The Political Project (EP)
"The Political Project" album/EP was not intended to be an answer to every dilemma or situation that has presented itself in modern or historical politics and culture. It was conceived as a collection of songs that relate to some of the issues that we in America, and as well, other countries and people in the world, struggle with. The brutality of war, gun control, freedom at what cost, being overburdened with rapid fire and continuous "breaking news" stories, social apathy and the need to escape it all, affect so many. The songs on "The Political Project" are observational in origin, without intention to tell any individual which side to take, how to vote, or that things will ultimately be fine. Things may not work out well, we'll do our best, and deal with the results or consequences that occur. From the final song, "No Prisoners Allowed",.... "we fight our battles well, we should all be proud".
The collection of songs on this album are some that I've played out, and appear to resonate with audiences. There are others, which may lead to "the political project #2", but for now, this is a starting point, as there always needs to be a starting point. From there, the starting point, one can ponder, regroup, mobilize, analyze, vote, or simply walk away.
I've found that I enjoy keeping themes together in collective musical works, rather than presenting 6-10 unrelated songs and topics. That works for me, but may not be the road for other artists. Music is an art, and up to each artist to design their work. Further discussion of each song individually can be found on my website, at GaryRosenMusic.com.
EP credits:
"Remington Bullets"
"Gas Station TV"
"The Political Project"
John Remington - Sound Engineer, Banjo, Keyboard,
Guitar, Back Up Vocals
Dawnia Dresser - Back Up Vocals,
Connie Spittler - Drums, Percussion
Julian Peterson - Lead Guitar ( Gas Station TV)
Zack Bauer - Lead Guitar, Back Up Vocals (Remington Bullets)
Zoe Larsen - Bass, Back Up Vocals (Remington Bullets)
Van VerHoeven - Tracking (Remington Bullets)
Martin Nethercutt - Mastering
Ruth McCartney - Album Artwork/Design
Remington Bullets
REMINGTON BULLETS SONG NOTES
The inspiration for writing the song, Remington Bullets, was developed after watching a news story on television of a minor, a sixteen year old, who’s parents had bought him a gun for his birthday. He later shot and killed classmates at his school with that gun. I happened to be traveling on an airplane the next day, and as I walked down the aisle, it caught my attention, that other travelers were entertained, focused, on watching movies that depicted gun violence, such as crime stories with weapons, and war movies with guns, artillery, and bombs.
I thought how normalized and accepted our gun society is for many, and how it is opposed by others. Most shun gun violence, myself included, and at the same time it can be captivating and entertaining with stories that are inclusive of guns and weapons of many sorts. It is difficult, if not impossible, to resist this intrusion and presence in our lives. (“…hard not to choose, Remington bullets…”)
Gas Station TV
Gas Station TV had been brewing for several years, as I was amused by the mini-television screens at gas stations. I started filming what was being shown on those little tv screens about 5 years ago. During COVID, during the elections, during the overseas wars and strife, government shutdowns, riots and shootings in our nation, and in our hometown, and so many more crucial events, gas station tv was the ultimate in trivial news, and advertising. What an escape it was, as well as a metaphor for the escapism that I and I believe so many others, find on tv and radio shows. We could all be watching a show on gardening, or a comedy, or a game show, or a manufactured, scripted reality show, while the world is in turmoil.
So Gas Station TV is an acknowledgment, and an embracing, of escapism, and also expresses my need to take a break from it all. I had a lot of fun writing and recording the song, as it felt like a musical comedy sketch, that was upbeat musically, and maintained a soft political punch.
Listen to the Gas Station TV on your favorite platform.
Gunslinger (Single)
"The Beginning”
“Gunslinger” started as a simple melody on the guitar, with an open tuning. I was trying out some chords and finger placements. The chord progression developed, and some words followed. My father was declining in health at that time, and he had said previously, (paraphrasing), “you’ll need to look after the family”. I felt the weight of it as being important to him to carry out his wishes, but thought in my storyteller way, what if this was a conflictual request. What if looking out for family, (or friends), comes with a high cost, and putting oneself in precarious, or criminal activities. Gunslinger speaks to family loyalty and protectiveness at any cost.
Listen to the single on the streamers below:
Gunslinger (EP)
"The Story Continues”
Track Listing:
Gunslinger
Rat Show
Running Out of Time
Confessional
Rattlesnakes
Happy Trails
Listen to the EP on the streamers below:
