Man, this is a dope demo. Brendan didn’t have to do much. Looking through old work is a trip. Hard drives, journals, sketchbooks, what other museums do you keep? What drives your work ethic? Do you do this shit late at night or do you plan these sessions out? So many journey related questions.
I suppose it only feels like "work" on the rarest of occasions. Most of what I know how to do in these fields feels more like play than anything. I understand that for all intents and purposes, it is my work, in that it's what I do for a living, but if there was anything that was driving my "work ethic" it would be a kind of unending playfulness and curiosity. Those feelings you get when you find an unexplored cave and you have enough batteries for your flashlight to last you years! Know what I mean? Thanks Andrew.
This is really cool. I am often wondering how you decide: this demo is for me, a solo project, and which is destined for Incubus. Do you know it when you write/record the demo, is it dependent on timing or whichever project comes first and 'claims' the song? Do you keep songs back from solo/Incubus sessions to save them for one or the other?
That is a great question, but it's sort of complicated to answer. There are lots of factors that go into deciding what goes where, but most of what become Incubus songs are ideas that are generated between the five of us. For instance, Michael will share a guitar riff that I write lyrics and melodies to and we build up from there. On occasion we'll build up something that I have written and developed on my own but that is more rare. There are quite a few different ways it occurs as everyone in our band brings something highly unique. The difference being that my solo projects never have more than two cooks in their respective kitchens. (Myself and Brendan O'Brien, myself and John Congleton, etc) Thanks Jelger!
‘Jet Black Crow’ is definitely one of my favourite songs from your solo material so it’s a treat getting to hear the demo version! Thank you for sharing. 🖤
Speaking of crows… yesterday in my front yard, I witnessed a raven picking on a poor jackrabbit, when all of a sudden 4 crows swooped in, circled around the raven and drove it away! Never seen anything like it! It was pretty cool.
I love hearing how songs, drawings, and other creative works evolve over time. Your Sons of the Sea project has been super close to my heart ever since I first listened to the album, and hearing this demo was a real treat. Thank you so much for sharing this little gem and I hope you're having a beautiful day :)
I imagine the impetus for this song being “soul gazing” as Alan Watts calls it. A few years ago, someone held a sort of eye-gazing challenge for strangers to look into each other’s eyes for the duration of a song, where the outcome was often life-changing/life-affirming, choosing love over fear to create connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
I just listened to this album yesterday while driving out to Garden Grove. You can tell by this demo version of Jet Black Crow that it was patiently waiting to be put on an album and listened too. Thank you for finding these gems and sharing them with us. The Goonies come to mind when they find One Eyed Willy's long forgotten ship with untold treasure on board.
I love the entire record! Thanks for sharing this priceless jewel. Could you put it in iTunes please ? I need to repeat this experience more than once and randomly 💛💛💛
Man, this is a dope demo. Brendan didn’t have to do much. Looking through old work is a trip. Hard drives, journals, sketchbooks, what other museums do you keep? What drives your work ethic? Do you do this shit late at night or do you plan these sessions out? So many journey related questions.
I suppose it only feels like "work" on the rarest of occasions. Most of what I know how to do in these fields feels more like play than anything. I understand that for all intents and purposes, it is my work, in that it's what I do for a living, but if there was anything that was driving my "work ethic" it would be a kind of unending playfulness and curiosity. Those feelings you get when you find an unexplored cave and you have enough batteries for your flashlight to last you years! Know what I mean? Thanks Andrew.
This is really cool. I am often wondering how you decide: this demo is for me, a solo project, and which is destined for Incubus. Do you know it when you write/record the demo, is it dependent on timing or whichever project comes first and 'claims' the song? Do you keep songs back from solo/Incubus sessions to save them for one or the other?
That is a great question, but it's sort of complicated to answer. There are lots of factors that go into deciding what goes where, but most of what become Incubus songs are ideas that are generated between the five of us. For instance, Michael will share a guitar riff that I write lyrics and melodies to and we build up from there. On occasion we'll build up something that I have written and developed on my own but that is more rare. There are quite a few different ways it occurs as everyone in our band brings something highly unique. The difference being that my solo projects never have more than two cooks in their respective kitchens. (Myself and Brendan O'Brien, myself and John Congleton, etc) Thanks Jelger!
Thanks for the answer!
I have this same question.
‘Jet Black Crow’ is definitely one of my favourite songs from your solo material so it’s a treat getting to hear the demo version! Thank you for sharing. 🖤
Speaking of crows… yesterday in my front yard, I witnessed a raven picking on a poor jackrabbit, when all of a sudden 4 crows swooped in, circled around the raven and drove it away! Never seen anything like it! It was pretty cool.
Literally my obsession. Beauty in sound and sight personified. Please don't ever stop.
I love being welcomed into your artistic evolutions. Thank you 🖤
I love hearing how songs, drawings, and other creative works evolve over time. Your Sons of the Sea project has been super close to my heart ever since I first listened to the album, and hearing this demo was a real treat. Thank you so much for sharing this little gem and I hope you're having a beautiful day :)
I imagine the impetus for this song being “soul gazing” as Alan Watts calls it. A few years ago, someone held a sort of eye-gazing challenge for strangers to look into each other’s eyes for the duration of a song, where the outcome was often life-changing/life-affirming, choosing love over fear to create connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
Thank you for sharing this it feels such a privilege to hear. love the term song sketches. I'm so intrigued by the demos and how they transformed.
.... hope to hear more of your 'cleaning' exploits (though seriously, do chuck out those old underwear!)
This wraps me up in velvet 😊
I just listened to this album yesterday while driving out to Garden Grove. You can tell by this demo version of Jet Black Crow that it was patiently waiting to be put on an album and listened too. Thank you for finding these gems and sharing them with us. The Goonies come to mind when they find One Eyed Willy's long forgotten ship with untold treasure on board.
I love the entire record! Thanks for sharing this priceless jewel. Could you put it in iTunes please ? I need to repeat this experience more than once and randomly 💛💛💛
🖤
🖤 Dark and hopeful! I love it! 🖤
LOVE Sons of the Sea!!! 🌊
Amazing 🙌🏼❤️
So good, B. Really a beautiful tune from demo to master.