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The Lost Tapes (2012) album cover

The Lost Tapes 2012

31 Dec 2012

LT·2012 [19–24]

When I was at university, everyone was absolutely convinced the world was going to end in 2012.

Someone had broken the news that the Mayan calendar ended in 2012, and this was taken as a sign that the world would meet its doom in December on the solstice. The rumour spread like wildfire.

As scary as that prospect was, it imbued a spirit of “live and let live,” and everyone did their best to embrace that mindset. Looking back, a lot of “fuck it!” fun was had.

I only produced three songs that year, but I’m still fond of them all. In particular, ‘What Would You’ has a rawness to it, with the crackles and noise of my basic equipment confronted by my more confident singing and layering than ever before.

It was also one of the first tunes I actually finished, meaning I recorded multiple verses, a bridge, and an ending. I was beginning to see songs through to completion, perhaps finally overcoming the insecurity that told me, “If they’re not finished, they can’t be criticised.”

  1. 01

    Before

    I never knew I could get this far I never knew Never realised what you wanted And now it's fallen through When did you find out that you were so doomed? When did you find out that you were so doomed? So doomed You fill me up with sweet song And make me feel alive once more But every time the sun comes up You tell me it won't ever be like it was before

    A short song from a short relationship. We were close, warm, temporary. Knowing it wouldn’t last didn’t stop me wanting to hold on for one more night.

    You fill me up with sweet song / and make me feel alive once more / but every time the sun comes up / you tell me it won’t ever be like it was before.

    threads · the figure

    LT·2012·01 [19]

  2. 02

    Born to Die

    A piano cover of Lana Del Rey. Loved the song from the first moment I heard it, and recorded this not long after.

    LT·2012·02 [20]

  3. 03

    What Would You

    Can you feel my blood rush blind? Hear the sounds of our glory days Bursting through our messed up minds Feels like it's yesterday What would you, what would you say If I told you that I loved you What would you say? What would you, what would you, What would you say? I can see your heart's lost lies Come alive, find the light today Time to run into the night today Under clouds, our milky way What would you, what would you say If I told you that I loved you What would you say? What would you, what would you, What would you say? If I told you you were beautiful I told you every day But I didn't know how to say If I told you would you say my name another way Would you say my name another way? 'Cos until you do I'm falling, I'm falling down Can you touch? Can you touch? Can you touch? Can you touch? Can you touch? Can you touch this … or are we falling? It's our time to fly now We'll touch the sky and the stars now Be who we are now Make it right now Can you feel my blood rush blind? Hear the sounds of our glory days Bursting through our messed up minds Feels like it's yesterday Feels like it's... What would, what would... Oh! what would you do? What would you say If I told you that I loved you? What would you say? Oh oh oh oh oh

    I never admitted how I felt, so I wrote it down instead. This was me wondering what might happen if I said the thing I was terrified to say out loud.

    If I told you would you say my name another way?

    threads · the figure

    LT·2012·03 [21]

  4. 04

    Too Close

    I took a huge electronic track and tried to turn it into something quiet and trembling. A vulnerable version of a song that originally tried to be bulletproof.

    LT·2012·04 [22]

  5. 05

    Don't Need It

    Where did you go? And why is my heart beating so damn slow? Never been a lucky man Can't think beyond the moment Don't make plans Where did I go? I ain't moved but now I'm feeling fully grown Tell me I'm useless Because I don't really care any more You think I needed what you gave me? I never needed it And I don't need it anymore I don't need it anymore

    The moment you realise the person who once felt like home has become a stranger. That sharp little jolt where you finally say: “I’m done giving you power.”

    LT·2012·05 [23]

  6. 06

    Sparks

    A piano cover of Cover Drive. A brighter cover from a difficult year — like trying to remind myself that good things still existed somewhere.

    LT·2012·06 [24]