Fire or Pearl

Fire or Pearl
Written and Recorded 2012

Written almost exactly 3 years ago, "Fire or Pearl" was one of my more ambitious songs. Of the North would go on to play this song for the duration of the band. At the time, I had picked up a book of old Wisconsin folk tunes and was inspired to write one of my own. This song comes from the original Wisconsin Badgers. In the early 1800s, the lead miners who settled here would also dig out tunnels to live in during the harsh winter months. So I made up a little story of my own about a man hoping for a better future for his son, then heading off to the mines. The chorus continues with how the miners embraced the dangerous nature of their job. This is an early demo I gave to my bandmates.

• The song has two different tempos and time signatures. I can't say what originally inspired this, but I felt that the first part of the story should be more exposed and delicate. It is a neat effect when done correctly, but it also makes for 5 minute song.
• The "Ooos" that follow the chorus are the highlight of this song for me. The harmonies are really nice over one of my favorite chord progessions. I always remember audiences looking up and smiling a bit more when we hit that part of the song.
• Overall, I think the song is a bit too long. That comes from the slower intro, a long chorus, a post-chorus section, solo, AND recap of the first verse AND a double chorus at the end. When Kent came on board, he did a lot more with solo section on cello that helped keep it interesting.
• Because I had a clear vision of what the song should be (i.e. Wisconsin folk tune about miners) I probably forced some of the lyrics to work. The chorus is a nice idea to jam those words in, but it's almost too much. Though it was easier to walk into the setting of the song because of the story I was telling. That's always been key for me, especially in terms of remember lyrics!
• This is one of my favorite bass lines. It keeps moving on the chorus and drives the song along. I know it's pretty simple, but it works quite well with the progression.
• The song just didn't come out cleanly. I usually work well within parameters or instrumentation restrictions, but as I've said before, lyrics don't work so well when I box myself in. I think it was a good effort at something new, but still a bit forced. 
• Fun fact: In the early days of Of the North I would play banjo on this song. It was always ridiculously difficult to sing and play, but that was another nice element.