February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

bradbrubaker (@bradbrubaker)

progress: 15

winner!
joined: 3 months ago
location: Virginia, USA
website: bradbrubaker.bandcamp.com
influences: I'll be nerding out attempting to write a different brand of songs that are influenced by books, an imaginary alter ego band and, as one would expect in something FAWM, randomness.

Bio

Brad Brubaker & The Crowd Goes Wild -
With the richness of an acoustic act and the energy of a punk band, the three-piece keeps the tempo up, the songs short and the performances draining. As @majormajormajormajor notes, my lyrics frequently balance humor and darkness.

That's my band. As for me, I fluctuate between being a clown/comedian, 826 volunteer and ice cream blogger. I'll be solo during my first FAWM.

Proud member of Duane's Skunk Army. http://fawm.org/forums/thread/3268/

THANKS FAWM! I am so grateful (a) that so many of my comments have been valued by the songwriters and (b) for the thoughtful and thought-provoking comments I have received. It is wonderful and reassuring how many people take the same care in writing a song that they take in listening and responding. Looking forward to listening to more.

2012 Songs

1	When He Plays (for Jay + Tessa)	28 comments // 3 months ago
2	The Hanging Tree (from Mockingjay)	11 comments // 3 months ago
3	The Scientific Statement of Being (Metal)	9 comments // 3 months ago
4	Exit Strategy	11 comments // 3 months ago
5	Unfailing	13 comments // 3 months ago
6	Napalm Lipbalm presents Ow, Ow, Ow	26 comments // 3 months ago
7	My Parents (Are Better Than Yours)	13 comments // 3 months ago
8	Failure of the Artist as a Young Man	24 comments // 2 months ago
9	Lean Into You	10 comments // 2 months ago
10	Dog's Messin' With a Skunk Again (pop punk) (with duaneclancy)	11 comments // 2 months ago
11	PSA: Lift the Seat	11 comments // 2 months ago
12	You Can Chop Onions in the Afterlife	12 comments // 2 months ago
13	The Devil Said Jump!	24 comments // 2 months ago
14	A Dream	11 comments // 2 months ago
15	Ice + Age	20 comments // 2 months ago

Soundboard

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nuerdetjuligen 1 month ago

Hey there! It may be too late, but since you asked and I'm finally getting my things uploaded, here is a link to the song about the race to the South Pole.

http://fawm.org/songs/30919/

And now I'm excited to hear some of YOUR songs. Thanks so much for checking out my stuff!
kristian 1 month ago

hey! wow, thanks for all the comments; I am now about to repay the favor and feeling very excited about the process! It's been a hectic time for me of late, so I may not be able to have time for everything today, but fear not: I shall commit to the task! Hurrah! so... I'm gonna stop talking and start listening if you don't mind...
jnadon 2 months ago

Hey there, I'm really glad I finally got a chance to stop by, I really enjoy your lyrical style... and sherry's description of you as "soulful" hits right on!
staticcaptain 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment on "Private Service" When I tried it just now, the entire song streamed, so I don't know what the deal was before. Thanks again!
vomvorton 2 months ago

I love that band! Or at least the first three albums... less so the angry divorce stuff. I saw them play a tremendously drunken / entertaining show a few years ago which involved James passing the mic into the crowd and I got to do lead vocals on one song... good times! I keep meaning to try to do some stuff in that style (pop-punk with big synths) but haven't really gotten around to it yet.
sherrycanary 2 months ago

Hi...enjoyed all your comments on my songs. I am so glad you came over and checked out some of my stuff...so I could come over and listen to your stuff.
You are very creative and versatile...shocking and soulful!
nancyrost 2 months ago

We both know Kyle too! Small world.
darcistrutt 2 months ago

You've visited my domain in a big way! Thanks for the nice comments. I love knowing another person has given my simple offerings a listen! Now I'll have to continue listening to you
mattblick 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments Brad and well done on your first FAWM. One thing I'd recommend for next time around if you can is to buy hosting from FAWM - it's a bit more money but it means your songs stream automatically in the jukebox. I hosted my own songs last year and regretted it a little.

BTW love the band name and artwork!
dasbinky 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments, Brad! Glad you liked the tunes!
ellenpliss 2 months ago

thank you very, very much for the wonderful comments....I hope the rest of the month allows me adequate time to listen to your work...anyone who does a version of Dog's Messin with a Skunk Again is getting my ears
toms 2 months ago

Again, thank you, Brad!!!
musicsongwriter 2 months ago

Thank you so much for your beautiful comment on my collaboration with Wolf. It was amazing to read your thoughts
donna 2 months ago

Brad, following on from your comment on "Liquid Crystal Ladies", I've adjusted V4.
Thanks for the suggestion.
wolfkier 2 months ago
samsorrow 2 months ago

thanks for checking out my songs and for the kind comments. I really appreciate it. Cheers.
rickamorphis 2 months ago

Thanks for your insightful comment on 'WHHarrison'...much appreciated.
donna 2 months ago

Brad, I appreciated your comments on "A Fortune Cookie Too Far".
I may try to get another verse in there. Maybe write a new chorus too, and use the present one as an outro. I agree, it would suit.
fineexcuses 2 months ago

Thanks so much for the comments, Brad - well done for noticing the COC influence on 'So Kind'. It's slight, but it's there!
dragondreams 2 months ago

Hi Brad

The message I was getting from "Exit Strategy" resonated because of my training as a counsellor. There's a feeling of hoplessness/helplessness in that the person telling the story cannot see the benefit of any help they're being offered. Which only heightens their problem.

"Failure" made me laugh because I know a few people who could benefit from being told some of the home truths, but are probably the ones who simply wouldn't believe that it was about them. Then it made me laugh even more when I reflected and thought "yeah... and DD, you're probably one of those people..."
acciohaaley 2 months ago

Here(:
http://soundcloud.com/acciohaaley/rues-lullaby
nancyrost 2 months ago

That's so cool you knew Stanley Jordan too! Where did you take the master class?
toms 2 months ago

It's a mandolinish sound made by an actual mandolin, since when I play anything I only get "ish" sounds out of it. (Hi, @mattblick, this is just to let you know that I answered the question! )
deedee 2 months ago

thanks for the kind comments- really appreciated - been enjoying your songs too - only now getting a chance to catch up and listen to other peoples stuff now feb is over - cheers
valeriecox 2 months ago

Hi Brad. You have made quite an accurate assessment of my little song "All Night." It is different from the other songs because there is a little bit more of the real Val in that song. In most of the others, I'm simply playing the fictional role of super, cocky dyke.
jonniegrunge 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments on Building Houses. And kudos to you on being a volunteer post-Katrina. I can only imagine how hard that was to see,work in, and of course for the people in those ravaged towns and states. I appreciate your take on the meaning of the song. It's always fascinating to hear how people's experiences and lives dictate how they derive meaning from lyrics, poems, stories. Sometimes I don't know what my songs are about until after I'm finished writing.
iocanepower 2 months ago

Thanks for listening, Brad!
cts 2 months ago

Thanks so much for coming to The Jelly Factory for the sonic tasting. And congrats on the win, too. Looking good there with the tunes...I gotta spoon and fork and ready for indulgence.
downburst 2 months ago

Thanks for the Archibalds comments. You made me look at it more seriously that I was, perhaps.
dragondreams 2 months ago

Brad. A huge thank you for taking the time to listen and leave your wonderful comments!

Yep. We're already trading comments, and I plan to continue. I really like what you're doing.
tinam 2 months ago

thanks for all the reviews of our songs!
you realy give a unique opinion that no one else does!
radicalmguy 2 months ago

Thank you for all the feedback! I actually took your suggestion and went and filtered out a ton of the fuzz on Wings of Ether, so go listen if you want to hear the new mix! Also, I don't think you realized that my song "As Two Become One" isn't yet finished, that wasn't the whole song. I'm waiting on my cold to end so I can record the rest of it Thanks again!
majormajormajormajor 2 months ago

Glad to help the self promo. I just describe what I see - *you* make the magic
invisibleflies 2 months ago

Hi! Thanks for the comment on "HLS & MCF" (*29376). I just posted a demo for it.
beevreeland 2 months ago

I just re-read "The Devil Said Jump" and still have to say-- it does make me think. Ponder. I honestly have no idea what I would have thought of it if I hadn't read the liner notes first-- if I just blindly heard it on the radio-- but I think I would have simply liked the sound and then not cared much about the lyrics. I felt that way about "Judas" by Lady GaGa (widely labeled as controversial...). I felt guilty liking it, so I didn't say I liked it; but I liked it nonetheless.

So personally, I think the sound is going to infect people (to some people's dismay. ) whether they agree with the lyrics or not. Either way, an interesting song. That's why I have returned!

Also, I really appreciated the comment on my rap song. I'm a little shy about my raps, but I love rapping. Just did a cover of Nicki and Rihanna's "Fly" today with a friend. Rapping is freeing and fearless to me, just letting it go and losing it in the beat.

Thanks again!
samhealer 2 months ago

Thanks for all the comments, I really do appreciate them You're right about the end of my Valentines song, that could do with a bit of work if I'm honest. I seriously enjoyed listening to yours, hopefully you'll be back next year!
samhealer 2 months ago

Damnit, how dare you deprive us of hearing a song called "Status Message This, Jerks!"
explodingmary 2 months ago

yesterday was actually a pretty good day-- I wrote about 15 songs in the last few hours! looking forward to listening, now...
kelvindobson 2 months ago

Hi. Thanks so much for all comments and for your time in listening to my tracks (esp Absent Amy - i'll try and make it downloadable on Souncloud). Congrats on smashing the challenge and getting 18 songs on the board! My fave was Failiure Of The Artist As A Young Man. I loved the arrangement and the lyrics, particularly the last verse and also the line about greeting cards and sentimental songs. Cheers
dennisjernberg 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment! Strangely enough, a produce theme wasn't actually on my mind (the song was inspired by a legendary software bug); I just ran with what came to mind...
musicjoy 2 months ago

Thanks for the feedback on my song! Christmas is far away - but with the snow we got here today, it looks like a winter wonderland. Thanks again and all the best to you.
hamiltonpoolhall 2 months ago

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on some of my songs! I really appreciated it. If there's one thing I'm determined to do next time around (yes, I'm already thinking of that) it's to spend more time in listening mode myself instead of allowing myself to get buried in finishing them songs.
sarahls 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments!
murexa 2 months ago

Haha thanks! Actually, I accidentally deleted the lead synth track... The revised version of the song will be uploaded in a few minutes.
vomvorton 2 months ago

Cheers for the comment on Armageddon Together - that last verse was thrown together in about 2 minutes as I desperately tried to get the last bits recorded, as opposed to the rest of the lyrics which were tweaked versions of three-year-old lyrics I found in an old notebook. So, I'm pleased that the new has overpowered the old, even on such short notice!
johnq 2 months ago

Thanks for giving me such a thorough listen...I appreciate it!
balancelost 2 months ago

Don't sweat it dude, in fact it's probably better for me cos it allowed me to make my sprint finish. I'm still up for it though.
samsorrow 2 months ago

Thanks for your comments on my songs. I have a lot of listening to do in March and congrats on the win!
gordon 2 months ago

Thanks for your kind comments on Italian Spiderman and I painted a tree. Much appreciated
bmkaye72 2 months ago

Thank you for all your kind comments. I finished Alphabet, it's probably not what you had in mind, because it's definately not the best I've written, but I wanted it finished by the end of FAWM.
dreamscuba 2 months ago

Thanks very much for your comments on "Home Again" and "Rocky Road" and "FEAR". Very much appreciated.
duaneclancy 2 months ago

Strange thing is that the only people who seem to be offended at this lyric are those who have no known association with anyone who may have any type of disability. I was known to put my mouth on anything cool and slick as a child, and I watched my own children do it, and now I'm watching my grandchildren do it ... I guess we are all a big family of Window Lickers The only ones I have ever known to have a problem with it are those who are only "closet" window lickers and just haven't the decency to show the world the true nature of us all. Stand up ... be proud of who you are (Star Spangled Banner theme begins in the background) ... show the world that you aren't perfect and revel in your imperfections ... Window Lickers all across the globe come together and share in the uniqueness that is the hodge-podge of humanity ... bask in the glory of being different from everyone else around you on the outside while being united in being basically the same on the inside ...
wickedmessenger1 2 months ago

Thanks for the critique on my song about all the presidents. You're right, Roosevelt was elected 4 times and when you have 2 lines to describe each president they're going to get robbed in one way or another, like James Madison. I suppose being superlative in some respect sets you apart, even if it's that you're the shortest.
bokonon 2 months ago

Thanks dude, I spent years as a massive post-rock nerd, writing 7-minute tracks, so now I just try and shoe-horn small amounts of it into sensible-length songs - really glad it comes through
entropicon 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment and congrats on finishing
duaneclancy 2 months ago

Ask and ye shall receive ... here's the link to the Lyric "Window Licker":
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mmNyJrSeHvCRACjTHqNJue3plqodOt7XRbO2qag0LsQ/edit#

I don't have a recording or I would send that ... but this should give you the idea
orbh 2 months ago

Thank you for your comment.
stuartbenbow 2 months ago

Hey there, thanks for the comments. Sounds like you got the song even without a demo.
jennsings 2 months ago

The GS Cookie song will be available as soon as my kids record it! It's their thing.
downburst 2 months ago
heavyhedonist 2 months ago

Thanks for the great ideas, re: hat song.
downburst 2 months ago

For namechecking Amy Rigby, you have been promoted somehow in my internal model of things. She's a favorite of mine. Barbara should be flattered.
bradbrubaker 2 months ago

I am so grateful (a) that so many of my comments have been valued by the songwriters and (b) for the thoughtful and thought-provoking comments I have received. It is wonderful and reassuring how many people take the same care in writing a song that they take in listening and responding.
beevreeland 2 months ago

Hi! Thanks for the comment on Breaking Free. Thanks for pointing out it could sound like a suicide note... that was not intended so I'm going to have to edit that out some way. But thanks so much for the comment; that really makes my day!
barbara 2 months ago

Hi Brad! Thanks for commenting on "Beauty".. it was especially fun to hear the imagery that arose. Does a writer's heart good!
joscarbittinger 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment Brad! (...that my fave line too!...)
jessicagraae 2 months ago

Thanks so much for listening to my song- and for your nice comments!
wobbiewobbit 2 months ago

thanks for your feedback, about to listen to some of yours now...
kenficara 2 months ago

Thanks, Brad -- like I said, I'll try to write more about the process before I forget it all. But I think there's a hundred harmonicas on that song.
mannyc53 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments! convert!!!!
lara 2 months ago

thanks for the comments! The morning song is as much a reminder for me as anything- I have to remember to look at things that way in order to start my day decently!
johncrossman 2 months ago

You should! You could also sort of pool the main themes in the zombie-class stories and write one that includes the highlights and any particularly weird details from various tales.

On a related note, zombie songs are something of a fawm tradition the last couple years, so they go over very well with this crowd. I just looked and there are 26 zombie tags so far this year!
hoppiern 2 months ago

Hey Brad! Thanks for your comment on my song - you are correct - I think I need to switch my second and third verses! I really liked your "Failure of the Artist . . .". And "Lean Into You" is really sweet and wistful and totally matches the weather we are having today in Delaware. Thanks for your time.
debs 2 months ago

Trust me, I was going to start making quips about rides and sticks, but anything D&E related has to be PG
plainspoke 2 months ago

Thanks for listening and commenting. Quieting down the brain is exactly what I was going for, sound-wise.
happyprospector 2 months ago

I don't know about bologna pizza and (I hope not cause that's gross!) But I have heard of sardine pizza (which I'm also not a fan of) lol
johncrossman 2 months ago

Hey, thanks for your nice comments. I like to listen back, so I'll check out your tunes later. With that album art, there had better be zombies!
valeriecox 2 months ago

I "F" bombed one song so much, I forgot it was inappropriate. Thanks for the comment.
toms 2 months ago

Thank you, Brad! I have to say you have some awesome album art.
juravial 2 months ago

Thanks for the feedback, I agree that more could be done to it. I'll have to revisit. Thanks!
nightengale 2 months ago

Hi Brad, I took up your challenge, it was a fun write. It's called my best catch!
nightengale 2 months ago

Thank you Brad for your comments.

I'll get to that one. I do love to fish!

I might change v-birth th cuddy cabin, make it more understandable
evelbist 2 months ago

thanks brad!
aquamunkee 2 months ago

Thanks for the two consecutive zong busts! The organ part on Pie Monty Domine is definitely Monty Python-esque, but not actually sampled from the show. As soon as I heard the sample it reminded me of the naked organist often featured between sketches and that's why I used it!
styopquoons 2 months ago

"I felt like I woke up underwater and found the city covered in algae"

I think that's the best thing anyone's yet said about one of my songs.

Also, can I use that as the subject for another song? I've got one that needs lyrics and I think I can work with this.
groundhog591 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment on my song.
jamkar 2 months ago

Thanks for riding the Elevator to Work with me Brad. Although I no longer have to ride one, I have plenty of experience from the past. I am enjoying your creative outings too!
marijequerida 2 months ago

thanks again for commenting, I revised the chorus a bit (you were the second talking about the parental-stuff) you probably like it better now.
marijequerida 2 months ago

thanks for your comment!
gwagirl1 2 months ago

Thanks for your comment! And to answer your question, no, I honestly didn't put that much thought into it, your interpretation makes since though! "Van Gogh's Ear for Music" is just another idiom meaning tone deaf so I just thought it would be kind of cute as a title. (:
jonniegrunge 2 months ago

Hey Brad! Thanks for your awesome comments on my version of Dog's Messin' With a Skunk Again'. I see you did a version as well. I'll check it a bit later after work. I had a huge amount of fun with that song, but recording the vocal verses was hard. Just a lot of material to cover. I think it took a half dozen recorded takes each to get them down, not counting practice time. I'm looking forward to hearing how you approached the track, as well as your other music!
duaneclancy 2 months ago

I couldn't figure out how to fix the link so I put the dogs pic up as my album art
darcistrutt 2 months ago

Thanks for giving my song a listen and leaving a comment. It's nice to know when someone stops by!
lapetitekiwi 2 months ago

I thought it might have been that one but that's only through seeing quick glimpses on film and tv.
stewbalm 2 months ago

Thanks for the comments! I like that section, too.
fortelmfield 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment on "One Last Time" - you were dead right, the vocals in the first verse sounded weak compared to the 2nd. Re-recorded and uploaded a new version, hopefully slightly better!
blindkiwi 2 months ago

Thanks for the comment on Coming Home Brad, I see you have got a few more up since I last checked your page, I will be giving them all a good listen soon
kenficara 2 months ago

The masters of mixing were busy making hit records. That was recorded live to two track, so the only mix was my foot on the volume pedal. I'll probably lose my harmonica license for erring on the low side.
therman 2 months ago

holy crap, you were quick at dezonging me. thanks for the review, I indeed love me some soundgarden and foo fighters.
plainspoke 2 months ago

Thank you for listening and your lovely comment!