Typically, my way of dealing, my way of massaging the strained muscles of my insipid humanity so that they do not snap, is to write music. Oftentimes the music will flow directly from whatever [exaggerated] angst I am experiencing, and at other times will have no obvious correlation to it. In either case it seems that the mere act of creation restores some balance, allows me to press on with whatever mundanities I am slogging through and leave behind thoughts of going postal. In other words, I am not an artist frivolously, nor am I an artist on weekends or just when it is convenient or popular–I am an artist because I need creation to live. It really is food for my soul.
In an interesting twist this past week, I wrote a song, not in order to confront any particular inconsistency in my life, but more as a procrastinatory tool. However, in the process of writing it, I came to realize that there was a lot of unresolved tension in my heart, and this threw me into a withdrawn spiral of motivationless paralysis. I skipped class for the second half of the week and just refused to turn in homeworks that were due. The only thing I could do, it seemed, was record the song I had written. So I did. Listen to it, and you will enter my world as it has been for the last month.
As for the lyrics, they will not likely make much sense, so let me put it this way: the song is a story. Importantly, it is not a story about me. But I feel as if I am in it.
That being said, you can download the song, which is neither mixed nor mastered, nor inclusive of the various percussion instruments which I would like my brother to later add, here. Now maybe I can get on with all the work I’ve let pile up.
8 replies on “Arctic Wastelands in the Quest for Character”
I like it. And you tie for the longest artful song title since ‘From the Towers of This City I Can Still See All Your Promises’. 😉
But what’s with the spontaneous audio blanks that are scattered throughout the song? N-Track going pinko on you?
excellent. a utilitarian question: what did you use to record it? i miss the few times that we really got to hang out and talk jonathan. i wish i could play in a band with you.
Jason- Thanks. You’re right about the pops–it must have happened in the upload process. I fixed it, so you should download the clean version!
Ryan- I miss you too, man! It would rock to be in a band together, for sure. As for your question, I used this, this, this, and this.
The song’s good! I like it better playing over my speakers than in muffled bits and pieces through your door.
Just a lurker, but I can’t wait to hear a “mastered” copy. I like it alot, and sometimes the unmastered copy sounds more authentic, more real, more the person.
the song rules. it’s really great.
Hey Jonathan-
Jason Kill played some of your stuff for me this weekend on the way down from Atlanta to Gainesville, and I met your bro today the infamous In the Pines, or whatever it’s called.
The song is good and I love LOVE the bridge. Keep writing…
i just got done listening to the song you wrote, that has to be one of my top ten favorites now, keep it up! i miss talking to you and hanging out.