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Hi Folks. This started as a slow burning project in August. Couple of weeks I showed a sketch to Ray C. (rayc on forum) and he agreed to participate and recorded fantastic bass line. It gave me inspiration to complete this project in hyper mode  The center of this song is a well known Navajo proverb that goes like: “You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” The shorter version is: "Don't wake a pretender". Unfortunately, I was not able to find that proverb in native tongue, so relied on a translator and few educational videos produced by Diné speakers to better understand nuances. I ask the forgiveness if I butchered phrasing, but I honestly tried. Always interested in suggestions on the mix. Thank you for listening. Pretender Trapped in a day like a rat in its maze. This infinite quest never fails to amaze. Another turn, yet another leap of faith Am I alone in this game? Lured by the bait. Chorus: Wouldn't you stay to see a forest burning? We'll get front row seats for this sad movie Taa akoteego taa ajileeigee doh shil lekanigee Trapped in a night, blood moon's phase, Whispers that drift through celestial rays Another twist, yet another leap of faith Am I alone in this game? Knocking on your gate Chorus Caged in a dream, no hatch to escape, Words on your plaque that I never engraved. Another fork, yet another leap of fate Am I alone in this game? A pawn in your crusade? Tech stuff: Me: Lyrics, arrangement, vocals , mix Ray Cochrane: bass, lyric redaction BIAB: 2704:Synth, Rhythm CloudRapLowOrgan Ev16 075 3608:Guitar, Electric, Background ReggaeSlow16SingleNote Ev16 065 4381:Erhu, Background SimplePentatonic Ev 060 2623:Piano, Electric, Rhythm FunkSwing16 Sw16 085 RealDrums in style:DancehallClassicWes^1-a:SyncSnare, Kick , b:SyncSnare, SyncKick Synths of Kontakt + Korg Triton
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Hi Misha!
Firstly, you’re writing reggae so you’re already on a winner in my book. A really tasty combination of tracks you’ve selected there - that erhu outro solo adds a vibe that nicely supports the rest of the song. The drum-only last bar in the outro is cool too. Your vocal has a good range that keeps variety, from the high near falsetto to the very deep lows. Thanks for the summary regarding the Navajo proverb - very apt for today - didn’t mind the pronunciation because I wouldn’t know. I interpreted that proverb as “How do you convince a conspiracy theorist that there is no conspiracy?” Your lyrics are a good balance between saying something and ambiguity. Is there such a term as ‘literal ambiguity’?
Ray - I love the drone-like quality of the bass line (if my ears are hearing correctly), the almost line-cliche in the verses and also that distinctive higher note step-down departure in the outro. Good bass work that doesn’t detract from the rest of the band but you’d notice it’s absence if it wasn’t there.
A great song!
Andrew
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Misha,
This is great. I love the song and your vocal is excellent - one of your best. Some great bass lines from Ray and an overall wonderful arrangement & mix.
Great, great stuff!
Bob
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Great 'spooky-tunes' song! You really have a very original and unique style, Misha. I think Ray hit exactly the right vibe for the bass line. Love the arrangement and the choice of the erhu at the end. I have a Navajo chant on YT which I posted 2-3 years ago before I began using BiaB, but I only recorded it just to test a new microphone I'd bought, so there's not a lot to it and it's poor quality. I'm actually surprised that no-one's shouted "Cultural appropriation! Take it down!" 
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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Hi, Misha. As usual, catchy vibe and interesting lyrics. There's an especially rich number of interesting with differing timbres in the song. You made good use of the Triton. I can't follow the lyrics without the written version, but the singing is tucked in neatly and cool, so that's easily forgiven. So much ear candy. Worth several listens. It's got a "handmade" feel - even "boutique". I've never seen credits for "lyric redaction."
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Misha,
You always have some of the most interesting music on the forum - interesting in the very best of ways.
Your various vocal intonations always fit perfectly with the music at their respective positions. And you're a master at finding the absolutely perfect unexpected backing tracks.
Another super song from you.
Wishing you the very best,
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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Misha & Ray
This track is an incredibly ambitious, global journey—combining deep Navajo wisdom with a truly inventive sound palette (bravo on making the Erhu, Reggae guitar, and Dancehall drums play nice!). Ray’s foundational bass is the perfect anchor for this sprawling sonic tapestry.
My only "grain of salt" critique: The atmosphere is so thick and complex, it perfectly captures the theme of being a "rat in a maze." However, we need to hear the guide! The main vocal currently sounds a bit like a pretender trying to be heard over the orchestra. (IMO) Dial back the excellent supporting cast just a touch and let the central message shine through! Fantastic concept and execution.
Regards
Izzy.
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Misha, Ray, lush and creepy stuff! Love the slithery feel and throbbing beat. Super use of exotic BiaB instruments. I'm guessing some of the more esoteric lines are the synths at the end of the credits. Anyway, superb sounding song here. Ambitious topic deftly navigated, too. I kind of like the effect of the vocals tucked back into the mix like another instrument in the band, but I'll agree that it makes the lyrics slightly harder to pull out. Dynamite song!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Oh, man, it's always thrilling when you post a new one, Misha. And then to add one of my all-time favorite everythings --Ray-- and the thrill reaches new heights. I, too, love his bass (although it could be louder <-- but no one listens to me when I say that). My great grandmother told me we are part of the Susquehannock tribe, but that's about the only word I know from that language.
Man, I really like the way you build these masterpieces, Misha. Lyrics that far exceed those of others in many ways. Cool melody, and WOW the way you sing it is just perfect. Excellent mix, too.
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Misha, I know that when you post a song it is going to be a great one and this is no exception, i.e. another winner.
Fantastic lyrics; to nitpick I think your vocal could be a tad louder as it was hard to hear them, I had to read them along with your singing.
A super rhythm section - that as brilliant.
Ray's bass fit perfectly.
I really liked this song.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Misha & Ray,
Great!
It's a very thrilling sound.
The melody is wonderful, and the accompanying music has a very exotic feel.
Rayc's bass playing is also a perfect fit for this song.
And of course, your vocals are also fantastic.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Cool, creepy, edgy - in other words, everything I love about your music is there. Superb synthesizer work, excellent bass foundation, and one of your best vocal performances to date. Fantastic production, minus the vocals, which were indecipherable in places, at least for me as a non native speaker. You have a great and unique voice, Misha - show it off loud and proud. Enjoyed my listens - all of them
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I always know I will get a clever lyric from you, which is high on my list of priorities when it comes to songwriting. I can't hear the bass that well except during the outro, but the mix seems so good to me I wouldn't mess with it. Love, love, love the erhu. Great stuff, Misha!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Hi Misha,
Great rhythm and groove to this. Vocals were very reminiscent of Bryan Ferry at times. Really enjoyed it.
Kind regards
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Awesome tune Misha. Excellent vocal and lyric. Loved the back story on the song. The proverb was very cool. Incredible instrumentation and excellent bass work from Ray...
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Marvelous
In every regard
A beautiful production
Attention to detail
Nice vocals
Sweet bass
Excellent mix
We are fortunate to have folks here who make quality original music
You make some of the best
fj
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Happy to see a new song from you Misha, as I try to catch up on my listening. I always like your stuff. It's so original and this one's no exception. Super catchy. Super good. I see I'm not the only one comparing your vocals to Brian Ferry.  There really is a lot to hear in there and I need to listen again, but now I have a client, so in the words of Arnie, "I'll be bach."
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The lyric is great and an extra wow to:
“Trapped in a night, blood moon's phase,
Whispers that drift through celestial rays
Another twist, yet another leap of faith
Am I alone in this game?
Knocking on your gate”
We always enjoys your mix of RT’s and your mix in general.
They invariably set up a great soundstage. Plenty of dynamics too.
The erhu is magical and those drums are BIG.
Ray’s bass is solid perfection in tone and chops.
Your vocal is perfect for the mysterious ambiance.
Nice cover art too.
A LOT to like and we much enjoyed it,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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The first thing I am struck by is the brilliance of your production skills, which is usually the case with your songs, particularly the instrumentation and the placement of appearance. An extraordinarily captivating song. Your voice is in fine form.
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Interesting back story, I think you have managed to capture the essence of your starting point in the lyrics. Ancient wisdom meets modern times, also the chord progression reflects that historical time span.
Always enjoy your reggae rhythms. Mysterious erhu, Ray's excellent bass and your synth work create a brilliant soundscape for the dreamy mood. Your vocals are really strong and the range is worthy.
Bit sad, but I love to be on the front row seat, A pawn in your musical crusade, to hear this thoughtful, artistic and carefully crafted work.
Janne
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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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Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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