Hopium – an irrational, unfounded belief that a situation is going to improve, despite all evidence to the contrary.
New music from Trent Boswell
Here’s a new song. This one is a blues rock piece.
People usually say, “The vocal part isn’t loud enough,” so I made it nice and loud in this one. To my ears, I think it’s a little too loud. You can let me know in the comments what you think.
Either way, hit the thumbs up 👍 and share ⬆️ with your friends if you like it.
This song is written in the vein of old school punk rock and thrash metal, bands like the Sex Pistols, Misfits, Motorhead, etc. It’s deliberately noisy and brash. I didn’t try to use proper singing technique on the track; it’s not supposed to be pretty.
“I Wasn’t Using It” is brand new; it’s not on the new album that is becoming available on June 8th. However, it’s available for download to patrons on the Patreon page.
It helps a lot when you like 👍 and subscribe ✅ on YouTube. Ring that stupid little bell 🔔 and click “all,” so you get notifications. Share the video if you like it. If you don’t, it’s okay; nobody will be around to hear it, soon enough 🤷♂️
Lyrics
Don’t feel bad the stores are empty Or that food won’t grow anymore It’s not your fault; you had no other planet On which you could wage your war
Don’t feel bad that you broke it; No, really, it’s OK I really wasn’t using it It was an old world anyway
I don’t need no oceans Arctic ice or stupid bees It was really nice of you To cut down all those ugly trees
I don’t mind the heat Going up past 105° Anything to help with industry I don’t really need to stay alive
Don’t feel bad that you broke it; No, really, it’s OK I really wasn’t using It was an old world anyway
The world is on fire Disaster at the door But I’m running out of plastic Can you please make me some more?
Don’t feel bad that you broke it; No, really, it’s OK I really wasn’t using It was an old world anyway
Don’t feel bad that you broke it; Seriously, man, it’s OK It’s not like I was using the thing It was an old world anyway
This was a refreshingly positive experience. With every post I make on Instagram, I get hit up multiple times for paid promotions. It’s always a sleazy approach like “I love your stuff! Let’s work together!” even though you know they sent that message so fast, they couldn’t possibly have listened to the song.
This guy Bobby asked me on TikTok if he could review me on his show tonight. I said yes, but I was thinking, “Wait for it… he’s going to hit me with a dollar amount, a pay-to-play thing.” I don’t do those. But he didn’t ask for anything. He’s got a pretty intelligent approach to it, he offers pay-to-play, but also gives free plays and reviews, no questions asked.
A spin and review on The Crockpot Cartel Show
He played a few minutes of my song (the format is that each song gets roughly two minutes, so he can fit more into the show). He gave some kind feedback on it and all he asks is that viewers stay active in the chats, giving ratings for each song (he uses a 1-1,000 rating scale). Even though most of what got played was either hip hop or rap, he stayed open to other genres. My music is really different from everything else I heard tonight, but he gave it equal time and thoughtful consideration.
In the chats, it looks like people rated my tune anywhere from 600 to 1,000 with an average of maybe 800 or 900. One person said 2,000 but that’s not inside the range you’re supposed to use 🤷♂️🙃
I was pleased, especially since most of the people there were making hip hop music. He asked everyone to add constructive criticism to any songs that they rated low, and said no hating on anyone. The overall thing was a nice surprise for sure.
You can catch his show and submit your music for consideration at: Bobby Everything
New Album on June 8th
June 8th release date
This album has the song on it that was reviewed in the show. The song is called “White Elephant.” You can watch the full video here:
This is another song that I wrote in my early twenties but it’s only now getting a proper recording.
Magus – Tact
BackStory
I played this tune with various bands over the years but we never got a usable recording, because they were usually done in dive bars with poor acoustics. There was no separation of the instruments, only the chaotic din of drunken idiots in the background.
I do still have the original, cassette demo that I recorded on a reel to reel tape machine. I no longer have that machine [insert sadness and woe, here] but I have the recording. It’s ok but it’s just guitar and vocals and covered in that old school, analog tape hiss.
This is a full treatment, with rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocals, bass, all of which I’m doing. The lead guitar part is a first take improvisation. I’ve never played lead over this song before, because I was always busy playing the rhythm and singing the lead part.
Actually, I’d never even thought about what I’d want the lead guitar part to sound like, because keeping a band together was trouble enough to keep my mind thoroughly occupied. So, I just hit record and rolled with it. I’m pretty pleased with the result.
It’s also got drums and hand percussion, performed by Stinky the Robot drummer. I’ve got him trained pretty well at this point. He eats a small amount of electricity, sleeps in his little box and he only bites occasionally, now; I’ve even removed the shock collar.
It’s really one of the most simple, straightforward songs that I’ve ever written. There’s a main riff and a slight variation on it, toward the middle. Then, there’s the verse part, a two-measure figure that repeats, over and over.
There’s three, short verses, no chorus and no bridge. That’s because it was originally a poem and I had no desire to adapt the words, just to flesh out the musical bits.
The rhythm guitar part really emphasizes the drums and bass anyway, thus making it more of a groove tune than a standard, pop formula type of song. The lyrics take up only about the first third of it and the rest is just an excuse to do what musicians love to do… jam.
Lyrics
Pilgrimage to the mountain, On through a hurricane Going to pray for my family, And for those who lay in the clay I don’t know who will hear me But I will cry on the wind Grant me strength and compassion Give me self-discipline
Oh, the pressure and the pride, now They can split your skull When your best ain’t enough, now All you can do is let go A thousand years’ wisdom Will set it all straight A fool’s minute will erase it Ah, but that is the Way
I was tied to a tree And whipped like a dog It’s where I learned to be free And to trust in God In the center of the mountain You will find a ring When you wear that piece/peace No man’s words will sting
Kevin Trent Boswell 