Wonderland by The Orbiting
Genre: Pop (Alternative)
Get Flash to see this player.
Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial
Fan List
Keywords:
ledebutant (48), illuminati (27), Lisa Purdy (3), Matt Smith (1), Wonderland (1), Lewis Carroll (1), The Walrus and the Carpenter (1), love (1105), birds (25), clouds (22), rabbit hole (1), one side makes you smaller (1), backwards vocals (3), Raygun Dreamdate (9), falling (22), stars (45), Alice in Wonderland (1), Through the Looking Glass (1), synchronicity (1), 100 NASA scientists (1)
Description:
From ledebutant: I was on vacation last month, the first one I'd taken on my own since before my daughter was born more than seven years ago and it was one of the most relaxing, enjoyable weeks of my life. I sat in the airport terminal on the way home, relaxing and listening to some great stuff. Matt had sent me a portion of this music that morning, and I got onto the airplane in a very relaxed mellow mood and wanted to zone out and listen to it, but I had possibly the chattiest seatmate on earth who didn't stop talking for 90 minutes and harshed my mellow (if anyone has questions about timeshares I can answer them now, by the way). Finally, I had the brainstorm of giving her my magazine and managed to plug into my laptop, turn on iTunes and the visualizer and just listen to some of the prettiest music I think Matt has ever written for me.
As I watched the visualizer, it kept creating circular patterns, which brought to mind the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland. I wrote the chorus on the plane, but then didn't do the rest until I was home. It actually took me a month to write the whole song, one of those ones that took some time to develop. The entire last verse is two lines from The Walrus and the Carpenter. Actually, I should probably credit Lewis Carroll as co-writer on the entire song, because almost every line has a reference to Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass, so thanks for the assist on this one, L.C.!
From illuminati: I feel bad for taking up Lisa's whole plane ride with stories of my time share. I do love airline magazines, though. ; ) The basic track for this was written in about 20 minutes, the details took more than a month. This is the second in our 'land' trilogy, which started with "Neverland" and which will conclude with "Fatherland," our nod to jack boots and 20th century dogma. I'm hoping you're not believing me right now. Actually, the song derived out of my wish for a simple, slow tempo song without traditional percussion (nothing against traditional percussion), something to wrap an album around. And then Lisa took us through the crocodile's mouth and into Mr. Carroll's notebooks and it became, of course, bigger than that.
As I watched the visualizer, it kept creating circular patterns, which brought to mind the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland. I wrote the chorus on the plane, but then didn't do the rest until I was home. It actually took me a month to write the whole song, one of those ones that took some time to develop. The entire last verse is two lines from The Walrus and the Carpenter. Actually, I should probably credit Lewis Carroll as co-writer on the entire song, because almost every line has a reference to Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass, so thanks for the assist on this one, L.C.!
From illuminati: I feel bad for taking up Lisa's whole plane ride with stories of my time share. I do love airline magazines, though. ; ) The basic track for this was written in about 20 minutes, the details took more than a month. This is the second in our 'land' trilogy, which started with "Neverland" and which will conclude with "Fatherland," our nod to jack boots and 20th century dogma. I'm hoping you're not believing me right now. Actually, the song derived out of my wish for a simple, slow tempo song without traditional percussion (nothing against traditional percussion), something to wrap an album around. And then Lisa took us through the crocodile's mouth and into Mr. Carroll's notebooks and it became, of course, bigger than that.
Lyrics:
WonderlandNot so small
anymore
the pool of tears
has dried away.
We fall together
this golden afternoon,
but stars twinkle nearby.
Oh, down we go.
Take me down this hole.
So beautiful, this crocodile,
and trusting we float through his jaws.
Oh, down we go,
though there's no where to go,
take me down this hole.
(Wonderland)
The time has come
to talk of many things
We could not see a cloud
because no cloud was in the sky.
No birds were flying overhead,
there were no birds to fly.
Hardware:
Matt's crazy synth array. Lisa's Rode Nt-1a (which she may now have fried accidentally, but is afraid to find out for sure). Computers, computers and more computers. Software:
Logic StudioYou must be registered and logged-in to comment.
jgurner
I've so far only been able to listen to this one the computer speakers at work (yes, I know. I work at a library and I'm not supposed to do that), but, even heard through the tiny MacBook speakers, I can tell this is definitely one of the best jobs you've done on vocals. The song is just beautifully haunting and you could do a lot worse than to have Mr. Carroll as a co-writer.
ledebutant
Thanks, Joe. I was kind of stressed about the singing on this one, mostly because Orbiting songs are usually much bigger productions and the music is quite stripped back on this one, comparatively, so it was scary and I felt more exposed. It's good to know that you think it turned out okay. It was hard to go wrong with Matt's pretty song, though, really.
Pete_NB
...on an airplane, chatty seatmates be damned.
Gorgeous effort again, on both your parts. The first "take me down this hole" is achingly beautiful.
ledebutant
Thanks so much, Pete, "achingly beautiful," is quite a compliment, and I'm glad you could zone out to this.
lavalamp
Maybe, your best. A perfect balance between acoustic and electric music. Your voice fits this perfectly.
I hope this makes your Tuesday better. You made mine.
Nice job Matt and Lisa
Dave
ledebutant
Thanks so much, Dave. I was thinking about what you said to me the other day about wanting to hear me in something more stripped back and thought you might like this and I'm so happy to hear you liked it! This is indeed a great Tuesday! (grin)
magnatone
I was so psyched to see something from Orbiting pop up on the music page today, and this was just as wonderful as I assumed it would be. Beautiful, haunting, thoughtful. Your voice, the vocal harmonies - all so gorgeous, and I LOVE the guitar work. I agree that this is one of the best works form Orbiting, and that's saying a LOT, as every single thing has been spectacular. This just GETS me, right in the middle of me! Congratulations to you both - the whole world should hear this!
ledebutant
You are such an awesome supporter of people here on the site and I'm so grateful for your kind words. You were so psyched over our last song and I'm happy that you like this one just as much. Any compliment coming from a musician of your caliber is just incredibly exciting.
perceptualvortex
You guys never fail. This is really good. Lisa, your writing and singing are great, your voice sounds as strong as ever, and I love the harmonizing. Matt's music is compelling, with a great mix of the big slow melodies and faster chirping pulses. I love those synth sounds too. Lemme know when I can buy the album.
ledebutant
I think Faster Chirping would make an awesome band name, David. If we ever get a band going one day, lets keep that one on the list!
Buying the album...we will finish it one day, we promise. I think that day is growing ever closer. Matt's off school this summer, so if I didn't actually fry my mic, maybe we'll finish.
caroline
very!!! beautiful and clever - we like that. thank goodness for facebook - coz that's where i found the link to it :) i'm off to nibble on the other side of a mushroom now - thank you. erm .. btw - is that song art chagall inspired?
ledebutant
Thank goodness for Facebook! I second that sentiment, Caro. Thanks for coming over to listen and anytime I can induce you to indulge in a little mind-altering mushroom, I'm happy.
The art is actually a Chagall, so more than inspired by him, yes. He's my fave.
lengold
such a beautiful song, the loving work you have both done was definitely worthwhile. Creativity and talent leap out of it.
Cheers
Len
ledebutant
Thanks so much, Len. I admire your work so much and appreciate your kind words, tremendously.
Feter
WOW ..this song is a mind blowin ..stronge structured.
deep singing ..perfect lyrocs for the mood of it .
a true gem my freinds ..thnx alot for sharin such art !
ledebutant
Once again, your generosity is staggering.
egobandit
Love the lyrics.. My 7 month old daughter cant stop watching Alice in Wonderland... now I know that disney movie inside and out. VEry relaxing in a way The music I mean Enjoyed this one alot!
ledebutant
I have a groove in my brain from that movie, too, but my daughter wasn't 7 months old when she was fascinated by it. How cool that yours is so little. Maybe she'll be an artist like her dad. Happy you liked it!
jiguma
Matt - a really good backing track. Clean and clear and full of interest in its own right.
Lovely vocal Lisa - and some really nifty writing. After listening to Rebsie's new one also, it seems like it's a good day for the "class of 2004/5" today!
You're a class act Lisa.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil
jiguma
..... nice title.
;)
ledebutant
I wondered when you were going to notice that. Yours pops up next to ours in my iTunes and it always gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Rebsie's new one is astounding, so I'm grateful for the comparison, very much.
The vocals I owe you are next. I'm just praying my Rode isn't fried. I plugged it in at the same time as my powered monitors and there was an unpleasant sound. I may have fried the pre-amp and that's my only hope. I'll find out tomorrow when I have the guts to test another mic. Right now, there's a horrible buzz over anything I try to record through the Rode/mixer combo.
Jim Bouchard
So my mother-in-law is visiting and occupying my studio area this week so I haven't had a chance to listen to this other than through the MacBook's speakers and it sounds dandy that way. Really a super song and very well put together. I love your vocal on this, it really sounds different, fresher! The music bed is nicely varied and I like the acoustic sound to it, very open for an Orbiting song.
I thought I would chime in about your mic concerns: it's probably the mixer that is causing the buzzing; don't you use one of those little Behringer mixers? Not the best preamps in those...The good news is that it most likely is not the microphone. A feedback loop wouldn't damage the microphone, most likely. It shouldn't damage a more robust mixer but a cheap one, well, you never know. If you are getting a new interface, seriously look into the Apogee Duet. I just got one and everything sounds better going in and going out. I know it's pricey but you've got a nice mic, why not have a nice preamp/interface to go along with it?
The Orbiting
Oh, bless you Jim. This happened about four days ago and I literally haven't been able to bring myself to plug in my MXL-990 to find out the brutal truth, because if my Rode is dead, I'll be very, very upset. I just didn't have the guts to check.
That Apogee looks great. You're right $495 is pretty pricey. I'd have to save up a bit for it, but I trust your ear for gear.
The Orbiting
It's the Behringer that died! Better the $50 pre-amp than the $250 microphone! Hooray!!!!
Of course...now I have to figure out what to buy next...
I'm really glad to be able to hear the beauty of your vocals again here Ms. Lisa (since you post rarely on your page!). Amazing music work and very fine vocal delivery... this is a true gem and an excellent song on all levels, I'm out of words... Kudos!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
The Orbiting
Yeaman out of words is something I never thought I'd hear! Thanks again for all your lovely support.
guitapick
...this is wonderful...
Glad you had some quality time to yourself, Lisa...
Such a fine song...kudos to both of you.
The Orbiting
Thanks, Bob. I have to say, that vacation couldn't possibly have been more fun. I was staying with my best friend and I don't think we stopped laughing once.
asconejar
music and vocals jibe together, with little touch of pretty beats, beautiful. I like the way you two put the song together.
The Orbiting
Thank you so much. I love your user name and welcome to macjams. I'll be sure to check out your work as soon as possible!
Moviz
beautifully hypnotic and langurous, this music just lulls the senses. Just a wonderful mix of instrument and vocals in a wonderful arrangement, which the lyrics suit perfectly. A beautiful all round performance by all.... quality, regards M
The Orbiting
Thanks so much, Maurice. As long as we don't conk you out to the point where you can't keep writing great songs, we're okay with you getting nice and relaxed to this one. :-)
Peter Bauckham
this sounds amazing - Lisa, your voice is in fine form. Excellent in every way!
Peter
The Orbiting
Thanks so much, Peter. Knowing you're on dial-up and how long it takes for these songs to cue up for you, I'm always very grateful for your listens and comments. I'm very happy you enjoyed it.
Macaudion
I was completely transported and comfortably, mesmerized!
Everybody's so grown up and mature on this adult-like, wonder...
Your best ever!
If anyone nit picks, I'll take 'em out for ya...
I know... I know...
Chillin!!!
Macca
The Orbiting
Watch who you're calling a grown up! OW! That hurts!
(though I'm happy we mesmerized you...where's the map to the treasure?)
Epileptic Gibbon
for the podcast show, perhaps? You two are sounding good.
The Orbiting
We'd love to be on the podcast. Thank you!
AEROjet
Oh, this is nice. I'm a sucker for ambient, chilled out music in general but this piece is...really nice! I especially like that 80's synth perc sound. Everything is well balanced and clean, great work you two.
ledebutant
Thanks, Joel and welcome back. I hope people check out your new post. I LOVED it. --L
Lennon714
sums it up. but not droning. It's still got come catchy melody in it. It sounds like something that should be played in a restaurant that is too hip for me to be in :)
The Orbiting
Thanks, man! Just stay away from the seared tuna. It's small and overpriced.
paul f. page
...beautifully conceived and rendered: vocal is perfect, comfortable, certain...and the harmony is perfectly placed and complementary. I love the understated accompaniment, too. Just cooking quietly behind your lyric. My only criticism: it was over way too soon. Just a wonderful song in every way. Congratulations. I'm fav-ing because I need to listen to more of your music. It is always nice to discover something new and refreshing.
Peace.
Paul
ledebutant
Thank you, Paul. You have to be careful about saying things like, "over too soon," around me and Matt. We have a terrible habit of letting songs go on to epic lengths and putting in everything but the kitchen sink and 85 monkeys. Now we have permission to do it again. Hooray! Thank you very, very much for your kindness.
blaky smith
performance. Glad to discover a new track from you and what track, so much talent in this piece !
Very nice vocals Lisa, perfect harmony with Matt'song, really a great job together, on all levels, bravo !
Marc
ledebutant
It's Marc! Always so happy to see you. Thank you, my friend.
Komrade K
A beautiful timeless floating and more than slightly trippy!
I have to confess I don't think I've listened to a new Ledeb vocal for some months (haven't been on MJ much in that time either) and the thing I noticed most listening just now was how much more accomplished the vocals are - not that they weren't good to begin with but now there's a richer tone and they're sounding even more assured.
An absolute pleasure to listen to
KK
The Orbiting
Martyn, thanks so much for taking the time to listen to this, especially as you haven't been around the site as much recently. I've noticed over my last couple of songs that my voice does sound a little different in tone and the only thing I can chalk it up to is that I was having a problem with my furnace leaking low levels of carbon monoxide into the house at all times (unbeknown to me)and it seemed I always had a cold or flu or some random, unexplainable virus. I used to get tiny windows where I could sing but I'll bet it was impacted my vocal chords. It's kind of fun to have a new voice that's healthier and I'm looking forward to hearing what I can do with it. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who can hear a difference. Thank you!
Scott Carmichael
that was a weightless tumble... I love your production chops Mat... textured and spacious...
and Lisa, just beautiful... haunting, and my wife is safe this time too... boy was she mad at you!
sorry about the small nit... but when Lisa sings "wonderland" the chord lifts to a major... but the Bass is still peddling the minor interval... if the Bass just went down a whole step as it toggles for those moments, it might better emphasize the lift...
The Orbiting
for catching the key issue. I knew something sounded a bit odd there. It doesn't offend my ears off the charts, but I will definitely try dropping the bass the half step. As for the production, I have a little help in that area, from my extremely exacting writing partner who is quick to examine everything from my choice of key, synth patches, mix levels, effects, even the size of our Stonehenge stage prop. If you can believe it she, killed my plans for dancing midgets. Dancing midgets always work! What I'm saying is that the production is very much a joint effort, although I did ignore her wish to remove the stratocaster completely from the song.
Scott Carmichael
still laughing... I hate to write LOL ... when i actually laughed out loud
ledebutant
...did I muck things up with the key change? I had issues with hitting some of the notes a step down and I wonder if I gummed things up. Matt is very charitable. I am one pain-in-the-ass production buddy, especially as most of the time I don't have to press the buttons.
Although, that said, I killed Stonehenge and replaced it with inflatable Mad Hatters three band meetings ago, Matt. Don't try to sneak it back in, please, just because we're in public.
He's right. He refused to kill the strat. You can play "spot the 2.1 seconds of stratocaster" for fun if you like. :-)
The Orbiting
...that he's one easy, wonderful bandmate to work with. I'm very lucky.
Vic Holman
very smooth and rich. Cool mix of acoustic and electronica. Blends really nicely. and of course Lisa'a vocals w'harmonies just makes this float into anothe realm. Excellent!
ledebutant
Thanks very much, Vic. Harmonies always, always, always wig me out, so I'm happy you thought they were reasonable!
chipan
This song is so fluid and relaxed. I enjoyed it very much. I also like the background synth arpeggios. Excellent production.
chip
ledebutant
Thank you so much, Chip. I often wonder whatever happened with your monitor issue. Did they fix it?
No doubt. Solid, well produced, a great journey.
ledebutant
When's the EE remix to be expected, then?
It could be remixed.
jiguma
What an amazing work! Lisa, your vocals are magical and inventive. Matt, so nicely held together with the instrumentation. Beautiful, beautiful production.
Lisa, that Behringer sounds pretty good to me :) So you might have to buy a new one every few years .............
Neil
ledebutant
Oh thanks, Neil, both for coming back and for letting us know that you did. They do have this weird new thing called downloading that all the kids are doing these days, however... (grin)
You're right that the Behringer is a decent item for the price. I think I'm going to have to start a forum and let you and Jim duke it out...of course, my wallet is going to be rooting for you.
ktb
"achingly beautiful". Brilliant production and super warm fuzzies from the vocals.
rsorensen
great! a truly inspired performance, lisa - over an outstanding piece of music. this is crazy good. beautifully dark.
The production is off the hook! What a clean mix!
I really like the non-traditional approach to the percussion that you guys took.
I have to say this is one of, or the best performance I ever heard you do Lisa. Your vox are very powerful and beautiful. Impressive performances on ALL tracks.
Instant download!
Thanks for sharing.
Chris
BTW, THIS song should be added to your list WAY before mine!
gail60
Wow, very nice indeed. Lisa, I enjoy your voice so much and the music in this is just awesome. Wonderful collab. Terrific song!
EEFliess
close your eyes and you'll see Debbie Harry singing this!!
Lisa, your voice is very haunting!
Drew Kopr
Very relaxing. Good stuff.
Warren Smith
There's a hole in the emotional center of this work ... and what a treat it is to fall down that hole : >
In other words, for me, the highlight of this song is not going to Wonderland, but rather the journey (and the anticipation of getting there) itself. Your emotive singing exquisitely captures this keen feeling of longing for a special place and the expectations of going there, which, so often, is better than the reality we encounter once the journey has been made.
"Ohhhhhhh ... down we go ...."
The Orbiting
What a beautifully thoughtful, insightful comment, Warren. Thank you.
I'm still listening and I just can't stop. KUDOS friends, this is an unforgettable work. I just feel something being cooled inside me by your gorgeous vocals... I bow deeply here! No doubt one of the very best songs ever posted here.
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
HenriROGERsoloandbands
I'd say more poets like both of you .
Beautifull song .
bud
and this is no exception - yet at the same time it's exceptional. Alice would understand - if not the hare. Great music and wonderful lyrics and vox.
dajama
This is a great track. I love the music - great guitar sound, and, as lavalamp says above, a perfect merging of the acoustic and the electronic. The bass sounds work well, and those haunting chords provide the perfect backdrop. Wonderful job, Matt. The sound you achieve here is completely professional, and haunting. The arrangement is excellent, and the lyrics have a magical air ("and trusting we float through his jaws..." - perfect...) that is beautifully expressed in the vocal performance. And what a vocal performance! Great singing, phrasing, and terrific expressiveness. I'm not going to say your voice is getting better, Lisa, because it's always been great, but it's changing to my ears, and in a good way. Kudos to you both. This is magnificent. Peace.
composerclark
This is as good as everyone says it is -- dreamy, trippy ... I have the delicious feeling of falling backwards through fluffy clouds, eyes closed, not worried 'bout a thing...
Harmonically it's pretty interesting, because the main guitar figure you use outlines a Ebm7 chord with the bass alternating between Eb and B natural. When we hear the B, it becomes a B maj7 with added 9, so basically you're alternating between Ebm7 and B, which is pretty unusual but very cool.
Regarding the crunch that occurs under the the word Wonderland, if it doesn't bother you keep it, but if it does, the problem is you've got a Eb7 chord sounding while the Ebm7 chord comes back, so the G and Gb are sounding simultaneously. Again, it's a matter of personal taste as to whether this bothers you enough to change it or not... keeping it kind of adds to the sense of this being a strange dream, imo.
The only thing I really didn't like much was fading out while Lisa was still singing... It seems to me that you could have kept the track at full volume throughout the last verse, then just keep repeating "to fly" over the repetitive guitar pattern, beginning a very slow fade-out at that point.
Alannah
... what a lovely sound .... so EASY to see why there are so many fans on this one by the time I got around to it ...... beautiful Vocals Lisa ! Lovely soundbed ....
echoroom
Matt's production here is pretty stunning... well, completely stunning. And your vocals and harmonies are like honey dripping into my ears. Need more listens, but this is just a sublime and complete piece of music.
When we eventually do our collab (and i'm gonna be gone now for a few months), we gotta get Matt to work on it... please!
The Orbiting
He's got the Logic file as we speak. This'll be fun.
apb
.. excellent mix first and foremost .. so professional. Vocal delivery is extremely excellent too and lovely backing too. Reminded me of Julianne Regan (All About Eve) in this... and surprisingly not Suzanne Vega ;o).
Overall an excellent top notch production and song, well done to you both.
ledebutant
No SV? Really?!! Hooray!!! I'm so excited that you're hearing something different this time, Allen. I think maybe it's because I remembered I have an upper register this time around. I do know that I was using my body in a completely different way when I was singing this than I ever have. It wasn't an easy one for me to do.
I agree that Matt's production is terrific. I think he did a great job. Thank you!
richardhowardjones
Breathtaking! Literally. I don't think I took a breath until the fade out ..
Watch out Enya!
8piscean8
This is another awesome track from you and Matt. You two make a very powerful combination. Drop me a line when your EP is for sale. Thanks for making great music!
Ed Hannifin
...when Lisa puts together a lyric like this, and sings it like this, to address the comments to Lisa, and I am particularly aware, listening to this, that this has one genius set of gorgeous musical tracks... Love that repeating bass figure, and the sort of arpeggiating faux guitar sound thing...
A synth based thing that doesn't get overwrought and complicated...Really extraordinary simplicity...
THEN, when we get to the Lisa bits, we can say with good conscience, "What in the world has become of Lisa the reticent vocalist?!?" This is pitch perfect, and perfectly phrased, and very assured, while conveying the vulnerability in the lyric. Pretty neat trick.
No one has ever brought such melancholy out of Lewis Carroll...
Ed
The Orbiting
Whew!!!
I am so happy to see you! When we posted a new song and there was no Ed for days and days, Ed, official #1 fan of the Orbiting, King of Firsties, I was a little worried that I'd done something to upset you, so I'm VERY relieved that you're here!
Thank you for recognizing Matt's beautiful music and the simplicity of it. It's a departure for us, but one we both enjoyed doing.
Thanks also for the kind words about the vocal. Any confidence I have now is due to you guys and my stint at Macjams University, surrounded by the best big brothers in the whole world (with you being chief among them).
The Orbiting
...you know what's funny though, this isn't SUPPOSED to be a sad song. Apparently, I can't help it. :-)
Really lovely vocals Lisa. The harmonies are just exquisite! The soundbed is hypnotic...literally entrancing.
Fabulous post you two!
Be well!
Pie
no comment
Diviner
The music is so well done, love the guitar and the synths. The lyrics are great and so well sung. The whole track is beautiful. Well done.
Pie
Enjoyed it more this time around.
:-)
ledebutant
Satan can now sell popsicles with impunity.