll try to start the upcoming weekend the latest.
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@dzdandcunfsd Feb 2022
I think somebody ripped you off!!!!! The audacity of some people....
https://fawm.org/songs/128418/ -
@gwyn1234 Feb 2022
Many, many thanks for the listen and your kind and encouraging words...
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@scubed Feb 2022
Thank you so much for your generous comments on my six-ukulele groundhog song. :) Great to see you here again! I look forward to reading your wonderful lyrics and hearing them put to music.
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@psyt Feb 2022
Thanks Stephen. I'm glad you enjoyed my take on your song. :)
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@metalfoot Feb 2022
OH HEY I GUESS WE'RE AVATAR TWINS SO WE SHOULD COLLAB MAYBE KTHXBYE
;) -
@theodamus Feb 2022
You absolutely nailed it, thank you for your thoughtful and generous comment. It is exactly a piece from a certain person, place, time and circumstance, too tired to be angry but no other options open. I’m glad it’s relatable and gutted we all relate. Thank you!
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@meadows Feb 2022
Hey Stephen! Happy FAWMing! And I see you already delivered in an impressing manner. Respect!
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@unpronounceable Feb 2022
I realized my e-mail isn't associated w/ my account -- is it ok if I e-mail you to continue collab discussion? Happy FAWM!
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@gvgeis Jan 2022
Happy 15, dear poet. It is nice to see you here, as always. :)
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@unpronounceable Jan 2022
Oh man, Looking forward to random collab! Feel free to e-mail whenever :)
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@judypie Jan 2022
Happy 15!!
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@lazyafro Jan 2022
Happy FAWMing to you!
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@cloudboy Jan 2022
When I handle a teaspoon, I think of you. Happy FAWMing!
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@ankari Jan 2022
I've missed them too and I'd love to collaborate with you this year if we have the opportunity! I should have a clearer idea of what things will be like for me next week. :)
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@ankari Jan 2022
Stephen, hi!! I think I'll be around this year (FINALLY), I'm looking forward to seeing what you share with us! <3
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@mikeskliar Jan 2022
hope we can collab this year! (and i loved that four line thing you posted about (paraphrasing slightly) 'fawm being worth its weight in gold or other precious metals, and no one knows when burr... settles'
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@thedustcollector Jan 2022
okay but no kidding on the old friend bit. i've just realised i've known you for nearly fifteen years, well of madness and all, which is absurd. how does time even?
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@tamsnumber4 Jan 2022
It sits and waits deep in your mind, magical words for FAWMers to find.
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@kenmattsson Jan 2022
Hey Stephen, it's ending up that two of the songs I'm putting on my EP have your lyrics: Step Forth and This is a Start. Should (hopefully) be out by the end of this week.
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@writeandwrong Jan 2022
Happy FAWM 2022!!!
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@rshakesp Jan 2022
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/127cS1aRZwG-__zK3FmzA4w_aBPyAZJce
Ah! We’ll here it is… -
@rshakesp Jan 2022
Hi Stephen - I sent you a mail with a re-record of our collab from last year - not sure if you got it?
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@tcelliott Jan 2022
Dang. I was wanting a sword with a witty inscription. I guess I'll settle for the superb lyric posts you're so well known for.... I guess. ;)
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@fearlessflight2014 Jan 2022
Looking forward to your output this Feb!
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@cts Jan 2022
*CTS tosses up the peace sign* What's happenin', my dude! Hope all is well and happy FAWMing to ya!
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@tcelliott Jan 2022
Hello, Mr. Wordsmith. Or is it Swordsmith? I always get that confused.
Regardless, I look forward to your endeavors. -
@elainedimasi Jan 2022
Sonnets? Will you bring forth sonnets?
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@adnama17 Jan 2022
Just the ones I really like. :)
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@wobbiewobbit Jan 2022
good to see you over here. have a fun fawm
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@jeustan Jan 2022
I'd love that.
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@adnama17 Jan 2022
*blink* WTF...
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@johncrossman Jan 2022
I set my membership to your fanclub on auto-renew long ago. Looking forward to more!
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@jeustan Jan 2022
Hi! I've admired your work since I started FAWM not long ago. Happy FAWM time.
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@dzdandcunfsd Jan 2022
I like that rather be talked to than about.
Looking forward to seeing what words you spin up this year, and possibly making one or two extra noise laden. -
@nancyrost Jan 2022
You must come to Madison and visit WORT with me one day.
Also, you and your spouse are my fashion icons! -
@sapient Jan 2022
Well, I'd not seen that one before - and I like it!
My personal alt-favourite is Token Inert Wasp, which I'm saving up for if ever I need a 2nd FAWM account ;)
Happy FAWMing! -
@petemurphy Jan 2022
Yes! Let's do a tomfoolery! And a antics! And a shenanigans!
(apologies, I still have no voice for our drunken bird friend. I have a stack of songs written that I'm unable to finish due to the reason I mentioned before). -
@mandolinda Jan 2022
Making music to your lyrics was one highlight of my 5090 experience. Anticipating FAWM.
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@sph Jan 2022
Happy to read your new lyrics and get inspired. Have a wonderful month
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@pearlmanhattan Jan 2022
My dearest friend ave favorite writer, how delightful it is to see you. Happiest of FAWM to you.
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@timfatchen Jan 2022
My wife still pines for a quiet, uninteresting life. I point out that, at three score years and ten and a bit more, if it hasn't already happened, it's not going to. But I'm sure we can do something interesting in the FAWM sense, and not just in the endgame.
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@helenseviltwin Jan 2022
Evil twins get such a bad rap!
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@vomvorton Jan 2022
haha, "va-va-vom!" is very good. potential album title there!
here's to another explosion of lyrical creativity! -
@helenseviltwin Jan 2022
If I give away my Helenness, who would I be?
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@dragondreams Jan 2022
Oh mighty wordsmith. Could this year be the first year we actively collaborate. Maybe a spoken word piece?
