What a cool track! I really love the vibe of what you're doing- music, poetry, visuals. It's awesome, unique and so creative. It's inspiring as well! You are a perfect blend of talent and realness!
Catching up on a few of your posts that I'd missed. I enjoy hearing you stretching into more of a beat based sound this month. It's interesting to hear the Fog Chaser sensibilities paired with a groove. Also, I love the updates you've made to the page appearance/organization. It is inspiring to see how you continue to dig into the SS medium. Thanks as always for sharing.
This reminds me of a weekend I spent in Joshua Tree, looking out at the desert sky and seeing stars as far as the eye could see. A beautiful vibe-full (new word?!) track.
I got a chill, like I used to when we went camping in the Mojave Desert and climbed out of sleeping bags just before the sun rise. Brisk wind making dried brush rattle, strange smells on the air, and a a few old stars slowly winking out.
Gorgeous visual, Marilee — that is absolutely it. The dried brush, the way that everything can carry on that thin desert air. Is there anything better (or worse, depending on how cold it is) than getting out of the sleeping bag before sunrise?
Thank you :) And yes, happy to. This piece just hangs out in its key the entire time, no changes. G minor has two flats (Eb and Bb), so the G minor chord is a G-Bb-D. That's the predominant chord and tone you're going to hear in the piece, and the one that feels most like "home" — everything is pulling to that note, G. You can really hear this accentuated when the piano comes in at around the 1:30 mark. There's a brief chord (D minor, also the V of the key) that leads to the G minor chord, really emphasizing the song's G-minor-ness. The bass is pretty much just playing a G the entire time, making sure that is the root note we're hearing throughout. And the song ends on the flute playing a G, to really put some closure to it. I hope that helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you for this terrific response. You’re one of the only people who can make music theory have meaning for me, as opposed to just being a taxonomy—much appreciated!
Wow, this feels quite different from your usual style. Not in a bad way at all, but a really great exploration of a different sound. I'm really into it, even more so after seeing the photos and you describing the place and "its desolation. Its isolation. This landscape is otherworldly."
Thank you Nathan. Yeah, I don't know what got into me. I just felt like...changing it up? Trying something different? I'm not sure. I've been trying to let myself expand the palette now and then, and it doesn't always work out. But for me it's all in the spirit of learning and experimenting. Appreciate you listening!
Wow, that’s an interesting sound for you. I’d say The Overstory was my favorite book of the last 5 years. Hope you enjoy it. I’m now reading his new book, just came out.
I wasn't aware of his new book — going to go take a look. And yeah, I just finished The Overstory. Phenomenal. It's not everyday that a book changes the way you see the world, but this one has. Whew. Going to be chewing on that one for a long time.
What a cool track! I really love the vibe of what you're doing- music, poetry, visuals. It's awesome, unique and so creative. It's inspiring as well! You are a perfect blend of talent and realness!
Out of everything you have shared so far, this is the best.
That is very nice of you to say, Teodora - thank you so much
Catching up on a few of your posts that I'd missed. I enjoy hearing you stretching into more of a beat based sound this month. It's interesting to hear the Fog Chaser sensibilities paired with a groove. Also, I love the updates you've made to the page appearance/organization. It is inspiring to see how you continue to dig into the SS medium. Thanks as always for sharing.
Thanks so much, Matt - I appreciate it. I'm not really sure what I'm doing anymore, so it's nice to hear your positive feedback.
This reminds me of a weekend I spent in Joshua Tree, looking out at the desert sky and seeing stars as far as the eye could see. A beautiful vibe-full (new word?!) track.
Oh that’s beautiful - there really isn’t anything like a wide open desert sky. Definitely vibe-full!
This provided a nice 'side trip' for me today. Thank you for putting this one together! Blessings ~Wendy💜
Thank you Wendy!
I got a chill, like I used to when we went camping in the Mojave Desert and climbed out of sleeping bags just before the sun rise. Brisk wind making dried brush rattle, strange smells on the air, and a a few old stars slowly winking out.
Gorgeous visual, Marilee — that is absolutely it. The dried brush, the way that everything can carry on that thin desert air. Is there anything better (or worse, depending on how cold it is) than getting out of the sleeping bag before sunrise?
Beautiful photos. Meditative music. Loved this line from the poem you shared:
"Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive."
May we here her voice and learn from her resilience
Thank you so much, Megan — and yes, absolutely.
Love it as always, Can you elaborate on the G-minor-ness? Thanks!
Thank you :) And yes, happy to. This piece just hangs out in its key the entire time, no changes. G minor has two flats (Eb and Bb), so the G minor chord is a G-Bb-D. That's the predominant chord and tone you're going to hear in the piece, and the one that feels most like "home" — everything is pulling to that note, G. You can really hear this accentuated when the piano comes in at around the 1:30 mark. There's a brief chord (D minor, also the V of the key) that leads to the G minor chord, really emphasizing the song's G-minor-ness. The bass is pretty much just playing a G the entire time, making sure that is the root note we're hearing throughout. And the song ends on the flute playing a G, to really put some closure to it. I hope that helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you for this terrific response. You’re one of the only people who can make music theory have meaning for me, as opposed to just being a taxonomy—much appreciated!
Oh, well I’m glad! I’m learning as I go, too, so it’s always helpful to walk through these things. Thank you for asking!
Love the vibe of this one! It fits the energy of the Badlands well.
Wow, this feels quite different from your usual style. Not in a bad way at all, but a really great exploration of a different sound. I'm really into it, even more so after seeing the photos and you describing the place and "its desolation. Its isolation. This landscape is otherworldly."
Thank you Nathan. Yeah, I don't know what got into me. I just felt like...changing it up? Trying something different? I'm not sure. I've been trying to let myself expand the palette now and then, and it doesn't always work out. But for me it's all in the spirit of learning and experimenting. Appreciate you listening!
Nailed it. 👌🤗
absolutely love this one
Thank you, Brennan — that is so nice to hear. I appreciate it.
Wow, that’s an interesting sound for you. I’d say The Overstory was my favorite book of the last 5 years. Hope you enjoy it. I’m now reading his new book, just came out.
I wasn't aware of his new book — going to go take a look. And yeah, I just finished The Overstory. Phenomenal. It's not everyday that a book changes the way you see the world, but this one has. Whew. Going to be chewing on that one for a long time.
Isn’t that a great book? I think it’s changed how I see the world too.
This piece felt unique to me, something different, I enjoyed! And Pablo Neruda…I want to learn Spanish just to read his original work…
Right? If the translations are this good, imagine what the originals must read like. Thanks so much for listening, Brian.
The higher tones, that swoop and dive within one’s ears create images of hungry ghosts chasing behind as we drive through the badlands.
Oh wow - YES. There are definitely some hungry ghosts in this one. Beautiful description!
Some lovely sounds in this very groovy track!
Thank you!
💙💙💙
🙃