Worms 🪱 & Autumnal Cannibalism (Salvador Dali)

[brianlarsen]

This is my entry for the second West Kirby Friday Night Live Songwriting Challenge, which closes today.
We had to give a reason for why we chose a particular photograph to write a song about:

"The photo of the trapped moth in the glass (#1) brought back a very strong childhood memory of when I accidentally let my silkworm pets die, after forgetting them when we went on our annual three-month summer pilgrimage from Beirut to Dublin.
I think I’m still traumatized!
After writing the lyrics (I think they’re self-explanatory), I handed them to my son Tor and asked him to help out with the music. He came up with a couple of interesting chords, along with suggestions for the verses & chorus. I changed it up a bit and put a simple melody on top.
Out of curiosity, as well as to ‘flesh it out’, I asked my brother in Dublin to send me a drum accompaniment, Tor a bass line, and my friend Chris, electric guitar. I mixed them in my DAW, adding vocals, harmonies and acoustic guitar."

And Autumnal Cannibalism below

[dfrazz]

Great back story, a very unique topic for a song! Also love the idea of collaborating with people in different places. Well done!

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

Lament to the neglected.

Interesting subject Brian, which spun out a hypnotic story, unlike the worms that never spun their silk. You have the gift of the gab sir. Nice musical arrangement as well, characteristically following a moody minor twist that you love to delve into - who needs happy !! Tor’s got some grand bass lines through the song and I assume Chris dropped the melodic lead motifs and solo ? If that was actually you kudos but I still see you as the engine room rhythm machine in your projects !

Was this written on remand as I’ve seen no update on your friendship with the CPS.
But hope you are keeping your distance !?! Is Geraldine still doing the Welsh wander ? With events here keeping track of time seems like herding fog but hope you are both ok and avoiding his Majesty’s Pleasure !

[batwoman]

The middle-aged Celtic Viking has graced us again. I had to check your profile image as you’ve changed it, hence my learning that you’re a MACV.

I love the gentle whimsy tinged with a sting, you’re good at that Brian. I still love your song about wearing your wedding shoes in the desert most of all and oh yes, the one in which your mother sings, can’t remember the title it’s about summer I think.

[mfeeney0110]

That’s truly a one-of-a-kind song Brian. I suggest the University of Liverpool grant you an honorary Doctorate of Vermeology . It might help you overcome that childhood trauma.

[AvalonJ]

@batwoman

gentle whimsy tinged with a sting

Very poetic portrayal of a creative and poetic song
You are very good at it Brian!

You have changed your profile image - I didn’t recognise you!

[philsmith]

Always good to hear a Brian Larson original (aren’t they all). You definitely have a way with words and it maybe gives us a bit of a view into how your mind works, but that feels scary and dark with a lot of maniacal laughter.

[CT]

Well done, sir! The worms of your childhood would have been just about any short-lived critter (thanks to me) from mine. Cheers!

[pkboo3]

Well, at least the poor little silkworms now have a song written about them; to be remembered by you, indefinitely.

Another creative, impressive song by you and your band. I especially was impressed with the verse that spoke of the things their silk would never make.

[Lisa_S]

Brian, you broke my biologist’s heart - those poor little critters.

Another well crafted original with parts of the usual suspects! I like a good story being told - which it was, and it was quite captivating. The mood was carried by the music. Truly enjoyable listen.

[simon_plays_bass]

@brianlarsen

This is my entry for the second West Kirby Friday Night Live Songwriting Challenge,

When they vote for “Worms” as the winner @brianlarsen , I suspect they’ll have to come up with a new music genre to describe it. “Mulberry Silk” maybe.

[Digger72]

Hi Brian,

Surely the only song in the whole history of the world about silkworms.
Maybe They Might Be Giants toyed with the idea… Didn’t they do something about Ants?
Anyway, had a great vibe. Some cool guitar tones in there.
Weird and wonderful as ever.

Digger

[Silvia80]

Another proof that creativity has no limits! You’re a true storyteller Brian! But it saddened me, it makes me remind of those newborn rabbits dad gave us, but not because he trusted us (my brother and I) but because he said they wouldn’t survive because some kind of virus…we fed them nevertheless and nevertheless they died

[brianlarsen]

Apologies all for the tardy responses to your kind and generous comments
As you can see, I’m still in ‘summer recess’ mode and only intermittently firing on my forum cylinders…

@dfrazz Thanks David,

@dfrazz

collaborating with people

One of the most enjoyable experiences on my guitar journey, whether it’s family or friends

@TheMadman_tobyjenner

If that was actually you…

Not in a million years, Mate! I think my guitar ‘skills’ have actually taken a bit of a retrograde step
Ta for the generous comments. Tor has indeed become an accomplished bassist. Proud Dad!
I’m still at large, but hope to update my LL soon with ‘life news’

Aw… Thanks Maggie @batwoman
Yes, 19 Things still holds a special place in my heart, although I’m pretty sure I have another 19 amazing things to add to that list by now. I should link Summer Wine featuring Mum to Deborah’s Summer song thread too.

Mike, thank you, kind Sir!
I gave up my doctor title many moons ago

@mfeeney0110

It might help you overcome that childhood trauma.

My psychiatrist wife looks after my mental well-being as well as possible…

@AvalonJ Thanks Jasmine,
You’re always super-supportive!
Yes, I did change my avatar just for fun, but might change it back again when after the summer break. My sunny, optimistic side demands a slightly darker counterbalance when it comes to any kind of art

@philsmith

a lot of maniacal laughter.

This, my friend, is what keeps the world spinning…

Cheers Clint @CT
Your early advice of not fussing what it’s supposed to sound like, but just do what you feel like has taken me down this twisted, enjoyable path…

Thanks Pam

@pkboo3

the verse that spoke of the things their silk would never make.

Indeed.
I often think of the many alternative lives we might have lived.
I’m probably more concerned these days with what I don’t know I’ve forgotten

@Lisa_S

you broke my biologist’s heart

Sorry… NOT!
Evoking any kind of emotion with a song is the highest praise anyone can give.
Danke!

@simon_plays_bass

When they vote,

I’m good friends with the judges, so probably have an unfair advantage, although I’m not keen to go through to the finals, as you have to perform it live. Chris will have emigrated to China by that stage, so I’d be on my own, and can’t play all those chords fluently yet

[brianlarsen]

@Digger72
I love TMBG! They are soooo underrated.
Intelligent, quirky, and accomplished musicians.
Thank you, Steven Strange!

Grazie, @Silvia80
I’ve always been a big fan of stories in song.

@Silvia80

it makes me remind of those newborn rabbits dad gave us,

"… and tell me, Silvia, do you still hear the silence of the rabbits?
I hear they go well with a nice chianti "
Italy’s next in line for the heatwave? Look after yourselves.

[CT]

@brianlarsen

Cheers Clint @CT
Your early advice of not fussing what it’s supposed to sound like, but just do what you feel like has taken me down this twisted, enjoyable path…

It’s all you, my man! So much talent and insight. You are a cut above and such an inspiration.

[brianlarsen]

Thanks, Dude! Overly generous, but gratefully accepted
I enjoyed your Wolf jam, but haven’t got round to commenting yet…

Here’s another ‘different’ one: No chorus, bridge etc. but I had fun doing the songwriting challenges based on pictures and I thought I’d do one on a painting I’ve always found fascinating in our local Tate Liverpool gallery.
Written and recorded in a day I was feeling quite ‘arty’