Art Exchange 2012: The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library writes a song inspired by Craig Maher’s “Brood” – Craig Maher creates a piece inspired by “Amylee”

https://mjeml.michaeljepstein.com/ has collaborated with five amazing visual artists to write five new songs based on their works while they created five new works based on our songs. Visit our project summary page for more information. We premiered these works at Out of the Blue Gallery on September 14th, 2012

Our fifth artist collaborator is Craig Maher. Craig appealed to me in particular because of the sci-fi/fantasy elements present in many of his paintings.

“Brood” by Craig Maher

“Brood” by Craig  Maher

Craig gave us his painting “Brood” to work with. We thought “Brood” had a wonderful implied narrative and allowed us to tell what is perhaps the darkest story of this series. A young woman, wallowing in sadness, with sinister voices influencing her, dragging her down into their pit of despair…all taking place in a theatrical setting, on display.

We took the opportunity to write what I’ve been calling a “neoclassical darkwave” song to tell the tale. It has a sort of compound 4/4-6/8 time signature, something I really like in songs with this sort of tone.

It also has my favorite viola part, a two-instrument tradeoff 6/8 run throughout the verses.

Here’s a video telling the story of how we created the song.

The whispers came alive and the secrets filled the night
flowing toward, growing toward, a melting grand disguise
Scattered lives, shattered lives, presented before our very eyes

Follow me, follow me follow me down to the bottom
for all to see, a staged decree of whispers transformed to screams
Follow me, recite our creed for thousands of eyes to behold
follow me, follow me, for no one, and I mean no one, has to know

We’re the sighted leading the blind, we’re the pigs learning to fly
Spending time, devoting life, orchestrating consummate demise

“Amylee” by Craig Maher

“Amylee” by Craig Maher

For the other half of this project, we were extremely excited that Craig selected “Amylee,” as, with the sci-fi elements, it seemed like a perfect choice for him.

Buy a print of Amylee!