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about

*Song Description By Noles*

"What You Believe" is a song that has 2 versions that are quite different from each other. The Primitive Normative version of "What You Believe" has a garage rock sound, and the Get On! EP rendition has a synth rock sound to it. I wrote the music for "What You Believe" on March 7, 2015 while I was recording the Primitive Normative album. Keyboardist Jen Doyon had just joined the Plaid On Flannel band weeks earlier. So it was my goal to write songs that would complement the direction the band was going in with it's new sound. I started recording "What You Believe" on March 16, 2015. The opening guitar riff screams garage rock! I was inspired by Jack White and the White Stripes by having a guitar riff that explores octave jumps over a chord progression. For the 2nd half of the opening guitar riff to "What You Believe", I added my Digitech whammy pedal to emphasize those octave jumps on that riff. The whammy pedal also appears later in the song and is one of the signature elements to the Primitive Normative album as a whole.

The lyrics for "What You Believe" were written on March 22, 2015. While I knew it was a song with tons of melody, I wanted to write lyrics that really make a statement. "What You Believe" is about self-belief and affirmation. While staying in tune with the individual v.s. the mask concept of the Primitive Normative album, "What You Believe" is lyrically an anti-conformity anthem. Standing up for what you believe in. Regardless of other people's opinions or viewpoints on life. Following your own path. And staying integral to what intuitively feels right to you. "What You Believe" rebels against the paradigm of conformity and it embraces the individuality of all people. The act of not living your life as a result of what others around you think.

During the 1st verse and guitar solo of "What You Believe", there are 2 lead harmony guitars that play whole notes with the chord progression. This was inspired by the song "Who's Producing You" by Ty Segall. "What You Believe" has chants after the post-choruses that use "Ahs". It was an experiment at the time, and with the Plaid On Flannel band version of the song, we changed those chants to "Ohs". As that vowel works a lot better with my voice. These chants were inspired by the Tomahawk Chop chants heard at sporting events. Most notably with the Atlanta Braves of the MLB. I wanted to give "What You Believe" somewhat of a native American sound to it during those parts. I completed the Primitive Normative version of "What You Believe" on April 10, 2015. It wasn't long until the Plaid On Flannel band was playing the song live. While we included "What You Believe" on our Get On! EP, keyboardist Jen Doyon provided the song with brand new characteristics. Using effects like harpsichord and synthesizer. "What You Believe" is a tune I also perform solo on acoustic guitar. And I believe it will be in the POF band's live repertoire for years to come.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

You wanna find out something you don't know
Don't wanna see you let it go
And then your life it moves so slow
Another friend becomes a foe
Figure something out
before you're falling out of line
Don't wanna fall too far behind
The things you want are by design
Whatever makes you feel so fine

So many people want an ordinary role
What happened to soul?
You gotta keep on grindin'
Keep your mind in your vision

It's what you do to make it through
Do what you believe
It's what you see, won't you believe in me?

Feeling aware of what you believe
Gotta declare in what you believe
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah

A lot of people tell you what to do
You always seem to misconstrue
There's more to what they're telling you
Stay true to your point of view

Falling into a rhythm, something's going on
You're far from gone
With all the people moving
They are soothing, forever

It's up to you to make it through
Do what you believe
It's what you see, won't you believe in me?

Feeling aware of what you believe
Gotta declare in what you believe
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah

So many people want an ordinary role
What happened to soul?
You gotta keep on grindin'
Keep your mind in your vision

It's up to you to make it through, do what you believe
It's what you see, won't you believe in me?
It's what you do to make it through
Do what you believe
It's what you see, won't you believe in me?

Feeling aware of what you believe
Gotta declare in what you believe
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah

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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