I wrote the music for "Make It Happen" on March 7, 2015. With the guitar in drop-D tuning, "Make It Happen" is a song where I wanted to explore the heavier side of Plaid On Flannel. And use spaces in the main rhythmic power chord guitar riff. Plus, I knew the Primitive Normative album could use some more heaviness on the record. I also wrote the other drop-D guitar tuned song from the album "Primal Desire" later in the year. But that tune was set to be a little more bluesy and funky. I knew "Make It Happen" would be a headbanging song as soon as I wrote the music for it. And that spaced out rhythm guitar motif I mentioned before was inspired by Rush's "Anthem".
After producing 9 songs for the Primitive Normative album, I started recording "Make It Happen" on June 14, 2015. While the spaced out power chord guitar riff at the beginning and end of the song is sludgy and fierce, the rest of the tune has organ playing all the way through it to give it more colour. Keyboardist Jen Doyon joined the Plaid On Flannel band on February 22, 2015. And that convinced me to add more keyboards to the new songs I was recording for the Primitive Normative album. There are 3 different types of organ sounds that are played throughout "Make It Happen". I used varied MIDI software instruments to achieve these sounds on Logic Pro X. For the continuation of the opening guitar riff which also returns between the 1st chorus and 2nd verse, I used an effect called Heavy Metal Organ. This complements the distorted power of the progression in the guitar riff. During the verses of "Make It Happen", the organ sound is called Grand Organ. It's a little more subdued than the sound of the Heavy Metal Organ. This allows more breathing room for the vocal melody, while still enhancing the verses' melodic qualities. The final organ used in "Make It Happen" is called Power Chord Organ and it can be heard in the choruses and the bridge of the tune. This organ has a sound somewhere between the other 2 organs as far as intensity goes. Giving those parts some power and flavour at the same time.
The lyrics for "Make It Happen" were written on July 4, 2015 while I was recording the song. With words that continue the story of "Rusty Domingo", the tune follows the Primitive Normative concept album's protagonist in a more optimistic way. As the lyrics to "Rusty Domingo" are a little more pessimistic, "Make It Happen" tells a tale of fortitude despite all the obstacles that Rusty Domingo faces. It's somewhat of a self-awareness anthem. And the only way to get results is to take action and "Make It Happen". This song title is also meant to have a connection to "Make Them Understand" on the Primitive Normative album.
There is a flangilated lead guitar used during the intro and guitar solo sections of "Make It Happen". In fact, there are some other lead guitar overdubs used throughout the tune. With a double lead guitar harmony leading into the bridge of the song. "Make It Happen" has a harmony backup vocal that starts in the 2nd verse, and is used during the remaining choruses and bridge of the tune. I finished recording "Make It Happen" on July 26, 2015 and the Primitive Normative album was released by the end of the year on December 31, 2015. Although I've never played "Make It Happen" with a band before, it's a song I really want to try out with some personnel in the future.
lyrics
Words and music by Nolan Randall
He separates himself from the rest
He travels with the wind, it helps him on his quest
Imagination lies within
Now, tell me where does he begin?
And tell me how has he been?
It's not too late to make it happen
Living off the soul he bares
Answering his only prayers
Well, Rusty has to make it happen, for good
From where he stood he always knows he should
Nobody seems to understand
He's getting pushed around and hassled by the man
Domingo keeps himself in line
He's waiting for his time to shine, waiting for a sign
It's not too late to make it happen
Knowing that he's not so blind
The clearest vision in his mind
Well, Rusty has to make it happen, he knows
The life he chose, it keeps him on his toes
There he goes
Seeing the life he was meant to see in the 21st century
Being the man he was meant to be, it is his destiny
It's not too late to make it happen
Living off the soul he bares
Answering his only prayers
Well, Rusty has to make it happen, he knows
The life he chose, it keeps him on his toes
There he goes
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
Combining crooned murder ballads with raw, angsty hard rock hooks, Melbourne's The Ugly Kings are a wrecking crew well worth watching. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 15, 2021
Tim Arnold's latest album of lushly detailed art-pop explores the insidious ways tech surveillance has become a part of our lives. Bandcamp New & Notable May 9, 2023
