Every so often, I come down with some strange and wondrous illness that lasts a few days, causes its misery, and then vanishes! What remains, however, is that my voice inexplicably vanishes with it.

After two weeks, my voice is just starting to return from it's mysterious vacation, but while it was away, I took the opportunity to capture it's unique vibrato in this new song, What You'd Be Like, which you can hear in the player to the left.

The song's rhetorical lyrics are actually something I asked myself recently:
What would I have been like had I not followed the path I had? Wealthy? Famous? Dead?

The imagery I was going for with it was an old Western feel. Sort of a ghostly drifter, searching for something far away.

I think the chorus section might be a little too loud. Not sure. I enjoyed recording it and tried some new techniques. I hope you enjoy it!

Bleed, if You Need is the result of spaces I don't necessarily understand, but respect.

It's a melancholy song. My friend wrote, "When feeling broken, it's hard
to reach out to loved ones, from fear of raining on their parade, being
a burden, or simply not feeling connected at all."

I think the song is also a reminder for me to be aware that while reaching out
is important, it takes effort to be a dedicated ear for someone else.

Extending to others can sometimes lead to unwelcomed realizations, causing
one's arms to recoil in confusion or doubt.

After all, our hearts know only impatience. Thanks always, Mark!

--- To hear this song, please use the player to the LEFT of this post.

So, I had a Facebooker recently ask me, "Is that you singing - I didn't know you could sing?" and "What's this Boris the Bull thing?"

To sum it up - yes, I sing and play music. I also make electronical-type songs with whacky loops and effects. I've been at it forever and it's my favorite pasttime (some dudes golf - I make weird music).

As for the "Boris thing," well, the first children's story I ever wrote/illustrated was in the 80's called, "Me and Boris the Bull." It was about a boy and his best pal and the support for each other through big and small. Later, the story came to embody the friendship I share with one of my best friends, as well.

Musically, my influences are all over place. My love for old time radio has slowly crept into my style (Neck Romantic) and in the upcoming months I plan to post new "songs" which expand on this and myself as a musician and an artist.

While I make a living as a visual artist, the field of audio has my heart. Songs like, "A Million-Two," "Mister Robinson," and "Sunday Driving" have redefined how I perform music, but abstract works like "Praying Mantis," "Clibobp," and "Plig It" (featuring the voice of my son, Daniel) have allowed me to find expression I'd never achieved with normal instruments.

Anyhow, I hope that explains it all. Have a listen and judge for yourself. You may like it and rave about it, or you may say, "this sucks monkey ass," and that would make me laugh. Either way, it's all good and keeps me going.

Stay safe and stay well. Life's short so be patient and love often!

Your friend,

Mark
(aka Me and Boris the Bull)

Today is one of those days in New England where the sun, the grass, and the day of the week gently combine to make a person smile inside and out. It's Spring and as a Maychild, there just doesn't exist a better time of the year.

This week I foresaw the coming weekend and decided to put together a song that I've always wanted to create ever since hearing the Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning."

So, last night I "released" the song, Sunday Driving online.

It was both a fun and relaxing song to put together, especially because I basically played the whole song, except for the end, on one string. It is the cleanest song (sans effects, that is) that I've ever done, which in itself is an achievement since I my voice sounds like a sofa.

Also "released" last night is the instrumental mix of A Band-Mate of Years (Slumix), which hilights Slumbering's vocal tracks. She's not going to like it, I guarantee, but she should be proud. Her contribution has received high praise all around. That's why I posted this version.

My question: Where is Paul Brazier these days? Paul - I hope you are well, my friend. You are missed!

Stay well, and if you are reading this then, wow. Go watch television. or something else!