Scobiphonic Screams Out for Protest Music
Taking stock of my songwriting in the New World Order
At the end of the year 2023, the worlds seems to be in terrible condition.
A protracted war in Ukraine still lingers on as a generation of young men die for a corrupt ideology. The death toll in Gaza is already staggering after just one month.
World Economic Forum (WEF) policies to manipulate traditional agriculture, medicine and lifestyles threaten the very way of life we all grew up on. The New World Order is a top-down authoritarian dystopia of control.
Even money is at risk as central bank digital currencies try to replace physical dollars that leave individuals with no control over intrusive access or the complete shutdown of your funds.
In our post-Covid-19 stupor, we’re all trying to get back to normal while the ultra-capitalists are preparing the next attack on resources and civil liberties.
All of these struggles call out for protests against the utter madness of current political and military matters.
In light of the state of the world today, I’ve been screaming out protest songs like no tomorrow.
Taking Stock of My Songwriting
Reflecting at the end of another year offers a valuable self-check towards figuring out what this songwriting journey is all about.
The guys at SongTown.com, a Nashville-based songwriting group, deal with frustration and discouragement every day: “Songwriting is grueling, brain-numbing work with little reward.”
They offer five reasons why you should never stop songwriting. Let me compare my own thoughts against their advice to take stock of where I fit in the big picture.
1. You have something to say that no one else can say.
This is true. After only two years of songwriting, I realize that my songs are not like the rest. I harken back to the folk and rock era. As an old codger, I’m fixated on hard issues, not romantic relationships.
Your lived experience defines a lot of who you are. I’ve been around the block and view the world through a multifaceted lens. It helps to make songs with a unique perspective.
Marty Dodson of SongTown nails the real reason to always work on your craft:
That little piece of humanity is lost without you telling YOUR truth.
2. Your voice deserves to be heard.
My actual voice holds me back. My philosophical voice carries me forward.
Singing is the hardest part of the process. It hinders song production and causes untold stress. I fight it every day. It is my biggest hurdle to overcome.
As far as my inner voice goes, that is essential. It’s the one thing that never goes away. It pumps my creative juices and fans the burning flame to get your voice out into the ether. Whether it deserves to be heard is not really up to me.
3. You can change your world with your songs even if you don’t change THE world.
Changing the world is a large order. It’s a nice slogan to ponder, but a tough goal to accomplish. That’s why the SongTown pros lowered the expectations into the reality range:
Words and music have power. When you put them together correctly, they are unstoppable.
Songwriting is more niche marketing than making a global splash. I aim for impact from the message or storyline. It has to resonate with a target group before it ripples through a community.
4. Writing is good therapy.
It also offers clarity. I’ve been a self-taught writer for decades, mainly for essays, science stories and policy papers. For me, songwriting uses all the tools of concise and clear writing.
Thoughts in your mind are scattered and lost; thoughts on paper are solid. Just by scribbling down a simple phrase or strong-sounding title sets you off into the magical realm of songwriting.
Working through the mess and releasing a new song into the world is a universal offering.
5. Writing is most likely a part of you that is not easily replaced.
Bingo! There seems to be no off-switch for songwriting. Once you start cranking the creative cogs, it just turns over and over without fail. I’m still a newbie with only 30 plus songs in my catalog.
I never intended to be overwhelmed by the craft. After learning music theory online during the lockdown year of 2021, I took off on a wild ride into the unknown. Now, it consumes my day, my thoughts and my desire for a creative outlet.
There is no replacement.
Coda
The good news is that I have no intention to stop writing. Check that.
The not so happy news is my problem with time management in regard to getting songs out in various formats. So, I’ve decided on the following strategy to satisfy my goals for Scobiphonic and provide more timely content.
These are the three content ideas:
Raw Song (MP3) - This is the simplest format recorded in my home studio and uploaded to Substack as a basic file.
Lyric Videos (MP4) - In an attempt to spread the message wider, lyric videos with photo essays offer a way to visualize the song without the intrusion of a mediocre performer.
Demo Tracks (audio file) - The next stage in my songwriting development is the ability to set up demo tracks that can be released as songs on other platforms.
A lot of the songs are already written, they just need to be produced and released.
Here’s a sampling of titles of my screaming out for protest songs:
The Prince of No Peace
Peace Is Not a War Crime
Oh, Lahaina
I Will Not Comply
Data or Dogma
It’s going to be a tumultuous year ahead of us. Let’s get ready.
====================================
If you like the content, please help me distribute them by sharing and following me on Twitter and Substack. Check out these links to listen to my original songs and Succinct Shots essays.
Thanks for your time and support.