Covidivoc
Apr 26, 2020
nurphgun
Rotator
After last week’s challenge, I was excited to continue working with Logic and build something out of samples again. But this week, the world dealt me a surprise fourth parameter — a positive COVID test result. I’m quarantined in my bedroom, away from my husband, my dog, and our Mac. So I ended up making this voice memo.
Did anyone else find themselves writing an incredibly simple melody in order to avoid doing palindrome math?
I was pretty disappointed to not have been able to do what I would’ve liked to with this challenge, but I’m happy to have committed to completing it anyway, despite the lack of tools and having a pretty rough few days.
The lyrics are about how paranoid I’ve been for months now about COVID, and the knowledge that after this passes, I’ll be able to let go of the part of me that was afraid. Also how nice it was to eat a super-sweet honeycrisp apple, the only thing I’ve even remotely been able to taste this week!
—
When it’s done
I’ll be gone
No, not like that
Mostly I’m back
Just the piece
I’d’ve released
If I could
Now I would
Take the apple
Cut in half, whoah
Give a laugh, full
It’s all sugar!
—
PS: I will be stunned if nobody else names their song “Covidivoc.”
#TheParametersWillSetYouFree
Looking for feedback on
Dynamics
Discussion
Kristoph April 27, 2020 7:57pm
Honestly was surprised when I read this was a voice memo – listened through the first time on the homepage. Everything sounds great. Made me laugh – glad you’re trekking through with a sense of humor. The laugh got me.
Love the progression, too.
A+, hope you feel better.
-C
Sam Pearce April 27, 2020 12:17pm
Hey Nora! Sending you my best healing thoughts.
I love this the way it is, including the car sounds in the back, and especially when you laugh on “sugar”. Dynamics sound good to me. I hear an arc gently lifted and let down by your emotion, as opposed to conscious changes intended to project emotion. In my opinion, you could release it like this if you wanted to. Or if you decide to record it again, with a different emphasis, I could imagine the two being a nice listen back to back.
nurphgun April 30, 2020 10:28pm
Thanks Sam! Glad the dynamics came off as natural, because I totally planned the few little moments there are. I have a tendency to just bulldoze through a song unless I’m trying *really* hard not to; it’s something I’m working on in live performances.
Tengo April 27, 2020 11:40am
Really wonderful Nora! I hope making the music has been a source of comfort while you’re going through the recovery process. Get well soon!
nick April 27, 2020 9:43am
we’re all feelin for you <3 i think this whole piece has a great shape structurally and dynamically—very natural. for me, for 1:56, that's all the dynamics I need. and the "give a laugh" melody+chord=moment is worth having built this site in the first place.
froebusiness April 26, 2020 9:56pm
Feel better Nora. I really love your melody here and the breathiness in your vocal lines.. Sometimes simple is the best.
Z April 26, 2020 9:28pm
I really admire your tenacity with this. I was excited to use logic for this recording too but was hamstrung by Covid..
But certainly not the way you have been. I’m really sorry to hear that Nurphgun. I admire your success in infusing some levity (lyrics, notes) into the overall emotional fabric of the piece/moment.
Made me feel at ease in a world gone mad.
Sending you astral honeycrisps.
Love,
-Z
Oh and dynamics – I have no feedback, it sounded really even and I think that’s right for this. And if I had anything to say vocally it would be like a turd criticizing a sunset.
Ryan April 26, 2020 9:26pm
Nora—first off, holy shit. Huge props for committing to finish this despite that fourth parameter. All my respect. Regarding dynamics, I think Jeff Tweedy would be proud. That super patient crescendo starting at the top of the apple section? Yep. Really lovely. Same with that very last melody! Great work.