Artist Bio
Influences: Good music of all genres! FAWM.
I am a song lover of all genres, but especially enjoying wordplay and clever tuneplay in all forms. Despite the 'metalfoot' username, I do not usually write the metal. More... um... folk/kids music. Having 3 kids 11 and under will do that to a person. Having said that, I routinely surprise myself, so any musical genre is possible...
The whole "metal foot" thing refers to a metal plate permanently inserted in my one foot after a particularly awkward fall which broke a bone in my foot into three pieces. Ouch. But that was 15+ years ago now...
FAWM 2016 was my first go-round and I managed a quite decent 36 tracks (18 for my main album, theme "Winter Sports"), mainly due to a host of wonderful collaborators and the inspiration of this excellent community. FAWM 2017 was ridiculous, with a total of 70 tracks during FAWM (26 for my main project, "The Alphabet of Adjectives") and a few late collabs for a final tally of 78! In 2018 I created a fictional album called "Exploding Teacups", a made up story about exploding teacups. The idea was suggested by my kids. With collabs and other songs, I ended up with 76 total songs.
For FAWM 2019 I'd like to start on "Metalfoot Sings The Periodic Table". I have, however, joined a local theatre company and we have a series of performances Feb 1-2 and 8-10 so I might be a little slower starting than usual. Likely a much lower total this year as well.
It sounds like the @metalfootlings (my kids, whose account I'll be curating and running) are wanting to give this another go this year. So that will be fun for them and me both. Maybe we can even convince MrsFoot to jump in! 😉
Instruments likely to be misused in FAWM 2019:
- Seagull M4 "Merlin"
- Lonestar Venice Mandolin
- Simon and Patrick Mahogany Pro acoustic guitar
- cheap Silvertone electric guitar with Zoom G1xON effects pedal
- Rogue ukulele and/or Uke-and-Play ukulele (though that one technically belongs to the footlings)
- Casio Celviano digital piano
- Bach Bb tenor trombone
- pBone Eb alto trombone
- tin whistle in D
- various percussiony things I find around the house
I like to collaborate, so feel free to ask! I believe in communication before, during and after the collaborative process. My basic assumption is that I'm making music just for the fun of it-- my real life job will not permit the time necessary to make music even a side-career-- so I'm not looking for any commercial or professional results.
My FAWM output is a musical sketch-pad of sorts. I'm not usually posting polished works but rough or intermediate drafts of where the songs might go.
When FAWM isn't on, @andygetch and I co-moderate a FB group started by @brownium called Song Skirmish, where you get to write a song, skirmish style, each and every week to keep the songwriting muscles sharp. Come join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/songs...
Songs (29)
Hydrogen
Soundboard
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@fearlessflight2014 11 hours
Alex- you are just the sweetest. My struggle is that this year I vowed to post audio for each song and I also got more adventurous with asking to collaborate. But I’m slow, especially in collaborations. And slow with the technology too. If I finish all the collaborations I’ve started I will get there. What I need most is someone to admin my life clean my house and practise for my gigs just to give some more time to write!
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@sbs2018 16 hours
“Racin Through My Thoughts” was such a blast, It’s still racing through my mind. Thanks for stopping by to give it a listen/comment.
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@stevenwesleyguiles 19 hours
HOLY CRAP LOOK AT ALL THESE SONGS!!!
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@kc5 20 hours
Yes. Let's talk. Got to pull away from the computer right now, but I'll email you. 😀
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@ceilidh 1 day
Thank you! I was SO worried I wouldn't be able to reach the goal, but this has been a fabulous experience, and I can't believe I've already exceeded the goal!
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@timfatchen 1 day
Mr Klages
May I return the compliment, for the touching lyric of "A Silly Love Song" which drew the music into being, not to mention the SchmaltzWaltx it also awoke, though that is being carefully laid aside for when the pink fades, too much of a good thing and so on. But those who choose to view our remarkable art as creators of romantic ballads would be in for a terribly rude shock were they to listen further to our songlists.
In faithful collaboration
Tim
PS Are you holding my my rubber chicken or have I mislaid it somewhere? -
@tjeff 1 day
Just posted Another Late Night!
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@ceilidh 1 day
Demo is up for Lessons Learned and some other songs!! Working on more!
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@kc5 1 day
Thanks Alex!
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@moonraccoon 2 days
Port! My preferred guitar repairman lives there 😀
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@moonraccoon 2 days
Huronia <3 !!! Thanks for the feedback. And thank you SO MUCH for the Fake It exercise, _especially_ the opportunity to hear what others did with the same incomplete raw material. It was a lot of fun to pull off (and then the chorus got stuck in my head for a few hours - lol).
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@wacha 2 days
Thanks for the very kind words on "Prelude to a Kiss".
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@acromie 2 days
Thanks for the comments last night on my songs!
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@timfatchen 3 days
Okay! [checks Manitoba local time]. Ready & waiting!
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@timfatchen 3 days
Write me a lyric today and I'll give you a song tomorrow. It's the end-game for me!
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@jwhanberry 3 days
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@rustyp 3 days
Thanks Alex!
Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought. 😀 I figured I'd throw it up here. It's just as much a song as anything else. 😀 -
@spinhead 3 days
Thanks for giving "The Way You Do" some love.
Also, pick up the pace, ya slacker. Only 20? -
@mkd 3 days
Aw, thank you for your comment on Dear June, just now. That pencil eh? Was really pleased with the effect. There's various knock sounds between pencil hitting mic, or tipper hitting edge of bodhran, but felt right to keep these in somehow... And felt right that the pencil recording was the actual creation of the lyrics. A very improvised piece all in all!
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@clioem 4 days
Thanks so much!
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@reklov 4 days
Hi Alex, old companion! 😀
Thanks very much for your comment to "Carl und Carla"!
Greets, Volker -
@tjeff 4 days
Glad to see that we're paired up for the next random collab!
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@kc5 4 days
Yes. That ring sling was a godsend. I couldn't bear to listen to my babies cry when I knew all they wanted was to be close to their mommy. The ring sling made it possible.
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@kc5 4 days
Thanks for checking out "Black Curtains Down", Alex!
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@mikegtz 5 days
Alex, nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by.
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@loveonamixtape 5 days
whoo, look at you, with 20 songs already! thank you for the comments and feedback so far! i look forward to catching up and getting a chance to listen to your stuff!
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@downfallroad 5 days
\m/ Thanks dude. 20 songs!? oh man! Congratulations on hitting 14!
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@moonraccoon 5 days
Okay, yeah, I'm just using Sound Recorder in a Ubuntu OS. Never occurred to me to just reduce the input volume -- thanks for the tip!
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@jwhanberry 5 days
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@jwhanberry 5 days
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@moonraccoon 5 days
Thanks for the feedback for "Betrayal". It's really nice to hear how, with the right words (@stephenwordsmith's, of course) two chords can be effective.
Yeah, redlining -- I'm just singing into my laptop's onboard mic, and it seems to distort with any significant volume. But recording badly is better than not recording at all 😉 -
@andygetch 6 days
Congrats on crossing the finish line in a week. Especially in the midst of the vortex 😉
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@tamsnumber4 6 days
Thanks for listening and commenting on my song "Vagrant Sea", I really appreciate it!!
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@mishykatz 6 days
hey Alex no worries I am gonna take a listen to yours when I can pull my head outta this sand (said the ostrich)...I am loving this year, and love the idea of more than one collab to hear the possibilities and learn!
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@kingwoodkowboy 1 week
Alex, thank you for reviewing "Tony The Thunder Horse".
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@sbs2018 1 week
Thanks for listening to “Candy Apple Red Shoes” - it *was* a bit short, wasn’t it? 😮
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@cindyrella 1 week
Sure Alex! Go for it!
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@mattblick 1 week
Hey Metalfoot - good to hear from you! You're smashing this FAWM thing with your sciency songs - look forward to listening.
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@igg 1 week
Let's do "The Dead Are Riding Tonight" Johnny Cash style......Yeah!
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@mkd 1 week
Ah thank you - I think concept albums are my only way through this month. One idea done explored 14 different ways rather than coming up with 14 totally different ideas! You, of course, are already past 14, and that’s with your play work too - very impressive! (Inspiring)
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@mkd 1 week
Hey Alex, thanks for dropping by on Empty Spaces - I was quite pleased with what I managed to achieve whilst recording onto phone in the school environment, so I’m pleased that what you perceived came through.
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@andybalham 1 week
You're very welcome. A pleasure working with you and your lyrics.
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@aeye 1 week
Once the insipiration train starts, it's hard to stop it lol. Hope you enjoy it 😀
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@candle 1 week
I hope you're feeling better. I'm just getting over being sick, myself. It sure isn't fun. Though, it sure let me get a lot done for FAWM. Congrats on the win, BTW!
See You In The Shadows… -
@candle 1 week
Alex, thank you so much for your comments on Flying Saucers & my 210 BPM challenge song. They were both a lot of fun to put together. I'm glad you got lost in the sound. That's what I try to achieve with my music.
See You In The Shadows… -
@cindyrella 1 week
Thanks, Alex.
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@cindyrella 1 week
Thought you'd like to hear my Easter song with Marthie
https://fawm.org/songs/91560/ -
@mishykatz 1 week
Thank you for the comments on the Maybe collab, only my second ever, I'm likin' it!!
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@fearlessflight2014 1 week
Wow!!! A full FAWM ALREADY???
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@mkd 1 week
Nice one - 14 done and dusted! You’re an inspiration Alex! 🙂
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@ceilidh 1 week
Congratulations on reaching the Finish Line! U R N Animal!! Keep up the elemental goal, as long as it's still early in the month, while the rest of us slog on sedately. 😀
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@tinattd 1 week
You're a machine, 13 already?! Just got back from abroad and barely know what year it is, but will try to get into the swing of things. Happy FAWM!
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@coolparadiso 1 week
See!! I really listen. 😀. I know when someone changes. Ha ha
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@timfatchen 1 week
It'll be good, Alex. besides, I keep over-comitting myself so I'll accept an agent of Divine Providence limiting my greed!
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@tcelliott 1 week
re: footlings... Like herding cats.
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@factorytale 1 week
I'm so glad you like it, a pleasure to work on your lyrics and chords!
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@lanasolyluna 1 week
Thank you so much for your comment. The droning sound is a tanpura machine, traditionally used in Indian music. 😀
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@headfirstonly 1 week
Hi Alex - wow, you've been busy! I will have a listen, I promise. The synth in my first track is "Massive" from Native Instruments, fed through iZotope's Trash 2 to get a grittier sound. It gets the attention, doesn't it? 😁
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@katey 1 week
Thank You for the comment!
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@dragondreams 1 week
Aww, thank you Mr Foot, sir! Glad you liked it. I almost tagged it with your name! 😉
And WOW! You've been busy. I needs to catches up, oh yess preciouss... -
@mishykatz 1 week
Thank you for the comment, having a wonderful FAWM so far, can't stop smilin' <3
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@srcoops 1 week
Your work on Hate is just fine. Thanks!
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@bradbrubaker 1 week
Lyrics for the Exquisite Corpse:
She only talked to me in Pig Latin
And the leaves were made of cotton candy
Winter solstice, maybe
Evolution, baby -
@kahlo2013 1 week
Whoops ignore the email
I sent you — I thought you were the stitcher for the low fi EC 2 -
@treble 1 week
Thank you for your comments on Too Much Junk. This was a good skirmish topic, wasn't it? We've all go junk.
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@zecoop 1 week
Thanks a ton for checking out the surf tune... I always appreciate you taking the time. I finally get over here on day 3, and even though you are in a musical at night, it is no surprise that there are already 9 songs, lol. You are rocking FAWM as usual. 😀
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@jorh 1 week
Thanks for your lovely comments on “I heard love is blind”, especially about the structure and flow. I just started writing one day and haven’t really learnt all the theory - but I’m trying to improve. Hopefully it will get music soon
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@hummingbear 1 week
Am very behind in listening - hoping to get started tomorrow.
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@hummingbear 1 week
Yup, lost the whole lyric set and had to find temp backup and remember all the minor changes. Should be OK now. Whew!
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@hummingbear 1 week
Glad the play went well! Thanks for reading my lyrics - I got very hung up on Fractals, had to hone the ideas down some.
Take it away with Summer Day, I'm happy to have you turn it into A Real Song. (If some lyrics don't sing right, they can be changed.) -
@treble 1 week
Thank you for your sweet comments on my skirmish song The Meadows of Mt. Rainier.
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@treble 1 week
Thanks for your comments on my skirmish song Storm Warnings. Glad you liked the imagery!
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@pipewrench67 1 week
Awesome, good luck with the play.
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@andybalham 1 week
Looking forward to getting the lyrics. My Gordon-Smith is primed and ready. If you like, you can email me via andybalham at hotmail dot com (a little old school, but the address still works) and ping me on my soundboard.
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@pipewrench67 1 week
I decided to continue your Super skirmish just so your aware.
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@jessi14 1 week
Hey! Just wanted to say hi! I cannot believe, you already have written 8 songs. You are the most hard working songwriter ever! So glad I am able to join this year, since I missed it last year. Enjoy! PS I am still in love the collar we made with the footling two years ago. "Lost socks" is a keeper!
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@jwhanberry 1 week
Thanks for organizing the SS in the midst of all you're doing. It was great fun.
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@leah0k 1 week
Thank you thank you! I appreciate the feedback. I kind of wish I would have saved the distorted bass that came in like a crashing airplane in the beginning for later in the song, and kept some mellow bass through the beginning instead... I will probably tweak that later on 😁
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@mkd 1 week
Thanks for your comment on Bucket List! It’s such an interesting area of work, and such a privileged space to be in.
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@srcoops 1 week
I would look forward to your working on Hate.
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@coolparadiso 2 weeks
Thx for your comment on Hurricane! As you know with skirmishes you dont have time to think too much. I just lent over the mic and it was bass day - didnt know til i opened my mouth
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@treble 2 weeks
Absolutely loved Calm Before the Storm skirmish song. Especially liked the bridge because I didn't expect it. Loved your chord voicings too.
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@natrin 2 weeks
Thanks so much for your comment on Snowfall 😁
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@pokerowan 2 weeks
Cheers for the skirmish prompt! My boiler went kaput yesterday so it's been Extra Polar in my house. Proper excellent idea.
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@andybalham 2 weeks
Hi Alex. Looks like we've been paired together in the random collab. Are you happy to provide lyrics for me to interpret into a song or would you like to work it some other way? Drop me a line and let me know how you want to go with it. Andy
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@cindyrella 2 weeks
Thanks Alex. I am happy to know I am not the only one with these fingers! 😀
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@mannon 2 weeks
That sounds like some pretty awesome fawm goals haha! Definitely looking forward to more music about elements; that's actually a really cool idea 😁
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@srcoops 2 weeks
Happy to collaborate with you again. Uninvited Guest
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@mannon 2 weeks
Happy fawming to you as well! Hope you reach whatever goal you set for yourself haha 😁
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@cts 2 weeks
No worries - I'll check in with you a little bit later. I forgot you have quite a bit going on!
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@cts 2 weeks
Hey man - are u around this evening?
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@yam655 2 weeks
It isn't long now!!
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@cts 2 weeks
I'm just back to say hello one mo gin! 😀
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@brendaberezan 2 weeks
FAWM-on Alex !
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@ayancia 2 weeks
Thanks for your kind words! I've had some pretty terrible things said about my voice so I'm hoping that something like this will help me get back to the love I still know is there. 😁
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@tan482 2 weeks
Happy FAWM to you too! 😀
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@cnidaria 2 weeks
Yes, I do remember that discussion and I am fully down for said math collab. Maybe a math rock song that's actually about math?
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@moonshadow 2 weeks
I look foward to hearing some songs from you, Have a great FAWM,
