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Haley Marie
CALL ME WHEN YOU WAKE UP
I wrote this song after I got home from one of my daily walks. I had been listening to a bunch of music and randomly decided to listen to Ethel Cain, whose style I completely fell in love with. I was so inspired by her huge, experimental sound that I went straight to my studio and began creating my own dreamy anthem. The craziest thing about this song's process is that I had no idea what I would write about as I recorded the synth, drums, and bass that would become the bones of 'Moon.' I just aimed to create a nostalgic sound that I could drench in reverb later on. The words came as I repeatedly sang random vocal melodies over my instrumental tracks, and one line appeared almost immediately: "If I could have just one more night, I'd tuck the old you in tonight." Shortly after, I realized I was talking about my sister and the childhood we shared, providing me with a solid and emotional concept to flush out the rest of the song! I wrote the rest of the song from the perspective I have now, talking to the younger versions of myself and my sister as we faced a mix uncertainty and magic throughout our childhood. My favorite part of this song is that Erin, my sister, sings in this song as well, which makes it one of the most special pieces of music I've ever created.
MOON LYRICS
You, sharper than a sandstorm
Brighter than the moon
Reflecting in the pool we never had
Carpet, running all around it
Following you down
The walls of a townhouse
IF I COULD HAVE JUST ONE MORE NIGHT
I'D TUCK THE OLD YOU IN TONIGHT
WITH STORIES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
I MISS IT MORE THAN I THOUGHT I COULD
THE GATE CODES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
WE TURNED ALIVE INTO SOMETHING GOOD
Seatbelt scars and singing in cars
Holiday garland, chocolate bars
Took some time to know who we are
BUT IF I COULD HAVE JUST ONE MORE NIGHT
I'D SEE US IN 2009
AND PROMISE EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT
I PROMISE EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT (x8)
For you
Sharper than a sandstorm
Brighter than the moon
Reflecting in the pool we never had
PRODUCTION
'Moon' is really unique to me because it started with the production rather than the lyrics and melody. When I got back from my walk that day, I was in the studio chasing this nostalgic, driving sound right away. I am obsessed with combining gritty electric guitars, atmospheric synths, and washing string melodies, all laying the foundation for dynamic vocal stacks. The main references I used throughout production were 'Dreams' by The Cranberries and 'Supercut' by Lorde.
ERIN'S DEBUT
I am SO EXCITED that Erin said yes when I asked her if she'd want to sing in this song!! I wanted her section to be really bold and attention grabbing, so I pictured a big, pumping bass and a kick to provide the foundation for Erin's vocals. The party-like sound provides a contrast to the initial flowing sections of the song. In this section, Erin sings the lead and I sing the backing vocals!
Sidechain
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Our Vocals
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Hi Hat Flanger
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GUITAR FLAVORS
When I found this delay patch on my amp, the overall feel of the song really became solidified! It sounds really playful to me, so I thought it would match really well with the childhood concept of the song. The clean guitars keep the rhythm of the choruses, and the gritty guitars
Delay Guitars
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Clean Guitars
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Gritty Guitars
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composing a memory
Before Erin's debut section, I created a section that is meant to spark as much nostalgia as possible. I had this thought running through my head: "What do these flashbacks and visions of my childhood sound like? Or if I were to score them now in a film, what would that score be?" So I combined some strings, plucked and bowed, and a synth with lots of space in it to create the score behind the memories of Erin and I growing up.
Memories
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CALL AND RESPONSE
To emphasize the idea of Erin and I singing to our younger selves, I wanted to have a big section where we both go back and forth, almost singing to each other. I'm really happy with the strong effect it has because of how relentless and hopeful it feels, emphasizing the intention that although life may not feel alright currently, believe that it's going to get better, because we are promising from the future that everything will be alright.
Call and Response Stacks
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PHOTOS
I found this picture of me and Erin in my phone, and it seemed like the perfect picture for the cover of the single :)
This is the day Erin recorded her vocals for 'Moon'! It was so fun to produce her singing, especially because we have a very intuitive relationship
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