Porcupine
May 17, 2020
Sam Pearce
WWW
I want to be the book you fill up with your longing, your theories, and your jokes, and fall asleep still holding.
I want to be the drum who thunders soft behind you, and quickens when you hurt, and moves my boots to find you.
I want be to the star that slips under your curtain, the bar of gold upon your hips when you stand and spread your shoulders.
You want what you want. You need what you need. And I’m a spineless porcupine hoping you will pick me.
My second Wikipedia entry was “Porcupine”.
Instruments are classical guitar, trumpet with bubble mute, and singing, by me.
A few musicians I admire inspired me: Zach Condon (capo-ing my guitar to be in the range of his ukelele), Van Morrison (aspiring to strum in 6 in a way that grooves as hard as “Sweet Thing”), and the soprano sax player on “Slim Slow Slider”, John Payne (trying free-form trumpet)
I’m submitting this version over one that I think is safer thanks to my mom.
Special thanks to Starling for the encouragement and letting me sing and play trumpet on Facetime.
Looking for feedback on
Anything, especially lyrics and trumpet. Can you hear that I edited a word out of the vocal in the last verse? How is the balance of volume between singing and guitar? How do you feel about this trumpet? The alternative was a simple, trumpet-based "organ" part, tripling two voices with different mutes. I think it might be a better song with no trumpet. Before, I could imaging slow dancing, and the trumpet might take that away. Thank you for listening!
Discussion
alechutson May 26, 2020 8:51pm
sunny and dreamy. the trumpet is a big sonic hug, very strong way to open the song.
laurawolf May 26, 2020 5:09pm
Sam this is so sweet! I love the trumpet as the opening touch and I think it compliments your vocal part really nicely all the way through. I’m no trumpet expert but I think for the most part you captured the tone really smoothly- just a few spots at the beginning that would really shine with a little eqing. I think the lyrics sound really tender in your voice!
juliapiker May 25, 2020 3:04pm
This is so beautiful sam. What a gorgeous voice and what a gorgeous song. Thank you for the live horns. <3
nick May 25, 2020 2:38pm
Trumpet playing sounds incredible, Sam! Love these lyrics, too, especially the first verse. I do like how present the trumpet is—perhaps a little EQing of some specific hi-mids could tone it down into perfect… but it’s very nice as is. And I think the vocals and trumpet do a great job trading the spotlight.
juliapiker May 25, 2020 3:04pm
I agree with nick re: kicking some hi end out of there to make room for you voice. I would actually kick up like 2 db btwn 4k and 6k.The trumpet is singing so beautifully, so is the voice. For them both to have the spotlight- i would get them to similar levels.
Ryan May 25, 2020 11:46am
Another lovely submission, my man. I could absolutely still imagine a slow dance during this tune. Re: trumpet — I love its presence, but do think the sections in which it’s doing a little less are the most successful (i.e. the very ending). Only when it gets busy does it threaten the fundamental sway of the song. Re: edits — didn’t hear any noticeable editing and found the mix, performance and overall sound lovely. Will definitely be listening back to this one. Cheers!
peter May 24, 2020 9:49pm
so happy you chose the trumpet over the organ! truly beautiful stuff, sam!
aubspeeps May 24, 2020 9:18pm
im so obsessed with the trumpet in this! what the hell! such a good choice. i love that this is just guitar and trumpet, its so simple but so full of emotion. i could not tell you edited a word out and I thought it was all mixed well together especially your voice which is so beautiful
daeclan May 24, 2020 9:18pm
this is so gentle & warm, sam ! like the morning sun melting the clouds. the trumpet fits real nicely, adds soul & feels right. curious what it’d sound like w organ(s) instead but this works well.
listening on macbook speakers but it sounds very balanced & easy. solid sounds man
Carseat May 24, 2020 9:10pm
I love everything about this. The trumpet is such a nice touch oh my goodness.