52 song project » Podcast Feed chris.tindal@gmail.com

Thanks to Abe Hefter and producer Sarah Deshaies for having us on CJAD 800 AM in Montreal to talk about 52 song project. Here's the audio of the interview, which took place the evening of December 30, 2011 right after they played our last song, It's over, the end.

Friends, thanks for sticking with us throughout this journey. It's been a long time since this stupid crazy thing began, and we've had a lot of fun. But all good things must come to an end, and this is the last 52 song project song. We hope you like it.
Song

Discussion
CHRIS: Steve and I had planned to get together this week and spend a few days working on an epic final recording to send this project out. Unfortunately, Steve got sick and wasn't able to make it. The result is that I descended into my recording cave feeling a lot of pressure to create something special. We'd never planned the final song in advance, and I wasn't sure what I was going to do.

I sat at my keyboard cycling through ideas. I started and rejected about five song attempts before settling on this one, then set to work on fleshing it out. This is the result.

I like that it clearly goes on too long at the end. The singer keeps saying "it's over, it's over" but refuses to let it finish. That's kind of how we feel today. Happy and proud the project is finished, but sad, too. We'll miss these songs, and this way of connecting with you every week.

Thanks again for listening and sharing. Maybe we'll find ways to revisit these songs in 2012. Until then, here's hoping you have a very happy New Year!
Lyrics
It’s been a long time
Since this stupid crazy thing began
We drank a lot of wine
But now it’s coming to an end

Cuz I got what I need
And you got what you can
We’ve had some good times
And now we need time to mend
So get out of your mind
Cuz there’s no need to pretend
It’s over, it’s over, the end

Baby you look fine
And you’ll make a lot of happy men
Baby I feel like lyin’
But I won’t go down that road again

Cuz I got what I need
And you got what you can
We’ve had some good times
And now we need time to mend
So get out of your mind
Cuz there’s no need to pretend
It’s over, it’s over, the end
It’s over, it’s over, the end
Credits
Words and music: Chris Tindal
Chris Tindal: Organ, vocals
Steve Salt: Nausea, general malaise

Well, it's officially Christmas Eve Day, and I know I am late. I have battled with this song for the past 40 hours. I have complained before about technology, so I will bite my tongue now. The good news? I think I won this battle. I may even have won the war. Listen.


Song

Discussion
STEVE: This one started with tech battles, but I finally figured it out. By this afternoon I finally figured out how to connect my Digidesign 002 Rack with an evaluation copy of Reaper DAW. Yes, I know, first world problem.

But then, I had a lot of fun. While I am not necessarily going to miss the pressure of putting out a new song every week, I will miss the creative side and finally hearing a song as the finishing touches are put through. Apart from the songs that Chris and I have collaborated on, this one was my favourite to put together, though I am not sure why.

This observation begs the question: What shall 52 song project become in 2012?

On to the last one.
Lyrics
Wait, it's only the moon on her face
It's not like she's going away
Take all of the time you can take

Her eyes are exploding stars
If you stare too long you will miss them
Fade to black but their gravity pulls you in

Times change, oh well

I kiss your lips
I sing your song
Over and over

It's not too late
It's not over

Wait, it's far from the fears that you face
There are no more tears to erase
Take all of the time you can take

We're here for only an instant
If you blink too long you will miss it
Afraid to break but gravity keeps me whole

Times change, oh well

I kiss your lips
I sing your song
Over and over

It's not too late
It's not over

Wait, take all of the time you will take
Credits
Words and Music: Steve Salt
Steve Salt: Guitar, vocals, programmed drums, bass, organs and cello

Last week, Steve sang about Christmas. This week, Chris sings about advent. Sorry folks, there's no escape. Also, in a 52 song project first, this week's recording is taken from a live performance. We hope you enjoy it.
Song

Discussion
CHRIS: If you ever wonder how long we spend per song (or even if you don't) I want to tell you that simply to open this file, edit the start and end points, save it and convert it into an mp3 took 30 minutes. This song project would have been a lot easier if I'd invested in a new computer.

Anyway, I can't think of a worse way to mark the death of Christopher Hitchens than to share with you this song that I wrote at the request of my minister and performed in church last week. It's based around Mark 1, which was the reading last week, and it was sandwiched between two short sermons. (You can listen to that full segment--the two sermons and the song--here.)

And, being late for work, that's all I have to say about that.
Lyrics
Listen closely now
To all the wrong sounds
Trying to hear

Listen closely now
The lost will be found
The far will be near

She’s been calling in the wild
She’s been calling in the wild

Listen closely now
Straighten the path
Make way prepare

Listen closely now
The one you would search
soon will be here

She’s been calling in the wild
She’s been calling in the wild
To prepare for meek and mild
She’s been calling in the wild

Listen closely now
Credits
Words and Music: Chris Tindal
Chris Tindal: Guitar and vocals

Tonight's song started out with a talk with a good friend of mine. We talked about greed, love, the demise of humans... you know, the usual stuff. Being a spiritual man, my friend then proceeded to touch upon Christmas. I talked about life being a collection of human relations, and he reminded me of all the people who will go through Christmas, and many other days this year, alone. And so it was that Tom, a fictional and yet all too real character, appears in my head. This is the story of Tom's Christmas.
Song

Discussion
STEVE: Listen, I am not trying to be a downer. I am just saying, let's remember that Christmas is another day, that there are many around us that are alone, and that it is ok to reach out. Also, listen: it is just after 2 am on Friday morning, and I just enjoyed a wonderful festive dinner with my colleagues. I really want to make these last 4 songs really count, and I hope this one touches the heart, but forgive the amateur quality of the recording - my ProTools is still not up and running and, well sheesh, I am just zonked.

I am in agreement with you, Chris, let's make the last couple count... I hope we can hang out soon to tackle the last couple of songs together! Crazy that this is almost over, another year is almost through. And I am really proud of our 52 songs. Something to hold on to!

Today's song is simplistic and straight up. There is a percussion of beer bottles filled at various levels tuned to the required tones, there were two mics set up in the kitchen, and then we just went with it. The reverse audio is just hoopla in the hopes that you pay attention early on.

Off to bed... and be sure to say hello to Tom this year, whoever they are.
Lyrics
Tom's Christmas was all alone
And that's the way it was for twenty years
He worked his heart out on his job
But he lost his love, yes he lost his love

And his presence was his present and that's all he had

So let's not forget Tom, he's no less or no more than us
So let's give and forgive and remember that it's love that's the gift in the end

Tom's Christmas was all alone
just like every other day since his soul mate disappeared
And he wakes up and he goes to sleep
And there is no Santa Claus and there never was

Until tonight when you stopped and you asked how are you

So let's all wish Tom a Merry Christmas and a good day
And let's give and forgive and remember that it's love that's the gift in the end
Credits
Words and music: Steve Salt
Steve Salt: Guitar and vocals
Erin Burney: Beer bottles and vocals
Chris Tindal: What concert were you at tonight? Totally jelly. Let's rock the last three songs together, if possible. 'Night.

Sit down at your piano without any ideas. Start with Bennie and the Jets (or this Ben Folds song, doesn't matter either way), then, casually glance at a tweet that places the hint of The Simpsons' fake Michael Jackson "Lisa it's your birthday" song in your head. Make up words that kinda hopefully sound cool and maybe mean something to someone. Finish writing and recording the whole thing before you notice any similarities in the melody to The Simpsons' song. Finish with a polyphonic slow build to give the illusion of substance. Realize there are only four songs left and freak out.
Song

Discussion
CHRIS: In Cuba, apparently a "rum and coke" is called a Cuba Libre. The drink is also called that at a small Cuban restaurant in Toronto's west end, where they cost $8 and go down quick. And then you get back from your friend's birthday dinner all full of Cuban sovereignty juice and sit down to write and record a song and this is what you get.

I think "their words can't hurt me anyway / at least that's what they say" is a clever enough lyric. Not sure if there's anything to the rest of it. But meh it's fine.

Except seriously now, four songs left! Let's make these the best four songs since Four Songs, amirite? (Steve, we need to find some time to get together and put some effort into this, yeah?)
Lyrics
God you’re back again
Tempting me with words I’m too weak to defend
No ordinary friend
With benefits that have to end

But their words can’t hurt me anyway

The messages we send
A grownup game of make believe and let’s pretend
Just when I think I’m on the mend
The seams all start to burst and bend

But their words can’t hurt me anyway
Their words can’t hurt me anyway

At least that’s what they say

Wrapped up so tight we might break
Bless my soul I’m on the take
It’s these feelings I can’t shake
It’s these feelings I can’t shake

Break my bones, break apart
Break the rules break my heart
It’s these feelings I can’t shake
It’s these feelings I can’t shake
Credits
Words and music: Chris Tindal
Chris Tindal: Piano and vocals