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Tom O'Brien
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6/26/2011 8:04:32 AM
I was in a bit of a funk
So naturally, I wrote a song to help me through it. I used to be depressed a lot (bipolar disorder) but have been on the right medications for about six or seven years now. That and regular therapy have kept me in a pretty positive mood for all that time. I couldn't figure out what I was feeling down about, why nothing seemed to have a purpose all of a sudden. But then I looked at myself in the moment and wrote this song, which helped me through it. I'm happy to say I'm over it.
I hope you enjoy this song:
Someone Else's Sky
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Jeff Allen Myers
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6/26/2011 8:24:26 AM
---- Updated 6/26/2011 8:27:42 AM
Hi Tom,
There are some very good lyrical lines in this song, love the concept and the title.The music is pretty...with the exception of one dissonant passage that wants to resolve. Perhaps this was a conscious or subconscious expression of your confusion to what has had you down.
Nice job, expression in song can sometimes be cathartic, I submersed myself in original songs a few years ago when I faced the saddest part of my life to date. It does help... Glad to hear you are feeling better!
Regards,
Jeff
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Richard Scotti
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6/26/2011 9:39:16 AM
---- Updated 6/26/2011 9:48:50 AM
Tom ~ It is very brave of you to reveal these things about yourself. It's always inspiring when someone leads by example. I admire your efforts to get well with therapy and the right meds. It gives hope to others who may be experiencing the same problems. Thank you for your courage and sincerity in discussing this very personal and painful problem.
Of all the singer/songwrtiters on this site, I think you have made the most growth and traveled the most distance between point A and point B. This is not to say that you used to sound terrible! It just means that you were always a creative and hard working artist since the first time I heard you and now all aspects of your craft have improved exponentially.
This song grabbed me from the first note and didn't let go. The vocals are haunting and compelling, very much like a great Dylan song and the lyrics are the best you've ever written. I like the simple production which is uncluttered and moves the message forward without distracting from it. It flows very smoothly and has just the right amount of power and restraint. The melody and the emotion are wedded together in such an honest and poignant way that I was seriously moved.
A+, four stars, 2 thumbs way up, and a hearty pat on the back for a job well done. This is brilliant song and I wish that I had written it. Since I know that you appreciate honesty, these superlatives I'm using do not mean that the song is perfect as is. There are small changes I would suggest here and there but now is not the time for that. You have a diamond in the rough here and the roughness does not diminish the brightness of the diamond but this is your song and anything I say about making it better is purely subjective and a product of my own ideas about production and songwriting which I do not proclaim are perfect. The accolades I'm giving this song are based on how far you come in both your personal life and your art as well as my emotional reaction to it. I was extremely pleasantly surprised. More power to you.
Peace (of mind)
Richard
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Chandra Moon
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6/26/2011 10:44:09 AM
You've come up with a cracking song here Tom - I really like it and as Richard said too, it grabs you straight off. Well done.
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Stoneman
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6/28/2011 9:39:40 AM
Instant classic! Loved the way you took your time and sang this song with distinct clarity. Also, glad to hear you have come out of your funk! Everyone goes there at one time or another. I am a stickler for therapy as I have been doing P.T.S.D. therapy once every week for the past 4 years. The Veterans Admin. are experts at dealing with the kind of crap I am dealing with. Visions and memories of bloody battle fields don't go away very easily. But I am blessed to be making progress.
Great respect to you on your courage to share such a personal experience. Also, great respect on this awesome song that sprung forth from your pain. Recently I asked my therapist what the cure is for what I have. She said seeing it is the cure. Reliving and sorting through the details will bring me peace. I am not sold but I certainly feel better. I know it is better than doing nothing which was what I did for so many years while I self medicated myself through life. The Reggae song I posted last week came from that pain. But I digress, Congratulations to you on this wonderful song! Keep Writing! Maybe writing and producing will be part of your saving grace and victories over depression.
Respect, Always
Stoneman
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Conversation Suicide
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6/28/2011 10:00:02 PM
dig the vibe/ lyrics / and concept & general mix. Very Dylan-esque, i think.
me likee !!!! Welcome again to Phlegm Phavourites !
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Richard Scotti
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7/1/2011 10:08:51 PM
Tom ~ Your song is getting rave reviews. How do you feel about that? I think it's a great accomplishment.
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Tom O'Brien
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7/2/2011 7:40:46 PM
I am humbled by the rave reviews, but at the same time proud to be the instrument through which such a beautiful song came. Sometimes when a song is right, I don't feel like it's really me writing it. It's more like it just always existed and I happened to be the one to discover it.
I hope all my music touches everyone who hears it, but I know that's not the way it works. Sometimes people just don't get you. But when they do, as seems to have happened with this song, it makes me feel more connected to life. I think there is a commonality among all people that music can touch. When you write something truthful you get to that.
I know that life is finite, but the more music you put out into the world, the more you become part of everyone in it.
I've heard so many songs on IAC that have let me know a little more about humanity. I think music is so important in bringing us together. I'm glad "Someone Else's Sky" is being heard.
I'll tell you another thing, that depression I was in, which was all about feeling a lack of purpose, has abated, and I feel like writing music and making art IS my purpose. I don't ever expect it to support me, I'm just not enough of a businessman, but I'm going to keep making it until you have to pry my cold dead fingers from my guitar neck.
I tend to make CDs for myself and for friends. The one I just finished has 12 songs on it, including "Someone Else's Sky." Half of them are already on my IAC page. But if anyone ever wants me to burn them a copy, just tell me where to send it. I'm calling this one "Somewhere Under the Rainbow."
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Chandra Moon
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7/4/2011 2:04:03 AM
that's beautiful Tom - I feel very much like you do about music and songwriting - it's a wonderful feeling when you know something you've written has really touched people - it makes it all feel worthwhile. I'll email you my address on Facebook as I'd love a hard copy of your CD and I know you already have mine downloaded. I'd like to pay something though so I'll paypal you something if you email me with your email address. Chandra
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The Dorroughbys
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7/4/2011 12:20:32 PM
Hi Tom, i have heard some of your stuff on iac and really liked it. Unfortunately, streaming for me from this site is impossible on my 10 year old emac - was v. difficult before on my imac over the sat link, and the imac is now kaput, but at least then i could hear a song uninterrupted if i waited 20 minutes for it to buffer. And yours were worth the wait mate, I managed to hear several and post them on my little station mixed lollies. Soooo 803 Boyle Rd Coffee Camp NSW Australia 2480 is where to send that burnt copy if you were serious about that, and in return I'll send you a copy of our album if you include a return address. now if you were to send me two Cds of your stuff, well then i have some other interesting stuff lying around to send you also...cheers, and keep up the great tunes.
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Tom O'Brien
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7/5/2011 10:28:11 AM
---- Updated 7/5/2011 10:37:00 AM
Will do, Trip Poppies and Chandra.
By the way, I really liked the Trip Poppies song on the Hitline. It had such a great slow build and soulful vocal. I'd love a copy of some of your music too.
I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Oh, and if anyone doesn't want their address to be public, just email me at tomobrain@gmail.com.
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