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about
‘Morning Coffee’ struggles with the reality of being an artistic person trying to make a living off art and support a family at the same time. It’s a reflection on what we value as a society. So much art is missing in today's world, and one could argue it’s a cause of the increase in depression. A visible representation of this ‘missing art’ can be found in today’s lack of architecture in new housing developments, amongst other things. What can fill our pockets over what is beautiful. This is the driving force behind so much of the modern day. You could argue whether or not it was better to be an artist in an earlier period but that is not the thought here. The thought is what philosophy drives us as human beings to get up every morning and do something. There was once a time, when people would spend a lifetime crafting a building because of beauty.
“Reflecting on what drives us to do things, often makes me sad, because the dollar so often outweighs the beauty.”
This reflection drove Michael to create ‘Morning Coffee’.
“I’ve worked a ton of jobs I hate. So often as an artist you’d hear or feel the ‘get a real job’ notion. However this begs the question: What is a real job? and Why do anything at all? After thinking about this for years, if your answer doesn’t contain beauty, then why bother.”
The song concludes that this is something He can not not do. And it will be hard.
“There’s something in me that demands a response of creativity. To create and to wonder. The order of my life is first towards supporting my family, to be a good husband and to be a good father. And under that, to my career. If I can earn a living that supports my family, albeit smaller than a 9-5, is it not better to create beauty than to fill my pockets?”
Morning Coffee reflects these thoughts with a pining guitar riff. Michael’s vocals reverberate as if in a dream, struggling to find a way to work it out. The drums equally echo adding to the dreamy feeling while a guitar simply strums wistfully away. The lead guitar influenced in part by John Mayer completes a longing solo for resolution while hanging in the struggle.
Morning Coffee is out February 9th, 2024.
lyrics
Say Doctor, what’s Your backup plan?
Just a game, just a hobby,
Whatcha gonna do for real someday?
Well I bet that You’ve
Never heard that before
Well I get that like
It’s my morning coffee
Are You academic?
Can you make a bunch of cash?
What, no You can’t?
Then what are You doing it for?
So I did the right thing and
Got myself a teaching degree
And I loved all my students
But teachin’ just wasn’t for me
So I quit that year
With nothing to go to
What could I do that
I’d have the skills for?
Cause I’m not academic
And I can’t make a bunch of cash
I have the hands of a hand model
So pretty much, mechanic’s in the trash
What can I do
But play this guitar that I bought
When I was just 17
So that’s what I’ll do
Destine for a struggle
Tryinna support my family
Living on casual wages
And a gig economy
credits
released February 9, 2024
Music + Lyrics: Michael Day
Vocals + Guitar: Michael Day
Bass and BVs: Rhyan Lyndon-James
Electric Guitar: Benjamin Humphreys
Drums and Percussion: Dave Rajendram
Tracking and Mixing: Andy Lawson at Debaser
Mastering: William Bowden at King Willy Studio
Michael Day is a Hills born singer-songwriter, whose folk guitar playing, and rhythmical lyrics, along with his soulful and haunting vocals combine to create musical reflections on our society and ideologies.
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