This song was written about the movie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
It's probably my favorite love story of all time. It was directed by Michel Gondry. I want this guy to make my music videos.
The images are just incredible in this movie. When Jim Carrey is going through his memories there are so many random images that go by. It reminds me of Blonde on Blonde era Bob Dylan and how he used such odd specific images but somehow you can relate to it very easily and draw on your own life. I dig it! Not that I'm on the same level as these amazing artists, but they totally influence me. I think this might be the first song I've written about a movie.
Someone else who may have influences this song: Andrew Bird. I saw him live at Millennium Park when I lived in Chicago and it was amazing. Those string plucking sounds on this song are just me trying to emulate the sound of his violin on guitar. I used this trick on a song on my last album called Takes One to Know.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Skin and Bones
I threw my chronological order off a bit here because this song was actually written before Golden Days
but seriously who's keeping track.
E and I were house sitting in Kentucky and she was going through her Ghost Hunters/Paranormal State phase...You know those shows where they never actually see ANYTHING! Anywho, I was standing in the kitchen playing guitar after she went to bed. It wasn't that I couldn't sleep because of that TV show....Of course not, I mean...I'm a grown ass man....that stuff's for....shhh....what was that......Scoobie..?
I played that opening little riff of this song about a million times. Maybe the spookiness of that show and the darkness of that house inspired this song. It's all about being alive and knowing that there's something better in store for you and that you really do have a soul. "Everything that you've broken's made you real. Forget about your bones what's in your soul no one can steal."
but seriously who's keeping track.
E and I were house sitting in Kentucky and she was going through her Ghost Hunters/Paranormal State phase...You know those shows where they never actually see ANYTHING! Anywho, I was standing in the kitchen playing guitar after she went to bed. It wasn't that I couldn't sleep because of that TV show....Of course not, I mean...I'm a grown ass man....that stuff's for....shhh....what was that......Scoobie..?
I played that opening little riff of this song about a million times. Maybe the spookiness of that show and the darkness of that house inspired this song. It's all about being alive and knowing that there's something better in store for you and that you really do have a soul. "Everything that you've broken's made you real. Forget about your bones what's in your soul no one can steal."
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Golden Days
I recorded this song in my closet in Chicago. I always envisioned the chorus of this song being sang/sung/singded/(not sure) by an old circus announcer of some sort. The little dude who stands in the middle of the tent with a megaphone.
The lyric about "swinging on the willow tree" in the chorus, is one of my earliest memories in life. When I was young I remember two little girls swinging on the branches of their willow tree wearing church dresses. I think they were my neighbors. It just always stuck with me, so I decided to put it in the song....Although, with the way memories work I may have stolen that scene from Fried Green Tomatoes, or Forrest Gump. Oh well. It's my memory now!
This song is fun to listen to with headphones because the guitars pan left to right at the beginning. For a time I was thinking the whole album may turn into a little jazzy swing thing in the style of Golden Days because I like that style of music so much, but my writing tendencies were too scatterbrained for that to happen....Maybe someday.
The lyric about "swinging on the willow tree" in the chorus, is one of my earliest memories in life. When I was young I remember two little girls swinging on the branches of their willow tree wearing church dresses. I think they were my neighbors. It just always stuck with me, so I decided to put it in the song....Although, with the way memories work I may have stolen that scene from Fried Green Tomatoes, or Forrest Gump. Oh well. It's my memory now!
This song is fun to listen to with headphones because the guitars pan left to right at the beginning. For a time I was thinking the whole album may turn into a little jazzy swing thing in the style of Golden Days because I like that style of music so much, but my writing tendencies were too scatterbrained for that to happen....Maybe someday.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Gone Now
I've decided to give a little insight into each individual track on "The Great Unknown." I'm going to do this in chronological order just for the fun of it. Today's track is Gone Now. Let's get to the oldies!
This song was originally released about 5 years ago on an out of print album of mine called "My Memories and Me." This is an ex-girlfriend song in all it's splendor.
I added new vocals, backwards guitar, claps and foot stomps to the new version.
The opening riff is highly, HIGHLY, influenced by Edith Piaf. The initial idea was to combine the sweetness of a French song with the intensity of the alternative/folk/indie/nonsense that I do. The guitar is tuned low to high DADGBbD. I think the tuning came when I was trying to figure out the Edith arrangement that had violin, horns, and whatever else those crazy French people play. Stay tuned for more!
-Todd
This song was originally released about 5 years ago on an out of print album of mine called "My Memories and Me." This is an ex-girlfriend song in all it's splendor.
I added new vocals, backwards guitar, claps and foot stomps to the new version.
The opening riff is highly, HIGHLY, influenced by Edith Piaf. The initial idea was to combine the sweetness of a French song with the intensity of the alternative/folk/indie/nonsense that I do. The guitar is tuned low to high DADGBbD. I think the tuning came when I was trying to figure out the Edith arrangement that had violin, horns, and whatever else those crazy French people play. Stay tuned for more!
-Todd
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Alternate Album Covers
I worked with some great people on this album as far as designing and photography go. Paul Suzynski took some great photos for me in some risky locations. I'll save our breaking and entering story for a later blog.
Krista Block handled all of the graphic design for the album. This is the first time that I didn't design an album by myself and man does it make things so much easier! I never knew what the hell I was doing so it was great having her help to bring these ideas to light.
I posted the album cover a few days ago so I thought I'd post a few alternate ones that didn't make the cut, but I feel are still pretty freaking cool.
These two were taken by Krista's dad in Germany when he went on his own little road trip.
Krista took this one. We eventually used it for the inside of the cd.
This was taken by my dad. It's my grandfather's farm Jeep. Probably like the first Jeep in existence. Seriously. Gramps keeps it real. I think it runs on anger. It only starts when you're pissed at it.
As you can see I had some cool option so it was hard to choose. But I think we found a good vibe to go with the music. Click on those images to make them bigger. Happy Sunday.
-Todd
Krista Block handled all of the graphic design for the album. This is the first time that I didn't design an album by myself and man does it make things so much easier! I never knew what the hell I was doing so it was great having her help to bring these ideas to light.
I posted the album cover a few days ago so I thought I'd post a few alternate ones that didn't make the cut, but I feel are still pretty freaking cool.
These two were taken by Krista's dad in Germany when he went on his own little road trip.
This was taken by my dad. It's my grandfather's farm Jeep. Probably like the first Jeep in existence. Seriously. Gramps keeps it real. I think it runs on anger. It only starts when you're pissed at it.
As you can see I had some cool option so it was hard to choose. But I think we found a good vibe to go with the music. Click on those images to make them bigger. Happy Sunday.
-Todd
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