'All for Nothing' video release [Arcadian Resonance]

As an undiscovered music artist, it can often be hard to pinpoint that moment or reason for writing a song - although often looking back and listening helps crystalize perhaps what was the driving force behind a track. 

'All for Nothing' was born out of a desperation if you will, about the state of the world/ modern life/ materialism/ capitalism/ music industry and the sheer amount of noise out there - the inability for anyone to be heard for more a few seconds. Attention spans decrease as we consume ever more.

Part of me craves for a time when music fans would go out and buy an album and listen to it start to finish and appreciate the full story of the album - I know that will never happen again, although it shouldn't force musicians to cater to an audience who will click away in 3 seconds unless they don't like the first chord played.  

I'm very proud to have written this and all the tracks on 'Arcadian Resonance' and not in my wildest dreams would I think this possible if you'd have told me I'd be releasing a second album a good few years back.

Written by Rob Playford with Claude Etienne on guitar and the mix and master engineer was Adam Titmuss.

Adam Titmuss https://linktr.ee/amtaudio

Claude Etienne https://www.facebook.com/Claud150/

Rob Playford http://www.playfio.com/

Video footage curtesy of the 1970's film 'The Conformist' directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, whose screenplay is based on the 1951 novel The Conformist by Alberto Moravia. The film stars Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Enzo Tarascio, Fosco Giachetti, José Quaglio, Dominique Sanda and Pierre Clémenti. The film was a co-production of Italian, French, and West German film companies.

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'Foolish Thinking' video release [Arcadian Resonance]

Dark dystopian visions of the future or even a stark version of our present day for that matter! 

Foolish Thinking encapsulates the slightly darker side of our obsession with technology or at least acts as a warning of where we're heading. Are we all walking off the edge of a cliff?  as expertly illustrated by the talented Steve Cutts in this Playfio music video.

Technology with all so many positives has a clear and ever present dark side - not to mention the actual dark web. I came across this short animation film  "Are You Lost in the World Like Me" by Steve Cutts, and it really struck a chord and I wanted to combine this with 'Foolish Thinking' from the new album 'Arcadian Resonance'.

A common sight in the western world is a busy public space adorned with people with eyes firmly locked down, transfixed to their various devices oblivious to the world around them. Perhaps the recent Covid Pandemic has allowed everyone to appreciate the natural world  and take time to reflect on our relationship with consumption, consumerism and cultural obsession with appearance.

Having investigated this video more and thinking what a great fit it is for this song, it seems Moby got there before me (some 4 years before me) and put one of his tracks over this Moby & The Void Pacific Choir - Are You Lost In The World Like Me? (Official Video) ah well, you can decide your favourite! I've got this far now with this one and not changing the video! Enjoy

Links/ Credits:

This track was originally released in 2019 at 120BPM and with synthetized guitar parts without decent mastering - since  then, the track has improved tenfold with the introduction of  studio recorded rhythm and lead guitar work from Claude Etienne and finally re-mixed and mastered to perfection by the upcoming BBC mix and master engineer Adam Titmuss.

Rob Playford http://www.playfio.com/
Guitar - Claude Etienne https://www.facebook.com/Claud150/
Mix/ Master: https://linktr.ee/amtaudio

If you'd like to stream/ download/ read more about this and other music by this upcoming music artist, please head over to www.playfio.com and have a browse.

Video footage: Short animation film  "Are You Lost in the World Like Me" by Steve Cutts

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'We' music video release [Arcadian Resonance]

I distinctly remember writing this song as it was one of those times when everything just falls into place - I'd got a full song structure in place but had no lyrics. In addition, I was under time pressure as I'd booked a producer room for a 12 hour slot at Pirate Studios in Glasgow and wanted to record the vocals while I had decent gear. It's never quite the same recording at home trying to make a DIY vocal booth inside a wardrobe!

Prior to this I'd just put to music some spoken prose that my brother had sent me of the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling - you can read about Playfio - If or  watch the Playfio If - 3D video here. So with that in mind, I quickly scoured the web to find some inspiration - his writing is certainly that with perfect rhythm and flow.

I came across 'The Prairie' which was first published on April 16th 1908 in the article 'The Fortunate Towns' in the Morning Post  - one of eight 'Letters to the Family' on Rudyard Kipling's visits to Canada.

I have taken a certain artistic license with this poem and deviated from some of his lines and word choice to help create the required rhythm to match my melody but this is nothing new and goes on in all forms of artwork. The original poem can be found here: http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_prairie.htm

My favourite verse:

“Take heed what spell the lightning weaves—what charm the echoes shape—

Or, bound among a million sheaves, your soul shall not escape.

Bar home the door of summer nights lest those high planets drown

The memory of near delights in all the longed-for town.”

The verses took inspiration from the above and  subsequently, I added a kind of interlude stroke chorus after Claude had added this easy, laid back guitar that fits the mood of this one just right.

The music video couldn't be further removed from the prairie country of Western Canada which Kipling so admired, but takes place in a dark dystopian vision of Bangkok. This contrast of music and video tone seems to fit and the later addition of  chorus lyrics provided a suitable match to this wonderfully macabre and dangerous view of our future.

Links/ Credits:

Written by Rob Playford with Claude Etienne on guitar and the mix and master engineer was Adam Titmuss.

Rob Playford http://www.playfio.com/
Adam Titmuss https://linktr.ee/amtaudio
Claude Etienne https://www.facebook.com/Claud150/

Video Credits: A Futuristic Short Film  True Skin by - N10N  TheCGBros : A Futuristic Short Film : "True Skin"  by - N10N | TheCGBros
  

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'Paper Wait' music video release [Arcadian Resonance]

Waiting for the day..This track never started off with the path it's taken me on but then for the vast majority of tracks I write, I never know where it'll take me - that's the sheer beauty of music creation.

Years back in Sheffield I attended and filmed a demonstration that a friend was taking part in. It was 'One Billion Rising' against violence against women: Sheffield Flash Mob - One Billion Rising - Women Rising Against Violence - 14th Feb 2013.

I guess the thought behind that experience brought about this track in a very round about way some 7 years later. In the past years, this has taken a much needed hold on popular media and rightly so. 

Being lucky enough now to father a daughter myself, and seeing the inequality that besieges these times, if I can in some very small way enforce that message and get more people thinking about this topic then the world of tomorrow will be a better place for gender inequality.

Just finally, as pointed out by a number of my female friends listening/ watching this song/ video - the lyrics 'Keep on running sister' by no means relate to 'running away' rather 'keep on going - keep striving/ fighting/ being' - the lyrics keep on 'going sister' never quite had the same ring about it - the feeling and substance is true nonetheless.  

Links/ Credits:

Written by Rob Playford with Claude Etienne on guitar and the mix and master engineer was Adam Titmuss.

Adam Titmuss https://linktr.ee/amtaudio
Claude Etienne https://www.facebook.com/Claud150/
Rob Playford http://www.playfio.com/

Video footage:

Pocket-sized Feminism: The Short Film: POCKET-SIZED FEMINISM: The Short Film

Women's March: Massive Protests Across World: Women's March: Massive Protests Across U.S., World

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