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The Inside Guide

from Vol. IV: Independency by Plaid On Flannel

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*Song Description By Noles*

This is a song built on tension. From the intertwining guitar harmonies, to the self-empowering lyrics that contrast with the overall melancholy-like feel of the song's music and melodies. Minor-based and rather anthemic, "The Inside Guide" was one of the last songs recorded for Independency in the early summer of 2018. I wrote the music for the song on June 20, 2018. At the time, I was also recording the preceding song for the album "Better Place" which I finished on June 24, 2018. That song has a darker feel with a shift in my vocal range hitting lower notes that sound spookier. I experimented on "Better Place" because I had been singing in my high-tenor vocal range so often for years, I thought it was time to switch it up. And it gave me an opportunity to relax my vocal cords a little more. "Better Place" was a protest song, but "The Inside Guide" was completely different when it came to the lyrics. Both songs have a similar type of atmosphere in them. Especially with the vocal delivery. But on top of the dissimilar lyrics, there are completely different tempos and melodies between the two songs.

I wrote the lyrics for "The Inside Guide" on June 26, 2018. I had been watching a lot of self-help videos online and I was feeling inspired by it. Getting motivated by my favourite speakers. Forming a new type of mindset in my life. So I set out to write an affirmation anthem. "The Inside Guide" is probably the most religious song I've ever written. It's not intended to be religious, and I'm only religious towards music. The song just happens to have that faith preaching attitude towards it. I'm not Christian and have never been to Sunday service that isn't the NFL. But religious people do inspire me when it comes to having a positive mindset. The lyrics of "The Inside Guide" also refer to the act of meditation in the chorus. Although I don't have an actual meditation regimen, I know that 6 minutes a day can do wonders. The verse lyrics are humbling with a down to earth tone. "Haven't got a car to ride" and "Gotta pay a price to grow" are a couple of lines that show humility in a bad situation. But then "The Inside Guide" provides reassurance throughout life's obstacles. And the lyrics really illustrated that self-certainty.

I started recording "The Inside Guide" on June 27, 2018 less than a week after writing the entire song. The guitar riff moves along in a minor mode. I added pinched harmonics and trills to the riff which I hadn't really done on any POF guitar riffs before. At the very end of the riff and chorus measures, there's an odd chord I use called C7/E. Since the guitar has a capo on the 1st fret in this song, the chord is positioned as a B7/Eb. I used that chord as a transition between the D and Em chords, as they're only a major 2nd apart. Those chords would be Eb and Fm without a capo on the 1st fret of the guitar.

The guitar solo for "The Inside Guide" uses 3 different guitars working in a variety of harmony sequences. Influenced by 70s hard rock bands like Thin Lizzy, Queen and Blue Oyster Cult, the solo stays in the melodic mode of the guitar riff that can be heard at the beginning of the song. While the 3 guitars are doing different things off of each other. That was the first time I had ever recorded triple guitar harmonies on a POF song. I finished recording "The Inside Guide" on Wed, July 4, 2018, weeks before the release of the Independency album on July 29, 2018.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

Through the thoughts within my mind
I gaze up and ahead
All the solace you can find
Feed what needs to be fed
Haven't got a car to ride
But I never go out of the concrete inside
The inside guide

Taking what I have to give in this life I live
Gaining everything I visualize tonight

See all the affirmation tracking all I see
Me deep in meditation tracking what's for me

Now the new age will begin
A new thought to supply
Little view for where I've been
So I can humanize
Gotta pay a price to grow
It's all part of a powerful feeling to go
That's what I know

Taking what I have to give in this life I live
Gaining everything I visualize tonight

See all the affirmation tracking all I see
Me deep in meditation tracking what's for me
See all the affirmation tracking all I see
Me deep in meditation tracking what's for me
For me, for me

See all the affirmation tracking all I see
Me deep in meditation tracking what's for me
See all the affirmation tracking all I see
Me deep in meditation tracking what's for me
For me, for me

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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