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Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 479
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 479 |
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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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,268
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,268 |
Andrew,
This sounds great. Insightful lyrics and well sung. The organ sounds especially nice here.
Excellent song!
Bob
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,135
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,135 |
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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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,486
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,486 |
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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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 419
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 419 |
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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Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 479
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 479 |
… 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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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,532
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,532 |
Andrew, this is a masterpiece
A song many can relate, I know that I did
Great vocal with outstanding lyrics
Loved it.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239 |
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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Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,731
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,731 |
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.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
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We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
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- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
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- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
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We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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