We are getting ready to leave ASAP. So, I created the beat base in Garageband in less than 5 minutes and asked Jocelyn to rap because she’s a genius. Jeremy, as usual, is an awesome hype-man. We used the internal mic of Jeremy’s computer, though I underestimated how great it was and sat a little too close. Jeremy didn’t know Garageband had beats. He is now quitting the band to become a rap star. Good luck, man.
We leave for Lexington, VA today for a house show. I love house shows as they never seem to disappoint and people are always so kind.
That’s right. An Easter Song with an 8-year-old Sam Hurtado and a 3-year-old Stella Hurtado, Jonathan on BANJO-UKE! (TRUE!) and back up vocals with Tom Hurtado! (You can hear Stella scream at the perfect time, and Sam adds his own colorful lyrics. Already a song writer. Excellent!) We are staying with the Hurtado’s while we are in Salt Lake: they are very good friends to us and have helped organize the shows here. Simply amazing people.
I will post more about this song and add lyrics, but we are on our way to a feast of goodies and easterly things… so, I will say to you who came to the SLC shows this weekend:
THANK YOU! It was an amazing experience, and I had the best time. You are the best!
I hate to say I warned you, Jon Barker. But you give lyrics to a member of Pearl and the Beard, there is a high percentage they will try to rap them.
Some interesting developments have occurred. The 365 Project has recently been the subject of a few people’s attention. I have been contacted by a some people who have sent me either lyrics or music requesting that I work on it and use it for the 356. So cool!
Here is the first example that came to me a few days ago. Jon Barker is a very devout Pearl and the Beard fan from England. We met him in person at our New Jersey show while on tour with Ugly Purple Sweater. He has sent me lyrics with which to set music. I read through them and realized: I am totally reading a RAP! (Sorry if this isn’t quite what you hand in mind, Jon…but do know that these lyrics are cool! Nicely done!) I sent the lyrics to Jeremy, who, in turn, came up with a sweet beatboxing groove which we looped with my loop pedal (we only used it because his guitar/beatboxing multitasking skillzzz were a little rusty.) Joc came in with some sweet, sweet vocals for the chorus.
We recorded it 3 times and took the second version. I love Jeremy and Jocelyn!
And yes, this is me. Rapping. I wanted to try it at least once in the 365 days. This project is forcing me to be brave. BE BRAVE. (But you will probably never hear me rap again… and that’s totally okay. phew…)
Well, Mr. Barker. It’s probably not what you had in mind, but now you can tell all your friends that Pearl and the Beard rapped your lyrics! Thanks for being cool!
“God Bless Your Weary Soul, Jon Barker”
Jon, hope it’s okay, but I included your entire original email. It was an awesome time! Thank you for contributing!
Hi, this is actually something I wrote several years ago hoping to have a female vocalist – my singing voice isn’t strong enough. I don’t tend to write full songs anymore. I get verses down, and they tend to be faster tempo/hiphop, but at the time, this felt better sung than anything else. I hope you like it, and if you have any ideas I look forward to seeing how that goes.
Jon
—
incomplete, so discrete, sitting silent every week
mind a mess, added stress, and i find that i’m depressed
will i ever now be free from my insecurities
or will pressure bring me down?
’cause i don’t have a life when you’re gone
i stopped living, i can’t bear it anymore
stopped giving, gave my all – it left me raw
don’t have much more to lose, or things to do
without you here, i’m missing you
segregate, separate, why this pain will devastate
all alone, come back home, i no longer operate
fever breaks as i collapse, and all my worst words i retract
please don’t leave me here alone
’cause i’m anxious, alive nevermore
i stopped living, i can’t bear it anymore
stopped giving, gave my all it left me raw
don’t have much more to lose or things to do
without you here… i’m missing you
obsolete from my peak, as i fall from being weak
dead and void, your exploit, will i ever be employed
by your love and trust with you
as a loving pair may do, as a husband and his wife are two
or one, where have you gone? i don’t know
i stopped living, i can’t bear it anymore
stopped giving, gave my all it left me raw
don’t have much more to lose or things to do
without you here… i’m missing you
Thanks to Jeremy’s roommate Mike for steppin’ in as the FLYBOY… nice…
