"Hope Is Was" Music

Wooden Boards

2009-06-10T11:24:00.001-06:00

For the most part, my production skills are crap. I just don't have the patience. But I think this one is actually put together quite nicely.

Click to listen: WOODEN BOARDS

English Relish

2009-05-31T20:04:00.003-06:00

No offense to English relish, but it's not for me. If you try it and expect the same relish we get in Canada, a surprise awaits you. But (as usual) this song is not really about English relish. It more concerns the frustration of the narrator rather than the quality of the food. So everyone enjoy your relish, no matter where it comes from!

Click to listen: ENGLISH RELISH

Breath of Life

2009-05-21T13:49:00.002-06:00

In honour of the the Great Strides Walk, Sunday May 31st, raising money to help cure cystic fibrosis, here's a song for those who soldier on. Check out the surprisingly good Wikipedia article for more information.

Click to listen: BREATH OF LIFE

Steal My Kisses

2009-05-14T14:01:00.003-06:00

I have been delinquent with my posting, which does not make a lot of sense because I’m not posting these as I make them; I’ve got dozens of them done already! So please do not despair, I’ll be loading more frequently. Does anyone even check these out anymore? Now the song: do you like Ben Harper? Do you like Ben Harper as performed on acoustic guitar, a coffee can, and a set of car keys? Sure you do!

Click to listen: STEAL MY KISSES

10 Ways to Show

2009-02-11T13:20:00.002-06:00

There is some kind of pseudo-holiday coming up right away, that involves roses and chocolates and hallmark cards. Here's something in honour of that.

Click to listen: 10 WAYS TO SHOW

Hands Off

2009-01-23T19:34:00.002-06:00

Recently I played this song to one of the characters that occupy it. He loved it, so I took that as a sign that I could now make it public. The barbs are all in good fun; if you don’t like it, suck it up. Note: Foul Language Warning!

Click to listen: HANDS OFF

Kissing Cousins Part II (acoustic version)

2008-11-09T13:49:00.003-06:00

This song is a ‘kissing cousin’ to a previous one! Ha! The original version of this second part has so much feedback on the guitar that you can’t hear a damn thing, so I recorded an acoustic version. Hence the title. This post is nothing but obvious statements, but I think the two parts work well when listened to back to back. So do it!

Click to listen: KISSING COUSINS PART II

The Great Gonzo Got Me Going

2008-11-05T23:42:00.002-06:00

This song concerns reflexive thought and a movement into the future. It seems a fitting postscript to the election craziness that struck our neighbours to the south. Sort of. And I’d like to state that everyone can learn valuable life lessons from watching a Jim Henson production or two. In case you’re wondering what exactly “got me going”, here’s what Gonzo's got to say. Youtube used to have a clip of this scene from the Muppet Movie, but I can't find it. So listen while staring at the above screen capture and you'll get the idea.

Click to listen: THE GREAT GONZO GOT ME GOING

Beertub Baby

2008-10-04T12:03:00.002-06:00

I like everything about this song, and I can listen to it repeatedly (if I don’t like my own music enough to listen to it, how can I expect others to do the same?). My favourite part is the final chorus. Occasionally I think the gritty production value actually adds to a song; this is one of those.

Click here to listen: BEERTUB BABY

Prospect Zero

2008-09-28T10:58:00.003-06:00

I think of this song as a companion piece to “40 Days & 40 Nights”. The speaker in that song pontificated on the role of sexual contact in his life; this song deals with the narrator’s battle to maintain a sense of dignity in that same sexually charged atmosphere. The percussion is taken from the first 5 seconds of REM’s Electrolite.

Click here to listen: PROSPECT ZERO

China Doll

2008-09-20T10:20:00.001-06:00

Another song that goes back quite a while. I wrote the lyrics before I even knew how to play guitar. Then I spent several years trying to match up the melody in my head with actual chords. That is not an easy thing, especially when you’re tone deaf like me.

Click here to listen: CHINA DOLL

Wedding Bells

2008-08-22T21:25:00.002-06:00

Since I recently had the pleasure to attend a wedding (not my own, silly!), I figured a song about a wedding would be sweet icing on my cake – although this song isn’t really about a wedding. It’s more about circumstances surrounding a wedding. It really has nothing to do with a wedding, actually. The inclusion of a wedding is more of a MacGuffin, really. So enjoy this wedding song that isn’t about a wedding.

Wedding.

Click to listen: WEDDING BELLS

Fix You

2008-08-09T10:10:00.004-06:00

I think my best covers are those that I don’t try to do too much with; I layer simple elements together and let the songs speak for themselves. This cover of a Coldplay song is the perfect example. I also think this song is a perfect example of how people can connect to a song and draw meaning out of it based on their individual circumstance. Apparently this song was written by Chris Martin to his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, after the death of her father. My initial interpretation of the song envisioned the narrator trying to save a loved one from drug addiction (with ‘fix you’ being both a plea for change and a play on getting high). However, my personal attachment to the song came after I saw concert footage of Coldplay in December 2006. A loved one was enduring incredible medical difficulties at the time, and the song touched a chord. This is the frame of mind that my version attempts. I don’t think there is anything wrong with my dual understandings of the song. I think that good songs are capable of this fluidity.

This is also a great example of probably talking too much about a song and ruining the listener’s self-interpretation. So forget everything you’ve read above and just enjoy.

Click to listen: FIX YOU

Bed Cushions

2008-07-20T13:25:00.001-06:00

Some people flit across the globe with calculated abandonment. Don’t let them fool you into thinking that their trips are guided by ‘reckless abandonment’. People globetrot for specific, personal reasons, none of which I’m proclaiming to know. But next time someone tells you a story about their time abroad, think about this: what detail about the story does the teller emphasize the most? I think this can tell a lot about a person.

Click to listen: BED CUSHIONS

Overdone

2008-07-07T20:30:00.004-06:00

This song is from the album ‘Shooter Songs’, a collection of tunes I wrote about 4 years ago for a certain somebody (listen to me; I act as if I have a recording contract and I’m being interviewed by Rolling Stone. What a self-absorbed moron I am!). This entire album contains an undercurrent of nightclub-related themes (hence the title). I tried to explore notions of the development and maintenance of relationships with other staff; the act of juggling work and fun within an atmosphere in which you must party in order to work; and of course in-jokes galore, concerning the alcohol-induced stupidity of friends and family. And I do mean family. For a while, everyone I worked with was family. It is very easy to let a nightclub job turn into a lifestyle choice. When I worked at said place, there were a core group of individuals who developed a very tight-knit bond. We enjoyed each other’s company, shared each other’s secrets, and basically spent a crapload of time together. Unfortunately, this bond depended heavily on alcohol. A lot of these people are still my friends, but we definitely do not party like we used to.

While most of these songs are funny, stupid, and even nostalgic, ‘Overdone’ is one of the few songs on this album that assumes a reflective stance. It tries to step back from the scene and figure out exactly what’s going on. It sits at the end of the album, coupled with a cover of Ryan Adams’ ‘Bar is a Beautiful Place’, and I think the two songs compliment each other perfectly. While the protagonist of ‘BiaBP’ tries to glorify the bar lifestyle even as he unknowingly highlights the darker elements of alcohol consumption, the protagonist of ‘Overdone’ acknowledges that he may be paying too high a price for his good times. No regrets; instead, a simple shift in focus. The song is written from the perspective of a guy who feels that it’s time for a break. And so he takes one.

Click to listen: OVERDONE

Maury Saved My Baby

2008-06-15T12:03:00.004-06:00

In honour of Father’s Day, here’s a tune written from the perspective of a father who’s reached his limit in dealing with his out of control teenage daughter. So he does what any fed-up dad would do: phone Maury Povich.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Click to listen: MAURY SAVED MY BABY

Road to Papworth

2008-06-07T22:52:00.006-06:00

Before finding the relatively safety of Jenny and Geoff’s B&B, my sleeping pad in Papworth was actually located outside of the village -- 1.8 kilometres outside the village, in fact. For a week I braved a shoulderless single lane road, which in my memory was a lot more curvy than the map depicts. As the song states, “hiking to the hospital is fine in daylight hours, the real danger is in coming back.” In hindsight, this was pretty stupid. While the song intentionally exaggerates, the total experience was not very enjoyable. But who am I to complain; I managed to get a song out of it, didn’t I?

Click to listen: ROAD TO PAPWORTH

Panda on the Veranda

2008-06-04T19:47:00.002-06:00

We all are ensnared by a phobia or two. Some people are scared of grasshoppers, or spiders, or dogs, or bears. Heck, even Indiana Jones is scared of snakes. For me, it's pandas. Pandas may look fuzzy and cuddly, but that’s just poppycock. A panda would sooner rip your face off than look at you. This song is based on a true story that happened to me last July. Every word is true.

Click to listen: PANDA ON THE VERANDA

Half of What Adrian Wrote

2008-05-31T18:48:00.002-06:00

Years ago (that long?) Adrian and I meant to write a song in the similar vein as “Kim What Gives?” about someone else leaving our lives for greener pastures. We started writing, but we never finished. So I finished it for him, and decided to take some crack shots at Adrian in the process. In your face, Adrian! But he still gets a co-writing credit.

Click to listen: HALF OF WHAT ADRIAN WROTE

Kim What Gives?

2008-05-24T12:18:00.005-06:00

I don’t know if anyone else does this, but my friendships and relationships have a propensity to segregate into phases. When it’s time to move, so much tends to get left behind. This song is about breaking the cycle. Tam provides the kick ass lead guitar. Note: Foul Language Warning!

Click to listen: KIM WHAT GIVES?

Kissing Cousins Part 1

2008-05-18T12:25:00.004-06:00

Obviously, the impetus of this song comes from the slang usage of the term: “a more or less distant relative; familiar enough to be greeted with a kiss.” This was a term I thought was commonly used, but do you think I could find it easily on the internet? Of course not; instead I find sites like this: http://www.cousincouples.com/ What ever happened to innocence?

Click to listen: KISSING COUSINS

Rainbow Connection

2008-05-08T15:59:00.003-06:00

Jim Henson was awesome. Can you think of a better cinematic moment than when the camera comes swooping through the clouds into a swamp, and you see a puppet (yes, a puppet!) sitting on a log, playing a banjo, singing an instant classic tune? Written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, Rainbow Connection has been covered by a brazillion artists, although I am partial to versions done by Willie Nelson and Andy Bernard of The Office.

The beginning of my version includes my favourite lines from the end of the Muppet Movie. As usual, the drums are too damn loud.

Click to listen: RAINBOW CONNECTION

Everybody Here

2008-05-02T21:41:00.002-06:00

The chorus came to me while standing in the rolling grass, looking over the beach behind the backyard in Saulnerville, Nova Scotia. This song is very simple, but effectively captures the mood of the moment. A shout out to any Comeau listening right now!

Click to listen: EVERYBODY HERE

All About Me

2008-04-27T17:28:00.003-06:00

As much as I hate to admit it, not every song has to be about matters of life and death, atrocity, justice, perseverance, and moral confrontation. Just like the cinema: usually I want to see a film that will challenge my judgments and expand my mind. Occasionally, though, I just want to see someone get hit in the crotch with a football. Lately I’ve been getting more political with my songwriting, but sometimes we just need to dance. Here is my attempt at frivolous subject matter – but I still can’t get away from the op-ed piece. And, yes, in case you’re thinking it, this song is a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a certain somebody’s comments on my music.

Musically, I'm trying for a Steve Earle-type vibe.

Click to listen: ALL ABOUT ME

Doorstep

2008-04-20T12:03:00.003-06:00

An epilogue.
A recap.
A summation.
A denouement.
A nice little package.
A deep intake of fresh air after holding one’s breath.
A firm foot on familiar ground.
A happily ever after.

Click here to listen: DOORSTEP

Diggin' Out

2008-04-15T21:45:00.002-06:00

This song has been floating around in my catalogue for ages; of all my own songs that I’ve recorded, it is by far the oldest. To be honest: after playing or hearing this song a thousand times, I have yet to decide if the protagonist is pleading for renewal, or asking to move on. I had one in mind when I wrote it, but now I’m not so sure. Oh, these internal contradictions.

Click here to listen: DIGGIN OUT

Little Piggy Girlfriend

2008-04-09T19:52:00.004-06:00

An enormous amount of hostility resides in this song. There is definitely a love-hate relationship being described here. Perhaps a buildup of tensions? A breakdown in communication? The protagonist tries hard to paint his lover in a less-than-glorious light – although we do get the sense that the protagonist isn’t entirely innocent.

Click to listen: LITTLE PIGGY GIRLFRIEND

Chestbutternuts

2008-04-02T19:06:00.002-06:00

Am I dark and mysterious? Do I have enough anger and passion within my veins to crush all those that oppose me? Can I creep out women with the best of them? Listen to this and let me know (I figured after the last few it was time for something heavier).

Click to listen: CHESTBUTTERNUTS

40 Days & 40 Nights

2008-03-27T10:01:00.003-06:00

This song appears a bit late, considering it makes allusions to the Christian tradition of Lent, which just ended on Easter Sunday. Better late than never! The basic premise of the song is ripped from the movie of the same name starring Josh Hartnett. The song’s protagonist views the movie and decides to do the same as Josh. While the movie was a romantic comedy (I guess), the song goes down a different path. It tries to highlight the seedier side of sexual addiction, and focus more on emotions attached to acts of lust: issues of shame, justification, willpower (and the guilt associated with losing it), self-esteem, moral ambiguity, respect (for both yourself and for others). What does each party hope to get out of the deal? Are they wallowing in self-pity, or creating something constructive? Will the protagonist succeed in his mission? It doesn’t seem likely, but the song ends on a hopeful note nonetheless.

Click to listen: 40 DAYS & 40 NIGHTS

Jenny & Geoff

2008-03-20T22:09:00.003-06:00

This couple owned the bed and breakfast I occupied during my stay at Papworth Everard, England. Nestled in Cambridgeshire, this village of less than a thousand people sits along the highway built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. It's home to the world famous Papworth Hospital. It’s also a great place to watch lawn bowling. Although this song is laced with humour, none of it is meant to be directed at the couple themselves. They thought nothing of lending a hand during a stressful situation. They are good-hearted people, and I thank them for their kindness. This is one of a handful of songs that I’ve recorded that include the best instrument in the world – the kazoo!

Click to listen: JENNY & GEOFF

Callie Said

2008-03-15T12:19:00.002-06:00

This one is by request. The basic content of this song drips with nostalgia (hopefully not too much!). Although concerning specific people and instances, it should resonate with feelings of friendship and good times. Aside: for some reason I can’t fathom, my computer recognizes this song as having been performed by Bad Company and written by Paul Rodgers on the album Straight Shooters. Since no song with this name exists (especially on this album), I can’t figure out why the correlation has been made. Can you?

Click to listen here: CALLIE SAID

Front Beer Life

2008-03-09T14:06:00.001-06:00

I think anyone can relate to the theme of this song, if not the subject. Sometimes in a job (especially one oriented towards customer service) you reach that point where the issues you have to deal with on a regular basis are no longer worth the pay you’re receiving for it. The idea of this song is to express that frustration in a humorous manner. Did it work? My friend Adrian came up with the chorus. It’s simple, but spot on.

Listen here: FRONT BEER LIFE

The Sweetest Thing

2008-03-04T14:47:00.004-06:00

This is the most fun I’ve ever had covering a song. It’s written by U2, but I think I've managed to put a personal stamp on it. I defy you not to smile when you listen to this pleasant mix of tongue clicking, handclapping, simple guitar riffs, and enchanting lyrics. Still not convinced? Listen closely, and you can hear me chant “ding dong” throughout the song.

Listen here: SWEETEST THING

Hope is Was (untitled)

2008-02-26T19:32:00.003-06:00

The phrase ‘hope is was’ began as a misprint in a birthday card (thanks, Carrie!). Although the words are nice to evoke whenever silliness is called for, the phrase itself has taken on a peculiar life of its own. ‘Hope is was’ has become a sort of personal mantra, a particular way to view and interact with the world around me. The song itself (written and performed by Tam and I; that’s Tam on the guitar!) has a parallel story. What started out as an attempt to write the most ridiculous stereotypical emo song ever has culminated in a tune that is both surprisingly catchy and emotionally complex. If the verse lyrics hadn’t been intentionally written as stupid and shallow, this song might be going places. As for the useless subtitle? All part of the need to mock certain bands (you know who you are).

Click here to listen: HOPE IS WAS (UNTITLED)

Halfsongs

2008-02-20T11:00:00.003-06:00

We all have creative droughts that feel paralyzing. During a particularily tough instance, I expressed the frustration of continued musical & literary ineptness to a friend. She suffered through my whining with grace. I came to the conclusion that I had problems with endings; the beginning of a story or a song was easy, but finding and developing a satisfying ending was always difficult…and voila, the drought was broken. Thanks; I tip my hat to you :)

Click here to listen: HALFSONGS

Opening Scene

2008-02-14T00:46:00.002-06:00

This is a basic tune that touches upon timeless themes. I tried to capture raw emotion through simple but powerful statements; then I matched it with an apt analogy in the chorus. Did it work? I also like how the lyrics flow after the second chorus. Forgive the poor production quality, although I think it adds to the effect.

Listen here: OPENING SCENE

My Cuddle Monster

2008-02-08T10:10:00.000-06:00

As children, our two biggest fears are: the possibility of not being loved; and the chance of being ripped to shreds by the monster hiding under our bed. I decided to vanquish both in a single song.

Listen to it here: MY CUDDLE MONSTER

Archaeology for the Soul

2008-02-03T00:40:00.000-06:00

I decided to kick things off with this song for a number of reasons:

it’s uptempo
it is hopefully representative of the type of music I’ve been working on
it was recorded after I figured out how to incorporate drum loops instead of making my own percussion out of spoons and tongue clicks (which can in fact be fun!)
and it has archaeology in the title.

How many songs do you know that include archaeology? I know one: Archaeology, by Blueground Undergrass. While my song invokes archaeological situations and images, it isn’t about archaeology per se; it’s more a metaphor for personal choice and reflection. Some of the lyrics are hokey, and I’m proud of it!

Click to listen: ARCHAEOLOGY FOR THE SOUL

Welcome to 'Hope is Was' Music!

2008-02-01T22:54:00.000-06:00

Hello all! As you can see in the sidebar, this blog was created to showcase the meager musical talents that I've been hiding away in a basement (or kitchen, or spare bedroom) all these years. They've been recorded on my home computer or laptop using multi-track recording programs (except for the earliest stuff, which is single track). Oh, the wonders of technology! All the music files are being streamed on Twango. Soon I hope to make these songs available in some sort of downloadable format. In the meantime, we can figure out ways to get them to you. If you like them, of course.

Each weekly post will contain a link to a new song, as well as some relevant background information. The lyrics to most of these songs should be generalized (or poetically crafted) enough that they are relatable to a larger audience. But I guess we'll see about that. Please leave comments, and thank you in advance for giving a listen!