Leslie: For the #poisonerchallenge I'm exploring all kinds of relationships inspired by poisonous plants. This song is for Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) and there are references to the plant, folklore, and associations in the lyrics.
Madison and I started sketching the music out when I visited with her in January. She did all the layers, engineering and bgvs. I wrote the lyrics and sang lead. This was our first time collaborating and I love how it's come together!
Madison: This has been so fun! The instrumentation is a combination of guitars recorded when we were sitting in my living room, sampled beats, and a free Kontakt library called "slinky violin," which was sampled from a violin that literally had a slinky bolted onto it to make its own reverb. All the physical recording for the guitars (I used my very first guitar that has a slight warp and a Fender Malibu) and my background vocals were casually recorded on a TASCAM DR-40 instead of my normal direct-input setup; I think it contributes to the dreamy, lofi atmosphere. The only effect on the background vocal is Valhalla Shimmer on the default “Black Hole” setting.
I love Leslie’s lyrics and the challenge; I’m a horticulturist and folklore lover so I’m thrilled to collaborate on something that speaks to both of us.
You can get the violin here: https://www.decentsamples.com/product/slinky-violin-free/
Madison Roberts @metricula : music, melody, guitar, loops & layers, backing vocals, engineering
Leslie Hudson @leslie : lyrics, melody, lead vocals
Lyrics
Sitting at the table with an empty glass
Tucked around the corner by the window
I can see you in my mind’s eye
Your silhouette of rivulets
In the patterns of the rain
But I brought you inside
Now it’s warmer than the wind outside
Yet my heart’s slowing down
And sometimes it stops
I’m not afraid to cry
I can turn to the window and hide
(Cold condensation)
Drawing hearts in the heat
Of your condensation
You were sweeter than the warm night air
If only I’d left you there
I could’ve said hello, I think I love you
And left you there
Always loved the shadows
And the wind in your hair
You’re intoxicating
Like a perfume I can’t wash out of my clothes
And everyone knows I’ve tried
But I brought you inside
Now it’s warmer than the wind outside
Yet my heart’s slowing down
And sometimes it stops
I’m not afraid to cry
I can turn to the window and hide
(Cold condensation)
Drawing hearts in the heat
Of your condensation