We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Large Objects Underwater

by Solar Ritual

supported by
imsusan44
imsusan44 thumbnail
/

about

Like most of my songs, "Large Objects Underwater" began with a few strummed chords on my acoustic guitar and a vocal harmony in my head.

I had been heavily listening to the bands Marmoset, Eating Club, Heron Oblivion and El Ten Eleven. I wanted to somehow combine the indie-pop vocal accessibility of Marmoset, the brutal guitar riffs of Heron Oblivion, the infectious instrumental bass grooves of El Ten Eleven with the more bubblegum, 60's-influenced sound of song structures found within the Eating Club catalog. Did I succeed? Probably not, but I had a wonderful time putting this one together.

After I had the chords, lyrics and song structure, I started putting it all together in Garageband. I played the guitar and bass parts, found a "virtual drummer" that I liked and recorded my vocal. I hated how my voice sounded, so I messaged my friend Patrick Foss to see if he's be willing to throw down. I knew he's be great on a track like this as he has a knack for taking a simple, garage style song and kicking it in the ass with his passionate vocal delivery. I was incredibly grateful for his contribution and it really helped me advance work on this song. I left my vocals in on the verses and the chorus, but mixed them low just to accompany Patrick.

Next, there was a big, open two chord "punk" section at the end of the song. I am a huge fan of Matthew Schweickert-Stary's guitar playing, The Sturgeons are a fabulously brutal, pulverizing punk band. I asked Matt if he'd be interested in playing a solo on the outro and he came though with what you hear now. A three-guitar, pummeling, technical pyrotechnical masterpiece of guitar heroics. Seriously, I have probably listened to this solo over 100 times and I am still finding mind-blowing intricacies in the speed and execution.

Then, life got busy and I got distracted and I sat on this track forever. When I went back and revisited it with fresh ears, I fucked around with the mix, way over-producing it and adding a bunch of excessive instrumentation and layered vocals.

I then took another break and visited the song again, stripping away the excess, leaving just the necessary, appropriate guitar, bass, drums and vocals. With the parts from my contributing friends, I wanted to create something they were satisfied with and that I felt proud of.

While this recording of this would have been more appropriate tracked live on a 4-track in a dark basement with Patrick and Matt while half drunk on PBR's, I am pleased with the finished product and to be able to share it with all of you.

-Ben

lyrics

All these humans are drowning
Without asking questions
I can't hear them screaming
Even when I listen

I'm alive
Hear my breathe
I'm alive
Beneath the sea
I'm alive
Hear me breathe
I'm alive
Beneath the sea

Ancient ships are sailing
They've lost direction
Beneath these seas I'm breathing
I don't even try

I'm alive
Beneath the waves
I'm alive
I feel no pain
I'm alive
Hear me breathe
I'm alive
Beneath the sea

Beneath the sea
Beneath the sea
Beneath the sea
Beneath the sea
Beneath the sea

credits

released May 12, 2023
Patrick Foss: Lead Vocal
Matthew Schweickert-Stary: Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Ben Allen: Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming, Lyrics, Arrangement, Mixing, Production

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Solar Ritual image

Solar Ritual Seattle, Washington

Solar Ritual is a recording project by Ben Allen.

All music is written, recorded, mixed and produced by Allen.

contact / help

Contact Solar Ritual

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Solar Ritual, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now