Album: Archive Directory: archive Artists: - Michael Guy Bowman Date: July 19, 2016 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/album/archive Cover Artists: - Hadron Color: '#e3b2c7' Groups: - Michael Guy Bowman - Beyond Banner Artists: - Hadron Banner Dimensions: 975x100 Banner File Extension: png Wallpaper Artists: - Hadron Wallpaper Style: 'opacity: 0.7;' Additional Files: - Title: Bandcamp Banner and Background Description: >- From the original 2016 release. Files: - banner.png - bg.jpg Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/album/archive), 10/11/2024) Extraneous tracks from 2012-2016 presented in reverse chronological order. Tracks 1-4, 12-13 are commissions from various projects, including [[track:jungle-boogie|"Jungle Boogie"]]\, an outtake from [[album:homestuck-vol-10|Homestuck Vol. 10]]. Tracks 5-11 are single tracks off of Soundcloud selected from 2013. Tracks 14-30 were created by request as rewards for my Kickstarter from 2012. Tracks 31 and 32 are remixes by a couple of friends of tracks off of [[album:ithaca|Ithaca]]. Quasar Nebula: (wiki editor) Archive was originally released on Bandcamp on [[date:7/19/2016]]. Due to a copyright claim on the stock cloud photo in its cover artwork, that release was taken offline in July 2018. After workshopping a new cover made from original assets, Bowman worked with [[artist:hadron]] to create the final artwork for a rerelease on or around [[date:9/24/2018]]. Although all 32 tracks remained present, the 2018 track order was quite different.
2018 track list details The first 22 tracks were public on Bandcamp and also listenable on streaming platforms: 1. [[track:awake-2012-version|Awake (2012 Version)]] 2. [[track:got-it|Got It?]] 3. [[track:airwaves|Airwaves]] 4. [[track:mad-science|Mad Science]] 5. [[track:millennium-bug|Millennium Bug]] 6. [[track:far-away-archive|Far Away]] 7. [[track:gondwanaland|Gondwanaland]] 8. [[track:diamonds-and-diamonds-and-diamonds|Diamonds and Diamonds and Diamonds]] 9. [[track:bandages-archive|Bandages]] 10. [[track:electroverture|Electroverture]] 11. [[track:crimesters-credits|Emery's Theme]] (née "Crimesters Credits") 12. [[track:know-that-youre-mine|Know That You're Mine]] 13. [[track:just-destroy-it|Just Destroy It]] 14. [[track:in-the-marching-band|In The Marching Band]] 15. [[track:make-it-bounce|Make It Bounce]] 16. [[track:explosion-force-they-do-it-right|Explosion Force (They Do It Right)]] 17. [[track:the-new-window|The New Window]] 18. [[track:polyominoes|Polyominoes]] 19. [[track:slow-bay|Slow Bay]] 20. [[track:this-sunset|This Sunset]] 21. [[track:jungle-boogie|Jungle Boogie]] 22. [[track:awake-2013-version|Awake (2013 Version)]] (née "Awake") The remaining 10 were exclusively available as bonus tracks from Bandcamp: 23. [[track:aba-daba-honeymoon-archive|Aba Daba Honeymoon]] 24. [[track:valentine-to-sarah-from-julian|Valentine To Sarah From Julian]] 25. [[track:ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid|Ismelda The Bearded Mermaid]] 26. [[track:crimesters-theme|Emery's Theme (Fast Version)]] (née "Crimsters Theme") 27. [[track:conro-corp-anthem|Conro Corp Anthem]] 28. [[track:get-start|Get Start!]] 29. [[track:you-are-the-birthday-boy|You Are The Birthday Boy]] 30. [[track:you-are-the-birthday-girl|You Are The Birthday Girl]] 31. [[track:old-buggy-now-solatrus-remix|Old Buggy Now (Solatrus remix)]] 32. [[track:ithaca-hrmnzr-remix|Ithaca (hrmnzr remix)]]
In October 2024, Bowman restored the track list of Archive to its original 2016 order - making all 32 tracks public on Bandcamp and available on streaming. Retained from the 2018 release, [[track:awake-2013-version]] remains named so, rather than just "Awake" as it was originally called. The 2018 release's cover artwork was also kept. Bowman shared some background for the album, and the motivation for these changes, in the Bowmantown Discord server: Michael Guy Bowman: (Bowmantown Discord, excerpt, 10/7/2024) I'd like to talk about something I'm mulling over which is restoring Archive back to its original track listing. When I originally put out the album I was making up for the fact that so much material had been shuffled off to random corners of the Internet with no real plan for a formal release. I'd held onto that stuff for so long because it didn't really form a coherent album and I think I was being fairly protective of there being some image involved here. That said, it looked like the culture of the Internet had gotten so oriented toward just churning out and dumping content that I felt like maybe I was being too precious by not putting it all out there. Considering things like C148's mega-long albums of just random scraps or people like Andrew Huang and Jonathan Coulton I felt weirdly like the dark horse trying to do the classic album cycle recording process. So I went ahead and just compiled all that stuff from 2012 to 2016 that had been finished to some degree and released it as one album. Looking back I think it was basically the best solution to the problem of having "unreleased" material that people were already semi-attached to. But I think the neurotic feeling that it was somehow a botched release got to me and rearranging it was meant to make it more programatic. But creating a situation where 10 tracks were completely behind a paywall never to be streamable on so many different platforms, especially now that streaming is basically the main way people listen to music, seems incredibly short-sighted. Also seeing the confusion it's created for the homestuck music wiki really gets me!
So here's I'm considering doing ASAP 1. The album will go back to its original running order with no bonus tracks - Bandcamp customers will be able to download the album in its restored format as soon as it's available if they so choose. 2. The new album art will remain in place due to the copyright claim on my original art, personally I think it's superior work anyway and I'm satisfied with what [[artist:hadron|Hadron]] was able to cook up for me. 3. [[track:crimesters-theme|"Crimesters Theme"]] and [[track:crimesters-credits|"Crimesters Credits"]] will have their titles restored. 4. [[track:awake-2013-version|"Awake (2013 Version)"]] and [[track:awake-2012-version|"Awake (2012 Version)"]] will remain labeled as such, I think choosing one version over the other to not have a dated version behind it would overemphasize one or the other which doesn't really make sense. 5. It will be re-distributed to platforms, replacing the currently uploaded version. This may create some issues with playlists, but I'd rather have one single complete edition of the album available rather than competing versions. Quasar Nebula: (wiki editor) From when Bowman's discography was first added to the wiki ([[news-entry:retrace-retexture|February 2021]]), the sole album entry for Archive had been based on the 2018 release. Later on (around [[news-entry:lets-make-this-a-thing|April 2024]]), we learned about the original 2016 release. Because of the differences in track order and cover artwork, we decided to represent both versions of Archive on the wiki - but practically speaking, this made Archive look like as though it was *two* albums. From later 2024 on - following discussion in Bowmantown about the presentation of Archive, and various wiki concepts - these two entries are consolidated as a single album on the wiki. We reflect the track list from 2024, with tracks [[track:crimesters-theme]], [[track:crimesters-credits]], and [[track:awake-2013-version]] getting their earlier-release names as "additional names". Commentary from the various releases and platforms is all here, too. Michael Guy Bowman: (original artwork) Michael Guy Bowman: (Bowmantown Discord re: artwork for 2018 release, excerpts, 9/4/2018) I've been playing with some ideas for a new version of the cover, I wanted to see what you thought. Here's a really rough one I put together a few days ago: Unfinished "Archive" 2nd edition cover. > oh wow that’s really cool too
> that could be pretty sick
> although I don’t know how well it fits the calmer songs like awake Interesting, is the EYE too abrasive? I've considered versions with an all-seeing Illuminati-esque eye on the screen. What do you think of using a laptop It's the actual one I used until 2012 so it has special significance. It's been shopped a little to make it more symmetrical, just like the old picture. Michael Guy Bowman: (Bowmantown Discord, excerpts, 9/24/2018) [[artist:hadron|@Hadronus]] did great work on the new art and gave me way more than I expected from the new computer he rendered The hand was his idea
The clouds are not mine but are purchased with a royalty-free license
I added the same gradient map as before It should be on Spotify soon and I’ll make a new “best of” playlist This has been hanging over me for a while so I’m glad to get this done Quasar Nebula: (wiki editor) 2024's Bandcamp about and credits blurbs are mostly based on the 2016 release's, although there are slight differences. The 2018 release had only a short about blurb. Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20160910052459/bowman.bandcamp.com/album/archive), 9/16/2017) A compilation of non-album tracks going back a few years presented in reverse chronological order. Tracks 1-4, 12-13 are commissions from various projects, including [[track:jungle-boogie|"Jungle Boogie"]], an outtake from [[album:homestuck-vol-10|Homestuck Vol. 10]]. Tracks 5-11 are single tracks off of Soundcloud selected from 2013. Tracks 14-30 were created by request as rewards for [my Kickstarter from 2012](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/206640136/send-bowman-and-his-band-to-sxsw-2012/). Tracks 31 and 32 are remixes by a couple of friends of tracks off of [[album:ithaca|Ithaca]]. There's a lot of jingle length stuff on here, so individual tracks less than a minute long are pay-what-you-want. Enjoy! Michael Guy Bowman: (Bandcamp about blurb, 9/24/2018) Commissions, novelty tracks, experiments in electronica from 2012-2016. Download features 10 bonus tracks. Credit Sources: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp credits blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/album/archive), excerpt, 7/19/2016) Written and produced by [[artist:michael-guy-bowman|Michael Guy Bowman]]. [[track:aba-daba-honeymoon-archive|"Aba Daba Honeymoon"]] written by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan. Featuring [[artist:clark-powell|Clark Powell]] (cello; [[track:awake-2012-version|track 17]]), [[artist:erik-scheele|Erik Scheele]] (piano; [[track:ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid|track 23]]), and [[artist:riki-tsuji|Riki Tsuji]] (additional synths, vocals, arrangement; [[track:get-start|track 25]]). [[track:old-buggy-now|"Old Buggy Now"]] remixed by [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]] ([[track:old-buggy-now-solatrus-remix|track 31]]). [[track:ithaca|"Ithaca"]] remixed by [[artist:jamie-paige|Jamie Paige]] ([[track:ithaca-hrmnzr-remix|track 32]]). Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp credits blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/album/archive), excerpt, 10/11/2024) Music by [[artist:michael-guy-bowman|Michael Guy Bowman]]. [[track:aba-daba-honeymoon-archive|"Aba Daba Honeymoon"]] written by [[artist:arthur-fields|Arthur Fields]] and [[artist:walter-donovan|Walter Donovan]]. Featuring [[artist:clark-powell|Clark Powell]] (cello; [[track:awake-2012-version|track 17]]), [[artist:erik-scheele|Erik Scheele]] (piano; [[track:ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid|track 23]]), [[artist:riki-tsuji|Riki Tsuji]] (additional synths, vocals, arrangement; [[track:get-start|track 25]]), [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]] (remix; [[track:old-buggy-now-solatrus-remix|track 31]]), and [[artist:jamie-paige|Jamie Paige]] (remix; [[track:ithaca-hrmnzr-remix|track 32]]). Cover art by [[artist:hadron|Hadron]]. --- Track: Jungle Boogie Duration: 4:00 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/jungle-boogie Referenced Tracks: - Sburban Jungle Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/jungle-boogie)) Outtake from [[album:homestuck-vol-10|Homestuck Vol. 10]], 2016 --- Track: Crimesters Theme Additional Names: - Name: Emery's Theme (Fast Version) Annotation: 2018 release Duration: 0:57 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/crimesters-theme Referenced Tracks: - Crimesters Credits Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/crimesters-theme)) Commission for [[artist:emery-ferguson|Emery Ferguson]], 2015 --- Track: Crimesters Credits Additional Names: - Name: Emery's Theme Annotation: 2018 release Duration: 1:24 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/crimesters-credits Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/crimesters-credits)) Commission for [[artist:emery-ferguson|Emery Ferguson]], 2015 Michael Guy Bowman: (Bowmantown Discord, excerpt, 10/15/2017) [[artist:emery-ferguson|Emery Ferguson]] (who did track art for [[Another Countdown]]) was working on a podcast that never came to fruition and commissioned those. I've got some music in his current thing called ["The Museum of Natural Mystery"](https://pomemag.wpengine.com/category/pomecast/) --- Track: Just Destroy It Duration: 1:30 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/just-destroy-it Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/just-destroy-it)) Commission for Lindsay Hejl, 2014 --- Track: Got It? Duration: 2:52 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/got-it Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/got-it)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726025558/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/got-it)) Feeling very electric. --- Track: Awake (2013 Version) Additional Names: - Name: Awake Annotation: 2016 release Duration: 3:28 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/awake-2013-version Referenced Tracks: - Awake (2012 Version) Lyrics: |- Awake again Here in my bed Eyes staring up at the ceiling A breath of air Light in my window Heart still aglow with the feeling I was dreaming Another time, another place A strange and yet familiar face Buried deep within my bed I wade through memories in my head My sock's half on Hand in a book Finger is still on the chapter We both were there I told a joke I can't recall what came after Just your laughter Clock goes off across the room And time restarts and life resumes I rise to meet the coming day But someone's laughing far away Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/awake-2013-version)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726105226/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/awake-2013-version)) A new version of "Awake" which I'm very fond of as far as songs go. --- Track: Polyominoes Duration: 3:56 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/polyominoes Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/polyominoes)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727190307/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/polyominoes)) Little blocks stacked together. --- Track: Airwaves Duration: 3:02 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/airwaves Lyrics: |- Keep your eyes on the airwaves Don't look down if you don't want to fall Out here, ain't nobody dancing Up in the air you ain't nobody at all Keep your forward direction Look for signs of the enemy, enemy You're too far gone for protection I am a spaceship who's looking for love (yeah) Open your doors and shoot your missiles Blow away everybody you pass Just a bunch of peculiar people Looking for a party to crash Keep your back to the sunlight Keep your eyes on the rubber T-Rex Save your teardrops for later You're going to need them for the part that comes next Wake up trashed in the ocean Look for signs of the enemy, enemy These drones can feel emotion I am a spaceship who's looking for love (yeah) Open your doors and shoot your missiles Blow away everybody you pass Just a bunch of peculiar people Looking for a party to crash Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/airwaves)) Soundcloud, 2013 --- Track: Gondwanaland Duration: 2:36 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/gondwanaland Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/gondwanaland)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727215042/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/gondwanaland)) Continents drifting together and apart - hundreds of millions of years of geological history illustrated in a few minutes. --- Track: Slow Bay Additional Names: - Slow Day Bay (SoundCloud) Duration: 2:41 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/slow-bay Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/slow-bay)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726011509/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/slow-day-bay)) Another calm piece. This might become a thing for me. --- Track: The New Window Duration: 2:26 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/the-new-window Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/the-new-window)) Soundcloud, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726081932/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/the-new-window)) Something short for all the daydreamers. --- Track: Electroverture Duration: 2:38 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/electroverture Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/electroverture)) Commission for Cari Garafalo, 2013 --- Track: Aba Daba Honeymoon Directory: aba-daba-honeymoon-archive Duration: 1:27 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/aba-daba-honeymoon Referenced Tracks: - track:aba-daba-honeymoon Lyrics: |- Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab Said the chimpie to the monk Baba daba daba daba daba daba dab Said the monkey to the chimp All night long they chatter away All day long they were happy and gay Swingin' and singin' In their honkie tonkie way Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab Means Monk I love but you Baba daba dab in monkey talk Means Chimp I love you too Then the big baboon one night in June He married them and very soon They went upon their aba daba honeymoon Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab Said the chimpie to the monk Baba daba daba daba daba daba dab Said the monkey to the chimp All night long they chatter away All day long they were happy and gay Swingin' and singin' In their honkie tonkie way Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab Means Monk I love but you Baba daba dab in monkey talk Means Chimp I love you too Then the big baboon one night in June He married them and very soon They went upon their aba daba honeymoon Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/aba-daba-honeymoon)) Commission for Chris Sweet, 2013 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726032413/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/aba-daba-honeymoon)) As commissioned by [[artist:chris-sweet|Chris Sweet]] for Effing Decaf's Transdimensional Mormon Summer Vacation! "[[track:aba-daba-honeymoon|Aba Daba Honeymoon]]" is a classic song by [[artist:arthur-fields|Arthur Fields]] and [[artist:walter-donovan|Walter Donovan]] from 1914. This particular butchering is an assault on the senses with the whimsical sci-fi flavor we've come to know and love from the many adventures chronicled in Effing Decaf, specifically a recent episode concerned with a variety of magic words. Enjoy! READ THE COMIC: [effingdecaf.blogspot.com/](https://effingdecaf.blogspot.com/) Chris Sweet: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Valentine To Sarah From Julian Additional Names: - sandpaper.flp (sketch filename) - To Sarah From Julian (SoundCloud) Duration: 2:12 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/valentine-to-sarah-from-julian Lyrics: |- Nobody Would ever have guessed we'd be homebuddies Or that you even would be somebody To someone you barely knew like me Like me Like me Like me I met you Through a mutual friend Oh, we were introduced All I knew was you liked Doctor Who I guess that was good enough for me For me For me For me I wanna play that Like a snow-baked thing I couldn't say that 'Cuz this ain't just a fling I wanna know you Like the back of my hand I gotta show you The person I really am We'll make our own world Where we can run away To where it's all play All day Yeah yeah yeah [Scatting] You called me Just seconds before I tried to Make my plea For you to entertain this Fantasy So glad to know that it was Not just me Just me Just me Just me Now you're here We're sharing together in these golden years And though our lives have many hopes and fears I'll be there with you and me You and me You and me You and me You and me (Mwah!) Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/valentine-to-sarah-from-julian)) Kickstarter reward for Julian Low (dedicated to Sarah), 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727185808/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/to-sarah-from-julian)) New commission: a love letter from fundraiser backer Julian Low to his girlfriend Sarah. In it I recount the story of their relationship as Julian recounted it to me. This track is so saccharine that I was almost too embarrassed to upload it. It's based around a sketch I wrote back in 2009 which just laid around on my computer as "sandpaper.flp" for the longest time. Now it's got me doing scat on it. Hope you enjoy it, Sarah! Julian cares for you deeply and I hope it comes across in this song. --- Track: Make It Bounce Duration: 1:47 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/make-it-bounce Lyrics: |- Make it bounce Make it bounce Make it bounce Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/make-it-bounce)) Kickstarter reward for McKinley Freeman, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727190648/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/make-it-bounce)) Commissioned by McKinley Freeman. The request was simply "Butts". When you listen, imagine all of humanity twerking as one in perfect harmony. Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Diamonds and Diamonds and Diamonds Duration: 1:56 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/diamonds-and-diamonds-and-diamonds Lyrics: |- Hidden from the naked eye Beyond the view of telescopes Behind the diamonds in the sky From where the oldest light elopes Nothing written in the waves The signal's clear, the picture's black Nothing standing in the way The anti-matter stares straight back Nothing to see but diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds Objects brighter than the sun Shift to red and fade away A universe built on the run Eclipsed so easily by the day Nothing written in the waves Event horizon, no return Nothing standing in the way Perhaps these things cannot be learned Nothing there but diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds and diamonds Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/diamonds-and-diamonds-and-diamonds)) Kickstarter reward for Michael Orr, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727181631/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/diamonds-and-diamonds-and)) Commissioned by Michael Orr for the fundraiser and all that. Here's the request: "A song about... space? More specifically black holes, dark matter, objects slipping beyond the horizon of the visible universe. Things we observe without seeing, and things we will never be able to observe." Michael Guy Bowman: (artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Awake (2012 Version) Additional Names: - Name: >- Awake (feat. Clark Powell) Annotation: >- SoundCloud Contributors: - Clark Powell (cello) Duration: 3:32 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/awake-2012-version Lyrics: |- Awake again Here in my bed Eyes staring up at the ceiling A breath of air Light in my window Heart still aglow with the feeling I was dreaming Another time, another place A strange and yet familiar face Buried deep within my bed I wade through memories in my head My sock's half on Hand in a book Finger is still on the chapter We both were there I told a joke I can't recall what came after Just your laughter Clock goes off across the room And time restarts and life resumes I rise to meet the coming day But someone's laughing far away Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/awake-2012-version)) Kickstarter reward for Kaolin Maia Cash, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150725095228/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/awake-feat-clark-powell)) Commissioned by Samuel Bennallick. Cello by [[artist:clark-powell|Clark Powell]]. Request was as follows: "...the confusion one feels upon waking up from a particularly intense dream; good or bad. The struggle to come to terms with some shocking imagery or, if it was a particularly good dream, the realisation that you're not in that euphoric state you dreamt about and waking up into the dull monotony of life." Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Mad Science Duration: 3:14 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/mad-science Lyrics: |- "Yes! This thunderstorm is just what I need to bring my creation life! LIFE!" Your career starts with a dream That becomes a brilliant scheme When you first acquire the rudimentary skills Soon you're turning lead to gold And making space's fabric fold And breathing life into the dead to get your thrills You may say it can't be done But baby, I am number one And the things that I can do Prove the facts I know are true! MAD SCIENCE We do it 'cause we can MAD SCIENCE It's all part of the plan MAD SCIENCE Yes, we have got the tools Consequence means nothing when you learn to break the rules "Steady, now. We wouldn't want to scare the poor creature. Look into its eyes; there's a light behind them. Yes! It's intelligent! It's learning! It's learning! Yes!" People first will be impressed They will call you a success Put your name on some important-sounding prize But when it starts to leave a scar They will say you've gone too far And they'll call your work a dirty pack of lies You may say my proofs are wrong You may say my tests are flawed You can shove it up your flask I'm too busy playing God! MAD SCIENCE We do it 'cause we can MAD SCIENCE It's all part of the plan MAD SCIENCE Yes, we have got the tools Consequence means nothing when you learn to break the rules Losing your patents to idiots in suits You run from the world and its trivial pursuits Living in exile with henchmen and minions Your work's too important for outside opinions In a castle far away You plot revenge throughout the day Putting touches on your horrid master plan Those tiny peons would not learn Which is why they'll have to burn Progress cannot wait upon the will of man You may say it can't be done But baby, I am number one And the things that I can do Prove the facts I know are true Don't pretend you're not intrigued You're as twisted as the rest You might mock me in the day But at night you are obsessed! MAD SCIENCE We do it 'cause we can MAD SCIENCE It's all part of the plan MAD SCIENCE Yes, we have got the tools Consequence means nothing when you learn to break the rules "Okay, back to work." Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/mad-science)) Kickstarter reward for Nich Maragos, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727191746/http://soundcloud.com:80/michael-guy-bowman/mad-science)) Another commission! This one was requested by Nich Maragos and celebrates a certain legendary character trope. Request was as follows: "I would like a song celebrating mad science. Those fools at the institute said it couldn't be done! But you'll show them! Ahahaha!" --- Track: This Sunset Duration: 3:20 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/this-sunset Lyrics: |- As I watch this sunset The enchantment of the long night descends around me Through the fading blue sky, stars arrive quietly And the chirps of crickets herald the golden hour The day is at an end And there are ten million things I'll have to do before I sleep In the morning, there will be ten million, yet still And then again, a sunset But in this moment The sun is not just some giant ball put there to make me feel small It is an old friend who I have known longer than anyone else And this evening, I am by its side to tuck it into bed In this moment I can feel only the grace of the world around me This calm, this light, this air, this body This sunset Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/this-sunset)) Kickstarter reward for Leigh-Ann Peach, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727213154/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/this-sunset)) This is a chill-as-ice spoken word track commissioned by Leigh-Ann Peach called "This Sunset". If "[[track:awake-2012-version|Awake]]" is my ode to dawn, this is my ode to dusk. The original request is as follows: "I'd like a song about being happy for the sake of it, featuring blue skies and space. Because those two things are cool. anything hopeful and would cheer people up if they were sad too." Enjoy. Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Millennium Bug Duration: 3:33 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/millennium-bug Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/millennium-bug)) Kickstarter reward for Sixar, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150725200632/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/millenium-bug)) Another commission! This one is a full-length instrumental requested by Sixar for use in a forthcoming project. Request is as follows: "I'd like you to write a theme for one of the worlds that features prominently in a project I've been working on behind the scenes. It'd serve as a theme song for both the planet in question and maybe the project in general..." "...Basically, I'd like something adventurous, perhaps a little dark, and a bit sci-fi. Instrumental would be fantastic." Better than a music video, here's the fantastic projection-based Christmas display Yuletide Lights by Pollyck: [youtu.be/8yAoG1wbonw](https://web.archive.org/web/20121224202049/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yAoG1wbonw&gl=US&hl=en) --- Track: Know That You're Mine Duration: 1:58 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/know-that-youre-mine Lyrics: |- I'll pack a blanket, a handwoven basket Of red roses and wine Rest with me here on this bed made of grass And I'll know, know that you're mine In the cool of the evening the sound of your breathing Seems all that you dare need to say With incense and flowers, the minutes and hours Like fluttering leaves slip away The sky turns from blue to an orange to black With the slow passage of time We ought to be home, but you know that I'm yours And I know, know that you're mine We will look to the skies with our twinkling eyes And we'll write out our names in the stars Though it's dark here on land, when we're both holding hands All the lights up above will be ours Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/know-that-youre-mine)) Kickstarter reward for Kalen Boley, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150725185437/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/know-that-youre-mine)) A delightful little song commissioned by Kalen Boley for my SXSW fundraiser. Request is as follows: "Something kinda romantic or nostalgic, about stargazing with a sweetheart?" --- Track: Far Away Directory: far-away-archive Always Reference By Directory: true Duration: 0:53 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/far-away Lyrics: |- So far away Way out beyond No capsule you could swallow Could possibly compare To the one that swallows you And takes you through the air Hollow rockets filled with solid fuel Faster than the Earth can pull Body of the aether's night Takes you on your maiden flight! Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/far-away)) Kickstarter reward for Jon Drobny, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150725065715/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/far-away)) Another dang commission from my fundraiser. This one, called "Far Away" is a jingle commissioned by Jon Drobny. Original request as follows: "I was thinking about space exploration - something about being farther away from one's home than anyone's ever been before." Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Ismelda The Bearded Mermaid Additional Names: - Name: >- Ismelda the Bearded Mermaid (feat. Erik Scheele) Annotation: >- SoundCloud Contributors: - Erik Scheele (piano) Duration: 0:52 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid Lyrics: |- (Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct privilege to bring the sounds of Ismelda, the Bearded Mermaid!) (Once again, faster!) (Faster, still!) (Yes!) Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid)) Kickstarter reward for Brad Griffin, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726121301/http://soundcloud.com:80/michael-guy-bowman/ismelda-the-bearded-mermaid)) Commissioned by [[artist:brad-griffin|Brad Griffin]] for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Featuring the piano stylings of [[artist:erik-scheele|Erik Scheele]]. Request: "I have no preference as far as topic, but something in 6/8 time would be awesome." --- Track: Bandages Directory: bandages-archive Always Reference By Directory: true Duration: 0:46 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/bandages Lyrics: |- Colin Burns But he does not char The fire laps at his appendages Embers spurned Cannot leave a scar He is safe behind his Bandages The alias The other skin Who knows what can lie within The Bandages The Bandages Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/bandages)) Kickstarter reward for Colin "Bandages" Burns, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727222114/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/bandages)) The personal anthem of Colin Burns, known as "Bandages" on various forums. Commissioned for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Get Start! Additional Names: - Name: >- Get Start! (feat. Astro Kid) Annotation: >- SoundCloud Duration: 1:48 Artists: - Michael Guy Bowman - Riki Tsuji (arrangement) Contributors: - Riki Tsuji (additional synths, vocals) URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/get-start Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/get-start)) Kickstarter reward for Alex Coady, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726011326/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/get-start)) Commissioned by Alex Coady for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Featuring vox and additional sequencing by Astro Kid. Request was to make a 1-2 minute song that was "upbeat, melodic, and happy". --- Track: You Are The Birthday Girl Duration: 0:26 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/you-are-the-birthday-girl Lyrics: |- Hooray for you, kid It's your birthday Let's all sing along Birthday Birthday Birthday Birthday You are the birthday girl Birthday Birthday Birthday Birth You're the best girl in the world You're one year older than you were last year So let's all have a big three cheers For this is the best day of the year Happy birthday to Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/you-are-the-birthday-girl)) Kickstarter reward for [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]], 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726074549/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/you-are-the-birthday-girl)) This is a birthday song you can sing whenever wherever - I don't care if it's in a movie or any derivative work of any kind! Let the jerks that own "Happy Birthday To You" go straight to hell! PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS: Play either this song or its alternate version, "[[track:you-are-the-birthday-boy|You Are the Birthday Boy]]" and then say their name at the end after "Happy Birthday to..." Commissioned by fellow MSPA musician [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]] for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser whose birthday was a couple of days ago and for whom I attempted to make this birthday jingle. Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: You Are The Birthday Boy Duration: 0:26 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/you-are-the-birthday-boy Lyrics: |- Hooray for you, kid It's your birthday Let's all sing along Birthday Birthday Birthday Birthday You are the birthday boy Birthday Birthday Birthday Birthday You are the pride and joy You're one year older than you were last year So let's all have a big three cheers For this is the best day of the year Happy birthday to Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/you-are-the-birthday-boy)) Kickstarter reward for [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]], 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726141343/http://soundcloud.com:80/michael-guy-bowman/you-are-the-birthday-boy)) This is a birthday song you can sing whenever wherever - I don't care if it's in a movie or any derivative work of any kind! Let the jerks that own "Happy Birthday To You" go straight to hell! PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS: Play either this song or its alternate version, "[[track:you-are-the-birthday-girl|You Are the Birthday Girl]]" and then say their name at the end after "Happy Birthday to..." Commissioned by fellow MSPA musician [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy Iamurri]] for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser whose birthday was a couple of days ago and for whom I attempted to make this birthday jingle. Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: In The Marching Band Duration: 1:00 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/in-the-marching-band Lyrics: |- Some bands only play in small bars Show up in their own cars Only just to pass time But my band always plays arenas You probably have seen us Playing at the half time Sequined soldiers of the football stands Killing our evenings in the marching band At every game we're in demand Our parents are our biggest fans As long as we're in marching band Some bands never really get big Only play a few gigs Not at all immersing But my band always goes to contest Cannot get a night's rest Always up rehearsing If the team keeps winning, wouldn't that be grand? Going to playoffs in the marching band Loading the equipment van Testing our attention span Oh why'd we join the marching band? Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/in-the-marching-band)) Kickstarter reward for Mason Herschberg, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150727175329/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/in-the-marching-band)) Commissioned by Mason Herschberg for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Original request as follows: "Marching Band really changed my life in 2011 so I figured a neat little jingle about Marching Band would be a fun thing to use as a ringtone and show my friends that also know about your music! I'd like like it to be funny and lighthearted." Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Explosion Force (They Do It Right) Duration: 1:57 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/explosion-force-they-do-it-right Lyrics: |- When the moon is high and the night has fell They ride like demons out of hell But they're not demons, they are men Who send the demons back again Men of action, men of dreams Armed with guns and laser beams Hunting down all supernatural beings Explosion Force, they do it right! They drop the bomb and win the fight Riding in the Explosionmobile Fighting for justice and keeping it real Who will live and who will die? When the war is over, then you'll see why Explosion Force, they do it right! Roll call! Arthur, demolitions expert Felix, demolitions expert David, demolitions expert Bryan, who's also a demolitions expert YEAHHHHH Together fights this secret crew Sent from VASCU A secret cell of the FBI Sworn to make motherfuckers die Bad guys from the Cult of Scars They will find out where you are Where there's an ass to kick, they can't be far Explosion force, they do it right! You may bark, but they will bite Ghouls and goblins, you best beware You're no match, your ass is theirs Who will live and who will die? When the war is over, then you'll see why Explosion Force, they do it right! Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/explosion-force-they-do-it-right)) Kickstarter reward for Jeremy Geist, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150726010937/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/explosion-force-they-do-it)) Commissioned by Jeremy Geist for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Original request as follows: "I and some of my friends at college enjoy playing a game called 'Hunter: The Vigil'. It's a tabletop role-playing game where you're a bunch of hunters attempting to take down the assorted horrors of the night. Our characters are members of VASCU, a secret section of the FBI dedicated to taking down supernatural serial killers. Our cell name is 'Explosion Force'. If you couldn't tell, we quickly shifted the tone of the game from 'Supernatural' to 'The A-Team'. The characters are:
-Arthur Spencer, a hardboiled detective with nothing to lose.
-Felix Gant, a graduate student investigating the disappearance of his father. A vengeful spirit named Alan lives in his arm.
-David Bramble, an ex-military agent who enjoys guns, threatening people, and throwing his weight around.
-Brian McLane (my character!), a grizzled fellow who joined WitSec after VASCU put the blame on him in order to cover up mass Meso-American mummy murder. Both the team driver and the team drunk. The Explosion Force drives around in the Explosionmobile, a large van with the most bitchin' van art of all time: On the left side, a wizard plays guitar that shoots blue lightning, while on the right, a bear plays guitar that shoots green lightning. The lightning bolts meet in the back of the van and cause an explosion. The van also has a giant laser cannon under the hood. Every team needs a faceless, shadowy organization to fight, and in this case it's the Cult of Scars, full of people who love scars and/or human experimentation. Long story short, we've all chipped in for you to write the Explosion Force theme song (as if it were a weekly TV show). Do cheesy, yet inspirational '80s rock like 'Eye of the Tiger' or 'The Touch'." Michael Guy Bowman: (alternate artwork, SoundCloud) --- Track: Conro Corp Anthem Duration: 0:36 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/conro-corp-anthem Commentary: |- Michael Guy Bowman: ([Bandcamp about blurb](https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/conro-corp-anthem)) Kickstarter reward for Connor Norris, 2012 Michael Guy Bowman: ([SoundCloud description](https://web.archive.org/web/20150725112211/http://soundcloud.com/michael-guy-bowman/conro-corp-anthem)) Commissioned by Connor Norris for the "Send Bowman and His Band to SXSW 2012" fundraiser. Original request as follows: "For a series called 'untitled' about some guys who have a magic office building with an elevator to other universes. There'd be a lot of video game stuff referenced. They all work for a company called Conro Corp which is an actual group that will make games and other things. Pretty much I would like a jingle that could function as the Conro Corp jingle both in the show and in actual things, the theme for the show, and has a 8-bit like vibe to it. If it could be instrumental, great." --- Track: Old Buggy Now (Solatrus remix) Artists: - Solatrus Duration: 4:04 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/old-buggy-now-solatrus-remix Referenced Tracks: - Old Buggy Now Lyrics: |- Riding through the night like a jaded vagabond No one else in sight I could be the only one Hear me radio, play the song I know Take me where I long to go 'Cause there's nobody nobody now Who can hear me or stop me now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now Guided by the stars burning up petroleum Here inside my car I could be the only one Somewhere in the sky a satellite on high Watches with its lonely eye 'Cause there's nobody nobody now Who can hear me or stop me now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now 'Cause there's nobody nobody now 'Cause there's nobody nobody now 'Cause there's nobody nobody now 'Cause there's nobody nobody now 'Cause there's nobody nobody now Who can hear me or stop me now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now In this old buggy old buggy now --- Track: Ithaca (hrmnzr remix) Artists: - Jamie Paige Duration: 4:14 URLs: - https://bowman.bandcamp.com/track/ithaca-hrmnzr-remix Referenced Tracks: - Ithaca Lyrics: |- (The journey made by all) I spent the best years of my life waiting For this moment A time to call my own, a place to call my homeland It's come here far too soon I sit around my room Hatching my plans and schemes I mostly leave forgotten I spent my longest nights awake wondering through the outside Amused but still deranged, divided on the inside Returning to the core The place I can't ignore The wonder behind the fear I just can't seem to shake off Oo-ee-oo To dream or do To do or die To sink or fly Oo-ee-oo To get a clue To run and hide To laugh and cry I turned my back on battles won and sailed to new adventure The journey made by all, a lonely mortal tenure To Ithaca I sailed And though I have not failed My home is a fleeting camp, the journey's just beginning Oo-ee-oo To dream or do To do or die To sink or fly Oo-ee-oo To get a clue To run and hide To laugh and cry I spent the morning hours awake writing down the lyrics Resolved to get it right - to capture the true spirit Although I sing along That moment now has gone My heart still a restless sea where Ithaca is calling