Teag and PK will be playing October 15th  at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing with Lansing favorites Mighty Medicine. See the flyer below and click the link to download a printable PDF.

52 Songs – Song of the Week #6 – Occupy Wallstreet

The Occupy Wall Street protests that started in NYC’s Zuccotti Park have really inspired and moved me. For the first time in a long time I’m not just experiencing apathy, but instead I feel inspired, moved to act, like doing something. As I sit here at my desk typing these lines, I’m waiting for my chance to take part in these protests to question common foes that go across many colors, genders and political persuasions: Wall Street and the topsy-turvy existence it’s given all of us, and the corporate conglomerate that’s done little for the American people since its inception beyond diminish our communities and our way’s of life.

To learn a little more about the corporation, as entity, I recommend the movie, The Corporation — it’s sure to make you not feel very good, but to inspire action as it did for me.

We’ll get our chance with Occupy Lansing on October 15th.. in the meantime, I’ve written a song, Occupy Wallstreet, that I hope keeps us questioning Wall Street’s stranglehold on our country and the corporate culture of greed and corruption that has left so many of us unemployed and struggling.

Please pass this on. Also, I’ve made this track available for digital purchase through the Amazon, iTunes, and others *It’s not available yet, but when it is I’ll update the post*… Yes, of course, I’m using the machinations of the corporation, but it only serves to demonstrate the hold they have on things… In any case, all proceeds go to the NYC General Assembly/ Alliance for Global Justice… well, this is my small part, what’s yours? Together we can make real change for real good.

Song: Occupy Wallstreet

Lyrics:

Battered Global Economies, Bankrupt nations, no jobs.
The great recession’s greed & corruption, where does it stop?

Fat cats get richer, fundamentalists take our rights.
We’re losing our civil liberties with no end in site.

Banks too big to fail, foreclosing on our dreams.
We’ve lost perspective on what equality means.

We all want a good life, for our families to live well
Have’s and Have-Nots, a familiar tale

We’re gonna occupy wallstreet, it’s going down.
We are the 99% and we’re tired of being pushed around.
We can’t tolerate the greed & corruption of the 1%
We’re taking back our lives with non-violent protest

Wall street & mainstreet, tired rhetoric, the people lose
Our homes, our jobs, our families, a tightening noose

Abandoned by our government, we had hope, but that’s long gone
A people-powered marketing job, we had it all wrong

Bought and sold our freedom, must’ve thought we wouldn’t notice
Wall street and corporations are anti-American, at least that’s what they’ve show us

We’ve got a chance to make things right, turn them around.
Take a look at America and the gathering crowd.

We’re gonna occupy wallstreet, it’s going down.
We are the 99% and we’re tired of being pushed around.
We can’t tolerate the greed & corruption of the 1%
We’re taking back our lives with non-violent protest

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This post and recording are part of the 52 Songs project, where I’m working to write, record and upload a new song every Wednesday – 52 Songs in 52 weeks or bust – Please feel free to share and enjoy, but kindly give credit to Matt Borghi and MattBorghi.com

One of the things about the 52 Songs series and getting it off the ground in a ‘live’ format is the memorizing of words. I read that Trey Anastasio from Phish started using a teleprompter in the last couple years, and before that the crew would quickly write out lyrics on poster board and throw it under his feet as he was performing… with over 300 songs the crew never knew what to expect with a band that is known for not putting together setlists.

Similarly, a friend of mine was telling me about a singer/songwriter who he really liked, and she was getting right into the hook of his favorite song when a stage light went out and she wasn’t able to sing the tune because she couldn’t read the lyrics.

On the other hand using a music stand seems quintessentially uncool… so I’ve struggled, my memory has grown, and I’m even looking vitamins, recipes and exercises to increase my memory… Some of my friends, I’m sure are saying ‘…about damn time!’

Seriously, though the memorization of words is an operational detail that could be easily overlooked, but it’s something that has really hit me where I live as I get ready to launch the Teag and PK shows that we have coming. Anyhow, this post all came from watching this video where Dave Matthews talks about forgetting lyrics and sometimes just mumbling… been there…

52 Songs – Song of the Week #5 – Bacon

After the reception that I got to my novelty tune 18″ Pool, the first time I played it out (you can listen to it here), I decided I would like to do another novelty tune. I didn’t have any ideas, but as I was making breakfast, specifically bacon and waffles, I made up a tune on the spot and this is it. I  was also listening to Muddy Waters’ Got my mojo workin’ so it has a similar feel….

Song: Bacon

Lyrics:

I like bacon, I like bacon, real, real good.
I like bacon, I like bacon, real, real good.
I like bacon better than a big man should

I like bacon, it makes everything alright.
I like bacon, it makes everything alright.
I like bacon, it gets me through the night.

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This post and recording are part of the 52 Songs project, where I’m working to write, record and upload a new song every Wednesday – 52 Songs in 52 weeks or bust – Please feel free to share and enjoy, but kindly give credit to Matt Borghi and MattBorghi.com

You can hear the first recorded show from Teag and PK at Wanderer’s Tea House in East Lansing, MI from 09/30/2011 online now here at the Teag and PK site, or here at the Live Music Archive at Archive.org here.

52 Songs – Song of the Week #4 – Of Forgiveness

Song: Of Forgiveness

Instrumental Song w/o words

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This post and recording are part of the 52 Songs project, where I’m working to write, record and upload a new song every Wednesday – 52 Songs in 52 weeks or bust – Please feel free to share and enjoy, but kindly give credit to Matt Borghi and MattBorghi.com

We’ll be playing at Wanderer’s Tea House in East Lansing on Friday, September 30th. The event is free and starts around 7:00 pm.

Teag and PK will be sharing the bill with local favorites, Cuatro Sur,  for a night of eclectic acoustic music… from American folk, jazz and roots music of Teag and PK to the Spanish and latin-infused music of Cuatro Sur… This is going to be a great show, at a great price (Free) at a great space… Let us know if you’ll be coming by RSVPing at our Facebook page. While you’re there ‘Like’ us as our contest to write and perform a song for Fan #50 is still going on!

Click here for full flyer (PDF)

52 Songs – Song of the Week #3 – Like a Rocket

Song: Like a Rocket

Lyrics:

Keep me moving
Can’t keep up
Fire me off – Like a rocket

Giving up
Breakin’ Down, now
Hard & Fast – Like  a rocket

Light it up
Fire the ignition
Going to get going – Like a rocket

Like a rocket x4

Everything up here’s so small, way up above it all.
The world down there keeps up a pace like they’re in a losing race.
The blues & greens fit perfectly, as I drift through the galaxy.
All systems go, I know I can be all that I am supposed to be.

But it was just a dream….
I’m a rocket
I’m a rocket
I’m a rocket

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This post and recording are part of the 52 Songs project, where I’m working to write, record and upload a new song every Wednesday – 52 Songs in 52 weeks or bust – Please feel free to share and enjoy, but kindly give credit to Matt Borghi and MattBorghi.com

The inspiration for songs is everywhere. Whether it’s a couple lines that sounded interesting while listening to NPR’s Morning Edition, or reading a headline in the New York Times, there seems to be no inspirational end in sight. Read more »

52 Songs – Song of the Week #2 – This Year (Could be different)

Song: This Year (Could be different)

Lyrics:

The song – the story – the one I try to tell
Different than the one I’ve always held
Untold – Clearly  - the mystery unfolds
The plot thickens – Greatest story never told

Candle light vigil – I hold my breath
I count the flickers – Sure I’m set
Eager to swing it, been down so long
Can’t give up – the answers – Got it all wrong

This year could be different, but I ain’t gonna hold my breath; got pain on the brain obsessing insane and it’s really anyone’s guess.

The blight – the fracture – Takes me away
Like a Calgon trip, soothing, but never the same
I hold dear my family – I know I can’t fail
There’s a faith in tomorrow that always prevails.

How long? Not long, as I gather my strength
There’s gold in them hills, if I just make a break
The light is green and it takes me away
Slave to salvation – stasis remains.

This year could be different, but I ain’t gonna hold my breath; got pain on the brain obsessing insane and it’s really anyone’s guess.

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This post and recording are part of the 52 Songs project, where I’m working to write, record and upload a new song every Wednesday – 52 Songs in 52 weeks or bust – Please feel free to share and enjoy, but kindly give credit to Matt Borghi and MattBorghi.com