I've only read one of Margaret Atwood's books, Oryx and Crake, but I've always meant to read more because I really enjoyed it and it left an impression on me. I really agree with her observation, it seems like we only really bond as a country when we have a moral enemy. We thrived after WW2 because we were fighting nazis and the most united I've seen the country is after 9/11. But give it enough time and we no longer have an outside force to focus on, that's when we start a lot of political infighting. Here's to hoping no civil wars.

All that aside though, your song this week is cool. The descending rhythm over the beat is a nice motif, and my favorite moment is 3:05.

I've only read one of Margaret Atwood's books, Oryx and Crake, but I've always meant to read more because I really enjoyed it and it left an impression on me. I really agree with her observation, it seems like we only really bond as a country when we have a moral enemy. We thrived after WW2 because we were fighting nazis and the most united I've seen the country is after 9/11. But give it enough time and we no longer have an outside force to focus on, that's when we start a lot of political infighting. Here's to hoping no civil wars. All that aside though, your song this week is cool. The descending rhythm over the beat is a nice motif, and my favorite moment is 3:05.

The quote and the video were both very interesting and thought provoking.  I completely feel like the "We're good they're bad" mindset is one of the biggest things that's plaguing society, but I don't know how to combat it.  Complex problems require complex solutions, but everyone's looking for easy answers.  All of which is my long-winded way of saying the track was also smoking this week.  Really dug those descending synth lines.

The quote and the video were both very interesting and thought provoking. I completely feel like the "We're good they're bad" mindset is one of the biggest things that's plaguing society, but I don't know how to combat it. Complex problems require complex solutions, but everyone's looking for easy answers. All of which is my long-winded way of saying the track was also smoking this week. Really dug those descending synth lines.

The backing drones are menacing and fearful while the percussive melodic line is marching on in a singleminded way... like no good will come of it.  Fits very well with the theme. Loving the chord hits just before the midpoint and at the outro. Really cool guitar as well (good work JWH!)

The backing drones are menacing and fearful while the percussive melodic line is marching on in a singleminded way... like no good will come of it. Fits very well with the theme. Loving the chord hits just before the midpoint and at the outro. Really cool guitar as well (good work JWH!)

Cool track, and thanks for the interview snippet. Kinda scary the way crowds behave...

I like the people in fighting crowds who end up playing music, like the sax guy with the portable speaker during the riot, or Ukrainian soldiers playing in some desolate place in full army apparel. What a special kind of breed us humans are if we can do that kind of stuff! In some fucked up way, it makes me have hope for getting through whatever hard times may be.

Cool track, and thanks for the interview snippet. Kinda scary the way crowds behave... I like the people in fighting crowds who end up playing music, like the sax guy with the portable speaker during the riot, or Ukrainian soldiers playing in some desolate place in full army apparel. What a special kind of breed us humans are if we can do that kind of stuff! In some fucked up way, it makes me have hope for getting through whatever hard times may be.

Great song! On 3:04 is my favorite, your strong melody is perfect to the guitar and drums after here.

Great song! On 3:04 is my favorite, your strong melody is perfect to the guitar and drums after here.

Yes that is a very interesting topic and scary indeed. As a French national, we have this fantasy of how wonderful the revolution was, but when you look at it with objective eyes, as the author writes, once they got rid of the "oppressing force" then they started fighting against each other, in a period that is aptly named La Terreur (the terror). And it ended up with Napoleon becoming Emperor. So yeah, not fully convinced it was such a great success overall.

Good track with a sense of progress, it feels a little lighter than the subject.

Yes that is a very interesting topic and scary indeed. As a French national, we have this fantasy of how wonderful the revolution was, but when you look at it with objective eyes, as the author writes, once they got rid of the "oppressing force" then they started fighting against each other, in a period that is aptly named La Terreur (the terror). And it ended up with Napoleon becoming Emperor. So yeah, not fully convinced it was such a great success overall. Good track with a sense of progress, it feels a little lighter than the subject.

The main synth melody is super catchy but with the added guitar and your vocals it all comes together so nicely.  I enjoyed the cinematic pace you had throughout the track. 

The main synth melody is super catchy but with the added guitar and your vocals it all comes together so nicely. I enjoyed the cinematic pace you had throughout the track.

I've tried to read O&C a few times now & never got through it. 'Handmaids Tale' is intense but eerily familiar - the follow up book she wrote recently 'The Testaments' was a fascinating addition to the story.
This documentary about her gave interesting perspective on her life/work:
https://www.hulu.com/movie/margaret-atwood-a-word-after-a-word-after-a-word-is-power-274b400a-8a4e-4560-a3fb-93b49c2d3f24

What's so strange to me about these times is how global the scale of everything is & how much can still be attended to locally - how we are so very connected - so very disconnected... ah well thank you for listening - music is sometimes where i work this stuff out

Thank you - I had been pondering what I could share that would be encouraging & one thing Margaret mentioned and other thinkers who are troubled keep sharing - is that what helps is to envision/create contemplate solutions - "how can we make the future fun?" was something Margaret brought up in that interview... I do think as artist's we observe/witness & that's so important and powerful - but we can also dream...  CosmicCarin what does unity in society look like to you? (I'm having a hard time imagining this)  I hope it includes more musical saws!

"like no good will come of it" - this made me smile - thank you for the nice words & for listening!

I have to go look up the sax guy now - wow that was - just wow... Humans are so strange & horrible & awesome & lovely... all the complex things  

Thank you!

Thank you - I was trying for the feeling of processing through all that stuff not just sitting in existential dread
Have you ever watched or read "The Scarlet Pimpernel" ?  I wish I had a better grip on world history.  Sadly that's really my main reference point to the French Revolution & it is historical fiction written by someone who was not a French national... but it is a good example of looking at the complexity of that part of history - I remember it being funny though I know that part of history is disturbing.

Thank you Mr. Matrix! Glad you enjoyed it - it was a fun piece to put together but I was not in love with the vocals - I was hearing something else but I'm trying to just let the songs be what they are & not overthink them  

[quote=ViridianLoom]I've only read one of Margaret Atwood's books, Oryx and Crake, but I've always meant to read more because I really enjoyed it and it left an impression on me. I really agree with her observation, it seems like we only really bond as a country when we have a moral enemy. We thrived after WW2 because we were fighting nazis and the most united I've seen the country is after 9/11. But give it enough time and we no longer have an outside force to focus on, that's when we start a lot of political infighting. Here's to hoping no civil wars. All that aside though, your song this week is cool. The descending rhythm over the beat is a nice motif, and my favorite moment is 3:05. [/quote] I've tried to read O&C a few times now & never got through it. 'Handmaids Tale' is intense but eerily familiar - the follow up book she wrote recently 'The Testaments' was a fascinating addition to the story. This documentary about her gave interesting perspective on her life/work: https://www.hulu.com/movie/margaret-atwood-a-word-after-a-word-after-a-word-is-power-274b400a-8a4e-4560-a3fb-93b49c2d3f24 What's so strange to me about these times is how global the scale of everything is & how much can still be attended to locally - how we are so very connected - so very disconnected... ah well thank you for listening - music is sometimes where i work this stuff out :) [quote=CosmicCairns]The quote and the video were both very interesting and thought provoking. I completely feel like the "We're good they're bad" mindset is one of the biggest things that's plaguing society, but I don't know how to combat it. Complex problems require complex solutions, but everyone's looking for easy answers. All of which is my long-winded way of saying the track was also smoking this week. Really dug those descending synth lines.[/quote] :) Thank you - I had been pondering what I could share that would be encouraging & one thing Margaret mentioned and other thinkers who are troubled keep sharing - is that what helps is to envision/create contemplate solutions - "how can we make the future fun?" was something Margaret brought up in that interview... I do think as artist's we observe/witness & that's so important and powerful - but we can also dream... CosmicCarin what does unity in society look like to you? (I'm having a hard time imagining this) I hope it includes more musical saws! [quote=NWSPR]The backing drones are menacing and fearful while the percussive melodic line is marching on in a singleminded way... like no good will come of it. Fits very well with the theme. Loving the chord hits just before the midpoint and at the outro. Really cool guitar as well (good work JWH!) [/quote] "like no good will come of it" - this made me smile - thank you for the nice words & for listening! [quote=horatiuromantic]Cool track, and thanks for the interview snippet. Kinda scary the way crowds behave... I like the people in fighting crowds who end up playing music, like the sax guy with the portable speaker during the riot, or Ukrainian soldiers playing in some desolate place in full army apparel. What a special kind of breed us humans are if we can do that kind of stuff! In some fucked up way, it makes me have hope for getting through whatever hard times may be.[/quote] I have to go look up the sax guy now - wow that was - just wow... Humans are so strange & horrible & awesome & lovely... all the complex things :) [quote=Alette]Great song! On 3:04 is my favorite, your strong melody is perfect to the guitar and drums after here.[/quote] Thank you! :) [quote=Kedbreak136]Yes that is a very interesting topic and scary indeed. As a French national, we have this fantasy of how wonderful the revolution was, but when you look at it with objective eyes, as the author writes, once they got rid of the "oppressing force" then they started fighting against each other, in a period that is aptly named La Terreur (the terror). And it ended up with Napoleon becoming Emperor. So yeah, not fully convinced it was such a great success overall. Good track with a sense of progress, it feels a little lighter than the subject.[/quote] Thank you - I was trying for the feeling of processing through all that stuff not just sitting in existential dread ;) Have you ever watched or read "The Scarlet Pimpernel" ? I wish I had a better grip on world history. Sadly that's really my main reference point to the French Revolution & it is historical fiction written by someone who was not a French national... but it is a good example of looking at the complexity of that part of history - I remember it being funny though I know that part of history is disturbing. [quote=Tone Matrix]The main synth melody is super catchy but with the added guitar and your vocals it all comes together so nicely. I enjoyed the cinematic pace you had throughout the track. [/quote] Thank you Mr. Matrix! Glad you enjoyed it - it was a fun piece to put together but I was not in love with the vocals - I was hearing something else but I'm trying to just let the songs be what they are & not overthink them :)

Thank you - I had been pondering what I could share that would be encouraging & one thing Margaret mentioned and other thinkers who are troubled keep sharing - is that what helps is to envision/create contemplate solutions - "how can we make the future fun?" was something Margaret brought up in that interview... I do think as artist's we observe/witness & that's so important and powerful - but we can also dream...  CosmicCarin what does unity in society look like to you? (I'm having a hard time imagining this)  I hope it includes more musical saws!

I have no idea what unity in society might look like or how to get there.  I don't think a hive mind or something where everyone is exactly the same is a desirable endpoint.  Our differences are what give richness to our society and culture.  I'd like to see a world where we have more empathy for each other and where there's more equality both economically and in matters of justice.  And where we can respect and tolerate our differences.  I feel like I used to be able to have friends who I completely disagreed with on politics or religion or whatever.  We could argue about that and then set it aside and get along and acknowledge we were still all decent people.  It would be nice to have that on a global scale.  And, of course, more musical saws.

[quote=CosmicCairns]The quote and the video were both very interesting and thought provoking. I completely feel like the "We're good they're bad" mindset is one of the biggest things that's plaguing society, but I don't know how to combat it. Complex problems require complex solutions, but everyone's looking for easy answers. All of which is my long-winded way of saying the track was also smoking this week. Really dug those descending synth lines.[/quote] :) Thank you - I had been pondering what I could share that would be encouraging & one thing Margaret mentioned and other thinkers who are troubled keep sharing - is that what helps is to envision/create contemplate solutions - "how can we make the future fun?" was something Margaret brought up in that interview... I do think as artist's we observe/witness & that's so important and powerful - but we can also dream... CosmicCarin what does unity in society look like to you? (I'm having a hard time imagining this) I hope it includes more musical saws! I have no idea what unity in society might look like or how to get there. I don't think a hive mind or something where everyone is exactly the same is a desirable endpoint. Our differences are what give richness to our society and culture. I'd like to see a world where we have more empathy for each other and where there's more equality both economically and in matters of justice. And where we can respect and tolerate our differences. I feel like I used to be able to have friends who I completely disagreed with on politics or religion or whatever. We could argue about that and then set it aside and get along and acknowledge we were still all decent people. It would be nice to have that on a global scale. And, of course, more musical saws.

ya hive minds creep me out - at least in humans - in honey bees it is pretty damn amazing!
- what you wrote makes me think of when you start to understand how beautiful and complex our ecosystems are - there is so much diversity!  take one part away and things get all out of whack
- i just heard about a specific little frog species going extinct & how now the snakes that ate them are dying the mosquito populations start to rise cause the frogs are not eating them & now there is an uptick in mosquito born illnesses killing humans... that's just in one little corner of the world...

for me the complexity of having empathy lies in the space where tolerance becomes complicity with injustice
i'm having a hard time figuring out where that line lies... there are some hateful idea's i just do not/can not have respect for... whenever i get stuck here i often think of Eli Saslow & Derek Black https://youtu.be/S7xFtzT88dw - perhaps this is the work of this generation on the planet - or perhaps the planet is going to expel us humans for misbehaving... cue Titanic sinking scene where they play musical saws or perhaps we will have a musical saw orchestra playing triumphant music where we rise out of hate & find a way to love each other and even more weird is that somehwere in this reality the musical saws could be playing the farewell songs for the folks heading to mars... what a fascinating time to be alive on this planet!

[quote=CosmicCairns][quote=CosmicCairns]The quote and the video were both very interesting and thought provoking. I completely feel like the "We're good they're bad" mindset is one of the biggest things that's plaguing society, but I don't know how to combat it. Complex problems require complex solutions, but everyone's looking for easy answers. All of which is my long-winded way of saying the track was also smoking this week. Really dug those descending synth lines.[/quote] :) Thank you - I had been pondering what I could share that would be encouraging & one thing Margaret mentioned and other thinkers who are troubled keep sharing - is that what helps is to envision/create contemplate solutions - "how can we make the future fun?" was something Margaret brought up in that interview... I do think as artist's we observe/witness & that's so important and powerful - but we can also dream... CosmicCarin what does unity in society look like to you? (I'm having a hard time imagining this) I hope it includes more musical saws! I have no idea what unity in society might look like or how to get there. I don't think a hive mind or something where everyone is exactly the same is a desirable endpoint. Our differences are what give richness to our society and culture. I'd like to see a world where we have more empathy for each other and where there's more equality both economically and in matters of justice. And where we can respect and tolerate our differences. I feel like I used to be able to have friends who I completely disagreed with on politics or religion or whatever. We could argue about that and then set it aside and get along and acknowledge we were still all decent people. It would be nice to have that on a global scale. And, of course, more musical saws. [/quote] ya hive minds creep me out - at least in humans - in honey bees it is pretty damn amazing! - what you wrote makes me think of when you start to understand how beautiful and complex our ecosystems are - there is so much diversity! take one part away and things get all out of whack - i just heard about a specific little frog species going extinct & how now the snakes that ate them are dying the mosquito populations start to rise cause the frogs are not eating them & now there is an uptick in mosquito born illnesses killing humans... that's just in one little corner of the world... for me the complexity of having empathy lies in the space where tolerance becomes complicity with injustice i'm having a hard time figuring out where that line lies... there are some hateful idea's i just do not/can not have respect for... whenever i get stuck here i often think of Eli Saslow & Derek Black https://youtu.be/S7xFtzT88dw - perhaps this is the work of this generation on the planet - or perhaps the planet is going to expel us humans for misbehaving... cue Titanic sinking scene where they play musical saws ;) or perhaps we will have a musical saw orchestra playing triumphant music where we rise out of hate & find a way to love each other :) and even more weird is that somehwere in this reality the musical saws could be playing the farewell songs for the folks heading to mars... what a fascinating time to be alive on this planet!

I found your BC and listened to the EP before you posted the link! I donated and will wait to buy your EP 'cuz supporting artists is important (and is a cause of my own). Lovely tune

Hard to explain how relatable this is (and what you wrote afterwards). I tried to write more but failed so I'll leave this at that.

I found your BC and listened to the EP before you posted the link! I donated and will wait to buy your EP 'cuz supporting artists is important (and is a cause of my own). Lovely tune <3 [quote=emily]for me the complexity of having empathy lies in the space where tolerance becomes complicity with injustice i'm having a hard time figuring out where that line lies...[/quote] Hard to explain how relatable this is (and what you wrote afterwards). I tried to write more but failed so I'll leave this at that.

wow, so much good conversation in this thread, not much to add

wow, so much good conversation in this thread, not much to add <3

Thank you so much - that organization is a sort of sister organization to the one Josh has been supporting for over 20 years now so we had a touchstone with that relief effort.   Please just download what you'd like.  It just makes me happy when something I make someone enjoys or resonates with.  It means so much to me that folks here on WB take the time to listen & comment etc.  In this world of such distracted attention this kind of support is worth more than gold

Are you on bandcamp?

it's so complex & difficult to verbalize

[quote=ilzxc]I found your BC and listened to the EP before you posted the link! I donated and will wait to buy your EP 'cuz supporting artists is important (and is a cause of my own). Lovely tune <3[/quote] Thank you so much - that organization is a sort of sister organization to the one Josh has been supporting for over 20 years now so we had a touchstone with that relief effort. Please just download what you'd like. It just makes me happy when something I make someone enjoys or resonates with. It means so much to me that folks here on WB take the time to listen & comment etc. In this world of such distracted attention this kind of support is worth more than gold ;) Are you on bandcamp? [quote=ilzxc]Hard to explain how relatable this is (and what you wrote afterwards). I tried to write more but failed so I'll leave this at that. [/quote] it's so complex & difficult to verbalize <3 [quote=orangedrink]wow, so much good conversation in this thread, not much to add <3[/quote] <3

I haven't listened/watched/read through all the links above but they seem incredibly interesting and thought provoking and follow through on trains of thought I've been mulling over privately in my own mind. great conversation in this thread as well.

the track itself is nice. it seems heavier (stompier?) than your other recent work. I couldn't tell what was synth and what was guitar, which was a cool sensation.

I haven't listened/watched/read through all the links above but they seem incredibly interesting and thought provoking and follow through on trains of thought I've been mulling over privately in my own mind. great conversation in this thread as well. the track itself is nice. it seems heavier (stompier?) than your other recent work. I couldn't tell what was synth and what was guitar, which was a cool sensation.

stompy is an interesting adj. - sometimes i feel at the mercy of world leader and cultural temper tantrums stomping around - and sometimes i feel like throwing a temper tantrum and stomping around in response to it all... complexity...

[quote=license]I haven't listened/watched/read through all the links above but they seem incredibly interesting and thought provoking and follow through on trains of thought I've been mulling over privately in my own mind. great conversation in this thread as well. the track itself is nice. it seems heavier (stompier?) than your other recent work. I couldn't tell what was synth and what was guitar, which was a cool sensation.[/quote] stompy is an interesting adj. - sometimes i feel at the mercy of world leader and cultural temper tantrums stomping around - and sometimes i feel like throwing a temper tantrum and stomping around in response to it all... complexity...

Ah, a reflective and contemplative melody to me. Love the melody. The bold chords. A triumphant rising feeling. I feel like we will move forward somehow. There will be ages and ages, golden or not. Thank you for the links. Just bought the EP, thanks for that! Margaraet Atwood has been appearing in my attention space frequently. It's a sign. I read the madaddam trilogy and loved. Cheers to all the complexity that there is!

Ah, a reflective and contemplative melody to me. Love the melody. The bold chords. A triumphant rising feeling. I feel like we will move forward somehow. There will be ages and ages, golden or not. Thank you for the links. Just bought the EP, thanks for that! Margaraet Atwood has been appearing in my attention space frequently. It's a sign. I read the madaddam trilogy and loved. Cheers to all the complexity that there is!

this one is pretty intense- I like how the discord kind of creeps in towards the end, and I love the spoken word mixed in with the singing. Also, how that gtuair comes in towards the end adds more to the air of severity. thank you for making this and sharing it

this one is pretty intense- I like how the discord kind of creeps in towards the end, and I love the spoken word mixed in with the singing. Also, how that gtuair comes in towards the end adds more to the air of severity. thank you for making this and sharing it

Thank you for the donation - I think we are gonna have a nice one to send at the end of the month - almost here! Cheers!

thank you for your kind words & for listening!

[quote=miraclemiles]Ah, a reflective and contemplative melody to me. Love the melody. The bold chords. A triumphant rising feeling. I feel like we will move forward somehow. There will be ages and ages, golden or not. Thank you for the links. Just bought the EP, thanks for that! Margaraet Atwood has been appearing in my attention space frequently. It's a sign. I read the madaddam trilogy and loved. Cheers to all the complexity that there is! [/quote] Thank you for the donation - I think we are gonna have a nice one to send at the end of the month - almost here! Cheers! [quote=sad_infamy_sings]this one is pretty intense- I like how the discord kind of creeps in towards the end, and I love the spoken word mixed in with the singing. Also, how that gtuair comes in towards the end adds more to the air of severity. thank you for making this and sharing it[/quote] thank you for your kind words & for listening!