Megadeth Plan Dystopia Virtual Reality Experience(Classic Rock)
Megadeth have announced that five tracks from their upcoming studio album Dystopia are to be presented in a virtual reality experience inspired by visuals in their latest video.
Dave Mustaine and co are to film performances of the title track, Fatal Illusion, The Threat Is Real, Poisonous Shadows and Post American World in a customized studio under director Blair Underwood, of Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD fame.
The results will be rendered in an immersive world based on the one seen in the video for The Threat Is Real. Fans will be able to purchase a cardboard VR headset along with the album. A download code will offer access to exclusive content.
Megadeth say: "Next Galaxy Corp, a leading developer of innovative content, will create a dystopian universe surrounding the band, and allow fans to virtually enter, engage and explore." Watch The Threat Is Real video and read more here.
Deep Purple Unsure If Ritchie Blackmore Will Attend Rock Hall Induction(hennemusic)
Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice is thrilled with the band's induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame but says that he doesn't know either way if Ritchie Blackmore will attend the event or if the inducted members will perform together at the event.
Deep Purple members set to be inducted include most of the Mk 1, II and III lineups: Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.
"I knew it would probably happen one day," Paice tells Rolling Stone. "I do appreciate how difficult it probably was for them to do it with so many lineups, so many different members. It's a minefield, really. I suppose it's rather nice."
Deep Purple have been eligible for entry since 1993 while 2016 marks their third nomination in the past three years. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
Will Deep Purple members from different eras be able to put aside their differences to perform at the 2016 event? "I have no idea," says Paice. "I haven't even thought about it. No idea. We have to accept that there are personalities that don't see eye-to-eye in our history. How that would work, I have no idea. Whether that could be put aside, I don't know. It's definitely one to contemplate and think about."
Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, and singer Evans' whereabouts remain a mystery. Among the wild cards on the night is Blackmore, who left the lineup in 1993 and went on to form the medieval folk band Blackmore's Night in 1997 with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night.
"That's questionable," Paice says. "He can confuse you sometimes. You think he'll do one thing and he'll do the other. I wouldn't put money either way on that one." Read more here.
Melechesh Frontman Under House Arrest For Bar Brawl(TeamRock Radio)
Melechesh frontman Ashmedi has explained the circumstances of the bar brawl in his hometown of Jerusalem which has resulted in him being placed under house arrest.
He decided to speak out after rumors about the incident spread, sparking fears that the band would have to cancel shows. Ashmedi says in a statement: "While on vacation in Jerusalem, I was arrested for beating up somebody in a bar fight.
"After three days in jail and a $3000 bail plus $18,000 contingent guarantee, I was placed under house arrest for the last seven weeks - and will remain under house arrest until the court sets a date for a trial.
"I was having a nice night out at a friend's bar. After several verbal provocations and then verbal death threats to me, I acted in what to me seemed self-defense and finished it. Normally, I often stop fights and buy people drinks to calm them down - this time sh*t hit the fan." Read more here.
Twenty One Pilots Announce Blurryface Live TV Special(TeamRock Radio)
Twenty One Pilots have confirmed their show filmed in Oakland this year during their world tour will be broadcast in the US on January 1. Titled Blurryface Live, it will air on US TV channel Palladia at 9pm Eastern Time.
The band's Josh Dun has also asked fans to fill in an online form so he and bandmate Tyler Joseph can call ahead of the broadcast to say thank you, in an event the duo are calling Blurryface Live At Home.
Josh says: "We wanted to make sure we can share this big moment with all of you, so we are hosting Blurryface Live at Home - an event taking place in all of your living rooms." Read more details and check out a preview video here.
Vince Neil Being Sued By Investor In Failed Arena Football Team(Classic Rock)
Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is one of several people reportedly being sued over their involvement in setting up the failed Las Vegas Outlaws Arena Football League (AFL) franchise.
According to Courthouse News, investor Sohrob Farudi is suing RockStar Sports Group - of which Neil was president and CEO - for defrauding him of $500,000 when he invested in the now defunct team.
The Outlaws played only one season in the Arena Football League before being wound up in August of this year. Farudi reportedly claims Neil and fellow defendants Mark Daniels and Robert Hewko claimed to be owners of the Jacksonville Sharks AFL franchise and that they had paid $3million upfront to launch the Outlaws.
According to the report, Farudi paid $500,000 for 150 shares in the team in August 2014, but two weeks later the AFL told him the franchise hadn't fully paid its membership fees, had not posted required letters of credit and that its first payment to the league bounced. Read more here.
Dream Theater Announce The Astonishing North American Tour(Classic Rock)
Dream Theater have announced the dates for a North American tour for the spring 2016. The band also revealed that the trek will feature performances of The Astonishing in full.
The run begins on April 14, following a series of theatre appointments across Europe, starting with the debut of their 13th album in London on February 18 and 19.
The follow-up to 2013's self-titled work is released on January 29. The band recently described it as "a sonic story that is our most ambitious creative work to date." They continue to reveal elements of the concept via their website. See all of the upcoming dates here.
David Bowie Streaming New Song 'Lazarus'(hennemusic)
David Bowie has released a stream of "Lazarus", the second single from his forthcoming album "Blackstar." Due January 8 - the singer's 69th birthday - the follow-up to 2013's "The Next Day" was produced by Tony Visconti and recorded at the Magic Shop in New York.
"We were listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar," Visconti tells Rolling Stone. "We wound up with nothing like that, but we loved the fact Kendrick was so open-minded and he didn't do a straight-up hip-hop record.
"He threw everything on there, and that's exactly what we wanted to do. The goal, in many, many ways, was to avoid rock & roll." The album was first previewed last month with the title track and now Bowie offers "Lazarus" ahead of its release. Check out the song here.
Cheap Trick Open To Bun E. Carlos Reunion At Rock Hall Induction(hennemusic)
Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilsen says he was speechless when he heard the Rockville, IL band were among the artists to be inducted into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
"Usually I'm a man of many words, but this has got me in a tizzy here," Neilsen tells Rolling Stone. "I'm verklempt. I don't know what to say. It's very exciting."
Cheap Trick will enter the Hall alongside Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Chicago and N.W.A. The group have been eligible for entry since 2003 and the 2016 nod marks their first nomination.
"I was prepared to not get it and say, 'Oh, well, better luck next time," says the guitarist. "When I was with Dave Clark, he told me all about what happened with him and how Tom Hanks inducted them. He said, 'I voted for you five times.' That was pretty funny. A bunch of other people told me they voted for us, like Little Steven. I find out now I had more friends than I thought I did."
The band's principal lineup of Neilsen, vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos will enter the Hall, while Carlos was removed from the touring lineup in 2010 and replaced by Neilsen's son Daxx.
"I'm sure he'll be invited," explains Neilsen. "My son Daxx has been playing with us for the last five years, but this is all about our history and, the way I look it, our future. We're Cheap Trick. We're too dumb to quit. We're still out there slogging it out."
Asked if Carlos might join the group to perform at New York's Barclays Center on April 8, he says "I don't know. Why not? Here's a true story. When we got signed originally to Epic in 1976, Bun had broken his arm and we had two drummers. We were signed with two drummers. Bun E. had his arm in a sling and there was Hank Ransome.
"We got signed as a five-piece band. It was funny because Columbia had come to see us, and the night they came, Bun fell and broke his arm. The night they signed us we had two drummers, so why not have two drummers? How about that?" Read more here.
Dio's Craig Goldy and Giuffria's David Glen Eisley Team Up(Classic Rock)
Former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy and actor and former Giuffria star David Glen Eisley have teamed up on a new project. Singer Eisley and guitarist Goldy will work under the banner of Eisley/Goldy and say they'll "bring back the signature sound" that launched their careers in the early 80s.
Eisley, who went on hiatus after releasing his solo album Stranger From The Past in 2000, says: "My dear friend of many years, guitar virtuoso Craig Goldy, made a surprise visit up to my house around October 2014, knocked on the door and simply stated, 'Enough of this, my friend. Time for you to get up off your ass and come back to work.'
"He was so adamant I relented and agreed to join him on a small stage in the San Diego area. It all seemed to go well, and the next thing I knew, a year later we were in Nottingham, England, playing together again in front of a crowd."
The pair plan to release their debut album in 2016 having signed a deal with Frontiers Music Srl. Read more here.
The Temperance Movement Release 'The White Bear' Unplugged Video(Classic Rock)
The Temperance Movement have released a live video of an acoustic version of The White Bear. the title track of the band's new album, the follow-up to 2013's self-titled debut.
The band have also explained the meaning of the song. "Nick [guitarist Nick Fyffe] phoned me up one time when I was trying to write a lyric to the song that became White Bear," says singer Phil Campbell.
"It was an experiment about the controlling of unwanted thoughts. You try not to think about a white bear, you think about a white bear all the time. You think about this thing all the time that you're trying not to think about."
White Bear is released on January 15, and can be pre-ordered now. Earlier this week, the band unveiled an acoustic version of Do The Revelation. Watch the new video clip here.
Grateful Dead TV Series Coming From Amazon(Classic Rock)
A series based on a Grateful Dead book is being produced by Amazon. The as-yet-untitled project is inspired by Steve Parish' Home Before Daylight: My Life On The Road With The Grateful Dead, published in 2004 by St Martin's Press. Parish spent years on tour with the band and founding member Bob Weir wrote the book's foreword.
According to Deadline, Parish will serve as the show's executive producer while Weir will "oversee all aspects of music." Parish originally tried to have the book made into a film, Rolling Stone reports, but couldn't find a studio to take it on, despite the involvement of Weir and soundtrack contributions from Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
Meanwhile, the Grateful Dead's farewell shows in Chicago earlier this year - coupled with an earlier gig at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California - saw them bring in the biggest cash haul for any live act in 2015. In total, the shows generated $52million, according to Billboard. Read more here.
Steve Miller 'Quite Pleased' To Finally Be Inducted Into Rock Hall(hennemusic)
Steve Miller says he is pleased with news of his induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, even though he's been eligible for more than 20 years.
"I started playing rock & roll in 1956, so I've been here from the beginning," Miller tells Rolling Stone. "I've seen it go through everything, from the time in Chicago to out to San Francisco to all these different phases. It's been a great, long life of playing music, and I'm really honored to be inducted. I'm quite pleased.
"It's just taken such a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time," he adds. "After a while you just kind of go, "This is taking an awful long time!" I'm glad they took their time. I'm sure they made the right decision."
Miller will enter the Hall alongside Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Chicago and N.W.A. The guitarist has been eligible for entry since 1993 and the 2016 honor marks his first nomination.
"I kind of enjoyed having people complain that I wasn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than I think I'll like being in it," says Miller. "I'm sure now that I'm in it, I'll be forgotten about and nobody will have anything to complain about."
The Steve Miller Band has had 25 members in the past five decades, but the guitarist will stand alone at the podium next April as the sole inductee. Read his reaction to that here.
Thunder Release 'All You Can Eat' Trailer(Classic Rock)
Thunder have released a short trailer to promote the launch of their three-disc package All You Can Eat. The set is out on January 29 and showcases the band's comeback album Wonder Days, which was issued earlier this year and went on to enjoy commercial success.
All You Can Eat includes studio sessions, the UK outfit's live performance at The Brooklyn Bowl, their show at Loud Park Japan in 2014, video highlights and a 70-minute documentary focusing on the making of Wonder Days.
It's available for pre-order in a variety of bundles. Thunder will hit the road for a five-date UK tour in February. Support will be provided by Terrorvision and King King. Watch the trailer here.
Devil You Know Hope To Crowdfund Soundwave Replacement(TeamRock Radio)
Devil You Know drummer John Sankey has launched a bid to replace the cancelled Soundwave touring festival of Australia. The 2016 edition was called off by organizer AJ Maddah after he reported poor ticket sales. He'd already said the 2017 event wouldn't take place.
Responsibility for refunds is in dispute, with Maddah saying seller Eventopia should cover repayments, while they say the opposite. Now Australian Sankey has revealed plans for a festival to be called Legion. He tells TheMusic: "I've been mates with AJ for a really long time. We were devastated to hear the news.
"He did such an awesome job, and turned into one of the last places Aussies could hear great international and local metal bands." He adds: "We were planning on coming to Australia - so why not round up the guys and figure out a way to come anyway?" Read more here.
Creeper Announce New Lineup And The Stranger EP(TeamRock Radio)
Creeper have revamped their lineup and confirmed that their new EP The Stranger will be out on February 19 via Roadrunner Records. The EP will be the follow-up to The Callous Heart EP.
Guitarist Sina Nemati has left the band and been replaced by Oliver Burdett, while touring keyboardist Hannah Greenwood has also joined as a full-time member.
The band say in a statement: "We'd like to say farewell and good luck to our friend Sina, who after having an extremely demanding tour schedule this year, has decided to step down from the band to focus on his sound work. Thanks for everything. We wish you only the best brother." Read more, see the cover art and track details here.
Hacktivist Streaming Digital Tour Mixtape(TeamRock Radio)
Hacktivist have launched a digital mixtape featuring remixes, covers and previously unheard material. The rap-metal outfit initially gave the compilation away for free on their UK tour by giving fans cards that allowed access to a private stream. It can now be streamed online.
The third track honours the late Dimebag Darrell, founding member of Pantera, who was shot on stage while performing with his other band Damageplan in Ohio in 2004.
Hacktivist say: "We're excited to be working with UNFD, and also Rise Records in the US, for our debut album. We've known the UNFD guys for a while as they released our mini-album in Australia. As big fans of Northlane, In Hearts Wake and a lot of the other stuff they release, we can't believe we're able to join the family properly and smash the f*** out of 2016."
The mixtape comes as the band prepare for the release of their debut album, which is to be released in spring 2016. Listen to the mixtape here.
The Virginmarys Release Two Videos For 'Into Dust'(Classic Rock)
The Virginmarys have released two videos for Into Dust. The track is from the band's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled second album, the follow-up to 2013's King of Conflict.
The video is available in two versions. One was shot in black & white on an iPhone, the second in colour on a professional camera, and fans are being asked to choose which should be used as the official lyric video.
"Into Dust is the first track released from our new album," says singer Ally Dickaty. "It's a perfect bridge from King Of Conflict to the new material and a great indication of the kind of energy and intensity to expect. Lyrically about disillusionment, anger and boredom, it's a full on and honest Virginmarys song." Watch both version of the video and find out how to vote for your favorite here.
Black Stone Cherry To Headline Ramblin' Man Fair(Classic Rock)
Black Stone Cherry will headline the second day of next year's Ramblin' Man Fair at Mote Park, Kent on July 23 and 24, 2016, it has been announced.
They'll be joined by Airbourne and The Graveltones, while Von Hertzen Brothers, Blurred Vision, The Fierce And The Dead, Frost* and IO Earth have been added to the Prog In The Park Stage.
Black Stone Cherry say: "When we got the call that we had been offered to headline, we literally didn't believe it. We are so thrilled to bring our brand of rock'n'roll to such a cool festival and can't wait to see all of our fans there. It being our only UK appearance that summer, we promise to lay it on y'all heavy." See who is else scheduled to play here.
Monster Truck Announce European Spring Tour(Classic Rock)
Monster Truck have announced that they will be launching a short 2016 European tour next spring in support of their latest album Sittin' Heavy, set for release on February 19 via Mascot Label Group.
Frontman and bassist Jon Harvey says: "We are insanely excited to get back across the ocean. Every time has been full of lifelong memories and we expect to make some new ones in March 2016."
The run of dates will be kicking off at Germany's Rockpalast, Bochum, on March 29, and wrap up with a show at London's 100 Club on April 5. See the dates here.
Downes Braide Association Release 'Vanity' Video(Prog)
Downes Braide Association are premiering a video for their track Vanity via Prog. The duo previously issued a stream of the track Machinery Of Fate from the album
It's taken from DBA's second album Suburban Ghosts, released last month via Cherry Red Records. DBA features the duo of Yes and Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes and songwriter Chris Braide.
On the writing process, Downes previously said: "Chris never ceases to amaze with his application to the finest detail. And as on our previous collaboration, Pictures Of You, I provided him with the musical fabric and raw materials, and from that point he has manufactured and polished our latest gem with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker." Watch the new video here.
Amorphis Announce 2016 European Tour(Prog)
Amorphis have announced 37-date European tour for 2016. Fresh off a tour with Nightwish and Arch Enemy, the Finnish outfit hit the road for headline shows in support of this year's album Under The Red Cloud, starting in Hannover on March 3. Six UK dates and a show in Dublin are included in the run.
Guitarist Esa Holopainen says: "The Under The Red Cloud world tour started right after the record release and it's been a great tour with Nightwish and Arch Enemy ever since.
"That said, I'm really stoked to hit the road for another leg of European dates starting in March. It will be the widest headlining tour in Europe for us to date and we'll have great special guests along the way. It's gonna be epic. So, see you on the road." See the dates here.
Frost* Expand 2016 Summer Tour Plans(Prog)
Frost* have announced three additional UK dates scheduled around their appearance at next year's Ramblin' Man festival which will be taking place next July in Kent.
The July shows come after the festival and, coupled with their previously announced shows in June, bring their summer UK touring schedule up to seven dates.
Keyboard player Jem Godfrey says: "We're still working on getting out to Europe, hopefully this year. In the meantime we're thinking about sneaking a cheeky secret warm up gig in before Edinburgh under an assumed name, so keep an eye out." See the dates here.
Jordan Rudess Turns iPad Into Shred Monster With New App(Prog)
Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has launched another music app for iPad. GeoShred is the latest in a series of software releases he's put out on Apple's tablet under his company Wizdom.
Rudess says: "'Im very excited to present my new app, GeoShred - my go to musical instrument for extreme riffing. "It offers me an exciting, expressive musical instrument with mind-altering, boundless control over the playing surface and effects. GeoShred turns my iPad into a shred monster."
The app allows users to create realistic guitar effects and edit the results by bending, stretching and manipulating the sounds. It promises to give the "power to make music that comes alive with expression, real controllable feedback, finger vibratos, note slides, power chords, auto-arpeggios and much more." Read more and check out a promo video here.
ZZ Top Collaboration Van Wilks Announces First Album In A Decade(The Blues)
Texan guitarist Van Wilks will next month release 21st Century Blues, his first album in 10 years. It includes his own take on Drive By Lover, a track he co-wrote with Billy Gibbons for ZZ Top's 2012 album La Futura.
Wilks - who appears on ZZ Top's 2014 DVD Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival - says: "We played around with the idea of years in South Austin. It was forgotten until Billy asked me if I could revive it, or even remember it.
"I sent him a few vignettes from a barely-working cassette, and a few hours later he played me the track from an LA studio. 'Whip up some words,' he said."
Of his own version he adds: "Billy came out to the studio and we messed it up just right for my take." Read what Gibbons had to say and more details here.
Debate Over Authenticity Of Alleged Robert Johnson Photo(The Blues)
The forensic artist who identified what she says is the third known picture of Robert Johnson has stated a fourth image is also real - despite the claims of musicologists.
Lois Gibson has won awards for her work with the Houston Police Department, recreating the faces of crime victims and analysing historical photos.
Only two images are universally agreed to depict Johnson, who died aged 27 in 1938. In 2008 Gibson stated that a picture of a man holding a guitar and standing with a friend was the blues icon. The guardians of his estate agreed - but many music commentators disputed the claim.
Now Gibson says that a picture discovered in a desk drawer, showing four people drinking in a bar, also features Johnson. It was found by retired lawyer Donald Roark, who purchased an antique desk at auction in 2013 and found the picture inside. He tells Chron.com: "I guess it was the hat - I chuckled and thought, 'That guy kinds of looks like Robert Johnson.'" Later he consulted with Gibson, who says: "99% of them I look at, and I don't laugh in their face, but I shrug it off."
But she believes the fourth picture is genuine, and that it also shows Johnson's wife Callette Craft, her friend Estella Coleman and later musician Robert Lockwood Jr. Read more here.
Oceans Of Slumber Release Winter Video(Prog)
Oceans of Slumber will release their second full-length Winter on March 4 and have released a video for the title track. The band say the new effort is a concept record around themes of woe and despair.
They add: "The time has come and we're more than excited to release this first glimpse into our new record, Winter. We wanted to reveal ourselves a bit more and try to capture the energy of the band in UltraHD. We've put every bit of our heart and souls into this record and can't wait to start this journey with everyone."
The prog outfit formed in 2011 and released their debut album, Aetherial. Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy is said to be a fan. They were discovered by Century Media in the summer after releasing their Blue EP, which re-imagines classic songs from Led Zeppelin, Candlemass and Pink Floyd. Watch the video here.
Buddy Guy And Shemekia Copeland Lead Blues Music Awards Noms(The Blues)
Grammy nominees Buddy Guy and Shemekia Copeland have both been nominated for Blues Music Awards. The 37th annual shortlist has been published ahead of a gala ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee on May 5 next year.
James Harman has received five nominations while Anthony Geraci and Sugaray Rayford have four each. Guy and Copeland are both listed in the Contemporary Blues Album category, while Guy's Born To Play Guitar is up for Album Of The Year and Copeland is among the B.B. King Entertainer and Contemporary Blues Female Artist finalists.
She's named alongside Beth Hart, Karen Lovely, Nikki Hill and Samantha Fish in that category, while the Male Artist list features Brandon Santini, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jarekus Singleton, Joe Louis Walker and Rayford.
Walker, Joe Bonamassa, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Tinsley Ellis and Walter Trout make up the Rock Blues Album category. Organizers say: "The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded to blues music performers. The annual ceremony is to honor this rich cultural tradition by recognizing the past year's superior achievements in blues performance, songwriting and recording." See the list of nominees here.
Refused Announce 2016 European Tour(TeamRock Radio)
Refused have announced a European tour for early 2016 - with five UK dates included in support of their latest album Freedom, which was released earlier this year.
The Swedish hardcore punks hit the road on February 26, starting in Malmo in their homeland. They'll play shows in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and Birmingham on the tour. Anna von Hausswolff will be the main support for the UK shows.
Refused say: "We're excited to finally be able to do a few more shows throughout the UK in the spring and have Anna von Hausswolff on the tour with us for these. See you soon." See the dates here.
Singled Out: Novacaine Nothing's Closure
London heavy rockers Novacaine Nothing released their new "Noughts & Crosses" EP today and to celebrate we asked vocalist Jason Leung to tell us about the lead single "Closure." Here is the story:
Ever since I completed the demo for 'Closure', we all kind of knew in one way or another that this song had some sort of significance. It is definitely the most melodic number on 'Noughts & Crosses'. We were between two drummers at the time and when Jamie tracked the drums we were somewhat taken aback. Considering I had programmed some stupidly impossible MIDI drum track as a reference point, Jamie really captured the vibe I was going for and made it so much better. I think that was the point that I (if not all of us) realised he was the drummer we needed. In my opinion the guitar and bass work (most of which was improvised in the studio) was far more creative than anything else we'd ever done.
As the title suggests, the song is about finding closure and resolution in a personal journey. I wrote the verses as a sort of poem when I was around sixteen and really feeling the fallout of my addiction and the emotional and physical strain it was having on me. Being at my parents house in Hong Kong and away from the life I knew back in the UK had left me feeling very isolated and I guess I dealt with it the way any hormonal teenager would. While under the influence, I used a broken piece of glass to cut myself across my abdomen, chest and arms, and walked through the house in a somewhat pensive mood watching my family sleep. I thought about dying or just ceasing to exist and it not having any effect on my mother: I kind of just wanted to disappear.
In retrospect it was most likely the unfortunate cocktail of teenage hormones and alcohol that caused this pathetic moment of self-centered deprecation. Anyway, I wrote the verses later that night after returning to the living room couch I was sleeping on and the sun was beginning to rise.
The pre-chorus and chorus were written later that year when I had a similar moment while my ex was sleeping one night and I thought about dying, but I guess it was more of a romantic idea of what I wished I could do if I knew I was going to die when the sun came up.
When it came to demoing the song two years later I pieced the two together and added a middle eight. The music in this section left me with an almost euphoric sense of relief. I wrote the last set of lyrics "…I have etched all these noughts and crosses…" on quite a positive note that completely changed the vibe of the song, and so it ended up being the name of the EP too. I would like to say that writing the song was some huge spiritual journey for me but it really wasn't. It was three moments in my life where I just so happened to write lyrics and serendipitously created a song out of them.
