Feb 2022 experimental soundscape rip-off-challenge blues spoken-word sad psychedelic
Rip-Off Challenge (aka - flattery by imitation)
I feel so very fortunate that I met this particular FAWMer last year in February and that our friendship has continued this year during this annual reunion.
I am absolutely enamored with their music, creativity, wit, humor and aspects of their personality I’ve come to learn about which shapes their ideas and inspiration to create music.
So I could think of no one better to offer this sincerest token of flattery than to try my best to imitate @GardeningAngel1
From the “creating this” side of the house… seems a mantra I’ve been repeating here and there during this year’s FAWM has been “this is pushing me out of my comfort zone”. From signing up for a collab on BandLab to doing my first skirmish, my first exquisite corps to simply singing and now this… I’m not sure my comfort zone could get pushed any further than this as I did all the voice over work on it. Yeah… the two cowboys talking at the beginning is my voice with no electronic. manipulation soooo. I guess you’ve been warned?
And lastly… about the wryneck/jynx.
I’ve been trying to write my liner notes as the songs have come to me in a Notes app. So while writing the liner notes for Planet and Moon, I used the word “jinx” regarding my recording equipment. To make sure I wasn’t using a culturally insensitive word I looked it up to make sure and came across the fact that it means two things… this week’s challenge coincidentally.
wryneck bird won’t you stay away
your song means a dark day comin’ soon
ol’ wryneck bird can’t you stay away
wryneck bird don’t ya jynx my home
my partner I’m sure they comin’ home soon
better get on your way ‘fo they get they gun
tell ya wryneck bird they be home soon
i know it’s been a few days but they comin home soon
baby done gone to heaven’s gate
baby got sick from that virus plague
no momma should ever have to bury her babe
wryneck bird ya gone and done yo deed.
i know i ain’t always acted right
sometimes lookin for that short cut line momma tried but but i couldn’t act right
but i swear it’s nuff jynx bird let me be
jynx bird please can’t you stay away
i’m beggin’ you wryneck let me be
i swear it’s been enough ya ol jynx bird
go on wryneck leave me alone.
@coolparadiso Mar 2022
After chatting at kumo i had to listen to this. Glad i did. This is really well done! The sparseness works well!
@wobbiewobbit Mar 2022
this has such a spacey feel. i love your vocals, just the right level of oomph/fragility. the vocal quality is so engaging and the subtle backing so atmospheric. the reference to the bird has a mythological/legendary feel - like it embodies a tradition that is mysterious to me. really enjoyable listen and it was good to see you at the party!
@caitlin Feb 2022
"baby got sick from that virus plague / no momma should ever have to bury her babe" was SO CHILLING, I can't shake it! Your voice cracks and waivers in the most effective and heartbreakingly beautiful way on those lines. Wow.
@elesimo Feb 2022
This was super interesting, I love the minimalist arrangement. Your voice seems to drift away, and I really like the combination of the singing with the spoken word.
@bigmood Feb 2022
Oooooooof. Bluesy and sparse, my favorite. I love the slow build of the guitar and the quiet vocals - I really really like the quiet vocals. Like there's an energy there behind the quiet that doesn't stand still.
@gardeningangel1 Feb 2022
Wait a minute... this started out all funny and silly and then you spun around and let in all the feeeeelings... that is EXACTLY something I would do! Needless to say, I love this. I love that you feel comfortable enough to push past your comfort zone because the results are gorgeous. I am honored and delighted <3
@slightlydrunk Feb 2022
You've created a really captivating, slightly unsettling, delicate soundscape! I've listened to it a couple of times now and it still creeps under my skin. Very well done!
That voice of yours is a very sweet gift and whether by choice or just a "happy little accident", I absolutely love the small dissonance between your vocals and the instruments. It just give the whole piece an extra little bittersweetness (if that's even a word).
I appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone, it really paid off!