THE SONG: This song is a special one for me. It was early 2010 and I was really bummed about my band's breakup. I had written a handful of acoustic songs... but they were missing something... I was just too preoccupied and stuck inside.
I was spending a lot of time hanging out with my great friend Daniel Chesnut. His friend David is the manager of Renee Yohe who was the inspiration behind the huge non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms (google it).
Daniel heard they were making a movie about her life story and her struggles with drug addition, alcoholism, depression, anxiety and a host of other horrible issues... and how she came out the other end of it through her belief in Christ and her friends and families love and support. It was a long road... and one that continues to this day... a process for sure.
There's a lot more to this story... but the main idea is, Daniel and I were involved in the early stages of this film's development (it's not finished and about to be released: www.reneethemovie.com).
As we were researching Renee's story we came across a bunch of youtube videos of her being interviewed.
I have a heart for those who are what I call "victims of themselves". Her story moved me and got me thinking about people I know who have dealt with similar issues... and I wrote this song "Queen Misery". At it's heart it's an empathetic song about the "tough love" aspect of helping someone through this stuff... to love and support without enabling. It's a tight wire walk... those around Renee were VERY close to her and walked this wire so many times. I applaud them, and her for making it out the other side and for continuing on the road to recovery.
THE RECORDING: This was the song that started my newly invigorated love affair with piano as one of my favorite instruments to write with. Guitar reminded me of FALLBORN so much... that it felt right to throw myself off a bit and go to piano.... it also fit the feelings I had. I didn't feel like rocking. I want to get into a more intimate thing.
Matt played some amazingly transparent and music guitars on this song. He's SO accurate... yet SO musical... his ears are deep... not literally... but yeah! He played my 1966 Martin D18 on this... as well as some subtle electric guitar. I remember our collabo on this session having a nice mellow/meloncholly feel that really came out in, and was informed by, The Song. I was happy about that... I like when those things are aligned and there's a certain reverence for the song's subject matter when recording... not pretentious or forced... just some care.... not just "jamming".
I happned to have Nic Rodriguez's epic Tyler 5 string bass at my studio.... I used the poop out of that thing:) The lowend is so huge and warm on that thing. It really married to the DW X-Shell Kick Drum (thanks Jules! And DW).
The Drums: This is my Bronze Black Beauty on verses then I switch to the Fatty Snare on the Chorus... I like the sonic shift... not too noticeable, but works I think.... I hope...
I was flattered when I read iTunes review of my album... they singled out this song in a way that made me feel warm and fuzzy:) Thanks Mr. iTunes.
And more so, thanks Renee Yohe, David, Daniel, Josh, Kim and all involved in that project.
And for all of you out there dealing with addiction and mood disorders of any kind... you're not alone, and there IS hope. God is good... please seek Him.. it's this fallen world that sucks sometimes... it's freewill and a lot of time, mistakes and layers of life (us!) that created the crappiness... but God's love is all around us.
:) A
Original Release Date: September 21, 2010