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Always Go Deep

from Vol. IV: Independency by Plaid On Flannel

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*Song Description By Noles*

By the time I started recording "Always Go Deep" in the late spring of 2017, I had just previously recorded 37 songs in 32 months both by myself and with the Plaid On Flannel band. Not including the Live At The Roundhouse live album. I was on a run that was similar to 2012-2013 where I recorded 44 songs in just 20 months as Plaid On Flannel and with High Waters Band in Peterborough.

On March 24, 2017, I wrote the music for what would become "Always Go Deep". The first thing I came up with was the verse melody in my head. I was humming that melody all day before I picked up the guitar. It turned out that it worked with a simple chord progression. The song is in the key of A, which has always been right in my wheelhouse for my vocal range. I've used the key of A more than any other keys in songs from the Plaidalog. That key leaves a lot of possibilities for guitar riffs, and this one takes advantage of the simplicity in the song. The "Always Go Deep" intro guitar riff was partially inspired by the fast and exciting section of "Red Barchetta" by Rush. Which is not a simple song, but lots of riffs in rock history have used the same notes in different ways.

"Always Go Deep" has mostly 3 chords with an extra chord in the pre-choruses. I wrote the melodies for the song when I wrote the chord progressions. I intentionally added less notes that were longer in the choruses. Long notes in choruses is a popular music trick that's been used for many decades. I wrote the lyrics for "Always Go Deep" on April 22, 2017 with the original title "Personal Pursuit". After dismissing that title, I changed it to "Always Go Deep" because the song uses the A, G, and D chords in that order. I went through a bunch of titles that used that acronym, and "Always Go Deep" was the one I picked. Probably because football is my favourite sport. Like a few of my other songs, the song title is absent from the lyrics. When I finished writing "Always Go Deep", I knew it was one of the fluffiest songs I had ever written and I figured it would be a pop rock kind of album track. I've recorded a few other sappy songs in the Plaidalog, and I find the ladies usually appreciate them more. Considering POF's fan base is 20% women.

I started recording "Always Go Deep" on May 21, 2017. Like a few other songs from Independency, this one uses a synth lead. After the first chorus and at the end of the song, there is a synth effect called "Soft Saw Lead". It's playing new melodies for the main chord progression that aren't used in the vocal parts. The synth effect in "Always Go Deep" drew inspiration from "Somebody's Out There" by Triumph. In fact, the whole song was inspired by the Triumph hit. 80s hard pop rock. Or the art of the power ballad. But of course, my style is more blues-based.

I used a good amount of vocal harmonies on "Always Go Deep". Every chorus has 3-4 part harmonies. With longer notes in the choruses, it leaves more room for harmony. There's also single harmonies in the 2nd verse and multiples in later pre-choruses. The guitar solo in "Always Go Deep" might be the shining moment of the song. With a simple chord progression, there's more of a playing field when it comes to the guitar solo. I did not shy away on this one. I finally finished recording "Always Go Deep" on August 7, 2017. It's a song that I've performed live on acoustic, but I've never even jammed it with a band.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

I'm going through the ocean in the sky
To look around for what I'm yearning
All the while I'm trying to get by
Someone's out there longing to reply
She's hiding in the land of wonder
Just like me, she's dying to get high

What I know on where to go
I wanna go home

Where I need to be
Won't you comfort me

Whatever brought me here will surely clear the fear
I said, I wanna go home

It's something that I want to try and find
Though I might have to toll my losses
Anything to give me peace of mind
Hoping that the stars will be aligned
To find a woman I'll relate to
So that we can treat each other kind

What I know on where to go
I wanna go home

Where I need to be
Won't you comfort me
See what I can see
Time to set me free

Whatever brought me here will surely clear the fear
I said I wanna go home

What I know on where to go
I wanna go home

Where I need to be
Won't you comfort me
See what I can see
And time to set me free

Whatever brought me here will surely clear the fear
I said, I wanna go home
I gotta go home
I gotta go home
I said, I gotta go home

credits

from Vol. IV: Independency, released July 29, 2018

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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