David Pepke

A good, productive day has come to an end – we really got a lot of stuff done. Can’t wait to listen to it, and look at it tomorrow – right now it off to bed!

Thanks guys – you did a fantastic job!

Videos will be up in the morning – I pwomise!

D.

As a reaction to the slow moving music industry, I had an idea.

“Why not record an album, do a photo session for promo-pictures, and shoot a music video and some promotional pictures – all in one day?”

Recording an album in a real studio is great. I love to be able to spend hours and hours on vocals, arrangements and so on – but sometimes you just need to get a move on. Sometimes you can’t recreate that magical first-take – or the way you played a song, when everybody was just sensing what to play, instead of reading carefully written sheet music. Sometimes it can be extremely liberating to just press record – play a song – press stop – and then move on. That way the song gets it’s own life – that way you can listen to it the next day or a year later, and still hear new things that you didn’t know were on there.

I’m not trying to compare the two – they are two different things. And I’m not saying I prefer one over the other – but that being said – I see no reason why the two can’t co-exist.

So – I’m going to try this.

I have a bunch of fantastic friends – and I have shanghaied a few of them to help me. This tuesday we’re going to attempt to record a small album – I’m thinking 6-7 songs – do a photo shoot – shoot a video for a song or two – and do some additional footage. While we do this, I’m going to videoblog – as I usually do – to document what we are doing.

When we’re done, I’m going to release the album for sale online, with little or no post-production, meaning no fiddling around on the computer, pressing numerous buttons etc. – I’m gonna put it straight out there. The video will be edited together quickly – or should I say “by intuition” rather. Same goes for the pictures.

With a lot of luck, some skill and pots and pots of coffee – we’ll get there.

D.

I’m trying to get a record deal.

Or rather, I’m trying to get a meeting with a record company to discuss the possibilities for releasing my songs. What I really wanna do is to be able to write songs and perform them live. That’s it.

So, what do you do? I have tried to contact record labels in Copenhagen – labels that I feel have the right musical profile. In my mind, record labels like those make a living from listening to demoes artist send them, and from going out a night, to the clubs where we, the musicians play – and there they scout for talent – like a soccer talent scout goes to the soccer field.

This is a mere figment of my imagination.

I can’t even get a response to my emails and my phone calls. I cannot even get a no. The so called talent scouts are sitting in their offices, praising themselves – patting each others backs because they got a job in the recording industry, and because they have backstage passes to some fashion show tonight. They couldn’t spot good lyrics if the words came out of their noses.

My very close friend – also a musician – told me something very upsetting yesterday. Major labels in The UK and The US will not sign an artist unless they have a complete organization behind them – a manager, an accountant, a booking agency etc. – and furthermore, an insurance company has to be willing to insure the whole album release, with everything it involves… Maybe this is old news to some, but it is definitely the first I have heard of it.

I am petrified.

This means that a singer/songwriter like me, has to establish a full business – with 5-10 employees – just to get a record label to consider signing him/her.

Just thinking the process through, my soul, my creativity has died a thousand times over. I cannot and I wont let men in suits decide whether my songs are good songs. I am proud of my songs and of my skill – and I think that there is an audience for my music.

I write music for me and for you – I write songs because I can’t help it – I have to write. I did not become a musician to be a number on a chart – to be a digit on a budget. I do this because it makes me happy – a guitar, a piano – just humming a melody – can make me smile. All the money in the world will never, ever, be that powerful.

Now, where’s my pen and paper – where’s my coffee and my guitar – I have an album to finish, to release and to perform.

Out of my way, bureaucrat!

Should I Tell You?

Suddenly I’m not so tough
I have no words to say
Suddenly I’m not so skilled
at keeping my feelings at bay

Suddenly I can’t hide that smile
I have an urge to sing
And I find myself wondering
when my phone’s gonna ring

And I don’t know
if I should tell you
Should I show
what I really feel?

Suddenly I’m not the one
who chooses not to call
Suddenly I am the one
who has to feel his heart fall

Suddenly I am the one
who used to play it cool
Suddenly I am the one
who writes lovesongs like a fool

And I don’t know
if I should tell you
Should I show
what I really feel?

Anymore

You can’t be the one I want
anymore
you’re taken
You can’t be what I look for
to adore
You’re taken
- and I feel broken

You say that you hold me dear
and when you’re near
I’m not broken
You seem like it is all clear
and that you hear
words not spoken
- and you’re still taken

So can I say that I miss you
when you’re not mine to miss?
Can I say I’d like to kiss you
and write a song like this?
Can I say that when I see you
the sun shines from above
Can I say that I love you
when you’re not mine to love?

Everytime I see your face
I’m in that place
where I first met you
Even when I give you space
most days
I can’t forget you
- and I can’t get you

But can I say that I miss you
when you’re not mine to miss?
Can I say I’d like to kiss you
and write a song like this?
Can I say that when I see you
the sun shines from above
Can I say that I love you
when you’re not mine to love?

Creative people have a tendency to seek approval from corporate people.

A singer/songwriter desperately wants the attention from the man in a suit sitting behind the big desk. The songwriter longs for the suit to pad him on the head, give him a record deal and steal all of the earnings.

What does suits know about good songs? What do they know about creativity and the highs and lows it brings? Why should they be put in the deciding chair?

They couldn’t identify talent or good poetry for their life – so I’ll stop asking them to from now on…

D.

I waste my time in public
’cause I want someone to see me
point his hand in one direction
and show me where to go
See I’m proudly independent
and I’m hardly ever needy
but there are days where I’m a loss
and my confidence is low

Now I hang out at a venue
where hopeless artists sing
And here I learn the virtue
of keeping stuff within

- “mock, my words”, December 2009

My Cabin

At sunrise I start making coffee
There’s always enough for two
My cabin is solid and cosy
I built it while thinking of you

I bring out my axe from my toolshed
and I spend the day chopping wood
My husky keeps watch ’till the sun’s red
I’m sure that he’d help if he could

I’m gonna build me a nice wooden cabin
with a big fireplace and a view
On the deck there’s a chair that I’ll sit in
and the chair next to mine is for you

At the end of the day I make dinner
Instead of one plate, I make two
The dog bows his head like a sinner
He knows that his feast was for you

I watch the sun set with the husky
I play him a short quiet song
My cabin is simple and dusty
but I hope that you’ll feel you belong

I’m gonna build me a nice wooden cabin
with a big fireplace and a view
On the deck there’s a chair that I’ll sit in
and the chair next to mine is for you

- dreaming and plotting, winter 2009

Take It Apart

So when I detect
that it’s touching my heart
I try to dissect
and take it apart

I let my mind enter
my heart becomes sore
I go to the centre
and look at the core

Then I start writing
pretend and conjure
When my heart is writhing
then this is my cure

The slightest emotion
can turn into song
So don’t get the notion
it’s you, ’cause you’re wrong

The loss of a job
is just a fresh start
There’s no need to sob
when you take it apart

The love of your life
may trample your heart
But you are the knife
that takes it apart

- in progress, January 2010

Red Carpet Cats

I’m at some cool reception
I’m sitting by myself
No bullshit, no deception
No Oscars on my shelf

And if you do approach me
and try to start a chat
Then you will meet the real me
not some red carpet cat

Red Carpet Cats are slick
Red Carpet Cats are cool
They win you over quick
They make the women drool

Their inventory sells
’cause their loyalty’s for hire
And they will save themselves
when their castle is on fire

Do you need lines to pick-up?
Do you need names to drop?
Do you need me to lick up
the champagne that you pop?

You’re looking for “pretend”
and I don’t go for that
But let me recommend
a cool red carpet cat

Red Carpet Cats are slick
Red Carpet Cats are cool
They win you over quick
They make the women drool

Their inventory sells
’cause their loyalty’s for hire
And they will save themselves
when their castle is on fire

- bitter, December 2009

My Cunnning Plan

She did! She did!
She looked back at me!
She looked back when she walked away!

Will she? Will she?
Will she come back to me
and bring her stuff and stay?

‘Cause little remains of my cunning plan
the plan to make the girl mine
I’ve straightened the road that leads to my door
It’s flooded with lights and with signs
And I would give this girl all that I own
but she must walk the road alone

She did! She did!
She came back to me!
With nothing in her hands?

She said – she said
that she wasn’t free
Which I’ll never understand…

‘Cause little remains of my cunning plan!?
The plan to make the girl mine!
I’ve straightened the road that leads to mine door
it’s flooded with lights and with signs!!
And I would give this girl all that I own
if she would walk the road alone

Yeah, she has molded at heart from a stone
but she must walk the road alone…

Smile And Make Ready

With good intentions I give her
a handful of flowers in bloom
She thanks me, and I see them wither
and I smile – smile and make ready for doom

The cherries I gave her are bitter
The puppy will find its death soon
The poor girl won’t know what hit her
and I smile – smile and make ready for doom

There’s beauty in self destruction
There’s pleasure in tearing things down
Admitting I can’t fight corruption
Accepting that one day I’ll drown

The bricks I have layn this morning
will shatter before we reach noon
The young girls are widows in mourning
and I smile – smile and make ready for doom

The lives that we lead are pointless
but most are immune to gloom
and they are the ones who are mindless
and they smile – smile and make ready for doom

There’s beauty in self destruction
There’s pleasure in tearing things down
Admitting I can’t fight corruption
Accepting that one day we’ll drown

My Heart Says So

I wrote a song for a girl I once knew
I have known more than one
I put my words where I once were
Will she know they are of her?

I took my clothes, took the stairs, took the road
I felt my senses return
I knew that I still had miles left to walk
Bridges to cross and to burn

And though I have to leave you here
there’s nothing wrong with you, my dear
I need to find the things I fear
I need to leave and disappear
I will leave you tears to cry
but my eyes will stay clear and dry
There will be no “you and I”
’cause I just love the word goodbye

I, there’s so much I don’t know
I, I’m not yes – I am no
I, I’ve got to go
I, ’cause my heart says so

I met a girl on the road I took
When will I ever learn?
I let her claim what she thought would be hers
I felt the numbness return

I lie awake while she sleeps by my side
Oh, how I suffer and yearn
I need to move, need my clothes, need the road
Set it ablaze and let it burn

And though I have to leave you here
there’s nothing wrong with you, my dear
I need to find the things I fear
I need to leave and disappear
I will leave you tears to cry
but my eyes will stay clear and dry
There will be no “you and I”
’cause I just love the word goodbye

I, there’s so much I don’t know
I, I’m not yes – I am no
I, I’ve got to go
I, ’cause my heart says so

Baby

First time that I looked
I was bought and sold and hooked
I was laying out a scheme to make you want me

First time you saw me
you were beautiful and free
you were confident and wise and independent

And baby
you keep saying maybe
but I still know that you will we
in bed with me
tonight
And baby
I know that you secretly
fantasize how it would be
on top of me
tonight

Second time I looked
I was boiled and peeled and cooked
but I did not show the signs of my weakness

It all worked perfectly
suddenly you were not free
and your eyes belonged to me, oh so hungry

And baby
you keep saying maybe
but I still know that you will be
in bed with me
tonight
And baby
I know that you secretly
fantasize how it would be
to sit on me
tonight

Third time that I looked
I was sold out, fully booked
I was terrified to see that you were taken

He was on the top
until all came to a stop
when I stole your soul away and left him shaken

‘Cause maybe
you are someone’s baby
but I still know that you will be
in bed with me
tonight
And baby
I know that you secretly
fantasize how it would be
to cheat with me
tonight

Hide It in a Song

Maybe she’s ambitious
She wants to be my muse
Maybe it’s her mission
to dazzle and confuse

Is she really conscious?
There’s havoc in her trail
Is she without conscience
with hidden horns and tail?

She might be the one
She treats me wrong
She might be the one
and she’s always gone
I know I can’t find her and tell her
so I’ll hide what I feel in this song

Maybe I should spell it
how much she means to me
Sing it, say it, yell it
or should I just let be?

Can she take the pressure
or will she run away?
Will she find the treasure
in all the words I say?

She might be the one
She treats me wrong
She might be the one
and she’s always gone
I know I can’t find her and tell her
so I’ll hide what I feel in this song

Past Tense

She’s sitting in the window of her cosy two-room flat
The light is turned down way low, she looks just like a cat
She’s working on a poem, I’m playing my guitar
I cannot wait to show them the couple that we are

Lying in her covers, no place I’d rather be
I want us to be lovers and she does not want me

I try to play my cards right, not pushy, not too weak
We laugh and cuddle all night – I wish we had all week
She wakes me up at daybreak, she wants my company
And soon she’ll make my heart ache – taste the irony

Lying in her covers, no place I’d rather be
I want us to be lovers and she does not want me

Standing on her sidewalk, I’m trying to get in
“Can’t we just at least talk?” – past tense can begin
So I picked up a pebble – was that the way to go?
Though no one likes a rebel, my heart said “Throw man, throw!”

Lying in her covers, no place I’d rather be
I want us to be lovers and she does not want me

She’s lying in her covers – there no place I’d rather be
I wish that we were lovers – I wish she wanted me

I know the Direction

I’m leaving the picture you have of me
I’m stepping out of that frame
I won’t be where I used to be
I’ll go by my own true name

‘Cause my boots are worn, but my soles are fresh
I feel reborn in soul and in flesh
I won’t forfeit what lies behind me
I won’t forget, no need to remind me

If I were you, I’d forget who I was
and get to know me again
Come visit me in the land where I’m boss
where I write the verse and refrain

‘Cause my boots are worn, but my soles are fresh
I feel reborn in soul and in flesh
I won’t forfeit what lies behind me
I won’t forget, no need to remind me
Twenty and five is different that twenty
I thought I lived life, I thought I knew plenty

I hope that you’ll bite come with me tonight
and hear what I have to say
Cause try as they might, to turn off my light
I know that I’m here to stay

‘Cause my boots are worn, but my soles are fresh
I feel reborn in soul and in flesh
I won’t forfeit what lies behind me
I won’t forget, no need to remind me
Twenty and five is different that twenty
I thought I lived life, I thought I knew plenty
Compared to then I don’t fit a description
Don’t know where I’ll end, but I know the direction

Femme Fatale
Rainwet streets leads a man astray
He longs for night, and shuns the day

I can’t believe how mean you are
a hag without morale
But you can’t have a film noir
without a Femme Fatale

Red like danger, soft lush lips
Knife in hand, but he sees hips

I can’t believe how mean you are
a hag without morale
But you can’t have a film noir
without a Femme Fatale

Pain comes quick, but death is slow
He dies in love, but she won’t know

I can’t believe how mean you are
a hag without morale
But you can’t have a film noir
without a Femme Fatale

I was just in the studio recording strings and horns for I Left It at Your Place and Yellow Sign. Just caught at couple of quick videos of the talented musician who helped me out (yeah, I don’t play strings and horns that well, yet).
It might not make that much musical sense right now – because you only hear the string and horn parts – but it’ll all make sense in due time. Trust me!

Strings!

And horns!

Alright – so next tuesday, november 3rd, I’m live @ Drop Inn in the middle of Copenhagen at 9.30 pm.

Peter Bonde will be accompanying me and the we’ll play some new material.

I hope to see you out there!

It’s been sneaking it’s way back into my life. It’s been in here for a while, but it hasn’t really shown itself untill now. It’s not a thing, but a feeling – not a feeling, but a state.

I’m in a leaving state of mind.

Maybe you can tell how far into this state I am, by the length of my beard. The longer the beard – the more hopeless I am. Deep, deep within my traveling plans – my schemes for raking in enough cash to buy an old beaten up motorcycle – my drawings on a map of my route through the African desert…

A friend of mine just watched “Into the Wild”. I did too – before I left last time. Inspirational and kinda scary at the same time. She, my friend, said that the main character reminded her of someone she knew. Who might that be?

Femme Fatale

I can’t believe how mean you are

a hag without morale

but you can’t have a film noir

without a femme fatale

Past Tense

Sitting in her window
of her cosy, two-room flat
The light is turned down way low
She looks just like a cat

She’s working on a poem
I’m playing my guitar
I cannot wait to show them
the couple that we are

Lying in her covers
no place I’d rather be
I want us to be lovers
and she does not want me

I try to play my cards right
Not pushy, not too weak
We laugh and cuddle all night
I wish we had all week

She wakes me up a daybreak
She wants my company
Soon she’ll make my heart ache
- is that irony?

Lying in her covers
no place I’d rather be
I want us to be lovers
and she does not want me

Standing on her sidewalk
I’m trying to get in
“Can’t we just at least talk?”
Past Tense can begin

I picked up a pebble
Was that the way to go?
Though no one likes a rebel
my heart said “Throw man, throw!”

Lying in her covers
no place I’d rather be
I wish that we were lovers
I wish she wanted me

I just did a show at Galaksen, Værløse – and I really enjoyed myself. What a great audience and venue! Thank you so much for having us and for paying attention.

Tomorrow I’ll play at Annexet in my hometown Elsinore – looking forward to it!

Good night,

D.

I’m playing at Galaksen, Værløse this wednesday. Show starts at 8pm and three other singer/songwriters will play as well.
Tickets are 70 kroner and can be purchased here.
Read more about the show here.

The day after I’ll play at AnneXet in Elsinore. Show starts at 11pm and we’ll play two sets.

Read more about Annexet here.

So, on the left side of this, you should see a facebook logo – click it click it click it!

I’m sure you’re on Facebook, so check out my Fan Page – are you a fan of mine? Wanna show it?

In a few days Facebook should have approved my identity, so I’ll be able to put up music there as well – neat!

I have a few demos on the way – I’ll put them here and there – when I do, let me know what you think.

Bu-bye!

I have begun writing letters. This is not a new thing in it self – but the twist is that I do not send them. I write them – but I keep them to myself.

Is this weird? Do many people do this?

Have you ever written a letter that you did not send? Yeah, probably. But have you ever written one, with the intent of not sending it?

It’s kind of like writing a journal or a diary – but it is addressed to a specific person… Maybe I’ll send them as a big package someday. “Here you go – a hundred letters for you, that you were never meant to read…”

I would like to thank Jens Unmack and Toldkammeret, Elsinore for having me – and the audience for your attention. It felt great be able to play my songs for you – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Now – off to bed!

D.

So – we’re almost halfway through day two of recording I Left It at Your Place and Yellow Sign at Feedback Studios with Stillwalker Productions in Århus, Denmark.

It is really coming together and I feel really confident!

Check out Stillwalker here

Check out this new music player that I’m testing. It’s on the bottom of the screen in that blue bar… Click it once to hear my songs – and click the small icon in the bottom right corner to pop out the player, so you can listen to my songs while you browse my pages and the rest of the web…

I’m off to the studio!

D.

So, in less that a week I will begin to record the first two songs from my forthcoming album. I’m gonna record in an old recording studio in Århus, Denmark – called Feedback Studios.

I’ll put up some behind the scenes footage soon.

Also, I played to gigs last week – both very succesful – and next week I will open for Jens Unmack in my hometown Elsinore. Check out time and place over on the right column…

Peter and I played a show at Nørrebro Bryghus, Copenhagen, Denmark – yesterday. Every show we play just seems more and more right – I really felt a connection to the audience. I hope the feeling is mutual…

So, thank you for coming out yesterday – I hope you liked it!

D.

She’s the storyteller
and all is up to her
why did something compel her
to kill my character?

…Never did John Mayer’s “Dreaming with a Broken Heart” make so much sense…

Hide It in a Song

Maybe she’s ambitious
she wants to be my muse
Maybe it’s her mission
to dazzle and confuse

Is she really conscious
there’s havoc in her trail
Is she without conscience
with hidden horns and tail?

She might be the one – she treats me wrong
She might be the one – and she’s always gone
I know I can’t find her and tell her
So I’ll hide what I feel in this song

Maybe I should spell it
how much she means to me
Sing it, say it, yell it
Or should I just let be?

Can she take the pressure
or will she run away?
Will she find the treasure
in all the words I say?

She might be the one – she treats me wrong
She might be the one – and she’s always gone
I know I can’t find her and tell her
So I’ll hide what I feel in this song

Peter and I just played a gig at Café Divino in Espergærde, Denmark – and everything went well.

I hope everyone had a nice afternoon – I know we did!

Here’s a couple of videos from today – first one is an excerpt from my new song “Man of Stone”:

The next one is Yellow Sign – with Peter Bonde who does percussion and vocals. He’ll be touring with me – so you’ll have to get used to him!

I’d much rather share it with you

I’m roaming the bar where you met me

and the guys play all right – sure they do

I know I’ve had plenty – my pockets are empty

and I’d much rather share this with you

I’m walking the streets way past midnight

my hangover is breaking on through

and all is all right – I’ve had a good night

but I’d much rather share it with you

My morning is full of bright sunlight

and coffee and cereal too

it’s not even eight – I can snooze, which is great

but I’d much rather do that with you

Yes, I’d much rather share it with you