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about

*Song Description By Noles*

The writing process for "Switching Gears" began on June 29, 2013 when I was living in Peterborough. I had just finished the Mission Of Mercy album and was writing new material. Most of the music I wrote for "Switching Gears" in 2013 got altered a lot by the time I started recording the song in 2015. Only parts of the guitar riff and pre-choruses were eventually used from what I wrote in 2013. By September of 2013, I moved to Toronto from Peterborough. And then the Plaid On Flannel band started on February 15, 2014 as a 3-piece. While I began recording Plaid On Flannel's 3rd album Primitive Normative on August 31, 2014, the band was quite active rehearsing and playing live shows around Toronto. The next year on February 22, 2015, keyboardist Jen Doyon joined Plaid On Flannel and we became a 4-piece band. We weren't playing "Switching Gears" at that point, but we were keeping busy with a deep selection of songs. I started recording "Switching Gears" on April 12, 2015, and that's when I finally completely wrote all of the music for the tune.

The lyrics for "Switching Gears" were written on April 19, 2015. When I wrote the words for "Switching Gears", I wasn't really paying attention to what the song was about. Later on, I realized the song tells a tale of being rejected by attractive women. Which is something I know about all too well. "Switching Gears" is really about being underestimated by good looking women. And I wrote it in a 2nd person's perspective as if I'm addressing the listener. When things don't work out, you have to "switch gears" to make the women you want more interested in you. Tying into the concept of Primitive Normative, "Switching Gears" addresses the need to bow to conformity in order to get the things you desire. Losing your individuality to acquire something you naturally need. A compromise made in a society that awards conformity. Where being unique is subconsciously considered a character flaw and a turn off. The entire Primitive Normative album deals with the concept of the individual v.s. the mask. Which was largely influenced by Rush's 2112 album from 1976.

The Primitive Normative version of "Switching Gears" is at a slower tempo (130 bpm) than the eventual Get On! EP rendition of the song (138 bpm). The guitar riff for "Switching Gears" was inspired by the guitar riff from Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold". The "Switching Gears" guitar riff occurs 7 different times in the song while changing keys at the very end, before resolving to it's original key of A. The vocal melodies and harmonies in "Switching Gears" were largely influenced by Canadian rock band Sloan. I've always been a fan of their Beatles-esque melodies and harmonies. The guitar solo for "Switching Gears" uses a wah pedal on both the Primitive Normative and Get On! EP versions. I finished recording the Primitive Normative rendition of "Switching Gears" on May 18, 2015, and the entire album was released on December 31, 2015.

Shortly after I finished recording the Rising Above EP in 2016 with the Plaid On Flannel band, we began rehearsing "Switching Gears" and added it into our live show. Keyboardist Jen Doyon played off-time piano punches in the instrumental pre-choruses, which gave those parts a big boost. We made sure to include "Switching Gears" when we were choosing songs to end up on our Get On! EP. We began recording that EP on February 4, 2017, and we shot the music video for "Switching Gears" on the same day in the studio. Watch that music video here... youtu.be/rM0JBTOb3k4 "Switching Gears" is a song that I expect to live on in POF's live repertoire for years to come.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

There's a girl from the other side
She's got diamonds in her eyes away from here
See the girl from the other side
It comes as no surprise to disappear

What you see is what you get
Until you haven't seen it yet
Take the time to resurrect
While you collect your fears
She doesn't wanna complicate
She'll make you wait while you run late
You feel the need to compromise
While you are switching gears

See the girl on the boulevard
She's always gone too far away from here
Meet the girl who never cares
She feels too unaware to make it clear

Out in the distance
There's a lot of things you'll see
A lot of things to plead
That have been lingering for years
She wants to live the normal life
While you wanna live in your own write
You feel the need to improvise
While you are switching gears

credits

from Vol. III: Primitive Normative, released December 31, 2015

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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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