The Forest Children~

It's been a while since I've written something on any of my blogs--too long. I've been going through some hard times as of late, & I've found myself feeling...rather uninspired. Until recently, that is.

Last night, my friends (Shawn Baker & Dennis Hellmann--who are The Forest Children) launched their first ever music video. I will include the link at the end of this post, so you may view it if you so choose. The video itself...was incredible, & when I told Dennis so, he thanked me, but told me what they really needed was help getting it out there. He said I should write a review or something, repost it.

& If I didn't feel strongly about it--I wouldn't bother at all. However, this is not the case at all. Hence, this post...

I think it was round about this time last year, that Shawn asked me for the use of my photographs to use as accompanying art with their music...Naturally I was surprised, because I still think of myself as very green. But I was assured that I shared the "same dark mindset"...& it's what they were looking for...I was excited, & honored, & allowed them the use of any art they wished.

I was given copies of all of their albums to listen to....& I became...inspired. Like never before, I found music ...that understands me. Music that speaks to me in a way that is rare. Music that comes from the soul...& speaks to mine. When I listen to the songs...I'm not even aware really, of the fact that I'm listening to music created by people I know. I hear only the music. & the story it tells...when I'm blue, or in pain...it resonates deep within in a way that I find comforting. & when I'm looking for music that'll set my mind free...to inspire me in my own creative endeavors, I've been turning to the same place.

These days, you turn on the radio--& everything sounds the same. Generic voices, mimicking one another. The music of The Forest Children...it doesn't sound like anything you've heard. I played some for a girlfriend of mine--& she told me that she really liked it, "because the music was more Real. So much more Real than anything you ever hear on the radio. It's different. & it's our differences that make all the difference."

As for me...to me the music "feels like going home." I don't hear something disturbing & menacing...I hear music that is honest & free. Music that doesn't wear a mask. & that's why I love it.

The newest tune, "Cold Blooded", the one you'll hear in the video...is from the new album "Kingdom Animalia" that The Forest Children will be releasing this Thanksgiving 2010. I myself am quite anxious to hear it in it's entirety. If this video is any indication, it's going to be a real treat. Something unique & inspired--that's not afraid to be itself. Something that starts out earnestly...& as the music picks up... grows in strength & power...& vision.

Check out the video--I encourage you to be open minded & Listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ksORX4aEG8

If you dig it...you can hear more music here:

http://www.myspace.com/theforestchildren

If the music speaks to you....If you think that what we need in this world is more music...that's honest, & true to itself, & Real ...spread the link. Spread the word.

Spread Music like a Virus...

A Note to My Friends

I am beginning a new project--an experiment if you will.

I am not abandoning this post--but I will also be running another-that will run an ongoing story.

I am inviting you to join me on this adventure.

Go to www.monstermemoir.blogspot.com or click the link on the sidebar.

I hope you enjoy reading, as I enjoy writing it.

Feed Me Music!

-There's nuthin' left to do but escape; you've just gotta decompress.
-Gotta chill out--mellow & free; can't settle for anything less.

-Dim down the lights--turn your stereo loud.
-Crank up the tunes --hard, fierce & proud.

-All alone--just bang your head.
-Your frown fades away & you smile instead.

Dance like no one's watching--sing without a care.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare.
Shrieking like a banshee--lost in a blur of hair.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare!

-Close your eyes--really feel the bass thrumming.
-Bounce carefree--insistant, vibrant drumming.

-Let the music soothe you--as only music can.
-& If they don't get it--then they'll never understand.

-Really listen to the lyrics--let 'em speak to you.
-Never met a force in nature that's more honest, tried & true.

Dance like no one's watching--sing without a care.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare.
Shrieking like a banshee--lost in a blur of hair.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em --let 'em stare!

-Get swept away--swing & sway to the beat.
-Revitalize my heart--never admit defeat!

-Shut out the whole damn world--turn that frown upside down.
-Spin 'round like a child --savoring every sound.

-Regardless of what you do--no matter what they say.
-The music is something they can never take away.

Dance like no one's watching--sing without a care.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare.
Shrieking like a banshee--lost in a blur of hair.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare!

-Find your own private anthem--unearth your own theme song.
-Life is hard --the world is wrong--let the music make you strong.

-Scream along--resist & find your voice!
-Fight back, rebel--& make your fuckin' choice!

-Let the music heal you--absorbed into the soul.
-& if it's too loud--then you're too goddamn old!

Dance like no one's watching--sing without a care.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare!
Shrieking like a banshee--lost in a blur of hair.
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em --let 'em stare!

-Feed me music like I'm dying.
-No more time for whining & crying!

-Larger than life--I can stand hard & tall.
-Can't knock me down--ain't never gonna fall!

-All I want is to be free!
-All I want is to be me!

-Dust my ass off--I'm a-okay!
-Won't stay down--fuck it--tomorrow's a whole new day!

Dance like no one's watching--sing without a care!
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare!
Screaming like a banshee--lost in a blur of hair!
Doesn't matter if they see you--fuck 'em--let 'em stare!

Mischeivous Angel

-Angels perch upon my shoulders; one on either side.
-Conceal your heart's secrets; from yourself you cannot hide.

-One acts as my conscience; honest, wise, & true.
-The other causes mischief, as she is wont to do.

-I fight to hold my balance, between the dark & light.
- Eternally resisting the whispering of the night.

-The vast unknown, it beckons me, to spread my wings & fly.
-To shed my skin, begin anew, & let my old self die.

-Twisting thoughts & tangled hearts; they war within my head.
-The choice is never easy; I daydream instead.

-Always treading water; trying not to drown.
-Fight so hard to keep my smile; lost within a frown.

-Attempting to stay grounded--instead I'm chasing stars.
-Seeking out life's magic; slipping between the bars.

-& that mischievous angel--she whispers in my ear.
-Full of lies & secrets, that I don't need to hear.

-She fills my head with fantasies, 'til I want to saw my wrists.
-Then I breathe in the magick; there's more to life than this.

-Scattered stars shine down on me; bathe me in their light.
-Reminding me, I too can shine, if I don't lose my fight.

-So I just keep on moving, as the battle's not yet won.
-Whenever I consult the cards, I seem to draw the sun.

-The little stars believe in me, so all is not yet lost.
-Someday I will touch them; no matter what the cost.

-& that troublesome little angel, always whispering in my ear.
-Why is she the one that is easiest to hear?

Soul Music

-Roaring, whistling, all around; strain to hear that thrumming sound.
-Tune to a frequency no one else hears; hear the music in the air.
-Strumming, thrumming, sweep me away; to better lands & better days.
-No one's listening, no one sees; nature's symphony for insignificant me.

No more worries, no more pain; wash me clean in the pouring rain.
Heal me, cleanse me, no more pain; wash me clean in the pouring rain.

-Whispering secrets, teach me to fly; open & true--no time for lies.
-I too can be beautiful, I too can be free; revel in the night & dance under the trees.
-Strength & beauty all around; drinking in that thrumming sound.
-Music, music in the night; the masses tremble, hidden in fright.

No more worries, no more pain; wash me clean in the pouring rain.
Heal me, cleanse me, no more pain; wash me clean in the pouring rain.

-As unexpectedly as it came; so dies the music, along with the rain.
-The wind ceases to scream, the magick quells; pattering raindrops, & the power lulls.
-Drum beats fleeting, but they're still there; tilt your head & strain to hear.
-I won't fret, for it's not gone; listen hard, you'll hear the song.

No more worries, no more pain; wash me clean in the pouring rain.
Heal me, cleanse me, no more pain; my heart sings with the pouring rain.

Possessed by the Rain

I actually have 2 things I'm going to post today, the previous poem, & the following journal entry; both were written in the midst of the most incredible thunderstorm I've seen in years...This was Thursday night (7/9/08); I couldn't chance getting on the computer, & run the risk of being struck by lightning & blowing it up! That said...



"I am in my favorite part of the house as I write this, meaning of course, that I am out on the porch again. I am sitting here, in the midst of an absolutely incredible thunderstorm--the air is electric & I cannot bear to be caged indoors. The night beckons me. Wow! Purple lightning just sliced through the night like a glowing blade, & the sky is roaring, as though any minute, it will come crashing down on my head. The wind is whistling & the rain is drumming out it's own music.


Music--that's exactly what it is. Mother Natures' own brand of pulsing, throbbing, tribal music. My thoughts drift to my friend in California; I wish he could hear this. He also hears music in the rain....


It's like listening on a frequency that no one else can hear; the rest of the world seeks refuge indoors, & I breathe in the fresh air greedily, as though I've never gotten a taste before. Healing, cleansing, beautiful, & free--it smells like inner peace to me.


It's nights like this one that make you realize just how small you really are, in the grand scheme of it all. Makes me think, just how lucky I am--simply to be here to see it. Nothing can leave me gaping in awe like the wonders of Mother Nature.


The night sky is tinted with blues & purples; it looks like a water color painting, swished across the darkened clouds. & then it just lights up--the clouds glowing & shimmering as though back-lit....purple, azure, amber...This is so much more beautiful than any pre-manufactured holiday light show! Nothing man-made could even come close to what I'm witnessing overhead at this moment. The trees rustle & the leaves fall, dancing in the breeze. It makes me feel like dancing too.


In one of my very favorite books, "V for Vendetta", one of the charcters says "God is in the rain". Now I don't believe in God--not as most people do, but this phrase has stayed with me. I've never felt that spiritual, peaceful calm that some folks get from entering a church; I do, however, feel it right this minute. This is as close to feeling "God" as I've ever been...


A raging maelstrom, tearing through the night sky--it's as close to touching freedom as you're ever going to get....untamed, wild, beautiful freedom.


If only you could catch it in a jar, & save it for a day when you really need it, but that would defeat the purpose. So when it comes, you must stop, & take full advantage of it. Tonight, I feel as though nature has sent me a gift.


The trailer park seems so empty; there's no one outside except little old me. So I sit alone, & drink in the splendor all around me, basking in the hidden music of the night...."

Trees

~The calm, it washes over me; in that quiet place where I can fly free.
~Trees rustling their melancholy song; never forget to keep moving along.
~Don't falter, don't dawdle, run to the light; it's your life, it's worth the fight.
~Your strength & your peace are trapped within; selfish indulgence, embrace your sin.

Sentinal trees, looming above; what do they know of mortal love?
Seeking for answers, face tilted above; what do they know of mortal love?

~Unwaveringly strong, unbending & proud; the thoughts in my head are much too loud.
~I sit below, gazing up at the trees; their wisdom & beauty bring me to my knees.
~Their liberating song--how I wish to sing; my voice is muted, what pain it brings.
~Electric air, wind dancing with my hair; this renewed fire is too much to bear.

Sentinel trees, looming above; what do they know of mortal love?
Seeking my answers, face tilted above; what do they know of mortal love?

~The silence engulfs me, trying to mend; learn from the trees, don't give in & bend.
~Breathe it all in, can't give up & die; you'll never know unless you try.
~You are who you pretend to be; be sure that you choose carefully.
~Life is worth living--I should be dancing, but it won't wait for me; hesitate & you'll be left, waiting beneath the trees.

Sentinel trees, looming above; what do they know of mortal love?
Seeking my answers, face tilted above; what do they know of mortal love?