Look at all the colors – Davis Harwell

Song Story: A Tiny Speck of Light

Those of you who know me or follow me on any social media are probably very aware that I’m a huge fan of Sleeping At Last. Their lyrics are poetry and I consider their music as some of the finest art I’ve ever experienced!

Well, there’s a lyric from the SAL tune “Emphasis” that struck me:

“But the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard is that I don’t have to have the answers; just a little light to call my own. Though it pales in comparison to the overarching shadows, a speck of light can reignite the sun and swallow darkness whole.”

Whoa. So as a tribute to Ryan O’Neal and Sleeping At Last, I decided to try and musically describe what a speck of light igniting the sun may sound like. Hence, my song “A Tiny Speck of Light“. It begins very peaceful and serene. The acoustic guitar strumming and the electric guitar melody is meant to represent the speck of light. It makes it’s entrance, and finally (at 2:06)…we have ignition!

So that’s the inspiration behind that song. If you’re interested in the rest of the tunes on my Look At All The Colors album, you can stream them here, or purchase them here.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Until next time!

Look At All The Colors: The Players

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Here’s hoping it’s a peaceful and relaxing holiday for you!

The last couple of posts have been stories behind songs on the new record, Look At All The Colors. While I’ve enjoyed sharing those with you all (and more are coming in the near future), I wanted to take a break and recognize the amazingly talented people who gave their time and talent to the record! So, without further adieu:

Joe Thibodeau: Drums and Programming

Elliott Moon: Programming

Matt Adkins: Electric Guitar (Welcome and Bring Me The Horizon)

Matt Melton: Electric Guitar (Look At All The Colors and A Tiny Speck of Light)

Brian Carl: Electric Guitar (At the End of the Sadness, While These Bells Ring, The Passing)

Tim Gibson: Bass Guitar

Davis Harwell: Vocals, Keys, Guitar, Programming, String Arrangements

Jeff Sandstrom: Mixing

Elliott Moon: Mastering

Mary Harwell: Album Photography

Phil Rogers: Art Direction and Design

I love this list of people because it not only represents some of the most talented individuals on the planet, but also very dear friends. I’m so thankful that they worked on this project with me, and I am positive you’ll appreciate their contributions once you hear the record! Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day and a great week! Check back soon for some more really awesome blog posts!

Until next time!

Song Story: Welcome

If you’ve gotten my new record Look At All The Colors (THANK YOU!), you’ve noticed the first track is named “Welcome”. I guess this is somewhat ironic, but this actually was one of the last pieces that I composed for the record. The illustrious Scott Dugan let me borrow some software/samples for the record and the sounds were so inspiring that this song just kind of happened accidentally when I started playing around.

I grew up on mainly classical music, and the majority of my education is from the orchestral realm. I’ve always wanted this to remain a large part of who I am as a composer, while (hopefully) adding modern elements that grab the listener’s attention. So for this first track, I wanted to blend the two worlds first by a stark contrast, and then by pairing them together.

The first half of the tune does have some synthesized elements and textures but it is driven by a string orchestra. There is even some orchestral percussion throughout that first section. As the string orchestra reaches it’s climax, you can hear lots of synth pads and textures begin swelling up underneath.

This second half of the tune is overwhelmingly the ambient and electronic sounds that I really love creating. Tons of pads and swells and a really simple piano hook all start driving towards the big ending. My great friend and genius Joe Thibodeau programmed some really awesome electronic percussion in this section.

Not too long after, we hear the string orchestra make another entrance and join the piano hook. It all builds and builds until Joe destroys us with drums, and the masterful Matt Adkins takes it over the top with a soaring guitar line.

Here’s a behind the scenes glimpse of Matt Adkins tracking the guitar part (this happens at 4:18 in “Welcome”)!

I know I’m rambling, but there really is a point. I love this first track not only because it blends two of my favorite musical worlds together…but also because it would not have even been possible without a few of my amazingly talented friends coming together and really making it happen. I’m so grateful for everybody that made this record possible (you’ll be hearing about more of them in the next few blogs).

Hope you love the record, and have a phenomenal week!

Until next time!

Song Story: While These Bells Ring, Safely Rest

Howdy folks! Welcome to my first attempt at blogging. If this is lame or un-cool please let me know so I can get right on it.

I wanted to start sharing some stories behind the songs on my newest record Look At All The Colors! The record came out in late March, and I am so honored and excited for you guys to hear it! Today I’ll talk a bit about the track “While These Bells Ring, Safely Rest”.

A couple years ago my wife Mary was at a conference in Washington D.C. I decided to tag-along and be a tourist for the week. In my wandering throughout the city, I ended up in Arlington National Cemetery. I spent a good deal of time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and noticed a small plaque hanging on a fence. It was commemorating the carillon that was installed there in 1949. The carillon regularly chimes as a solemn honor to the men and women who have fallen in combat.

President Truman said of the carillon: “As these bells ring out their hymns, they will proclaim that message of faith. As long as they ring, these honored dead may rest.” (You can read his entire dedication of the carillon here.)

There’s a phrase on the plaque that struck me. It said: “While these bells ring, safely rest. Freedom lives.” A simple, calming reminder to those that went before us that they did not die in vain. They paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedom, liberties and way of life that they believed in…and that freedom lives on.

I wrote this song based on that phrase. You’ll hear a simple melody in the beginning with some synthesized bells. There’s never really a huge crescendo in this track, though it does go places dynamically. At the climax of the piece you’ll hear a chime that is a salute to the carillon at Arlington.

In thinking about Memorial Day weekend, I thought it appropriate to share the story of this song. I was born into a Navy family, and I married into a Navy family. Both my family and Mary’s family have a long tradition of serving in the U.S. Navy and Marines all the way back to the Revolutionary War! I am so honored to be included in that heritage. They are heroes!

So, I know I only write and play music, and most likely will never know the extent of the sacrifices that our veterans paid for us. But I do hope that this song serves as a heartfelt thank you to those in Arlington and to those currently serving in our armed forces. Enjoy the music and enjoy the freedom that you have today!

Until next time!