Day 30 - Go Outside

I wanted to experiment today, the final song of this project. It's a mix of fast and slow, rock and pretty, and I like the way it turned out a lot.

That's that. 30 songs in 30 days. It's surreal to be finished. I spent more hours than I care to admit on this project. Thank you so much for listening, any and all feedback is so hugely appreciated. I'll be performing in the Flagstaff, Arizona area as much as possible in the months ahead.

Rock on!!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 29 - The Music Man

This song is deep. It's about how I know my best music comes from a broken heart, and how I know I already gave up this dream once when I was in a long-term relationship. I have to be alone, give up on other dreams of love and family, to pursue this music career.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 28 - I Loved Alone

Most of these lyrics are not my own, but that of my friend Ian Henson, who sent me a poem some time ago and asked me if I could try and make it into a song. The poem he sent was an interpretation of "Alone" by Edgar Allen Poe, and you'll see a few references within (including the titular one).

It was a very interesting challenge, both writing someone else's lyrics and having lyrics first altogether (I have always, always written music first). But it was a challenge that I absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed undertaking. I cut up and added to his work quite a bit (with his permission), and I think the end result is something of which we are both very proud. I know I am.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 27 - Songwriter's Seduction of a Fair Mountain Town Princess

I had a lot of fun with this one, been chipping away at it for weeks. A tongue-in-cheek look at dating.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 25 - Bleed

I almost left this song as an instrumental. But it's not nearly complicated enough to justify that, I'm sensitive, and I didn't want the Internet to call me a sh***y guitar player. Day 25!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 22 - Beauty and Aftermath

You know when you look into some girls' eyes, you're going to be leveled. You're going to be at their mercy. It just happens. Sometimes it's beautiful... sometimes it's torture. Sometimes it's both. That, along with hardening one's heart to such phenomena, is what this song is about.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 20 - The Rife Machine

This song is about a friend of mine who's been bedridden with a crazy illness for weeks. I tried to imagine that happening to me, which might have been a bad idea.... I'd be losing it by now. Hence the angry grunge riff.

[Insert insane guitar solo for the bridge]

Day 20... hope you enjoy.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 19 - Gone Away

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 18 - Shelf

Back from camping, had a great time and a nice two days off. I didn't end up writing songs at the campground so this little project will extend to July 2.

Here's Day 18.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 16 - Shallow

I started writing this song 10 years ago. This one is personal. Hope you enjoy.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 15 - Seven Miles Away

Here's a rocker. 30 days -- halfway there!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 14 - Land of Broken Hearts

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 13 - Let Me In

Had a long, busy day today and barely got this one done. But once I settled on a topic, the words just spilled right out.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 12 - Tomorrow Night

Unfortunately a recording for this song will have to wait. It really can't be helped. I need to memorize the lyrics in order to play it. I've given it a shot for a few days now (around 20-30 takes) and just haven't gotten it yet. Hopefully soon. Really, hopefully soon.

It's a poppy number, and it isn't overly complicated. Just a long couple of slides for the main guitar hook that require my eyes to be locked on the fretboard. No glancing at my lyrics sheet for this one.

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 10 - I Die Tonight

This song wouldn't exist if my brother Tanner didn't share the main guitar hook with me and allow me to run with it. This is as much his song as mine (if he likes it... if not, he can just say it's mine). :-)

10 down 20 to go!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 9 - Worth the Wait

This is a simple song, but the vocal hook has been in my head since I started it a few days ago. Also, this is my first attempt at serious falsetto singing-ness. Yikes. Hope you enjoy!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 8 - Break These Chains

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 7 - Alone

I saved this song for Day 7, because I've loved this hook since I came across it close to six months ago, and 7 is my favorite number. It feels really good to finish this as an actual song and share. Hope you enjoy!

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 6 - Give It All To You

Lyrics after the jump.

Day 5 - Can't Take This Away From Me

Lyrics after the jump.