So how are songs written? Well, in many different ways. Once time, while doing a school project on local bands, I asked the frontman for Agnes Poetry, Rannoch Purcell, how he came up with his ideas for music. He shared the same thoughts I had on the subject, but I'll use a paraphrase of his words, "Inspiration is the only way I can describe it. There is no one set way. Sometimes the words or music just come, and I have to get them recorded as soon as possible." As a musician, I love carrying around a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA, like a Handspring Visor or a Palm Pilot), because no matter where I go I can write down sudden ideas and thoughts in my head.

The following is an example, written on April 26th, 2000. Sometimes when emotions run high on one particular thing in my life, I'll sit down and simply begin to write. That is how "Life in a Mirror" and "The Last Battle" were written...the script I took "The Last Battle" from was 6 pages long, double-sided! Someday I may post it here, but I'm afraid if I did, people would think I'm insane. Maybe I am.

Do you ever feel like your world is falling apart
Your mind and body seem to be crumbling to the ground
While the one you live for slowly tears you down
Happiness and sanity blend with the mists of illusion
To find yourself lying there lost upon a riverbank
Where the deep currents churn and threaten to suck you in
You seek for that angel, for that ray of hope
Stumbling blindly towards the Light
And pray to God that everything will be all right
Merciful angel, face so serene
Lift me up away and show me that you care
I'm lost in all these twisted words
I need to be shown the way
Some paths darkened are better not traversed alone
When no sense seems to take hold deep within
I'm haunted in my dreams and pained within my soul
I need to find the answers, I need to gain control
What are my options? My only real choice is clear
It's the road few men dare walk for fear, one mistep could leave me shattered, yet I still go on like a blind fool, but a blind fool with determination
Never shall I rest until I've done all I can to accomplish that purpose, for what else have I? All arrows point that direction, every bump in the path increases my conviction as the night closes in and I find my journey to the world of dreams filled with the image of one I can't abandon---
Not now, not ever. Though it pains me when we aren't together, I gladly punish myself with a hope to an almost knowledge that everything will be all right, God is on our side.
The valley of indecision, [the] chasis can be berated and overcome. Spin no unfalsehoods to me, I read your face and mind like an open book, and what does it read now? Archaic letters make ideas that are contradicting---more confusion. Unhappy? How can you think yourself happy when you don't know what you want? Let's not mess things up again, if we both make the effort it will be possible, I think, I hope. It must be possible, for I see no other road.
What the Hell is my problem? I have no problem, only beauty that is slightly out of reach, but I know all will work out for the best in the end---roll the bones.
And so I slip back in to my solitude and Heal my wounds, with faith as my poultice, love and charity my bandages, all generated from within to Heal the wound within. How many times will I suffer likewise? Endless, perhaps, but ask me if it frightens me---yes. Does that stop me? No. Just a poor fool who will one day be the happiest man in the world, if he endures to the end, learns his lessons, remembers to keep his head, and continues to pray for the truth and guidance.

The next step would be to go through this mess and pick out key phrases or words that describe how I feel or felt accurately. Sometimes during these "brainstorming" or creativity sessions, music also pops in to my head, and I'll scribble down notes in the side margins of the page, while playing the chords or notes on the guitar.
All in all, there is no one set way to write music, but inspiration is the best key. It's always good to have a notebook handy with a pen or pencil. If you're having trouble getting inspiration, I've found that it can't be forced, but it can be invoked from time to time. My method involved placing a candle with a large flame in front of a mirror so that it gives me enough light to see even if all of the other lights are off, and just staring into the flame, allowing my mind to drift about, thinking about my life and the things that I deal with on a day to day basis.

Next comes the process of writing music. Sometimes pieces of music I've written will match up with the mood and tone of what I'm trying to get across, sometimes not. I generally start out with the lead or rhythm guitar lines, but not always. On occasion an idea of the bass or drum line will enter my head, but normally Phat, Jimi, and Dallin write their own parts around the basic guitar that I write, and usually it's pretty close to what I originally had in mind. Every song has it's own feel, it's own sound to it. Getting things to come together and sound like it should is one of the greatest feelings I know.

Lyrics and music together, you're ready to start rehearsing, which is key to a good band, as I'm sure anyone knows. If you have any further questions or comments, e-mail me!

Glyolis