Stay ConnectedTwo bands who span the Atlantic, having a chat across the planet. Drafting jams from random challenges, fantastic banter while we’re at it. So just relax and watch our antics; it’s the pan-Atlantic Jam Mechanics
Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt Johnston from The Narcissist Cookbook and Bug from Bug Hunter. Each week we’ll take on songwriting challenges and present our finished “demo” after a few hour break.
Copyright: © Jam Mechanics
Happy New Year! On our 6th episode of Jam Mechanics, we go down memory lane (way, WAY down memory lane). Get your new Calendars pinned up and mark "Jam Mechanics" for every other Monday.
Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
and our brand-new discord is here
and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
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BUG'S SONG
Matt's Challenge: Your First Memory
Title: Memories
Lyrics:
There were roses in the garden My toys were on the lawn My brother rode a bicycle Watched closely by my mom I toddled off the patio I often wandered off And quickly get corralled by My sweetheart of a dog These are the details These are the memories These are the moments always cut from documentaries These are the details These are the memories That never stick I was just a baby in the backyard Learning one thing at a time The shapes and colors turning Into object ‘fore my eyes It was an early autumn evening The first I could recall I crunch the leaves beneath my feet My dad records it all These are the details These are the memories These are the moments always cut from documentaries These are the details These are the memories That never stick They called me in for dinner but Before I headed in They handed me a cup of kibble Filled up to the brim I toddled to the doghouse Thats when God, she hit record My first memory is getting all my shit rocked by a bird Can’t choose the details Can’t choose the memories Can’t choose the scars they leave so sudden, unexpectedly Can’t choose the details Can’t choose the memories I wish we weren’t so primed to focus on upsetting things Can’t choose the details Can’t choose the memories That seem to nest inside your head The awful details That form these memories But if I could instead I’d choose the details The little memories And make ‘em stick
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MATT'S SONG
Bug's Challenge: "Calendar"
Title: The Year of Confusion
Lyrics:
Uh sorry, Matt's notepad crashed and we didn't want to type them up again.
On the 5th episode of Jam Mechanics, we make amends to Bug for all the lost ice breakers. This is as close to a "Holiday Episode" as we get, and we almost got it right! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
and our brand-new discord is here
and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --
---------- BUG'S SONG Matt's challenge: First Contact (42 word max!)
Title: AlIen Lyrics: When I open up my phone, you're the first name on my list An Alien emoji next to your name and I wish When I open up my phone I wasn't forced to reminisce but when I open up my phone you're the first name on my list you're the first name on my list when I open up my phone the Typo from the time we met I chose to leave alone you're the first name on my list that will never phone home you're the first name on my list when I open up my phone The first contact on my list, when I open up my phone the reminder of the time we met, the name I never chose but AlIen, alphabetically will not leave me alone you're the first name on my list when I open up my phone -------
MATT'S SONG Bug's Challenge: Give me a (misunderstood) Christmas Song Title: A Christmisunderstaning Lyrics:
it's the moment of the midwinter
the time of yule
through a log on the fire
and let it burn
every crackle and spark will represent
a baby pig or a calf to be born next year
here he comes
across the sky
underneath cover of night
he knows who has been naughty
he knows who has been nice
he punishes the wicked
brings good tidings to the pure
so huddle up beside the fire
prepare for the coming of odin
lord of frenzy
weep for the coming of odin
it's december
25th and the children are playing with their new gifts
oh the light of joy in the eyes of a child
as the party winds down
as the wine runs dry
with snow on the ground
we remember the night of the virgin birth
happy birthday mithras
infant god
savior of the people
born from a rock
slayed a bull with your bare hands
so the souls of the sinful would be washed in the blood of the innocent
christmas trees were invented by the pagan celts
On the 4th episode of Jam Mechanics, Matt shares a man vs nature story for the ages and Bug goes outside his comfort zone. So, so far outside his comfort zone. Don't listen to this if you can't take criticism! We warned you! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
Bug Hunter and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --
---------- BUG'S SONG Matt's challenge: Stone. Cold. Diss. Track.
Title: Dissin' all my Listeners Lyrics: Look at you, bet you’re thinking that you’re all that “lately I’ve been really into indie rock and podcasts” Chronically online, paying top dollar for broadband people show you memes, you’re thinkin “I already saw that” Cool headphones! You’re right to keep it quiet cuz if I had your music taste I’d also try to hide it The crew is in the car, nows your chance to make it awkward the nights already over when its your turn for the Aux Chord I tried to warn you but I’m done with taking prisoners You’re in my target demo and I’m dissin’ all my listeners Hey cool tune, how’d you find it, kid? Did you pop into a record shop and dig for it? oh you let an algorithm make a playlist? cool you and every other zoomer in your local middle school and hey maybe they’re a talent and they kill it live oh, their show has the production of an open mic? we paid 25 bucks and you had to drag me, too to sit criss-cross and listen in a living room? Its not hard but I’ll try to make it simpler you’re in my target demo and I’m dissin all my listeners I hear you thinking that I’m comin off a bit harsh a little bit ungrateful to the one that got me this far should I apologize to all my audience or double down? this wouldn’t be a diss if I didn’t try to pop your bubble now You’re terrible! (at making me feel like I’m alone) You’re Awful! (cuz you drained your data playin’ me on your phone) You the worst at being critical when feedback’s all I want You’re mean (I mean you mean the world to me so thanks a lot) You needed me to knock you off your silly little perch you spend too damn much on my silly indie merch You’re enabling a dream, its irresponsible a grown ass man thinks that anything is possible?? call a cease fire, its all for show cuz I play until I win like this is rochambeau and I’m a rocker and your peace sign looks exactly like scissors you’re gonna get crushed cuz I’m dissin all my listeners -------
MATT'S SONG Bug's Challenge: You see that guy in the corner? He seems like a... Lion Title: We're all Enemies Here Lyrics:
hey welcome settle in i won't ask how you found the place we were are all blown here by different winds don't give me your name don't give me your story i've seen your face already that's all that's important pull up a chair i'll pour you a drink and i'll keep my eyes on the door that's what i do here i watch your back so you don't have to for a while don't give me your card don't give me your money i've seen your face already that's all that's important see that guy in the corner looks like a lion he fights for a living and he fights like he's dying you wanna have bad time tonight trying sneaking up behind him he took a dislike to a friend of mine, now i don't even recognise him you see that girl over there no, you didn't and if anyone ever comes asking bout a friend or daughter missing you just shake your head and send them over my way i'll make sure that nobody ever comes here asking round again don't give me that look like you're your own man i've seen your face already that's all that's important don't get any ideas we're all enemies here
On the 3rd episode of Jam Mechanics, we cement BUG's legacy forever. This one feels right out of a dream within a dream Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
Bug Hunter and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --
---------- BUG'S SONG Matt's challenge: Songception
Title: Song Lyrics: I just woke up here
I am 7 seconds old
I go in your ears
I am exactly what you told me to be and I
I will never change or mould
At least not for long
You are my dad
I am your song
It’s been 30 seconds now and
Boy feels good to stretch these legs
Pick up the pace and run and jump
And see how far this road’ll take me
Oh hey, what’s that? I found this chord, oh please dad, can we keep it?
You say: song that there’s a minor chord, its only good for somber feelings
So I put it back down where it was
You teach me right from wrong
You are my dad
And I am your song
But look at me, a minute in
And now I’ve found some friends
They back me up, they make me fuller,
Act as perfect complements
And now people keep on stopping me
To tell me what I am
What this sound is all about
And what it means to all of them
I am anguish, I am heartache
I am unbearable to hear
I am closure, I am power,
I am brutally sincere
But dad you never told me I could make these people cry
I thought you brought me here so I could be something they like
You say you didn’t mean it, never wanted this for me, I may not
Be the song you meant to write, but I’m the one they need
The one they need
Sometimes you get it right, even if they take it wrong
You are my dad
But I’m their song -------
MATT'S SONG Bug's Challenge: The song must have the initials B.U.G. Title: Buried Under Gary Lyrics:
why do you come here they say
every summer
don't you have anywhere better to be
you arrive with the butterfly weed
blow into town like a cottonwood seed
something's buried under Gary Indiana
something's buried under Gary Indiana
there's blood on the lake shore
keening from the wild
haven't you felt it moving
deep in the soil
so i have coming for years
every summer
cause that's when the symptoms appear
ask your friends bout their prophetic dreams
ask your kids bout the shadows they've seen
seems like everyone but you's got a feeling
something's buried under Gary Indiana
something's buried under Gary Indiana
it'll swallow the steel mills
the lake's gonna boil
haven't you felt it crawling
deep in the soil
something's buried under Gary Indiana
something's buried under Gary Indiana
On the 2nd episode of Jam Mechanics, we learn a shocking fact about Matt, make the next hit TikTok Dance, and things get a little omnipotent. Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
Bug Hunter and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --
---------- BUG'S SONG Matt's challenge: Write the national anthem for the proud nation of Bugtopia
Title: Pledge Allegiance Lyrics: If you don’t want to sing this song
Don’t feel compelled just to belong
Obligatory public vows shouldn’t make anybody proud
We don’t believe in faded ink
No shame updating how we think
Let’s circle back, no need to lock our constitution Google Doc
Don’t pledge allegiance to me, I
I’ve got no reason to be right
I’m not your King, I’ve not returned
I’ve got a million things to learn
We’re like a trilogy unwatched
2/3’s abandoned and simply dropped
We’ll never know the end,
I’ll bring the paper and the pen and try again
We’re okay living in the wings
Don’t need attention or what it brings
we’re all content just to let the kings
Fight back and forth over petty things
We’ll plant our flag and hope it grows
And if the cameras come we can strike a pose
If this life’s an anthem of perfect prose
We are the 2nd verse that nobody knows
[Chorus]
And we’ll shimmy to the left, shimmy shimmy to the left
Everybody shimmy shimmy on over to the left
And then we’ll shimmy to left, keep going to the left
It’d be super duper helpful if you’d shimmy to the left
It’d be great if you’d shimmy to left please, thank you
[Chorus] -------
MATT'S SONG Bug's Challenge: Accident? Title: Accident? Lyrics:
i was walking to work day
crossing the street you gotta look both ways i know
but today i just stepped out with my eyes closed
three narrow misses and a screaming driver
i made it safely to the other side and i open my notebook and i write "experiment 9: success" and underline it
yeah i think i'm immortal
the signs are becoming unignorable
it all started a week ago
i woke up with a weird feeling so i did what any reasonable person ought to do
jumped out the window barely caught a sprain
walked on the tracks and tried to stop a train
yeah i think i'm immortal
the signs are becoming unignorable
how else would you explain it
i'm god
i think i always knew
i'm god
you're not that sucks for you
i thought that i was special i guess i was
now all you motherfuckers better pray because i'm god
i'm god
my first commandment is all love songs are now about me
my second commandment is thou shalt not order in food without leaving some aside for me as offering
my third commandment is the workday now starts at 4pm
and finishes at 4.45pm
two days a week
My fourth commandment is the summer will never rise above a pleasant temperature, and i'm scottish so, prepare for cold weather
My fifth commandment is commands are hard to come up with, imma take a break
my sixth commandment is free healthcare for all, sorry, i should have thought of that sooner
my seventh commandment is vampires are real and they're sexyyy
my eighth commandment is we should probably defang the vampires, but i acknowledge that a lot of their sex appeal comes from how dangerous they are so
i dunno
leave that with me
my ninth commandment is no war, no famine, no poverty, no bloodsports, no long layovers, no disappointing endings to novels, no greenhouse gases, no mandatory mailing list signups, no hidden fees, no gods, no masters, no actually scrap that. you didn't write that down did you?
my tenth commandment is the vampires leave you alone unless you consent to be bitten
yeah i think that solves that problem
On our first episode of Jam Mechanics, we break the ice, introduce ourselves, and tell one of our favorite tour stories. Bug and Matt challenge each other to write a brand new song (from scratch!) in a three-hour window. Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode. If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), you can go to our Bandcamp or website to pay-what-you-want to support us! Our Music: The Narcissist Cookbook
Bug Hunter Feel free to reach out to us at: Both: hello@jammechanics.com Bug: bug@jammechanics.com Matt: tnc@jammechanics.com and follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, and Spotify! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!
-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --
MATT'S SONG Bug's Challenge: Write a song about the four elements. Cannot use the words: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Hot, Wet, Wind, Dirt Title: The World Yet to Come Lyrics: grab my winter coat and leave the door unlocked I'll be back before you know I'm gone cutting through the sidestreets with the alleycats and missing dogs whispers from the reservoir have kept me up buzzing lights impersonate the sun missives from the landfill to the west of town frozen condensation in my lungs and I will be back when the spell is cast I'll breeze through your door with my heart intact the crystals that form on the inside of our windows will fracture and come apart I'm waiting I'm waiting for sun the life of the world yet to come
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BUG'S SONG Matt's challenge: Write a song about this (random) Wikipedia page Title: Francesco Lyrics: Franceso is the mayor of a city by the shore its on the southern tip of Italy known for tuna fish and tourists he books a meeting, sends an email, poses for the local paper one more email, has that meeting, off to dinner with his neighbors that's Francesco Francesco, he was named after a saint called Padre Pio who reportedly fought demons, claimed he parlato con dio He says a prayer, goes to mass, and poses with a little wafer one more prayer, one more sip of wine then pranzo with his neighbors that's Francesco And though he’s not producing miracles or guiding wayward spirits homes I wonder if Francesco thinks about it yeah, I wonder if Francesco thinks about it. But in March of 241 BC the Roman and Phoenician Fleets began a battle in the sea just off the coast of Sicily So many bodies on the beach, they turned it red, now theirs to keep they built a tower on the hill, passed back and forth through history The Romans and Aragonese, the Normans and the Genoese but now it's ruled by Angelo who runs the gift shop at its feet and now I think about that abandoned fort the bodies stacked on that bloody shore how long it took to clear the port 2000 years of tug of war Now long after the Fall of Rome An office chair usurps the throne A modern mayor scrawls his name on permits for a loading zone It hasn’t always been this way it hasn’t always been this way and I wonder if Francesco thinks about it yeah I wonder if Francesco thinks about it
Jam Mechanics launches on October 23! Get ready for Bug (Bug Hunter) and Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) to challenge each other to insanely specific (or frustratingly general) songwriting challenges every other week!
This excerpt comes from Episode One: Hot Wet Wind Dirt
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