Wow. A week since I updated. Shit. I have been working on stuff. I've recorded the vocals to one song and written a verse and an early arrangement for the next. Mostly, though, I've just been spinning out. Losing motivation, losing focus. Trying to get back on track but it's not coming easy. We'll see how we go. I now have a little over two weeks before I have to perform my first gig. Not going to lie, no idea if I'll make it.
Verse:
When it comes to explaining my antics, I’m a man oft-prepared with elaborate answers. I often find myself entranced by the chance to address the circumstances of the latest romance – but in this instance my typical commitment to explain every aspect of my predictable existence seems difficult to sustain. My faculties strained, I babble clichés about the nature of my current vocation which portray only a man unafraid of obfuscation. I don’t know rap, I don’t know hip hop, I’m a white dude who listens to pop music – so what made me think ‘Yeah, I can do this - I’ll be a rapper, I won’t look too stupid’? Am I simply another moron delivering more of youth’s exuberance through music? There is a little bit more to it.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Day 28: Song 2 FINALLY done
Yep, Requisite Idiot is finally complete. Structure, lyrics, all done. I'm currently going through that thing where I finish something and then immediately regret everything about it but I'm hoping it will pass. The hook is kind of weird but I couldn't really come up with anything else. I have decided, though, that the structure of the next song should be simpler. I thought Requisite Idiot was actually simple but, listening back to it, it's quite wild - veers between dubstep, grime, afrobeat, progressive house and all sorts of weird shit. Still, every song is a lesson (and I still crammed it into about 4:30, so I'm not doing toooooo badly).
Here are the lyrics. Feedback is appreciated.
Here are the lyrics. Feedback is appreciated.
Ultimately, I could be considered an optimist
If they persist in defiance of evidence, I'll readily dismiss such beliefs as frivolous
But, it must be said, faith’s unique brand of intellect is deserving of respect-
Without bias, look at the populace - what do you see?
The bulbous sculptures of a suicidal society shaped by depression, alcohol and bigotry.
Our soaring souls chokered by a broken culture of toxicity
And it's times like these you can see a desperate need for some brief wisp of naivety
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
You see, this world is full of ire;
Hopeful words and verdicts murdered by citizens committed to keeping cynicism’s quiet sighs alive
Often, I find I’m similarly resigned but I remind myself of the prior fights
Driven through dumb beliefs - through which we have actually won reprieves.
Who would have believed we could deal with apartheid, give indigenous rights, allow women to live independent lives?
I appreciate the question why – this isn’t about blind faith in some kind of messiah
The beliefs I’m trying to breathe into these words aren’t about Jesus or bible verses
It’s about ridding ourselves of this cursed conviction that the power of our people is some superstition
And wishing that politics and religion hadn’t gone and killed optimism
For the people I love
And the world that we live in.
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
Obviously, I’m not actually for stupidity
I think we’ve all seen enough of it as it is
But I do think we genuinely collectively need to dismiss this suspicion and prejudice we seem to possess in regards to our vested ability to change our society - to improve individually.
Yes, people are lazy, greedy and conceited – but that doesn’t mean we have to be.
I’ll admit these are the clichéd convictions of a youth unproven by a life unrestricted. I’ll even concede they’re largely fiction - healthy scepticism is practically my religion.
But within the limits of my cynicism still sits an uncomfortable truism dictating that greatness comes not just through grand statements but often wilful, ignorant idealism.
Humanity at its core has rarely been more than a relentless downpour of abhorrent behaviour – a torrential storm of lust, violence and hatred raging unabated as our blood’s wasted. Our sole saving grace has been those idiots with faith to look at our mistakes and say “this same shame will not be delivered again”. I just hope one day I can make a similar claim.
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
If they persist in defiance of evidence, I'll readily dismiss such beliefs as frivolous
But, it must be said, faith’s unique brand of intellect is deserving of respect-
Without bias, look at the populace - what do you see?
The bulbous sculptures of a suicidal society shaped by depression, alcohol and bigotry.
Our soaring souls chokered by a broken culture of toxicity
And it's times like these you can see a desperate need for some brief wisp of naivety
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
You see, this world is full of ire;
Hopeful words and verdicts murdered by citizens committed to keeping cynicism’s quiet sighs alive
Often, I find I’m similarly resigned but I remind myself of the prior fights
Driven through dumb beliefs - through which we have actually won reprieves.
Who would have believed we could deal with apartheid, give indigenous rights, allow women to live independent lives?
I appreciate the question why – this isn’t about blind faith in some kind of messiah
The beliefs I’m trying to breathe into these words aren’t about Jesus or bible verses
It’s about ridding ourselves of this cursed conviction that the power of our people is some superstition
And wishing that politics and religion hadn’t gone and killed optimism
For the people I love
And the world that we live in.
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
Obviously, I’m not actually for stupidity
I think we’ve all seen enough of it as it is
But I do think we genuinely collectively need to dismiss this suspicion and prejudice we seem to possess in regards to our vested ability to change our society - to improve individually.
Yes, people are lazy, greedy and conceited – but that doesn’t mean we have to be.
I’ll admit these are the clichéd convictions of a youth unproven by a life unrestricted. I’ll even concede they’re largely fiction - healthy scepticism is practically my religion.
But within the limits of my cynicism still sits an uncomfortable truism dictating that greatness comes not just through grand statements but often wilful, ignorant idealism.
Humanity at its core has rarely been more than a relentless downpour of abhorrent behaviour – a torrential storm of lust, violence and hatred raging unabated as our blood’s wasted. Our sole saving grace has been those idiots with faith to look at our mistakes and say “this same shame will not be delivered again”. I just hope one day I can make a similar claim.
What we need is…
A requisite idiot.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Day 27: Visions
So, today I went for a run (as I do most days). While running, I pretty much rounded out the lyrical concepts for the five songs I need to get done by September 3. I already have Lethargy and Requisite Idiot. The remaining three will be devoted to:
1) the racial politics of a white Australian making hip hop [because it's a question too often asked and unanswered]
2) the contrasting atmosphere of dread surrounding the cold war and the current economic climate [I once had a conversation with Richard Kingsmill about how in 1980s, everyone thought they could die at any moment - but I think dying instantly is preferrable to the kind of gradual disintegration our generation is looking forward to]
3) Australian Small Town Male Syndrome [I grew up in a small town and a small city and, while I value those experiences, I know what it can do to people. I found myself thinking lately about what's happened to my graduating class in the years since I graduated - one is in jail for murder, another is dead of suicide, one became a major drug dealer - and I just felt really saddened by it all. I know people get stuck in these situations and I don't think people really grasp that yet.]
In addition to that, I worked all day yesterday on refining tracks with a friend of mine who DJs under the name Sebbu. Taught me a lot about rhythm and together we worked on a beat (which I subsequently dismantled and re-sequenced all today). Still, we appear to be broadly on target. Here's hoping.
1) the racial politics of a white Australian making hip hop [because it's a question too often asked and unanswered]
2) the contrasting atmosphere of dread surrounding the cold war and the current economic climate [I once had a conversation with Richard Kingsmill about how in 1980s, everyone thought they could die at any moment - but I think dying instantly is preferrable to the kind of gradual disintegration our generation is looking forward to]
3) Australian Small Town Male Syndrome [I grew up in a small town and a small city and, while I value those experiences, I know what it can do to people. I found myself thinking lately about what's happened to my graduating class in the years since I graduated - one is in jail for murder, another is dead of suicide, one became a major drug dealer - and I just felt really saddened by it all. I know people get stuck in these situations and I don't think people really grasp that yet.]
In addition to that, I worked all day yesterday on refining tracks with a friend of mine who DJs under the name Sebbu. Taught me a lot about rhythm and together we worked on a beat (which I subsequently dismantled and re-sequenced all today). Still, we appear to be broadly on target. Here's hoping.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Day 25: The Next Verse
Okay, I haven't finished the song. Dammit. Getting there, though. I wrote a killer second verse today. Probably my favourite piece of writing I've done since the first blast of Lethargy. See below.
You see, this world is full of ire;
Hopeful words and verdicts murdered by citizens committed to keeping cynicism’s quiet sighs alive
Often, I find I’m similarly resigned but I remind myself of the prior fights
defined and driven through dumb beliefs - through which we have actually won reprieves.
Who would have believed we could deal with apartheid, give indigenous rights, allow women to live independent lives?
I appreciate the question why – this isn’t about blind faith in some kind of messiah
The beliefs I’m trying to breathe into these words aren’t about Jesus or bible verses
It’s about ridding ourselves of this cursed conviction that the power of our people is some superstition
Wishing that politics and religion hadn’t gone and killed optimism
For the people I love
For the world that we live in.
Got an idea for the next song, too. Hoping to start work on it tomorrow.
You see, this world is full of ire;
Hopeful words and verdicts murdered by citizens committed to keeping cynicism’s quiet sighs alive
Often, I find I’m similarly resigned but I remind myself of the prior fights
defined and driven through dumb beliefs - through which we have actually won reprieves.
Who would have believed we could deal with apartheid, give indigenous rights, allow women to live independent lives?
I appreciate the question why – this isn’t about blind faith in some kind of messiah
The beliefs I’m trying to breathe into these words aren’t about Jesus or bible verses
It’s about ridding ourselves of this cursed conviction that the power of our people is some superstition
Wishing that politics and religion hadn’t gone and killed optimism
For the people I love
For the world that we live in.
Got an idea for the next song, too. Hoping to start work on it tomorrow.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Day 24: Closer, closer still
Okay, so I'm starting to sketch out the second song. It's got verses, choruses and introductions. It's really different. It's still kind of noisy and unpredictable but in a really cool, pulsing, detached fashion. It's quite glacial and, compared to Lethargy, unbelievably stripped back. It might even be too stripped back but I'm really digging the aesthetic.
I've got a bit of writer's block. Can't seem to bypass the a-a-b-b rhyming scheme. It's shitting me off royally. Particularly since I've realised that the seemingly clever first verse of Requisite Idiot is actually pretty fucking straightforward. Grargh.
Oh yeah - collaborating with someone on Sunday. Also, finally have someone to help me play live for this gig in September.
I've got a bit of writer's block. Can't seem to bypass the a-a-b-b rhyming scheme. It's shitting me off royally. Particularly since I've realised that the seemingly clever first verse of Requisite Idiot is actually pretty fucking straightforward. Grargh.
Oh yeah - collaborating with someone on Sunday. Also, finally have someone to help me play live for this gig in September.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Day 22: Song 2.5
Okay, shit is progressing. Very gradually. I still have that crazy groove but now I have some lyrics. It's weird, though. For one thing, I find I'm scared of actually expressing sentiments lyrically that I've spoken of countless times in conversation (and in print). More practically, though - rapping at 130BPM is nuts. I was informed by a friend that the only Australasian rapper he can think of who pulled it off was Scribe (I am pretty sure however that there's at least one song by the Optimen at that speed). I've got a flow going but it's quite tricky and I suspect it's a little fractured. You kind of have to usher words ahead and behind of beats. I'm kind of proud of the rhythm of the first verse but I also wish it flowed a little better. Standard contradictory impulses, though.
Here are the lyrics:
Ultimately, I could be considered an optimist
If they persist in defiance of evidence, I'll readily dismiss such beliefs as frivolous
But, it must be said, faith’s unique brand of intellect is deserving of respect-
Without bias, look at the populace - what do you see?
The bulbous sculptures of a suicidal society shaped by depression, alcohol and bigotry.
Our soaring souls chokered by a broken culture of toxicity
And it's times like these you realise the desperate need for a little bit of idiotic naivety
Too pretentious? Fuck, I don't know. I've been trying since Sunday to capture these ideas and this is the closest I've got.
Oh yeah, I may be collaborating with some cats soon. That'd be cool.
(Not actual cats - other musicians).
Here are the lyrics:
Ultimately, I could be considered an optimist
If they persist in defiance of evidence, I'll readily dismiss such beliefs as frivolous
But, it must be said, faith’s unique brand of intellect is deserving of respect-
Without bias, look at the populace - what do you see?
The bulbous sculptures of a suicidal society shaped by depression, alcohol and bigotry.
Our soaring souls chokered by a broken culture of toxicity
And it's times like these you realise the desperate need for a little bit of idiotic naivety
Too pretentious? Fuck, I don't know. I've been trying since Sunday to capture these ideas and this is the closest I've got.
Oh yeah, I may be collaborating with some cats soon. That'd be cool.
(Not actual cats - other musicians).
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Day 21: Song 2
WHOOOOHOOOOOO!
You know, like that Blur song.
I started work officially on the second song today. Mostly playing around with samples. It's weird - I don't think I'll know where to go with the track until I have a satisfactory bead on the lyrics. At the moment, it's this weird blend of chopped-up harmony vocals (sounds vaguely like a Pink Floyd synthesiser to me) and strange, nineties collage stuff - all grafted onto a surprisingly Timbalandy groove. I really dig it but I'm not sure where it's going - hence the need to focus on lyrics.
Note to self: use en-dashes less.
You know, like that Blur song.
I started work officially on the second song today. Mostly playing around with samples. It's weird - I don't think I'll know where to go with the track until I have a satisfactory bead on the lyrics. At the moment, it's this weird blend of chopped-up harmony vocals (sounds vaguely like a Pink Floyd synthesiser to me) and strange, nineties collage stuff - all grafted onto a surprisingly Timbalandy groove. I really dig it but I'm not sure where it's going - hence the need to focus on lyrics.
Note to self: use en-dashes less.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Day 20: Song Completed
Yep, I disappeared again. I'll do that. I'm wacky. Still, I've finished a song. I haven't finished recording it but it's completely written. It weighs in at about 4:10 and it's called Lethargy.
These are the lyrics:
So tired of this lethargy sapping off my energies
My soul left cleft and bereft of heft
By this long-term, slow burn personal catastrophe
Permeating my debilitating psychological anatomy
Each day, I wake a little slower
Remove my tired eyes from the night’s demise
With a guise characterised less by a gleam than by a glower
The morning shower - a dour exercise in dousing the sighs from a soul retired from the race outside for power
For accomplishment,
For bliss, cheer and merriment
For the various accoutrements of personal success we each strive to make permanent on a daily basis
The assorted vibrant lively filaments in which I have no personal investment
I’m tired of it.
[Chopped-up Refrain]
It’s a metaphysical exhaustion
Emotion’s distortions inflicting a torsion on a soul’s portion
A fraction of some faceless phantasm causing an undertow
Miasma of blandness forcing the whole mind-body-soul machine to slow
A useless artist, I’m rendered retarded, your own personal martyr in the market for pathos
While deep in the ghost of ambition’s repose
Weak shades of outrages faded glow:
What is this hapless existence? This disgustingly flaccid and placid indifference?
You know damn well you’re better than this.
[Chopped-up Refrain Extended]
And I’m convinced - a culture such as this breeds missed opportunities
And what puts the fear in me is the possibility that this lack of energy isn’t felt just by me but a whole damn country of men and women fighting unsuccessfully on their knees to bypass these toxic beliefs filling their subconsciouses with feelings of worthlessness robbing their souls of breath, bludgeoning them to death - and no-one’s going to stop it.
So tired of this lethargy sapping off my energies
My soul left cleft and bereft of heft
By this long-term, slow burn personal catastrophe
Permeating my debilitating psychological anatomy
[Chopped-up Refrain Extended]
--
I'm a bit concerned the flow in the Middle 8 is a bit pedestrian but I really like it. I've also been listening to a lot of different hip hop artists and their rhymes are just as simple if not simpler. I'm starting to ask the same questions of rapping that I was asking of beats. I think this might be a good thing, though. I haven't thought about rapping anywhere near as much as beats so I need to refine my perspectives.
I also wrote some more lyrics on the weekend but I'm a bit unsure of them. The song is ideally going to be called Requisite Idiot but I'm kind of debating how to express the ideas I want to in the song.
These are the lyrics:
So tired of this lethargy sapping off my energies
My soul left cleft and bereft of heft
By this long-term, slow burn personal catastrophe
Permeating my debilitating psychological anatomy
Each day, I wake a little slower
Remove my tired eyes from the night’s demise
With a guise characterised less by a gleam than by a glower
The morning shower - a dour exercise in dousing the sighs from a soul retired from the race outside for power
For accomplishment,
For bliss, cheer and merriment
For the various accoutrements of personal success we each strive to make permanent on a daily basis
The assorted vibrant lively filaments in which I have no personal investment
I’m tired of it.
[Chopped-up Refrain]
It’s a metaphysical exhaustion
Emotion’s distortions inflicting a torsion on a soul’s portion
A fraction of some faceless phantasm causing an undertow
Miasma of blandness forcing the whole mind-body-soul machine to slow
A useless artist, I’m rendered retarded, your own personal martyr in the market for pathos
While deep in the ghost of ambition’s repose
Weak shades of outrages faded glow:
What is this hapless existence? This disgustingly flaccid and placid indifference?
You know damn well you’re better than this.
[Chopped-up Refrain Extended]
And I’m convinced - a culture such as this breeds missed opportunities
And what puts the fear in me is the possibility that this lack of energy isn’t felt just by me but a whole damn country of men and women fighting unsuccessfully on their knees to bypass these toxic beliefs filling their subconsciouses with feelings of worthlessness robbing their souls of breath, bludgeoning them to death - and no-one’s going to stop it.
So tired of this lethargy sapping off my energies
My soul left cleft and bereft of heft
By this long-term, slow burn personal catastrophe
Permeating my debilitating psychological anatomy
[Chopped-up Refrain Extended]
--
I'm a bit concerned the flow in the Middle 8 is a bit pedestrian but I really like it. I've also been listening to a lot of different hip hop artists and their rhymes are just as simple if not simpler. I'm starting to ask the same questions of rapping that I was asking of beats. I think this might be a good thing, though. I haven't thought about rapping anywhere near as much as beats so I need to refine my perspectives.
I also wrote some more lyrics on the weekend but I'm a bit unsure of them. The song is ideally going to be called Requisite Idiot but I'm kind of debating how to express the ideas I want to in the song.
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