Track by Track :: Malcolm Middleton – Waxing Gibbous

Malcolm Middleton plays Field Day this very weekend and at Sounds In The Ground festival in Stornoway on the 22nd August. New single ‘Zero’ is out on Full Time Hobby on 3rd August, whilst the album, Waxing Gibbous, is brought to life in Malcolm’s own style below…

If you want to check it out, download the track ‘Carry Me’ here!

Red Travellin’ Socks:

A fun song written after an intimate acoustic tour, where I was probably singing most of my more depressing songs. I fancied a change of pace and this song came floundering to the surface. I remember that it was written completely in about half an hour, including all the wee changes etc, which is pretty unusual for me. I did have a pair of red socks that I’d always wear when I was going away on a journey, although at the time of writing I was probably already on RTS mk II, due to wear and tear. I think this is a fun song, and of course, it’s not really just about a pair of socks.

Kiss At The Station:

Hmm, a weird shallow one. I like the drive of this song, but of course the train noises are pretty cheesy. Never mind the “world music” break down in the middle. Too many bad influences converging into one song… The song isn’t really about anything other than the obvious. I did write it on a train, and I was on my way to visit my girlfriend.

Carry Me:

I didn’t want to put this on the album as it felt a bit weird. Most folk that heard it seemed to attach to it quickly so I went along with them. It’s hard describing this song because one read of the lyrics tells you exactly what it’s about. The shattered dreams of childhood, etc, growing old, watching Bryan Ferry and Duran Duran videos and thinking this is what adult life is like! It’s not a negative song, just a bit mopey, trying to capture a feeling that I think everyone of my generation has.

Zero:

Probably the most fun I had on this album. Getting drunk and listening to old Madonna stuff. The lyrics are all over the place, but all relevant to me. I do have a habit of driving to the old houses I’ve lived in when feeling down or confused etc. I had a period of a few months where bad things always seemed to happen when it was a waxing gibbous moon. The outro is supposed to be comforting, not sure if I managed this though. I hate explaining songs, it’s like dancing to architecture….

Stop Doing Be Good:

Probably my least favourite song on the album, it’s a bit preachy and angsty. I like the loud bit though. I hate the way my voice sounds.

Don’t Want To Sleep Tonight:

Show me the way to go home? A nice wee song about staying up too late and not looking forward to the next day. Lovely stuff. I suppose it’s also about being unsure of where to go next musically, and feeling like some of the decisions I’ve made were wrong. Not having respect for my reasons for writing songs sometimes. Feeling like I’ve sold out a wee bit because of the Xmas stuff. All lies wrapped up in lies of course, so much so that I don’t even know what I was trying to convey.

Shadows:

A worrying Fratelli-esque beginning to this song. Or rather, a cross between Bugsy Malone and Who Let The Dogs Out? Actually one of my favourite songs and I love playing it live. It was hard work not to make the mid-section go down a cabaret “I Love You Baby!” route. But avoided all the same. I wrote this song about trying to lift my lift out of a mire, and in doing so succeeded. There’s a lesson there.

Ballad Of Fuck All:

On being a bored and depressive musician who’s left at home all day to look and whine into the abyss, waiting for my partner to come home from her job in the real world. Obviously written on a bad day. Which isn’t every day.

Box & Knife:

Unwrapping birthday presents can be so much fun. Me fannying about with layman synths and beats also. Reincarnation? Feeling eternal? Not feeling enough?

Made Up Your Mind:

Here the hero of the piece wonders what the outcome of a lover’s decision will be, asking the question ” Have you made up your mind yet?”. Deep stuff. I wrote this song the night before it was recorded and didn’t want to spend too much time battering it into shape or trying to sing it properly. I think it sounds nice ‘n’ raw.

Subset Of The World:

A nice poppy song, fresh and simple. The main theme is maybe isolation, feeling trapped in your own body and not being part of the universe around you. Or maybe having to feel like this as a precaution. I had a dream where the whole of the universe was inside the body of a woman and I was outside and separate, but also my own universe. And she wanted a hug. Freud? It’s basically a pop song about evolving consciousness.

Love On The Run:

I’ve no idea what this is about. Being a crap friend and relative? Being too cold sometimes? It’s just words and music, man. I don’t like the line “don’t fuck off, I need you to stay”, it makes me cringe every time, but I didn’t change it for some reason.

Malcolm Middleton on Myspace