The
with
Experience
Blinded
Husbands or Kids
written by emma moore
Husbands or kids?
I'll take option three...
The seven year itch is creeping in
And he's been spending time wonderin'
If he rushed in to settling down
Sparks are flying and he's reminded
That he's still young, he's still got it
Makes no secret we could get along
Husbands or kids
I'll take option three
Too young, too sweet or complicated
Or unavailable feeling jaded
I'm no tick off a list
Or somebody's side piece
Tell me this ain't all there is
Husbands or Kids
Baby boy, he's got a teenage crush
He thinks he's in love, doesn't know enough
To know that there's so much he don't know
Tryna tell me we could be a match
And I'm so flattered he thinks that
But he can't even take me for a drink
Husbands or kids
I'll take option three
Too young, too sweet or complicated
Or unavailable feeling jaded
I'm no tick off a list
Or somebody's side piece
Tell me this ain't all there is
Husbands or Kids
All I'm asking for is that he not be taken
Or running late for school
Out of his momma's basement
Old enough to know how to treat a woman
And smart enough to know
One's the way to go
Husbands or kids
I'll take option three
Too young, too sweet or complicated
Or unavailable feeling jaded
I'm no tick off a list
Or somebody's side piece
Tell me this ain't all there is
Husbands or Kids
Best served with;
A margarita!
All fun, with a side of saltiness.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Rhythm Guitars
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
GARRY WOOD
Lead Guitar
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
Behind the Release
This is the oldest song on the record, was the first to be cut, and now opens the entire thing. It seems mad to me now that there was a time it wouldn't be the case! Throughout the process of recording it was tucked neatly in the middle, track three or four, and there it stayed for months - and then two things happened.
The first was the Bass line, which in the incredible hands of Aubrey Harris, brought the entire song to a whole new level. It's actually my favourite part of the track, and then our phenomenal mixing and mastering engineer Eric Torres got his hands on it. Wow.
I was BLOWN AWAY at what I was hearing.
My first thought? THAT'S how we kick off this record.
-
In the original Blinded Experience, the feedback on this song was absolutely incredible, and based on almost entirely their feedback, I decided it would be the first single.
Late to the Table
written by emma moore & emily faye
Sorry I couldn't make your family dinner
Can't break bread at six when you're the breadwinner
Sorry you're mad that I turned thirty one
With no sign of a husband, daughter or son
But I'm not late to the table
And I'm not behind
For some kind of life
You've decided is right
I made my choices
And I'm more than able
So stop calling me
Late to the table
No I'm not broken and I don't feel lonely
So keep your concern, I know it's only
Because you can't see yourself living this way
And you think you're saving me from a mistake
But I'm not late to the table
And I'm not behind
For some kind of life
You've decided is right
I made my choices
And I'm more than able
So stop calling me
Late to the table
When did a life looking different to yours
Become the wrong choice and a way to keep score
No I'm not late to the table
And I'm not behind
For some kind of life
You've decided is right
I made my choices
And I'm more than able
So stop calling me
Late to the table
Yeah stop calling me
Late to the table
Best served with;
An Espresso Martini
Post work, happy hour cocktails are back on the menu for this free spirit.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Rhythm Guitars
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
GARRY WOOD
Mandolin
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
Naming the Record
Naming this EP was one of the biggest headaches of the entire process and I was so not prepared for that to be the case. Pilot was easy - it came to mind before I even started recording and it was perfect. Nothing would have changed my mind about it.
So, I waited and waited for the same thing to happen this time around but NOTHING like that moment occurred. I played the tracks over and over, picked out lyrics and eventually discovered that all of these songs are linked by the reality of life.
It can be hard, it's messy, there are difficult conversations and moments in which we don't know wether to laugh or cry. There are paths we take others may not understand and situations around us that maybe we can't see clearly. All these things and more can be found throughout this record and they all came together listening to 'Late To The Table'.
On a personal (and literal) note, the track is about the rush and pressure society often
places on women to get married and start a family, and theres a whole lot I could say
on that! But when I thought more about other people who may be listening to the song,
'the table' people call us late to could represent any number of things, and in that
moment 'the table' became a metaphor for life - and then my Pilot moment came!
Strength,
sarcasm and
self-love.
the table
I T' S A L L O U T O N
Comedy, vulnerability,
frustration, questioning,
regret, power, resilience, wit.
Waiting For You
written by emma moore
I'm holding on tight to the breath in my chest
It's the only thing keeping me up
I can't let go I know I will cry
And I won't be able to stop
I should be able to fake a smile
Heartbreak has taught me well
But there's no disguising
These feeling I'm fighting
One look and I'll know you can tell
That I've been waiting for you
I've been waiting for you
But you sit beside me
And you're so excited
'Cause you're loving somebody new
And no idea that I've been waiting for you
Don't look too closely I want you to stay
In the dark when it comes to my love
I'm happy for you I know you've been waiting
To finally find someone
Deep down I know that she's probably better
For you than I ever could be
But just for a second
I feel my heart breaking
I'm desperate for you not to see
That I've been waiting for you
I've been waiting for you
But you sit beside me
And you're so excited
'Cause you're loving somebody new
And no idea that I've been waiting for you
And I'm so sorry
I hesitated
I could have been the one
I won't be hoping that she breaks your heart
But if it happens
Just know
That I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
If you sit beside me
And there's no denying
You're ready for somebody new
Then I'll be waiting
I'll be waiting for you
Best served with;
Wine. A bottle. Red.
Hold the stopper too.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Rhythm Guitars, Piano
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
TOM MARTIN
Harmony Vocals
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
Designing 'the table'
All the photography for the EP and featured on this website was done by
Katie Hennessey, who I am so thrilled to have found this year.
I have never been overly comfortable in front of the camera, but Kate made every
part of the process so much fun and so relaxed. I felt so safe under her direction and
I think that shows in the images she masterfully caught.
Ooh, and fun fact - I had to do my own make up this time.. eek!
What do you think?
If you click on the pictures you'll also find out why I picked them and what they bring to the music.
Blinded
written by emma moore
He keeps secrets, you see mystery
He keeps you hidden, you see privacy
He keeps lying but you still see honesty
He makes decisions, you just agree
You're blinded by a love that you've created
In your mind he can't do you any wrong
You're blinded by a dream and by a fantasy
You fell in love with someone he'll never be
He says he's broke, you will always pay
He says bite your tongue and you obey
He keeps leaving but he never stays away
He's way too happy in the bed you both made
You're blinded by a love that you've created
In your mind he can't do you any wrong
You're blinded by a dream and by a fantasy
You fell in love with someone he'll never be
You make yourself half so you can make him whole
It drives me crazy how you just don't know
You're blinded by a love that you've been craving
He can't satisfy this need you have for saving
You're blinded by a love that you've created
In your mind he can't do you any wrong
You're blinded by a dream and by a fantasy
You fell in love with someone he'll never be.
Best served with;
Your favourite beer -
Sit your pal down for some
hard truths, but soften the
blow with a cold one.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Guitars, Banjo
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
TOM MARTIN
Harmony Vocals
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
My Favourite Lyrics
In the original Blinded Experience I wanted to bring people back to emerging themselves in a record, and getting as much from the entire experience as possible. I miss driving to a store and picking up an album I had saved up, playing it all the way home then devouring the liner notes, so this was my 2021 digital version of that.
Another part of the original experience was picking out a favourite lyric from each track, a task which changed almost every time I edited the site.
So, here are my favourites.. as of today!
"I'm no tick off a list
or somebody's sidepiece"
"When did a life looking
different to yours
Become the wrong choice
and a way to keep score?"
"There's no disguising
these feelings I'm fighting"
"Was it when you told me things
she will never know?"
"My Sunday mornings
coming down from
neon lights and bar room crowds
never involve a church"
"He says he's broke
you will always pay
He says bite your tongue
and you obey"
HUSBANDS OR KIDS
LATE TO THE TABLE
WAITING FOR YOU
BLINDED
WHEN
MATCH MADE IN HELL
When
written by emma moore
Was it when you called at 3am
She was lying in the next room
Sound asleep and dreaming peaceful
Thinking she was next to you
Was it when you told me things
She will never know
Was it the second phone
Was it the first kiss
The first touch
The first time you realised
She wasn't enough
Did it start the moment
That you looked at me
When exactly
Did you start to cheat
Was it when you started showing up
A couple of hours late for work
'Cause you couldn't bear to start your day
Without seeing me first
Was it when you had to stop
And buy a shirt on your way home
'Cause we ruined one
Was it the first kiss
The first touch
The first time you realised
She wasn't enough
Did it start the moment
That you looked at me
When exactly
Did you start to cheat
'Cause even now in your own words
You won't say that's what you did
You left one line to cross and now
You hide behind it
Was it the first kiss
The first touch
The first time you realised
She wasn't enough
Did it start the moment
You said you loved me
When exactly
Did you start to cheat
Was it when you called at 3am
?
Best served with;
Whiskey. Neat.
A hard drink -
for a hard truth.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Rhythm Guitars
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
GARRY WOOD
Pedal Steel
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
This version of 'When' shows every stage of the recording process, from the writing nots on my phone to the final master. It was such a fun process to document and really shows how much you can grow a song, even one that sounds so intimate and small in your mind.
Stage 1:
iPhone recording
Stage 2:
Home recorded worktape
Stage 3:
Guitars and Drums from RAD Records
Stage 4:
Bass and Pedal Steel
plus home recorded vocals
Stage 5:
Studio Vocals
Stage 6:
Studio Vocals - RAD Records Mix
Stage 7:
First mix from Eric Torres
Stage 8:
Final Master from Eric
Writing to Recording
written by emma moore
Match Made in Hell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
You've got your pedestal
I'm the angel that fell
We might as well embrace our fated farewell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
My Sunday mornings coming down
From neon lights and barroom crowds
Never involve a church
The only scripture I recall
Was written in a bathroom stall
I follow my own word
Still think
I'm your perfect little dream?
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
You've got your pedestal
I'm the angel that fell
We might as well embrace our fated farewell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
You've never stepped outside a line
Broken a rule, always inclined
To do what you've been told
I represent a little taste
Of all the things that you've abstained
From trying to get to know
I think
I'm your one night fantasy
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
You've got your pedestal
I'm the angel that fell
We might as well embrace our fated farewell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
I’ll see those pearly gates before a picket fence
You’ll break your mommas heart if you never get wed
Ain’t nothing wrong with chasing
Pretty postcard dreams
But you won’t find them here, I’m all reality
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
You've got your pedestal
I'm the angel that fell
We might as well embrace our fated farewell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
We're no match made in Heaven
We're a match made in Hell
Best served with;
The ultimate combo -
A bottle of lager and a Whiskey chaser. Bonus points for warm beer in a run down bar.
*not compulsory, of course.
Made by;
DAKOTA JAY
Production, Drums, Rhythm Guitars
AUBREY HARRIS
Bass
GARRY WOOD
Slide Guitar
Eric Torres
Mixing and Mastering
ERIC TORRES
Mixing and Mastering
The Cutting Room Floor
It may seem crazy after hearing this song that its initial setting was
an airport bar - and its earliest versions were inspired by Mark Sloan
and Callie Torres (from Grey's Anatomy, of course). I was in the mood to
write a fun story set in a bar, and my mind just goes to Joe's bar from the
show. Especially in their earlier days, Callie and Mark were carefree, adventurous and promiscuous - perfect amo!
But often times as you write, especially fiction, the story unfolds as ideas
and images come to mind. I was writing about two characters who decided to wait out a storm with cheap booze and a one night stand before flying off to their respective lives across the country. (An idea I still like, and hey,
maybe on album two?!) Their confidence and chemistry came from Mark and Callie, but of course I couldn't have them run off into the sunset in best friend bliss, could I?
So how did I get from the airport to church?
When the song started it was about two people who had immediate chemistry but
a limited timeframe. The initial chorus (centre) got me thinking about their futures and the differences between their everyday lives. That, and logistics,
lead me away from the airport and what was left was two people who could be great
for a night but who's lives were still heading in very different directions. I'm
sure we've all met someone like that. In my mind, not surprisingly I guess, the
woman singing the song was a musician, living life city to city and only ever in
love with music. She meets a nice guy with a nice life and the clash is inevitable - she's not made for the 9 to 5 and church on Sunday life.
The verse lyrics to this are some of my favourites throughout this entire
collection, and I love how blunt yet oddly poetic they are.
"You’re flying North, I’m heading East
But there’s nothing else between us now
There’s just some bar across the street
I guess there’s no where else to be right now"
"A double whiskey, make it neat
I think my friend here’s gonna need his strength
Bartender don’t you take too long
Tonight has only just begun"
"We’re no match made in Heaven
We’re a match made in Hell
We’re ice cold Crystal
In a two bit motel
Ain’t ever gonna make it
To those white church bells
We’re no match made in Heaven
We’re a match made in Hell"
"I know you like to think
that you could tame this flame
But I don’t wanna know
never mind take your last name"
"You work to live, I live to work
I know you think that that’s absurd
But I never plan to change"
Exclusive Bonus Track
written by emma moore
Ten Years A Stranger
I can't believe out of all the things
In the corners of my mind I'm thinking of us
Wondering what could have been
If I'd believed in love, enough
You knew back then what all your
Dreams were pointing to
Mine took a while
So I said goodbye to you
How can you cry over someone
Ten years a stranger?
When you don't even know the man he became
It makes ya
Makes you wonder how long
You've been holding on
To the promises he made ya
Before he became
Ten years a stranger
I wonder if you're still the kindest
Person in any room - I bet you are
I hope that time's been good to you
Not hardened up that heart I once knew
I bet you still hold someone like they're the only one
I bet one look at you
Would still feel like home
How can you cry over someone
Ten years a stranger?
When you don't even know the man he became
It makes ya
Makes you wonder how long
You've been holding on
To the promises he made ya
Before he became
Ten years a stranger
But I don't know who you are
I'm missing a fantasy
A memory of a lonely heart
How can you cry over someone
Ten years a stranger?
When you don't even know the man he became
It makes ya
Makes you wonder how long
You've been holding on
To the promises he made ya
Before he became
Before I became
Ten years a stranger
Late Night Writer
Every now and then a song seems to fall in your lap - and this certainly started off that way. I fell asleep pretty early for me, early enough to have gotten deep into a sleep and deep into a dream only to wake up around 2am. I dreamt about my college years, the people I knew back then, that I had loved and now missed. I found myself missing them, then realised I could be missing people who don't really exist anymore. We change as we grow up, so I got to wondering who they are now, and hoping the things I loved back then are still true.
I hope this song gets to grow too.
Thank You
For joining me on this walkthrough of 'the table'.
I hope you've enjoyed this look through the creative process, enjoyed the music, and most importantly - felt connected to the songs.
CDs, Cassettes and more are now available at
