Artist Bio
Influences: Laudanum
The end is nigh, so I would like to reiterate: help yourself to my stuff. Anything with no existing demo, and no concrete promise of a collaboration, is marked with an asterisk. Have a look, and see if you are so inspired!
Collaboration policy:
My lyrics should not be assumed to be exclusive (I've had too many excellent multiple takes). However, if you are not the first to lay claim to a lyric, I recommend checking with the other FAWMer(s) that they're OK with you jumping on board. Similarly, you can quietly ask me if you want to be the only one to do a demo for a song, and I will probably grant you that.
Constructive criticism is welcome; good faith is assumed and expected.
Preferred pronoun: 'you'. I'd rather be talked to than about.
If the third person is unavoidable, he/him/that bastard.
Songs (33)
Living Wage
Soundboard
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@sw1n3flu Mar 11
Hello sir! Thanks for the comments on “Fall Down”... yeah up to 35 comment thanks to last post 😉
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@postcardhelicopters Mar 11
Hi, Stephen. Thanks for the comment on, "Te wehu atu, Columbo."
I wanted a non-English title as a bookend for the French at the start and the Maori translation caught my eye and at the time I couldn't put my finger on why. But as I look at it now, I think what attracted me to this phrase was the bracketed "t" at the beginning and at the end, as if saying, "I am departing but I will return." Your comment has me thinking on what it might be like to be travelling someplace where I don't speak the language and then suddenly hear even poorly-deployed English.
I really like your visual interpretation of walking thru a museum. It's made me see/hear the song in a new light. Thank you for that! -
@timfatchen Mar 9
Finally had some time to read @pointlessaccount. you've excelled yourself and @fspawn will have to work hard.. Similar metrics in a lot; I wonder if I should arrange the similar metrics in a cycle? roundandround...
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@sph Mar 4
Didn't know your schedule 😀
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@sph Mar 4
Hi Stephen, of course you can use it. Before the weekend I won't have time to tweak or rerecord
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@siestagal22 Mar 3
Hi I really appreciated how much you got out of my lyrics and @metalfoot music for Time to Taste the Wine. It made me smile. 😀
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@the3queens Mar 1
Yeah I wasn't sure if you was a person or the state of the world or what. I let it stay in the vague state because it could mean any of those things to someone. For me personally, I just had a car accident and the concussion has left me with a temporary( I hope) emotional lobotomy. I'm even tempered but emotionless, like Spock. So that's why it spoke to me.
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@jaegerin Feb 28
Thank you for your kind words on my "Starlings" song. Really appreciate them.
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@berni1954 Feb 28
Hi Stephen,
As for your instructions "nearing the end" I didn't coordinate with you on this before recording it.
I was so impressed with the Elizabethan feel of your "Abel" lyrics that I just had to put it to music. I hope you like it. Here it is:
https://fawm.org/songs/109338/ -
@moonraccoon Feb 28
In that case, let laudanum absorb-process-expel, and comment upon faculty's return.
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@ductapeguy Feb 27
"... it's never not interesting." I think that is my favorite FAWM comment of the year. Thank you.
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@donna Feb 27
Thank you for your lovely comment on 'One Epiphany Short'. So pleased you enjoyed that couplet. 😉
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@timfatchen Feb 27
Hmmm @pointlessaccount needs to warn in the bio that dezonging is not yet needed, as demos will appear from the former Masters of the World.
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@timfatchen Feb 26
It may be as late as 2nd week in March before @frogspawn can get near an instrument or recording. Still would do it tho!
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@ayehahmur Feb 26
Heh, that depends on the Glaswegian. It's sort of complicated. But, yeah, in terms of accent a North East accent is about as far from a Glaswegian as you can get. I wouldn't say it's *more English* here, just a different flavour of Scots (so Glaswegian is close to but distinct from Lallans, which I grew up with, but Doric is quite different again).
It's actually really interesting, and it gives you extra vocabulary over other English speakers. -
@ayehahmur Feb 25
You're very welcome, Stephen. Your lyrics have been an utter high spot this FAWM.
Re the username - yes! It's exactly that (although when I created the account I accidentally threw in an extra h and you can't edit the username here, so it's stuck). I use it for my music stuff because it relates to the name of our old band, Murnie - which you'll of course have worked out is a contraction of the opposite of "aye ahm ur" - "no ahm urnie". Literally, "no, I'm am not".
This is about as advanced level Glaswegian as it gets. -
@musicsongwriter Feb 25
Thank you so much Stephen for your comments on A lonely Swan and a Song for a Baby Otter. I appreciate your support and sharing your thoughts.
Nadia -
@nancyrost Feb 24
I've been having trouble putting music to "I'm Afraid I'm Struck With Poetry", so if you want to release it to another collaborator, please do!
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@thealphabettisystem Feb 24
My apologies if I seemed oversensitive, that is not the case. No offence was taken. Agreeing with the opposite of what you said, to confirm what was in my head, possibly some sort of self deprecating sarcasm. Glasgow gallows humour. Not for everyone. Maybe I should tag the gags, but I always think writing lol is like putting a laugh track on a comedy show.
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@msculli1 Feb 24
24 done and still a week to go. Lots of fine lyrics here, pity I have no time to borrow any.
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@thealphabettisystem Feb 23
Thanks for the comment on Sound of Seil. It is much appreciated. And you are correct it is a bit too long.
I do not recognise the places you mention, they sound Scandinavian, but I'm going to guess they are somewhere in the South Island. -
@moonraccoon Feb 22
A Wordsmith by any other name... 😉
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@arendleejessurun Feb 22
Hey Stephen, thanks so much for your kind words on "Tell Me What For"! And I really love your analysis of simple questions dancing over and over. Beautiful interpretation.
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@kenficara Feb 21
Thanks for your comment on “eyes” — good to hear a perspective from someone with fresh ears!
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@chriddof Feb 21
Thank you for the comment!
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@moonraccoon Feb 21
Yes, actually. I'd probably still write it, but a "No" would have me setting it aside to rewrite later.
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@timfatchen Feb 21
I see @frogspawn has already pwned me.
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@pifie Feb 21
What a thoughtful comment, man... thank you!
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@owl Feb 20
Thank you, Stephen--I appreciate it. Got another comment telling me the individual parts were OK but I should throw it away, which was a bit discouraging, ha. So it's nice to hear it touched you 😀
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@w1n Feb 20
Glad you liked the song, the lyrics were really good so was a for me a surprisingly easy song to write, I will probably work a bit more on it after FAWM want to give it some polish , I'll send you the results.
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@johncrossman Feb 19
Howdy! If you like this take, here's a postable link.
http://files.fawmers.org/FAWM_2020/jo...
I had calliope/circus sounds in mind but landed on country waltz and, perhaps if I squint with my ears, hints of the former. An enjoyable listen in my opinion for a tight lyric, as per your usual. A pleasure, as always! -
@jibbidy34 Feb 18
Wowsers what high praise from the mighty wordsmith!! Thank you thank you thank you 😁
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@scottsimpsonmusic Feb 18
Thanks for your hilarious insights into “Here We Go, Another Round”!
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@sunnymae Feb 18
Hello Stephen! I'm so pleased I whet your appetite with my culinary antics in Constant Craving. Thanks for the listen and congrats on a stellar collection of new works yourself!🤗
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@johnstaples Feb 17
I love that quote about one's country's history! True dat!
And yes, it is heartening to see Sanders doing well. I voted for him in 2016 in the Dem primary but, of course, switched to Hillary after she won the nomination.
I worry about Sanders though. I worry he is too far left (near me!) and that that will give trump another win. I worry that he is too old and won't be able to finish his term. I worry if he loses the nomination his energized based will stay home or protest vote for trump.
Most of all I worry that we don't know how to beat trump. He should never have won in the first place. Everyone knew it. Even him. He didn't even have an acceptance speech ready. The story told is his wife cried her eyes out upon learning he had won.
If he wins again I don't know how our country will survive it. If I was a prayin' man I'd pray for a tumor or a lightning bolt. Not kidding!
Thanks for the love from afar. It helps to know we are not alone in our darkness. -
@johnstaples Feb 17
Thanks for your thoughtful comments on Who Do You Pray For?. So many people in the USA, and probably in other countries, are suffering from PTSD brought on by the turmoil and hate and danger that spews from trump and his cult.
If we vote him out decisively in November my belief in basic human decency will be restored somewhat even though a quarter of our country have been so vividly revealed to be truly horrible people.
But I also must remind myself that horrible people in this country owned slaves and committed genocide against indigenous peoples. Our track record is very dark. -
@johncrossman Feb 17
Mr. W. - thank you for all your listening and kindly eloquent words on multiple songs! I, too, keep peeking at your lyrics and have been enjoying the journey. And I agree about Psychic Drive-In, which pops up in my head occasionally, prompting a smile. "Projected on the back of a whitewashed brownstone...."
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@andrewjtaylor Feb 17
Read several of your lyrics. Quite enjoying them.
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@deadhead Feb 16
And thanks for writing such great lyrics to be turned into music! The way I did the intro was influenced by David Brubeck. A lot of his pieces start off with just... random improv, not really following any pattern or theme, but are always a pleasure to hear.
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@moonraccoon Feb 12
Sir! My imposter syndrome isn't good enough to deal with these praiseful shenanigans.
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@grayland Feb 10
Hey, Thanks so much for your comment on "We Belong To The Hiway".
That was one of the best commentaries I've ever gotten and it felt so good to read it !! (and re-read it!) I can tell you're a great lyricist!! -
@scubed Feb 10
Thank you so much for your very generous comment on “King Midas”!
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@andybalham Feb 9
It was a pleasure sir. I always keep an eye on your good self come February. Maybe I was subconsciously channeling The Triffids. I have been likened to them before.
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@rockkid71 Feb 2020
Thanks for you kind words
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@pyouremawthmin Feb 2020
thank you for the comment! that’s pretty much exactly what i’m going for, you really made my day
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@jeffwhitmire47 Feb 2020
Thank you for your awesome comments on "If You Need Me!"
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@colgoo Feb 2020
Thank you for your very kind words on “Everywhere and Nowhere”. Your words made a powerful impact. I am so touched.
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@monty Feb 2020
CHeck out my comment on "too stupid" when you get a chance. 😀
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@visiblydistorted Feb 2020
Hey hey,
I have been challenged by @ductapeguy to set some of your lyrics into one of my weird demos. If you are interested in a collab, save something for me at some point, and it will be hilarious. No promises, but certainly most of what I make tends to be silly, if I may say so myself. Happy FAWMing! -
@spunky4455 Feb 2020
Hey, Stephen! I was actually in Auckland and Queenstown during last year's FAWM. I'm looking forward to going thru your lyrics and having a collab on a project this year.
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@vomvorton Feb 2020
Thanks for the thoughtful Sad Animals comment! I must confess, when layering up those chorus vocals I did think about doing a forum post asking for extra vocal tracks from other FAWM folk, but I had a vision of it going "full Live Aid" and decided to go it alone.
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@gslade Feb 2020
Hey man. Love your feedback. Totally right about the loud guitars. Since it's just FAWM I out zero effort into balancing. It's just all compressed to the max and let loose. It will sound better on Spotify
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@meadows Feb 2020
Hey Stephen! Thank you so much for your kind comment and your analysis of the lyrics! That means so much to me! 😀
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@scubed Feb 2020
Thank you so, so much for your very kind comments! Hope you have a wonderful FAWM.
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@arthurrossi Feb 2020
Hi Stephen! I would like to thank you so much for your that kind words! Have a wonderful time!
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@musicsongwriter Feb 2020
Hi Stephen, have a great FAWM.
Nadia -
@w1n Jan 2020
Hi Stephen, hope you'll also have a great FAWM. Looking forward to your lyrics. Hope to be able to use one of your lyrics this year.
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@elainedimasi Jan 2020
Best. Sonnets. EVAR.
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@crutherford Jan 2020
Hello Stephen - I am friends offline with @moonraccoon and have heard a few of your collaborations. I am a fan. I look forward to seeing what you come up with during the wild rumpus of FAWM.
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@meadows Jan 2020
Hey Stephen! Happy FAWMing! Maybe I'm able to provide some music for one of your songs this year – I hope so! 😀
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@resonance Jan 2020
Cheers, good sir! If you manage to have any spare room on your dance card this year, let me know. No pressure.
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@tawny249 Jan 2020
Wanted to thank you for posting a sonnet thread. That just spoke to me so very much. 😁 Have a good FAWM!
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@helenseviltwin Jan 2020
Good day to you, Mr Wordsmith! May February bring you words aplenty in lyrical formats.
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@johncrossman Jan 2020
Howdy Stephen. Hope you get to do those things you do this Feb so we can experience them!
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@nancyrost Jan 2020
I wanted to take a picture with Rose and Tess in front of the WORT-FM building - if only we'd had time to go over there. I hope you and lpk get that chance!
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@klaus Jan 2020
Hi Stephen. I see 2020 is the Year of Cool Hats. Have a great Fawm.
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@hummingbear Jan 2020
Wishing you a spectacular 2020 FAWM!
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@oddbod Jan 2020
all's well in the Wordsmith household I trust
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@tsunamidaily Jan 2020
have the best FAWM this year!
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@metalfoot Jan 2020
So yeah. It's nearly FAWM. I do hope work allows you to carve out the moments necessary for the wonderful madness of lyric creation.