ZeCoop: This was an interesting one for me. I wanted to record some songs straight to my Tascam 488mkII 8-track cassette player and wanted to try some new things. I got my old drum machine out and programmed a few electronic drum beats, then came up with a happy sounding song on my digital piano (Rhodes sound). It ended up going places I didn't expect, which is always good. Holly did what she does so well, taking a really happy sounding song then making the listener realize things might not exactly be as they sound. So with all the na na na's and bouncy piano chords, there is a message that makes you think. it definitely is still a really happy song, though. I love how it turned out! I love writing music with Holly. :)
Lanasolyluna: It's always a pleasure to do a collab with ZeCoop! Especially since whatever garbage I come up with he's still so positive about it! lol
Here in Japan the spring is slowly approaching (even though, for me as a Californian, it's still cold) and soon people will be doing blossom picnics (Hanami). I remember thinking cherry blossoms were just a symbol of beginnings, but my students many years ago told me that it's more about the fragility and transience of the blossoms, and of life itself. Cherry blossoms remind us to be present, that nothing lasts forever, to just enjoy the moments while they last.
Also shout-out to @santadharma for helping me mix the vocal takes.
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ZeCoop Gear (so I don't forget)
Tascam 488mkII 8-track cassette recorder
Alesis SR-16 drum machine
Yamaha P-120 digital piano
GEM Sprinter 49 combo-organ
Harley Benton P-bass
Buds are peeping out
From the trees
Vacant shrines wait at ease
Spring’s on the tip of our tongues
Breathe it in, that winter sun
Where were we last year?
It kinda feels the same
If life is change
Embrace the slow wane
Pollen’s making a splash
We drip in unison
Picnics to be announced
Hanami to be had
Tree trunks enjoy the silence
Waiting for our fizzy mischief
Chu-his, snacks, rice balls, magic tea
We embrace the change
Blossoms are beginnings
Blossoms are death
Every end’s a beginning
Everything comes to an end
It’s ok to let go
Even the things you didn’t process
When your hanami’s over
Don’t forget to clean up the trash
And I don’t just mean the wrappers
Have a good cry or a deep breath or a wild jam
Letting go is the only way to let in
We’re not the past or the future
Just breathe and listen within
Walking amongst the pink
Don’t overthink
@gilhari Mar 2022
I love the description of blossoms in the liner notes and also in the lyrics and song itself. the music works well to help convey this meaning. its really beautiful. Great work and collab.
@karlsburg25 Mar 2022
Oh anything that reflects cherry blossom always makes me glow inside. And woohoo two of my utter FAWM favs collabing. Its such a beautiful melody and the way you express those gorgeous lyrics is a wonder to behold .I can't think of a more perfect collab. John's gonna hate me for this but once again he's tapped into the beauty of blur reminders for me with some of those chord movements. Bloody awesome for my ear. loved this guys.
@balancelost Mar 2022
Funny how the sakura is meant to remind us to be present so people experience that moment by taking millions of photos just like they did the previous year! Lovely little bouncy tune this. kinda hard to believe that zecoop made it when it's so firmly inside the Santa Dharma wheelhouse, but of course he is a man of many styles. Anyway, the way this bounces between the light and dark both musically and lyrically is a great reflection on both itself and life.
I just saw anya's comment, "memento flori" lol
@frenchcricket Feb 2022
I love cherry blossom, I'd love to go to the festival one year. I went to Marbella last year and they had these gorgeous lilac blossom trees and they were perfectly in season when we got there. Not to miss the point about transience and the sort of 'memento flori'. I think my point is probably that your lyrics and your musings always send me off on mental adventures and I really appreciate that. I think there's something about the way you make music that is really conducive to psychic transportation. That's really rare and you should cherish it! This is such a beautiful song.
@dreamscuba Feb 2022
This is cool. I love the Alesis and the cool instruments used. Vocals really work with the vibe.
@resonut123 Feb 2022
Cool, Girls (and Boys) just wanna have Fun. Nice Vocal overlaying some bouncing bright music. Live for the Day.
Glad this song Blossomed for you Two!
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
This is really wonderful, this crazy-but-it-totally works mix of 80's synths, 50's optimism, catchy burt bachrach-styled almost-modulations and weird bars of 2/4 in there, and this charming lyric about spring- great work all around!
@srcoops Feb 2022
A great thought. C'mon Spring!
@b3nut Feb 2022
Wow, this is like the 80's went to the 60's and soaked up some vibe...and it's deceptively happy vs. the philosophical bent of the lyric. I really like this one!