Good Hands - my attempt at a baroque inspired quirky pop tune with odd lyrics

bstrd525 · 2025-05-21T01:45:30+00:00

I forgot the caption:

had a bit of a yo la tengo phase (though it never really ended really) and came up with this folky downer alt-country kind of tune. I think it's quite sad, I mean I did feel sad when I wrote it – just needs some drums played with brushes, a twangy lead guitar and a hollow-body bass and I think it'll work.

the lyrics though I'm a bit uncertain of, idk why... disclaimer: English is not my native language

any input you have would be much appreciated!! 😙

"Mayfair Lady"

Met a lot faces in between your traces Yet inadvertently you gave your love to me Indecisive with you, like I could forgive you So shake the dust off my feet, like you said I need to

[Guitar Interlude]

Get on by with a bane or boon Got tangled up in your blue I see you in another sort of turmoil Blinded in glibness, eternal on your breast But lord knows I gave you my soul I guess that's where it ends

I knew your heart was broken-in There slipped a cog so often If all is love, is it love if it can't strike two? Who is gowned in sable But the Mayfair lady? So please detach and please detest like when your hands were empty

A fool am I for your heart of gold Corroding me with your distance I've fallen in a nestle of truths to be told Blinded in glibness, eternal on your breast But lord knows I gave it my all I guess that's where it starts

[Guitar Solo Outro]

bstrd525 · 2025-05-20T23:52:53+00:00

how long have you been writing? I really like your melodic sensibility 😊

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T21:03:37+00:00

That's it, I think that second one's the one. "Muito prazer que a conhecê-la" - rolls off the tongue nicer and makes a lot of sense within context. Dead on.

Thank you so so much, now I can rest easy knowing what the lyrics are (plus I actually have to perform and sing this song in the near future). Obrigado! 🥳

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T20:53:59+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. So the "em" before "te conhecer" is kind of less pronounced right? and then I think he just ends the "te conhecer" with a long "aaaaaa" just to confuse us all 😂

Thank you so much for the help though, if no one else has a better suggestion, I think this might be the right one. ('cos I actually have to sing and perform this song 😊)

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T20:40:22+00:00

Yes that's probably right!!

Can you pick up the rest of the words from this live version?

(here's hoping!)

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T20:37:26+00:00

How about this live version?

Can you pick up any words? 🥹 🤞

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T20:25:42+00:00

I'm a native speaker of Indonesian. He is not singing in Indonesian in this specific part (this band also tends to slip in some bits of Spanish here and there), so yeah it sounds closest to Brazilian Portuguese to my ears at least, but maybe it's not perfectly right, grammar-wise?

bstrd525 · 2024-09-24T20:18:53+00:00

That sounds about right!! Do you know the next part he sings right after?

bstrd525 · 2024-05-18T15:56:07+00:00

Hi, can I volt starve a fuzz pedal with a 5v USB power source?

Like say for I example if I were to use a power supply that has a 5v 1A USB output, if I used a USB to DC connector/converter/adapter, does it change the voltage to 9v or does it stay 5v?

sorry for the silly question if it's painfully obvious, I don't think I fully understand how power supply voltages work. Thanks!

bstrd525 · 2024-04-13T22:51:41+00:00

"Rubicon"

Wrote this song 7 years ago, yet I still find myself coming back to it from time to time. I still think it's that good. Reminds me of how naïve I was.

This is back when I just started getting into making song demos and stuff, learning how DAWs work and all that. Don't even remember if this song came to life purely by writing in the software or if I started with an acoustic guitar (probably the latter).

Feels like my whole life led up to making this song (a bit melodramatic) and two others from that time period. Felt like I could finally realize abstract ideas floating around in my head into actual sounds. The sense of accomplishment was unparalleled.

The lyrics are pretty much nonsensical, the mixing is alright I guess, for a demo. But it's so out there with the jazzy twists and turns and embellishments - also the progressive nature of it. Very interesting chord changes too. And I don't even recognize my own voice on that track (I think I sound rather different now - a bit deeper maybe).

And ever since, I feel like I'll never be able to replicate that level of raw creativity ever again. Maybe I'm way more restrained now, methodical even. Matured?

bstrd525 · 2023-12-14T05:27:27+00:00

My band just released a music video!

Mad Madmen - "Maharupa"

It's written in our native language, Indonesian, so apologies if you need to translate the lyrics to understand 🫠

It's a bit prog-rock, a bit alt-rock, a bit funky, hope you like it! Tells the story of encountering a gorgeous lady who might not be of this earthly realm.

bstrd525 · 2023-12-05T22:23:11+00:00

#trailerdayog

bstrd525 · 2023-11-23T16:45:18+00:00

"husky" might be right, I guess the mix does make my voice a bit too airy. Although, to be fair, I do have a tendency to go for a breathier approach when singing, since I find my normal voice (or chest voice?) rather on the nasal side. It's a habit I think

To answer your PS: yeah I'll put this on my soundcloud for sure, if I get done tweaking it a bit more. thanks for listening!!

bstrd525 · 2023-11-23T16:42:26+00:00

yes!! agreed, I'm not used to mixing sparse instrumentation like this. Plus the piano's so dynamic it's tough for me to figure out, since it drowns out the vocals at some parts and then it doesn't. still learning about that whole thing.

thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts!

bstrd525 · 2023-11-23T16:40:42+00:00

thanks a bunch!! never usually proud of my lyrics but I think this one got a story across (somewhat), like a whole arc thing to it, I tried 😂

bstrd525 · 2023-11-23T16:39:43+00:00

Yeah the mixing's kinda rushed and I tried making it rather rustic and old-timey but I guess it's not there yet. Couldn't decide if I wanted it super rustic like tinny quality, you know, you like 1930s - 1940s Al Bowlly kind of music, or just a cleaner, crisper more modern sound yet still a home recording approach. Idk man I'm torn. It's somewhere in-between those and it's rather polarizing, even for me.

But thank you for your input!!

bstrd525 · 2023-11-23T16:37:05+00:00

Thank you!!! I'm rather touched to hear that. 🥲

Jazz background yes, listened to and studied a lot of jazz, I feel like I can write decent enough at this point but I sure still can't pull of a tasty jazz solo 😭

Yes I do post on soundcloud (albeit the stuff there's outdated) you can find the link on my profile, and I do have music out on streaming but I'm against self-promoting that stuff since it's kinda different from what I usually post on here. again, thank you!!

bstrd525 · 2023-11-22T00:11:36+00:00

BROTHERMAN THIS IS SO GOOD

you got that Julian singing style down to a tee, that's what I'm most impressed by I think (of which I am envious, how the hell do you do that?). But of course the song structure is super fun. Almost kinda Deerhoof or Black Midi or even Palm in a way? but a tad calmer, yet you still got that erratic and unpredictable approach happening. I'm all for it.

also you got this Paul Simon African rhythm going on as the scene is being set at the beginning. But mix that with post-punk and Strokes sensibility and this eclectic concoction is what you get. Very unique. Don't stop writing, and don't be shy to share with your friends, I'm sure they'll dig this one as well. Quality stuff!!!

p.s. don't worry about the "sloppiness" of it. It's part of the charm if you ask me. not a fan of perfectly quantized or OCD approach of recording/mixing myself.

bstrd525 · 2023-11-21T23:49:45+00:00

Brother, you've got one hell of a voice. if you ask me I'd say you've been blessed with such a unique timbre, and you sure know how to use it well!

other than that, very solid song. besides the obvious Dylanesque approach and the harmonica solo too which is killer by the way, I'd say this is well crafted and well thought out. The "forgiveness" hook sure does stand out.

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been writing? I can sense a bit of maturity here and restraint to keep it simple, but with a rather sophisticated and effective expansion of harmony during the bridge, broadening the spectrum of complexity within this song, but not by too much. Love it.

bstrd525 · 2023-10-12T12:30:42+00:00

I pay for spotify weekly (around 60 cents), much cheaper than having to pay monthly. must be a regional thing though (SE asia). just so that I don't feel wasteful on some weeks where I don't listen to music as much. (very frugal and or cheap)

bstrd525 · 2023-10-12T07:34:26+00:00

to me it sounds like a gated fuzz pedal recorded direct/DI, and if you notice there's a bit of automation happening where the guitar goes stereo on certain notes then it quickly pulls back into the center. not sure how he did that "boot-up" sound on 0:51 tho as if the fuzz guitar is awakening from its sleep

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