Soundcloud: The Potter of Puerto Marques
Youtube: The Potter of Puerto Marques
I wrote this song in December 2023 and recorded January 2024. It is the result of a songwriting challenge to write a song in 3:4 (waltz) time. I recall searching Band-In-A-Box styles in 3:4 to give me an idea to work with, and came across _NAYARIT.STY Nayarit Mariachi Waltz, then plugged in a few chords after being inspired by the style. I was immediately taken by the trumpets, leading me to write the chord progression and the intro melody, which also became the verse melody. As I often do, I wanted the song to 'jump' to something fresh for the chorus and ended up moving from Aminor in the verse to C major in the chorus. I replaced the bass and guitars with my own work, but drums and trumpets are from BIAB. It was around this time I recall seeing a songwriting video about memorable melodies having larger interval jumps, so I tried to get a lot of movement in the melody - more so than usual.

I considered adding an acoustic guitar lead to it, but decided after a few recording attempts that I was falling into too trodden paths and should let the trumpets do the talking.

Band-in-a-Box info
Soloist is saved with the song : Even 8ths (Bosa/Rock)Trumpet (9)
Style is _NAYARIT.STY (Nayarit Mariachi Waltz w Trumpet)
MelodyCustom Synth is 057 - Trumpet, FortePiano, Oberkrainer [SN0323]
SoloistCustom Synth is 057 - Trumpet, FortePiano, Oberkrainer [SN0323]
RealTracks in style: 2823:Guitarron, MariachiWaltz Ev 150 - replaced with my own bass playing a very similar style
RealTracks in song: 2572:Trumpet, Background MelodicOldWorldWaltz Ev 180 (1TrackHornSection)
RealTracks in style: 2821:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm MariachiWaltz Ev 150 - replaced with my acoustic and jazz electric doing a similar pattern
RealTracks in style: 2822:Vihuela, Rhythm MariachiWaltz Ev 150
RealDrums in style:PopWaltzEven8^7-a,b:Brushes, Sidestick

Lyrics
The BIAB style sounded Mexican, so I looked for a city in Mexico in Google Maps and came across Puerto Marqués just 10 km south of Acapulco. A quick Wikipedia search to give me something more to work with revealed that Puerto Marqués is known for its pottery, so the idea 'The Potter of Puerto Marqués' came straight away, along with the idea that the subject person was a 'potter of the mind' with unwholesome motives. A week later with the lyrics 75% completed, I decided they needed a more sinister turn, and that's where I ended up using the kidney trope.

INTRO

VERSE 1
To your unwitting struggles your life is beholden
Please visit the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 2
His words of encouragement will uplift and embolden
After visiting the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
He’ll make you much wiser and see things more clearly
You’ll wisen to the problems obscuring your way
Emotions once hidden will be spoken more freely
Shaped to a new thing like soft lump of clay

INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE

VERSE 3
When the school of hard luck is the course you’re enrolled in
Seek tutelage from the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 4
He’ll mould you to a vessel in the shape he is holding
By the hands of the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
He’ll make you much wiser after lightening your pocket
You’ll wisen up too late that he’s pocketed your gold
His words – they will soothe you, beguile and diffuse you
Realising too late all your possessions he’s sold

VERSE 5
The mesmerising gaze is both charming and hypnotic
Attracted by the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 6
Saying the words that will numb like a narcotic
Given by the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
Some have awoken after unexpected slumber
Wondering why they are lying in a bath
In a hotel room found way out in the country
With a warning note positioned close to the scar

OUTRO

Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes

Profile pic 'Air Guitar' - a carving in pine I made of the F major barre chord.