I'm finally done. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mlx3...ey=nlafnkh6cvcjmdwx799gnx9qm&st=9g4i6t82&dl=0

The floorboards whisper secrets to crystal goblet ears
Reveal a long dead language, once translated, meaning clear
The walls hold up the bargain, cannot be comprised
The eaves treat them unkindly, but one never sees them cry
Damn curtains blind the windows, no light shines from above
There does seem there's a doorway which some birds are so in love
Time here has no meaning, the moment rules instead
Perchance to dream, to fall asleep, divine the fountainhead

Chorus

In the house of cross-stich shadows, things get crazy in my room
Both my muses oh so lovely in perfect tune
Forging from the aethers...alchemy
Making sweet love with my ladies, three part harmony

All things come to an ending, then they start their thang again
Come gather 'round the faithful, family, lovers and old friends
We're all smiles, grins and laughter, let's dance in circles 'neath the moon
Around our necks, upon our heads, flowerful festoons

Chorus

C Part

I don't know if I can take it but will certainly try
It would genuinely help if I could get a little high
Gotta promise they'll die by the end of July
Goodbye

Chorus

I employed the usual suspects...on the left Taja, my dear old Cedar/Madagascar dreadnought on the left and on the right Sundara, my Martin D-18. The bell like part is from my new absolute favorite synth Legend HZ. There are no rhythm instruments. I did my best on the interplay between the two guitars to create that texture without hitting stuff with sticks, hands or fingers.

I almost caved and ditched this #8 as I wasn't at all happy with anything I was doing. My daughter liked the key change from Am to A so I pushed on, thankfully as I came to love the thing. The chordal structure for some reason turned into a cool invention, I don't have the theory chops to explain it but just happy the final outcome.

How I explained it to a friend...

Chord sequences...It kinda switches keys after the verse and the C part is a bit disembodied from the rest, then the "Goodbye" tag leaves everything else wondering and shaking their heads in disbelief, like a word just on the tip of your tongue but failing to find purchase.

Am D E
A Em D A
A Em D E
Bm A E
Bm C#m D

The first verse is all about the artwork provided, in my mind trying to create a strange world encompassed within the four walls, each element seen in the painting a sentient being and the relationships between themselves. I watched a bunch of David Lynch films last week when I started writing for this iteration of our exercise, and since I'm easily swayed went all in succumbing to his wonderful influence on the screen as well as the arts in general. After that I spoke of my own room where I compose and record and the help of my own muses on my work. After I got over trying to intellectualize every word of the libretto I went with my feelings about my illness (I've been touched of a certain kind of Leukemia), after numerous physical hits and near death experiences though my 65 years on planet have finally taken notice of my mortality. The last verse centers around my hopefully happy wake when I finally give up the ghost, and as my Dad used to say, I'm pushing up daisys. So, my song is a little about a lot of different things that I reflected upon while staring at the beautiful art provided by @macros mk2.

I've seemingly lost anything nice about my relaxed vocal range at least for the time being, it sounding old and tired, which it is at time present. The cool thing is my high voice with which I sing harmonies is better than ever. Go figure!

I hope you'all enjoy.

 

Last edited: Jan 29, 2025

Great track Lois.

 

Thanks Captain that's very crunchy of you!

 

Where have all the flowers gone,
Long time passing?

Wassup peoples, nobody wishing to go for...

Why was 6 afraid of 7?

Because 7 ate 9

@TimJackman .. missed you in #8, why don't you run #9 and throw in an entry for good measure?

 

John Musichead - Nerf (Friendly Non-Contest #8)

This track is my sonic interpretation of Armonía (Autorretrato Sugerente) by Remedios Varo. I wanted to capture that feeling of floating between reality and illusion, between control and chaos. The painting inspired me to create a shifting structure, where elements emerge and fade away like fragments of musical memory.

Nerf is built around tension, contained energy ready to explode. I played with gritty textures, unpredictable rhythms, and a dynamic oscillation between organic and mechanical sounds, like the fusion of a creative mind with its environment. The melodies, sometimes muffled, sometimes striking, reflect this inner struggle between control and surrender.

Hope you enjoy it! Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

Thank you @johnmusichead for your song and your work. Finally something completely new that I hadn't heard before.

You really surprised me and I am happy about your creative views. Especially the second part and at the end hold a sonic surprise.

I really like all your other songs on SoundCloud very refreshing and imaginative with that certain something.

 

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I’m really glad Nerf could bring something unexpected, surprising the listener is always something I strive for. The second part was definitely meant to shake things up a bit, so I’m happy it stood out to you.

And I truly appreciate you taking the time to check out my other tracks on SoundCloud. Hearing that you find them refreshing and imaginative is the best kind of motivation! Thanks again for the kind words.

 

Hello @johnmusichead .. glad you could drop in a song! I like your melody.

 

Here is my musical interpretation of the picture:

 

https://whyp.it/tracks/256931/i-d-e-a?token=ggVfo

sorry about the cathedral reverb

 

Last edited: Feb 12, 2025

Thank you @Lemmy for your musical contribution and interpretation of the picture, I
especially like the end with the revelation via guitar and the birds chirping at the end.

 

Quite a nice playlist today!!

 

@Lemmy .. Your piece might be an apt for bits of a soundtrack for a film based on a novel of China Mieville's, perhaps Kraken. To me it asks many challenging questions, and although there seems structural resolution, it also seems to beg many more questions than are answers for, a mystery that tightens and loosens the plot knots, keeping the reader tottering and searching for the downward slope of it's climax.

 

LOL...That's what I liked, the reverb as it for me lifted the visual in my mind of the goings on of the residents of the room from the mundane claptrap of the drums mimicking the floorboards!

 

A little bit of a late post, but Aidene had an itch and scratched out a dirge to tack on at the end of my song!

<iframe src="https://whyp.it/tracks/embed?id=257257" width="100%" height="200" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

Fantastically well-done song, before the end of the song there was a surprise that reminded me of New Orleans (jazz), the funeral march.

 

That was Aidene's love child at the end!

 

So, you dislike?

 

It also happens that someone makes a mistake!
They are right next to each other, surely he will correct it.

 

your track is great Lemmy. I don't think Lois Lane was being critical.