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Soundcloud: Artefacts Youtube: Artefacts We are the sum of our experiences, and these human artefacts accumulate to shape us - at least that's the implication of this song. Of course, this ignores how our genetics also shape us. The lyrics culminate in the notion 'The artefact is me'. I think back on some of the things I have done in my past (well intentioned) and cringe. While a very introverted young man, I long for some of the sensitivities I had when I was younger, so this song is quite the introspection. The song originated in March 2016, and from my records, I believe I added the music for a bridge in 2018. The words for the bridge were added in 2024 along with a rewording of all lyrics from the second person to the first person. I toyed with the idea of adding words to the chorus, but decided to leave it as it is for something different (I heard the story about Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street' sax chorus being an intentional move to p155 off the record company who were insisting he honour his contract and release a single - he was thinking a song without a chorus would flop and they'd be irritated, but it was a huge success. I'm not sure if that is urban myth, but interesting nonetheless). Musically, the melody refrain of the intro and chorus was there from the beginning. I was really taken by the organ 'poke' on beats 2 and 4 in the BIAB style, and I've always been intrigued by slow yet rhythmic 1/16th strum songs that have a 'boom boom' bass on the 1.&. of each bar. On this recording, the drums, piano and organ are from the Band-In-A-Box style, while all guitars, bass and vocals are mine - recorded in Cakewalk. ****** BIAB Song Summary *************Title: Artefacts File:Artefacts 2024.MGU Key=E , Tempo 75, Length (m:s)=3:50 Style is =AGRASCL.STY (Slow Ballad Strummed Guitar) Style MIDI Instruments are : Acoustic Piano (1), RealTracks in song: 784:Bass, Electric, PopCrossover Sw16 075 – replaced with my own bassRealTracks in style: 625:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Rascal Sw 075 – replaced with my own guitarsRealTracks in song: 1159:Organ, B3, Rhythm ReggaeSlow Sw 075 RealDrums in style:NashvilleSwing16^4-a:HiHat, Sidestick , b:Snare, Hihat LYRICSINTRO VERSE 1 I’ve become a different kind of man With my relics and artefacts on hand Excavated from the past describing who I am Manuscripts and carvings in the clay The key to deciphering who I am today CHORUS 1 - guitar refrain VERSE 2 I was quite reserved when I was young Occasionally I’d talk out of turn Now I look myself up and down, via objects buried low I created them, collected on the road Testaments to shaping me. Where did that young man go? CHORUS 2 - guitar refrain BRIDGE Things have not come easy I’ve worked hard I feel unsettled now with what I have become Bring back that younger man with pieces of yesterday And hoping that the artefact is me OUTRO
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Andrew,
This sounds great. Insightful lyrics and well sung. The organ sounds especially nice here.
Excellent song!
Bob
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I esp liked the simple intro phrase that you repeated throughout…like a kind of glue that connected all the segments..enjoyed my listen!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Sounds old, but not in a bad way.
I'm not usually the biggest fan of a B3 sound, but using a Reggae style so that it only plays fills is a really clever choice.
Well done!
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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G'day Andrew,
First off, "Artefacts" is a fascinating title, and your explanation makes me want to dust off my own mental attic and see what embarrassing relics I've accumulated. The whole concept of being shaped by experiences is a really engaging starting point.
Instantly dug this! The guitars and the metre give off a fantastic (IMO) Thunderclap Newman/Kinks vibe that's got me bobbing my head like a dashboard kangaroo from the first note.
That “chorus”, though… it’s as catchy as a cold in winter, but it's playing it a little safe. It’s more of a recurring motif than a fully realized chorus, and I think a proper chorus would really elevate the song. You've already handled the often-tricky bridge, which is a huge plus. So, what we have here is a cracking good song... just needs a chorus that isn't afraid to show off a bit! (IMO, of course, because my musical opinions are older than sliced bread.)
And the lyrics? They resonated big time – clearly, we're both members of the same grumpy-but-lovable demographic.
So, the verdict: A great song that's just one chorus away from being absolutely stellar! (IMO – but you asked, right?)
P.S. Thanks for the SC support – it's always appreciated!
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… So, the verdict: A great song that's just one chorus away from being absolutely stellar! (IMO – but you asked, right?) Thanks Izzy! Now there’s a challenge! I must admit that I have filed that project away as done and dusted (mentally), so to resurrect it for a chorus is unexpected feedback, but recognising you have a good ear for songwriting, based on my listening of some of your songs, I might see how it goes. I hear myself saying to myself ‘You write song sections all the time- what’s the problem?’ BTW, really enjoying the diverse variety of styles you write in. What instrument(s) do you write on? Andrew D
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Andrew, this is a masterpiece
A song many can relate, I know that I did
Great vocal with outstanding lyrics
Loved it.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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I like the guitar tone (but I know this is subjective). I agree with others that the B3 fills work well. Enjoyed the listen.
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I like the unique presentation of instrumentation and arrangement.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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