April 2025: Escape Route, AKA my trip down the Phrygian rabbit hole
So I have been hard at work over the past year-ish developing my songwriting skills. The biggest hurdle for me when I started was my lack of music theory knowledge. To me, theory felt a bit like I was back in school, about to take an important math test that I hadn’t studied for. When I would listen to some of my favorite professional musicians/songwriters, I’d start to feel a little envious of their abilities. There were limitations in my lack of theory knowledge. I knew I needed to change that to further my craft, so I started to get a lot more serious about it late last year.
I slowly started making my way through two different theory courses trying to apply what I was learning to really cement it in my brain. Around this time, one of our close friends ended up traveling to Portland and stayed with us for a few days. While he was here, he told us a story about a crazy night out he had several years ago. The story stuck with me and I ended up filing it away somewhere in the creative recesses of my brain.
Shortly after, I had something of a breakthrough in my learning. One area that has always confused me was modes. I knew I wanted to learn about them, but every time I tried, I would just get confused, frustrated or both. Then finally, something clicked for me. I felt like I started to get a grasp on the concept. It didn’t feel like a fuzzy blur anymore! I decided to focus on a single mode and see If I could write something using it.
One mode in particular piqued my interest: Phrygian. I started doing a deep dive into what I call the Phrygian rabbit hole 
I watched endless YouTube videos on it. I listened for what made it unique. Then I found @Richard_close2u ‘s guide to modes (highly recommend BTW) and stuck myself into it. I was determined to write a song using this mode.
I think Phrygian appealed to me for many reasons. it is a minor mode and I tend to prefer minor keys. (Everyone knows I like dark stuff 
) Phrygian is also used in a lot of metal music, which, since this song was written for CounterPlot, made sense 
it also gave me the opportunity to add a bit of a different sound/flavor that I hadn’t played around with before.
I ended up taking all my newfound knowledge and running with it. My friend’s story inspired the concept and all that time I spent down the rabbit hole got me over the finish line. The result is something I am exceedingly proud of, so I wanted to share it with you all. I thought about where to post this as it would likely get more ears on it as an AVOYP, but this was really more about my personal learning journey, so I’m letting it live here.
This is a demo version, so It is not complete as far as instrumentation. I think it needs a bass line and I would like to re-record the main vocal. We will also need to fine tune the mix once it is complete. It’s not perfect, but it makes me happy incredibly happy whenever I listen to it. I wrote both guitar parts, the lyrics and the vocal melody including the background vocals. Dan did all the percussion including the tambourine. I told him that I wanted the drums to have a middle eastern flair, gave him the tempo and he ran with it. I wrote the lead guitar part for Jeff to play, but when we listened to the demo version, we all liked it as is so we decided not to mess with it for now. All the guitar work in there currently is mine.
I hope you enjoy this little peak behind the curtain. Full lyrics below for those interested. Advanced warning that there is some mild foul language in there in case that bothers anyone.
Escape Route Lyrics
(Verse 1)
This place
Smells like an ash tray
And bad decisions
Said we’ll
Stay for an hour
Then we’ll split
Don’t care
if the pool Is free
Your friend is acting like an asshole
(Pre-chorus)
Numbers on the wall are offering a good time
(Chorus)
I’m looking for a way out
Looking for a way out
An endless funhouse mirror night
You see me, but I’m crossing
To the other side
(Verse 2)
They say
The fizz is atomic
Give it a try
Your friend
Had all four and
So we wait
Now I’m
All done up and
Trying to hold back their hair
(Pre-chorus)
Numbers on the wall are offering a good time
(Chorus)
I’m looking for a way out
Looking for a way out
An endless funhouse mirror night
You see me but I’m crossing
To the other
I’m looking for a way out
Looking for a way out
An endless funhouse mirror night
You see me but I’m crossing
To the other side
(Bridge)
Feeling for
False boards
Or a rescue plane
Deciphering messages
In bloodied knuckles
And stolen keys
Maybe I’ll crack it
I’ll make my grand
Escape
(Verse 3)
This place
Is like an ash tray