new songs

So I'm holed up at Camp Treetops again, and the songs have started coming. This is a very different batch from the nature/moment songs of Mist. I've been toying with the various kinds of realities and fantasies in our world, and how they intertwine and affect what people do.

The first song is called "Life is in A minor". It's a weird bit of wordplay, being in A minor, of course. But it kind of sets the tone for all the songs. Maybe. Can't say for sure, since only about a half dozen are built so far. I guess the idea of the song is that if life is dragging you down, a fantasy can be really useful.

Two of my favorite new songs have a political flavor, which is something to be careful with. Starting lines of one:

"Betty married Jane
which drove the white Christian Congressman insane
and so they can't stay here anymore"

I had no intention of what to write about with that one, it just sort of poured out, tales about leaving, hitting the road, maybe leaving the country. I have no intention of leaving America, but it's fun to fantasize about it in a song.

The other one is a sad ballad about being caught in the current religious wars, which leads to "now you're going to stick Big Brother in my face". These songs have sweet melodies, and I doubt most listeners will pick up on the underlying messages unless they try hard.

I've been writing ideas and lyrics in a small purple journal with a feminine sun on the cover. It's been a handy companion as I enjoy the days working and playing at Camp Treetops in the Adirondacks. None of the songs seem to be about my current surroundings, though.

Here's a couple of other titles, just to show where this fantasy theme is taking me:

Facing Dragons
When the Princess Leaves the Castle

I plan to keep grinding out songs. When I get back to Honolulu, I'll record them all in demo form, and begin recording whichever one is the most exciting/interesting to me. I anticipate that at least half of them will never make it beyond that stage. Editing is important, and tossing songs leads to better albums.

I'll use a similar technique with the musicians. I'll give them all the demos, and when they come by to record some music, I'll let them choose which one to work on first, and second. In this way, they only add parts to songs that they are interested in or have a good idea for.

Much later, I'll edit and combine their performances. I'd like to use Speedy's slide guitar again, as well as the Don't Panic string section. Also, a friend and camp named Nell is awesome on the bass trombone and African percussion. I hope she'll visit Hawaii and add some ideas.

love and peace,

Jim