About In The Flow:
This song started out as a desire to write a piece with a half-step drum beat. The last several songs I have written have been in the "Trance" genre, so it has a really specific sub-bass and kick that rarely deviates. The half-step stuff allows for a much more "call and response" action with the drums and the bass, so it let's me work with more lower register melody ideas. I blatantly ripped off the groove idea from a Phutureprimitive song (Rapid Cognition) and built the initial groove from there.
I built the original harmonic structure of the song-which ended up becoming the verse-unknowingly with a traditional Zimbabwean mbira harmonic structure (in this case a I iii vi | I IV iv | ii IV iv | I iii V)
but it sticks with a 4/4 instead of the traditional 12/8. That was actually a happy surprise and I accentuated some of that harmonic sequence in the chorus.
As I was thinking about the "blue" concept for a songwriting group that I am in, I saw a post from a friend who was really suffering because of a failed relationship that had ended in betrayal. She was really hard on herself for not forgiving her ex. It made me think about my times in shitty relationships and how I think it is more damaging for us to feel like we need to immediately let someone off the hook and forgive them-that perhaps what we should do is just forgive ourself for feeling upset. In other words-to just try and learn to accept what we are feeling as valid and then that will be one less layer of anger, guilt, and shame to work through.
I have been taking this video-game music course and one of the lessons is to use an old 8-bit sound (like in the old nintendo's). I downloaded this plugin that does it and the second I played it, it was such a fun and nostalgic sound that I totally needed to use it in the main melodies that are featured in this song. I love how it sounds layered with the guitars and other synths! I hope you all like the song!
Lyrics:
In The Flow
-Joel Laviolette
She came to me with all the answers
Spinnin' around-turning the heads of the other dancers.
The Light.
The flight.
The feeling of never being right.
I know.
I know.
All I can do now, my friend, is to say
At least it's all over.
You're with the only one to forgive.
The only one to forgive is you.
I know.
I know.
In the flow.
If the choices come,
Let them go.
Name the place.
Who could you trust to know?
Be in the flow.
In the flow.
If the choices come,
Let them go.
If we had to name that place,
Name the place.
Who could you trust to know?
Be in the flow.
With a secret name.
You're the light-
The flight.
You're free.
The door.
In the flow.
If the choices come,
Let them go.
Be in the flow.
Track Credits:
All parts written and played by Joel Laviolette 1-2/18.
Backing vocals by Mike Hardin and Kristin Stancatto
Recorded in Austin, TX and Kihei, HI.
Mixed in Austin, TX
Metadata:
Song Title: In The Flow
ISRC Code: QMDF81800004
BPM: 150
Length: 6:59
Artist: Rattletree
Composer: Joel Laviolette
Publisher: Joel Laviolette Publishing
Cleared For Licensing: Yes