A good day yesterday, completed new vocals for House of Glass. The song needed something and was one of the tracks I was least happy with; I'm still not totally happy with it, but we can only work so much on something. All art is a balance. I can't end up like Sibelius and release nothing, trapped by perfectionism. Perfectionism is itself a form of egomania; all artists must at some point humble themselves and show their meagre works to a harsh world.
The hero of the video is a robot, and the narrator is inside the computer, like the radio voice in Video Killed the Radio Star, so I decided to filter the verse in a similar way. This adds more of a contrast between the verse and chorus too. The song remains rather busy and complex, but it is much better now.
I've spent today largely resting, or as good as I can, I've never really had a day off in my life. I prepared the artwork for the Art Fair Cheshire which is coming in late September. Then I began preparing for a small performance event in Nantwich. I thought I'd sing Looking for a Lover, so developed a new mix with a quiet part to play along to, and practiced some electric guitar for it. I can barely play guitar but I do love the instrument. I must find time to play it more. I've barely played piano this year, never mind a new instrument.
I rehearsed the song a bit, and used a neat little rechargeable portable speaker, which is smaller than a tennis ball but loud enough to mix my Microkorg and the backing recording. I've also cut a gold tube and made it into a portable mic stand with an appropriate bolt. It's a little like a gold monopod. The aim is to provide a performance tool for the mic itself.
In the afternoon I was hit with a feeling of immense weakness. Perhaps this is a result of slowing down a little. I must aim to finish this album this month, then next month, the new 'clown' poetry collection. So much to do while I can.
Here are the words to House of Glass:
I'm alone but I'm with my friends;
I type out a message and I pretend.
Follow me to a world of things that I like,
and click like.
You can count popularity,
you can see who I like and see who likes me.
It's a game, only this game never ends,
so come and play in the room in the screen of life,
with the friends you don't know,
and me in the house of glass.
I'm a clown with a painted smile
to show to a world that is in denial.
It's control and we all have bits of a string we can pull
I would like to request you as a friend...
as a friend...
friend...
You can leave,
but I must make clear,
that your work, love and friendships are all on here
you can pay to be famous if you want.
so come and play in the room in the screen of life,
with the friends you don't know,
and me in the house of glass
spend your time at the screen of life,
with your friends and pretend,
with me in the house,
with us in the house,
alone in the house,
of glass.
