February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

Helen (@helenseviltwin)

progress: 14

winner!
joined: January 29 2007
location: Somewhere, UK
website: www.helenseviltwin.com
influences: PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, Kate Bush, Blondie

Bio

It is my intention to write a rock opera this February. It will be loosely based on Emma Donaghue's lesbian re-telling of Beauty and the Beast from her book of short stories "Kissing the Witch" or, at least, what I can remember of that having read it about 12 years ago.

There is a good chance that, by the 3 February, I will have given up on this plan and just started writing my usual higgledy piggledy mish-mash of song, but that's ok too.

Edit 25/1: If anyone is interested in being involved in my rock opera, give me a shout. I have singers for most of the characters, but will still need a chorus. Not sure a chorus of Helens is the best idea, so will endevour to recruit from the fine FAWM community.

My opera is going to be called "Ilona and Garron" which are names I found on a baby naming website that roughly mean "beauty" and "beast".

Edit: 5/2, as predicted, I've done bugger all on my rock opera and written a mish mash of songs, but I have an idea of how the opera will start, so it will happen (maybe)

Edit: 22/2, I have finally started on the rock opera. I may even get it finished in February! Probably not, though...

Edit:23/2, I don't actually like anything I've written for the rock opera yet, so it might never see the light of day, or I might just embarrass myself.

Edit 26/2, I'm unlikely to finish the opera, but I'll get some of it up soon.

Edit 1/3, 2 more songs are written for "Ilona & Garron", but not recorded yet. I will post in the next couple of days. Unfortunately, the story isn't finished, but I'll hopefully continue to write it and get a whole work finished.

2012 Songs

1	Her (with kandersonmusic)	45 comments // 3 months ago
2	Deity	20 comments // 3 months ago
3	Strange Skies	18 comments // 3 months ago
4	As I Fall Asleep	21 comments // 3 months ago
5	The Final Word	17 comments // 3 months ago
6	Anything You Say (with valeriecox)	14 comments // 2 months ago
7	Ilona and Garron 1 - The Merchants' Return (with debs)	14 comments // 2 months ago
8	In conclusion (with expendablefriend)	10 comments // 2 months ago
9	Ilona and Garron 2 - Frederik's tale (with nancyrost)	6 comments // 2 months ago
10	Ilona and Garron 3 - Ilona's journey to the castle	4 comments // 2 months ago
11	Ilona and Garron 4 - Liam's tale (with kandersonmusic)	4 comments // 2 months ago
12	Ilona and Garron 5 - Ilona decides to stay (with valeriecox)	4 comments // 2 months ago
13	Ilona and Garron 6 - Garron's Tale (with valeriecox)	2 comments // 2 months ago
14	Ilona and Garron 7 - Ilona's realisation (with valeriecox)	3 comments // 2 months ago

Soundboard

Leave a message. Log in to FAWM or sign up first!

skullcrush 2 months ago

Hey, thanks for your comment on my song *26414! I'm glad you like it Yes, having a spoken-word feel to the song with those kinds of phrases was the original idea. That would certainly get the message across!
dragondreams 2 months ago

Just reading your song list here on the soundboard, and I had to grin a little at the way the title for song 12 reads...

"Ilona decides to stay with Valerie Cox"

Just about to listen to parts 6 and 7. See you on the other side.
nancyrost 2 months ago

Heya, Helen. I want to listen to Ilona and Garron parts 6 and 7, but I get a 404 error for those mp3s. Could it be the ampersands in your file names? Please let me know when you get those two streaming -- thanks!
kimotcj 2 months ago

I like how you've done the theme thing here. It's pretty ambitious.
spiritdancer 2 months ago

Thanks for your comment on "Nothing to be Blue about blues". Glad you liked it! Thanks for listening.
iocanepower 2 months ago

Thanks for the listen, Helen!
arthurrossi 2 months ago

Helen, thank you so much for your kind and awesome comment! I appreciate it a lot!!
nightengale 2 months ago

Hi Helin, I appreciate your comment and... I really love your sound, cool music, awesome vox!
pifie 2 months ago

If you want to know how using voice for other stuff, check my latest 'song'... I wanted to tell you on the chat, but when I came back you were already away. That cymbals crescendos are just the voice, for example. It has a big reverb.

And it's only one guitar, programmed drums and one voice. So, anything that's not clean guitar or drums, it's the voice.
kandersonmusic 2 months ago

are the characters going to go to the roller derby in your musical?
kandersonmusic 2 months ago

Whee! I'm really impressed. It makes me feel like maybe I shouldn't have given up on the challenge halfway through today.

I've started another song from an icky person's perspective. People might start to think I'm a sympathiser.
timmyriordan 2 months ago

Re: edit 23/2... for goodness sake embarrass yourself, assume that by embarrassing yourself you mean diving in and tackling the rock opera
timmyriordan 2 months ago

I know, I thought ladies supporting other rocking ladies was half the point of the Riot Grrrl movement. I have to figure out what song I want sponsor to offer someone Rock hands now
tinam 2 months ago

many thanks for all the great comments on our songs!
im afraid the only place we gig is in my box room....or if its a big gig then in my lounge!
.....we are all mums & just do this for fun now
jennsings 2 months ago

Thanks for your comment on my morph!
kristi 2 months ago

Ditto! (musicsongwriter re: "Feeling Peaceful")
musicsongwriter 3 months ago

Thank you so much for your nice comment on Feeling Peaceful Helen
testthebest 3 months ago

Thanks so much for the comment!
expendablefriend 3 months ago

Yes! I like that idea. Then we get two songs each
expendablefriend 3 months ago

Of course, that could be shit. We could just stick with drums and guitars!
expendablefriend 3 months ago

Music first works for me. Maybe one of us should make a backing track? I am drinking beer at the moment, and have this crazy idea about making a song using just a beer bottle for instrumentation...
johnnycashpoint 3 months ago

Alright, darhlink, it's scarily artw*nk, but if you had a moment to do this: http://fawm.org/forums/thread/3250/ then I would love you even more! Also get Sir Dave to do the same x
expendablefriend 3 months ago

Still want to try a collab? In which case, any preference over how it happens?
thelastclarissa 3 months ago

thank you so much for the lovely comment! You asked if I had music for it, and I just uploaded it. =P
kandersonmusic 3 months ago

Helen, it's killing me! I just don't have the oomph when I get home to sit and write and record... I was meant to do stuff on the weekend, but it only came out in dribs and drabs. I will have to dig my heels in and get to work!
valeriecox 3 months ago

I'm stoked for a kaossilator track. And be sure to let me know when you're singing Magic Fingers at the office. You're welcome.
karan 3 months ago

Three stylophone tracks plus a tiny little guitar underneath to give it a little more flesh on the bones.
bunnyhero 3 months ago

a chorus of helens!
jcameron 3 months ago

Thanks for the heads-up. Just commented on the fop thread.
kandersonmusic 3 months ago

lately when I think of you I sing U2's 'Lemon', but change the title to 'Helon'. It's so good.
valeriecox 3 months ago

Channeling Peaches. You think?. I was afraid all I was doing was spending 4 hours creating mediocre electronica. Maybe that one should be dedicated to all those poor wives and girlfriends.

I do hope the opera still happens.
rosieposy8 3 months ago

tell me about it..
I have so many ideas.. if only there was a brain to Logic to produced to not sound like crap machine..
rosieposy8 3 months ago

Well, I dare you, write the first song! Does anything not go? Could "Her" not fit the plot?

Have you got a plot and do you know which song per scene? Its hard work to write something planned I think! Look forward to hearing more songs.
downburst 3 months ago

Thanks Helen! I'm thinking about doing the Archibalds* in front of an audience of children and their parents on Saturday. Hope they don't lynch me.

*"Doing the Archibalds" sounds like some sort of arcane sexual practice. "The Archibalds? Heck, I've been doin' that since I was 14!"
frenchcricket 3 months ago

Yep it's from the "insult swordfighting". As Vom says, the correct response is, "How appropriate, you fight like a cow"

http://www.miwiki.net/Insult_Swordfighting#The_Secret_of_Monkey_Island

The insults were written by crazy right-wing sci-fi man Orson Scott Card!

Cheers!
deedee 3 months ago

Thanks for the file freak advice - got it sorted now, cheers
taracraig 3 months ago

Let's start with you sending me a backing and we'll go from there. I'm excited to work together!
injerabreath 3 months ago

You pretty much hit the nail on the head for how I intended the song to sound. i couldn't have put it better myself. Thanks!
wille 3 months ago

You have been paired with @taracraig in the FOLKTRONICA album project. Next step is deciding how to start - I'll leave that up to you
crisiscouncil 3 months ago

Thanks for the comment, glad you like the song!
toms 3 months ago

Thank you for the kind comment & the listen!
dreamscuba 3 months ago

Thanks very much for your comments on "Something's Gotta Give@. Very much appreciated.
ladyvinyl 3 months ago

Thanks for the comment, I will let you know when I have a demo.
melindadimaio 3 months ago

Thanks for your sweet comments, helen...gonna give you a listen, too
davidbreslin101 3 months ago

Heyoop, and thanks for dragging me to the party- it's great!
kandersonmusic 3 months ago

Ah, thanks! I thought that it was something to do with that pesky cock, cause every time I unticked NSFW it would just show up again... It's REALLY not going to like my next one.

Now, um, where are your submissions? I've been waiting patiently!
loljosh0106 3 months ago

Thanks for the drum compliment! I'll have to do my best with what I have, I suppose. Definitely looking forward to your rock opera
valeriecox 3 months ago

Thanks for those comments. You know, the synth on that one song is about the extent if my keyboard skills.
autoclamp 3 months ago

"CBAF for me." You are my hero.
marklberry 3 months ago

Helen, Thanks for the 'Shower Power' feedback.
Cheers! marklberry
elijahmc 3 months ago

Hey helen. is there a way to block people on here? im thinking of leaving but thought i'd ask if it possible to block first.
kandersonmusic 3 months ago

looks like we're starting a band, helen!
karan 3 months ago

Yes, I'll do "Zusammen" at the FOP! And YESYESYES, you can do harmonies! Oh, I can't wait!
johnnycashpoint 3 months ago

For sure, let's do it! x
valeriecox 3 months ago

I thought I'd make an appearance on your soundboard, cause I know you miss me.
benjaminnolan 3 months ago

Hah.
pooka 3 months ago

I'm happy to be a chorus.
benjaminnolan 3 months ago

*grins*

The annoying thing is, it does look like a better beard than mine is, and I've actually tried to grow one!
rosieposy8 3 months ago

p.s happy to do chorus for musical if u need a few vocals in 3rds or 5ths! Just give me a shout.
rosieposy8 3 months ago

am def interested in Sunday.. seem to not have any songs.. but will have a think just to play one!
benjaminnolan 3 months ago

HELEN SMASH! ***Rah!!***

...

Er... Darling, has anyone pointed out that you're sporting something of a neckbeard in that photograph? :s

Just sayin...
elijahmc 3 months ago

Also, just noticed on your soundcloud account that there are 14 songs. was that from the previous year? did you manage 14 songs in a month?
elijahmc 3 months ago

thanks helen. x
nicksypniewski 3 months ago

It was okay. I wasn't going to reply.
ianuarius 3 months ago

Hi there! I love rock operas! Intrigued to see what you come up with. Good luck!
bitshred 3 months ago

Wow, a rock opera! Can't wait to hear it.
kandersonmusic 3 months ago

look, Helen, i'm deadly serious this year! I even uploaded a photo! How's that for commitment?
hero 3 months ago

Rock Opera? I approve.
johncrossman 4 months ago

Hel-en! Hel-en! Hel-en! Hiya.
kristian 4 months ago

You have the coolest songwriting mission EVER!!
debs 4 months ago

Hello, beautiful
fendertele71 4 months ago

A FAWM rock opera would be hot.
expendablefriend 4 months ago

You are absolutely right, I did miss you off! On the list you go!

I shall be listening as your rock opera unfolds....
tobermory 4 months ago

Helllleeeeennnn! Do we have you all to ourselves or do you have more exams going on?
sapient 4 months ago

H! Woo! Hello!
max 4 months ago

Here's hoping you'll have a fantastic, productiveTwentyTwelve FAWM Helen.
gslade 4 months ago

12 bah bruiza!
nancyrost 4 months ago

Love your new profile photo.
ansgar 4 months ago

Hiho Helen & Welcome back!
karan 4 months ago

Hiiiiii! Welcome back!