gazamatazabbott: Recent Episodes
gazamatazabbott
Kings of nothing, making plans, all for nowhere and no one, empty lands. Kings of nothing, blood on hands, preaching to no one and nowhere, but shifting sands.
Twisted legacy. Graveyards in the sea. Tear down history but it wont forget you Wrapped in misery, you look so tiny.
Kings of silence, whispering lies, into the darkness to no one, wondering why. Kings of nothing, empty eyed, filled with nightmares of nowhere and hollow cries.
Twisted legacy. Graveyards in the sea. Tear down history but it wont forget you Wrapped in misery, you look so tiny.
Kings of nothing, empty eyed, filled with nightmares of nowhere and hollow cries.
If I had the slightest, inclination, I could…. make an impact on your expectations I would, love to, know just what your thinking when you think it so much… leave the guessing to the ones who always try much, too hard…
You and I were never meant to be just like the others. They covet us. You and I were always meant to be with one another, we're just
lovers, lost in each other, ah ah ah ah. Lost in each other ah ah ah ah.
I’ve just had the weirdest of sensations, so sad, Dreaming of the times you turned your mind and your back on me, Never want to feel that trepidation I’ve had Enough of all the nervous nights without you, so bad for me….
'Where Do I Fit In?' is the first of Garry Abbott's new acoustic collection for 2021/22, recorded in strange times for better times.
My new Christmas song for 2021 - 'Be With Me This Christmas'!
Please consider leaving a small donation here for GLOW - one of the charities I work with as part of my day job who offer refuge and support to victims of Domestic Abuse, including children. Thanks, and Happy Christmas!
https://www.justgiving.com/onecheckout/donation/direct/charity/2868144
My 3 year old daughter comes up with great names and ideas for fantasy stories, such as 'The Monster of All'. I've been keeping notes of them and elaborating on them for a possible new book/series of stories, and this one has made its way into song. Dungeon Rock? What do you reckon? New Sub Genre? Blog about it here: https://garryabbott.com/2021/02/02/songwriting-sessions-2-the-monster-of-all/
A track written and recored over the 28th/29th December 2020. Going for a grungy, Blury, Damon Albarny sound and feel to this one.
Not a christmas song, just a song recorded at Christmas with a boppy shuffle I liked the feel of on the acoustic and worked up to see what would happen.
An old track that never got out of the practice room of my old band Gravity Dave. Finally finished it off to a degree. Recorded with Cajon percussion and lots of guitars (well, 3, and a bass, with sampled harpsichord, cymbals and double bass)
Read my songwriting blog for full details!
http://garryabbott.com/2021/01/30/songwriting-sessions-dont-be-scared/
Home studio - Cajon, clicks, tamborine, acoustic, strat, bass, three vox and a midi piano!
A 'big rock' song that doesn't sit anywhere particularly in any upcoming projects, but was a lot of fun to make all the same and I am very happy with the lyrics.
Lyrics:
Never had to change my mind, never had to care about it, just took what I could find. Never had to compromise, or even be aware about it, my life was an easy prize.
Now, it can be so hard to be alone when I want to be. Now I must regard, so much more, not just me and me.
Life was an easy walk when I was going it solo, never trying to be something more than I can be, someone's real hero, oh, oh, oh.
Give me the strength to show the way. Give me the wisdom, oh Lord. Give me the courage everyday. She is my reason.
Never knew myself at all, never wanted to go there, to dig down deep below. I'm not a know-it-all, I barely know a damn thing, had nothing to show.
Now, it can be hard to be the best version of me. Now I've got no choice, but I can only try and be, more than just me and me.
Sometimes you just need to make a big harmony driven rock song, don't you? Especially on a Sunday.
This is the first of a new collection called 'Words First' where I definitely have written the lyrics first, followed by the music. I will have another collection soon called 'Music Fist' which will be vice versa. Interested to hear the difference as the collections grow as I usually just do whatever, and don't think about it.
Lyrics:
Sea takes me deep, she takes me under, see how I keep fighting the thunder. Sea takes me down, she takes me deeper, see you around, I shouldn't wonder.
Rest your head now, on the never ending blue. Let your body drift and mind just melt away. Go to bed now, let your dreams wash over you. Let your spirit sift the darkness for the day, it never goes away.
Sea takes me deep, she takes me under, see how I keep fighting the thunder. Sea takes me down, she takes me deeper, see you around, I shouldn't wonder.
Be at one with the waves that crash and spin. Let them take your heart and pull your world apart. Nothing left now, and nowhere to begin? Just give everything and that'll be a start, this storm is off the charts.
Sea takes me deep, she takes me under, see how I keep fighting the thunder. Sea takes me down, she takes me deeper, see you around, I shouldn't wonder.
So this is a highly experimental, purposefully discordant song in the first half, in order to ease you into the epic closing half (in theory) - so stick with it! It is meant to sound weird!
Lyrics:
We are all knees and elbows, splitting my rib cage tickles, Pushing my spine in time too, the drops of something dark trickles. We are a moving feast of, moving parts, altered beasts we, start as ghosts at the ground floor, turn back to chevrons once more. Gathering forms at great height, gathering storms at first light. Too many notes in discord, wonder what it's all been for?
I see it in your lies, I read it in your eyes. Please get out my way. Please get out my day.
Quick upload - not even heard the mix myself yet - a theme to open the concept album I think. No Words.
Not sure if this one is or will be part of the escalator collection. Any ideas? It does mention stairs in it at one point, but mainly I was just getting down a nice chord pattern I had found...
Still, I think the chorus is catchy at least!
A quick pop-punk entry into the escalator concept...
Time's in your mind, step inside, stop debating. Time to decide if the ride's worth the waiting for. Pride's put aside, been denied, been a downer. Lies you will find take you up in the atmosphere. Never fear.
Down take it down take it down take it up-a Down take it down take it down take it up ah ay. Down shake it down shake it down shake it up-a. Down shake it down shake it down shake it up ah ay.
Well on your way to a day in the lifetime. Life like the light leads us on leads us all astray. Now pick a path never turn, never broken. Don't feel trapped, feel free cary me away...
So, here is the only Dance/EDM track on the escalator concept album... I hope it is feel good and funky enough to make up for it!
Though we're stuck here forever, we were put here together, wind and turn escalator, we're greater, we'll take you apart.
Step by step, safety net, are we finished yet? Have you found the winners yet? Time to climb, up the line, are you happy yet? Would you count this as success? Turn around, face the ground, can you run much faster than the flow thats washing past you? Standing still never will get you anywhere, you're still climbing up that stair, your still climbing up that stair, you're not getting anywhere.
Though we're stuck here forever, we were put here together, wind and turn escalator, we're greater, we'll take you apart.
Floor by floor, always one more, hold on to my hand, no one really understands. Up we go, we'll never know, if we'll reach the top, if this ride will ever stop. Could be hell, if so, oh well, if you're here with then heavens all that I can see. Standing still never will get you anywhere, we're still climbing up that stair, we're still climbing up that stair, we are getting everywhere.
The 5th track in the escalator concept to roll off the demo line... this one is based on the word from a scary 70s public infomercial about the danger of escalators! Listen out for the sample in the mid 8...
Lyrics:
Stand still, stand clear, stand steady, Stay between the lines dear, Then you will survive here. We will, be near, be ready, when you want to go dear, you will not be...
Leave whenever you feel (we know you don't really want to) Leave, together, for real (there's nothing for you to hold on to) Leave, forever, bereaved. (we don't recommend what's out there) Don't leave...
Stand still, stand clear, stand steady, Stand up for yourself dear, There is no one else here. A chill of fear already, running down your spine dear, you will not be...
Leave whenever you feel (You know that it is such a long way down Leave, together, for real (We can't promise what you will find there) Leave, forever, bereaved. (Let the escalator take you) Don't leave...
Another one for the escalator collection - this is a 'bendy' song, using a lap slide guitar, a biscuit tin three string, an otamatone and bass/drums.
Early demo of track 2 in the 'Escalator' EP inspired by the work of artist Rob Pointon - this one is called 'All Things move' (based on the name of a recent exhibition of his).
The other tracks in the collection so far are collected on my soundcloud 'Escalator' playlist.
Lyrics.
All things love and all things lose. All things live and all things move. All things shine a million hues. For all time, all things move.
All things, moving, ain't that soothing? Nothing ever really stopping, only ever, transforming, reforming for you.
All things love and all things lose. All things live and all things move. All things shine a million hues. For all time, all things move.
All things moving. Ain't that amusing? We are all just out there spinning, we are falling, just beginning and we are spirals.
Once you get on you can never get off stop watch how it's done when you reach the top step up and away we go out log luck on the merry go, no way round.
In circles, shirk all responsibility, malaise tranquility, ride infinity, arise this trinity of apathy, entropy, psychopathic ecstasy, systematic clarity ain't looking very clear to me. Dear me, TBC, dear me, TBC.
Part 3 of the 'Escalator' concept music! (I know I haven't done part 2 yet - this is just the way of things.)
Some pretty heavy is prog rock concept stuff if you like that kind of thing!
Lyrics:
There is a price for each step you take, You're not travelling forwards, getting farther away.
There is a price for every mistake, Every little thing you do someone's on the make.
Consume, resume, presume everything here's for sale, cos it is, yes it is. Consume, presume the tune that you dance to's betrayal, it's a swim, yes it is.
This is the face you can see every day, always promising riches are coming your way. Your life can be stronger and nicer and better and darker and deader, red letter forever...
An experimental prog/ambient track I wrote and recorded in response to a Friend's artwork that I will post here if I get permission to use the imagery. I'm thinking this may be the first of a series in the concept, hence 'Part 1'. In 12/8 time, this track is designed to be looped forever (hit repeat!)
Lyrics:
Start at the bottom the sick and forgotten, the thick and the rotten are sticky and sodden with memories they've trodden on, move along, moving on, put something soothing on, daylight has nearly gone.
Struggle to breath when you're one with the squeeze and you can't even beg or get down on your knees cos you're part of the motion, the flesh and blood ocean, will carry you on to a far away notion
And all the while we are watching every step we make you take, and all the while you are watching us watching you.
The chit and the chatter. The spit and the spatter. The pit and the patter. The tip and the tatters. The grip and the grabbers. The snakes and the ladders. The nothing that matters, the nothing that matters that matters that matters.
Pretty heavy home demo of a song I would probably do if I got myself a band again... It's about Fracking.
Lyrics:
Take something that you love Dig down to its core Find all the little cracks And widen them some more
Fill it full of bile Then light yourself a fuse Now it's all in pieces What is there left to lose?
Burn the ground from under your feet Set the sky on fire Scorch the Earth and drain the sea Set your targets higher
Don't complain
Take the air I breath Put it under lock and key Take my breath away Then sell it back to me
Take the joy I need And tell us I don't need it Cos life is all work and no play So you'll get by without it.
Burn the ground from under your feet Set the sky on fire Scorch the Earth and drain the sea Set your targets higher
Don't complain
Not sure what to make of this one. I wanted to write something piano and bass driven, and then it got a little out of hand and big in the chorus, reminiscent of Wichita Lineman! Don't know what happened there. But there you go. It is what it is.
This is a song I wrote about seven years ago or so and ended up playing in a church christmas show to a hundred or so people for some reason at one point.
It it my tongue in cheek attempt at a Christmas song, because, why not? - It gets happier at the end! Sing along!
Lyrics:
Not the same as before not the same anymore, was a yesterday's Christmas since I felt assured that nobody was dying in pain and in war oh christmas just don’t feel the same no more
I’m not saying we’ve had such a glorious past, the blood spilled this year’s much the same as the last and the veil of memory is lifted so fast that now if I can I must say…
Chorus
They say it’s a time for good will and cheer, but the memories we make whisper loud in our ears, I can hear them crying alone and in fear, so now if I can I must say:
Chorus
It’s okay to think of the things that upset you, then you can put them behind you and look to a happy new year.
All together, stand up in glorious rapture, look to yourself and look after, wish for a happy new year...
The next of my 'one day' demo's - inspired by the great Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon) - I wanted to write something upbeat with swing that contrasted with the lyrical content. Quite happy with this one and had great fun putting it together.
Lyrics:
Got what you want so live with it, Dropped all the bombs, So get on with it, Got what we want so live with it, if you can live with yourself.
Not what you want? We don't give a shit. Dropped all the bombs now get on with it.
Got what we want so live with it if you can live with yourself
What's that sound That I can hear, that seems so clear, yet far away?
Kerching kerching, that's the thing that makes me sing, That makes my day. Makes my day.
Got no remorse so live with it no route for recourse so get on with it
Got no remorse so live with it, if you can live with yourself
Not what you want? We don't care a bit Got what we want like we always did.
Got what we want so live with it, if you can live with yourself.
(CHORUS)
And if you want, I'll let you mark this piece of paper, but keep pit close to your heart.
Then you can feel, when the time comes to meet your maker, you set yourself apart. Today. Today.
This week's 'one day demo' - STORMS. Which is both about storms, and bombs. things there are far too much mention of at the moment.
A bit epic, and being a one-day demo, it is a bit patched together. But it's fun. Stick with it for the big piano solo...
Yet another new demo written and recorded today. This is 'overtly' political/protest. Lyrics:
This isn’t easy so I’ll just say it straight, you bought into the game, now learn to play it mate
it would be clever to look before you leap, you brought this down upon us, I hope you’re losing sleep
nations falling at your calling selfish brawling you've gone all in.
just what possessed you? to turn our whole world blue? they don’t respect you or care for what you do.
and now you’re angry, because they changed they rules, don’t know what you expected they take us all for fools.
Another early song demo/draft from the Cisco n Gaz studio...
As always, this is early days versions, so all and any feedback welcome. These songs will get recorded 'up' at some point I'm sure, but for now, what you think?!
My latest demo track recorded on Logic X 'Straw man'. Hope you enjoy listening! Please do give it a like and share and all that jazz if you want - it really helps. I love sharing my music, even these early stage demos. I'm not precious!
A song I wrote today about going to the doctor... Having fun playing with jangly, harmony pop sounds. And why not? Several layers of harmony in this, a bit like in 'Alien'.
Only a quick draft to see how it sounds. Built it up as I went along, which can sometimes work wonders. Happy with the chorus especially. Let me know what you think!
Having fun with garage band recording some older songs that I never got round to working up. This one is called aliens...
An early cut of a new song from me and Cisco... Early days yet, playing along with Garageband virtual drummer just to get the juices flowing and all that. Best listened to on headphones, and all the way through as it takes a massive turn about half way! All and any constructive feedback welcome, though we are aware this is a rough cut...
Experiments with Garage Band - I've been using Logic Pro for years, but although it is very powerful, it is sometimes stifling. So this is my first quick attempt at using Garage band... it is much more geared to getting ideas down. This is a second version of a song I wrote a couple of weeks ago. Still in progress, obvs!