"Happily Sedated" - The World Is Unwinding

So it's been a while since my last post featuring the inspiration behind the songs on "Out of Orbit". I've unexpectedly found myself swept up by a creative 'tidal wave' the last 6 months, which has kept me away from doing as much social networking as I would like. However, as a result of all my efforts, I have not only penned 13 songs which will be the next Alphanaut full length, but I've also begun a collection of ambient instrumentals. If all goes as planned the instrumental album will be released Spring 2011 and the full length in summer the same year. I'll keep everyone posted on how things are coming along.

The next tune up from "Out of Orbit" is "Happily Sedated". This was the only song on the album that went to the studio without a finished demo at the beginning of the recording session. I don't think I even had a lyric beyond "We're all happily sedated, in the life that we created". That's it, and the pressure was on to figure out what the message would be around that line.

At the time the songs were being recorded, the world was in free fall as economies were collapsing and our communal spirit began to deflate. One day I was out around town and took notice of how many people were shielded from the outside world by their hand held devices. One after another I noticed individuals paying more attention to the texts they were sending rather than where they were walking. That was enough to trigger the lyric "Look up, power down your cel phone" and I found myself with inspiration for the son's direction.

I wrote the song about a how each and every one of us is culpable for the woes of our current situation, and how blame can't simply be tossed at bankers and politicians. I began to realize that four decades of institutionalized excess of the Western world had drug us down and taken the rest of the world with it.

The song's message is hidden behind a catchy little tune that wound up developing rather organically in the studio.

"Happily Sedated" Lyrics - By Alphanaut

Look up, power down your cel phone
Line is busy, the call’s not free
Something’s up in the days of plenty
Too many people marking absentee
At a time when you had more money
Smiled and drove along happily
But no matter what your mind is thinking
I can hear you body singing

But if you're happily sedated
In the life that you created
Those who only disagree
Will shut the book and let it be

Get out from under your headphones
Shuffle up from your MP3s
If you want to draw my attention
Open up your mouth, stop texting me
There were days when skies were sunny
But it shifted so violently
No matter what you the future’s bringing
I can hear your body singing

But if you're happily sedated
Thinking life is overrated
Take a page from history
Shut the book and let it be

Haven't you heard your religion's withdrawn
So buddy get your dogma off of my front lawn

Because I'm happily sedated
In a life incorporated
I may not ever come around
But my boots are firmly on the ground

We’re all happily sedated
Life incorporated
Take a page from history
Shut the book and let it be

Purchase CD quality downloads of Alphanaut tunes at Bandcamp.com



To purchase "Happily Sedated" on iTunes


To purchase "Happily Sedated" on Amazon CLICK HERE

More Airplay at WRIR 97.3 FM

Just got an alert that WRIR, 97.3 FM in Richmond, VA was cool enough to spin "Night Blind" this past weekend. Until now the song was only part of a promo disc sent out to radio stations, but as of this week the song is available as one of two bonus cuts on the "Satellites Crashing" single.


Thanks again to WRIR for giving Alphanaut some airplay.

Mark

Night Blind
Alphanaut

Download Share

Satellites Crashing Single - Live on iTunes

The new Alphanaut single "Satellites Crashing" is now live on iTunes and should be popping up on all other digital retail sites in the coming weeks. The release features two non-album tracks and an instrumental version of the title cut. Here's the lineup.

1. Satellites Crashing
2. Sleep Spun Brown
3. Night Blind
4. Satellites Crashing (Instrumental)

You can also purchase "Satellites Crashing" from the Alphanaut profile at Bandcamp.com which features CD quality downloads of the songs unavailable anywhere else. Bandcamp offers artists the ability to set their own pricing and fans can purchase for the base price or donate a little extra to help support independent artists. Also, as their is no 'middle man' for the transaction like with iTunes, Amazon, etc., all the funds go directly to the project to help support future recordings.

To purchase "Satellites Crashing" from Alphanaut's Bandcamp profile


To purchase "Satellites Crashing" from iTunes


Thanks for the support!

Mark

Never Been To Athens - CD Quality Downloads

You can now download CD quality Alphanaut tunes through Bandcamp.com including the "Never Been To Athens" single which includes two remixes and the bonus cut "AL 424-15".



Support Alphanaut by purchasing direct from the artist as the Bandcamp system cuts out the middle men. This way all funds go directly into funding the next full length album.

Thanks!

Mark

Alphanaut Music Videos on iTunes

Finally, the music videos for the Alphanaut singles "Never Been To Athens" and "Jennifer" have been added to iTunes alongside the visual for "Spontaneity", which has been up for numerous months. It was a long, endless ordeal getting these videos through distribution but the wait is over.

Visit the following links to purchase a copy of the video for your computer, iPhone, iPad or other hand held device.

Purchase the Alphanaut music video for "Never Been To Athens"


Purchase the Alphanaut music video for "Jennifer"


Purchase the Alphanaut music video for "Spontaneity"

"The Innocence of Time" Music Video by Alphanaut

I just posted the latest Alphanaut music video for the song "The Innocence of Time". The tune itself is actually from "The Lunar Age" EP and was officially released as a single this time last year, however at the time I was ramping up to record "Out of Orbit" and had to dedicate my funds to the full length. I knew the video was going to have to wait, but the timing worked out perfectly as I was able to work with Nils Timm once again. Nils directed the video for "Spontaneity" and I was happy to coordinate time with him, and his busy schedule, to work on ideas for visuals for the song.

After presenting my initial concepts for the music video, we fine tuned a story line that would work within my budget, which again was next to nothing. Nils is fantastic and bringing together a crew that are passionate about film making and can create top notch visuals for a shoestring. As an example, the space suit we rented for $150, but we couldn't afford the backpack unit that came with it. So Kanna, the wardrobe girl, grabbed some cardboard boxes, covered them with white nylon, attached a few found objects that looked like controls, creating her own version of the life support unit. Brilliant!

I have some behind-the-scenes footage that I will be revealing in a few weeks and will go over a few additional bits of trivia from the shoot. Don't want to go over them now as I don't want to ruin any surprises before people watch the clip.



To purchase "The Innocence of Time" on iTunes


Or on Amazon CLICK HERE

"Sleep Spun Brown" Studio Session Video

Just posted behind the scenes footage of the Alphanaut studio session for "Sleep Spun Brown".



The song will be the bonus cut to the next single "Satellites Crashing" which should be ready to release soon. Just need to send the song to mastering and upload the files to the usual online retailers and then we're set. Hope to see the song on iTunes and Amazon by the end of July.

Sleep Spun Brown - Guest Musicians

Ted Scarlett - Piano
Chavo Villanueva - Guitar & Ebo
Alberto Campos - Drums
Art Agunod - Fretless Bass

Written by Mark Alan and Cobban Barnett