DC Cardwell - I Am Still The Same: Catapult Contest winner based on true story of Locked in Syndrome

Available at http://www.dccardwell.com as mp3 or on CD. Catapult Song Contest 2011: Winner of the Judge's Prize and also Overall Winner. From the album "Some Hope" by DC Cardwell. Please share this video on Facebook etc! Thanks - DC

CATAPULT SONG CONTEST JUDGES' COMMENTS:

John Foreman (Australian Idol music director):
"Fantastic evocative vocal tone and great lyrics. Nice vocal layering builds the song. The song successfully creates an atmosphere that captures the story of the lyrics. The video clip does also help to tell the story. Together with the clip it's a very moving song."

Tony Bourke (Musician - Eskimo Joe):
"Head and shoulders above most others. Fantastic lyricism and storytelling leaves you hanging after every phrase. Chord structure very mature, intricate and flowing. The lazy rolling drive of the music is a genius paradox to the sadness within the subject matter. Feels like you are creeping into a box inside the writer's head, very provocative. The 2nd verse "electric downstrokes" really push the song along into a more subtle field. Chorus harmonies are a perfect melancholy. "Do I have to spell it out, when I can barely spell my name?" ...true songwriting genius."

Heidi Peitzner (Agent/Promoter):
"It's a simple song but the melancholy, almost pathetic tone and lyrics are endearing and resonates. I can see this on the soundtrack to a Wes Anderson movie."

MMF "BATTLE OF THE HITS" PANEL COMMENTS

Ashley Naylor (Paull Kelly bandleader, Rockwiz orchestra, Even)
"You've written the most beautiful song that, I'm not surprised it's going to be in a film, cause it should be, it's beautiful."

Russell Morris (Aussie Rock Star)
"The one thing that people usually say is, if you listen to someone's new song you say it's interesting or it's different but that *is* interesting and different - and it's really good, it's great! Yeah I loved it, I love your sense of melody... very good, it's lovely."

Simon Winkler (Triple R Radio music co-ordinator)
"I loved it really really brilliant. I thought what was so compelling about it was this kind of unpredictability - sort of the syncopation, but also the damaged quality of it, like it feels as though you're really there. I thought it started out very stark, very captivating and then all these additional layers that came out almost started your imagination. It's got a really cinematic quality which I can easily understand why it has such a filmic potential."

Song written, performed, produced & recorded by DC Cardwell.
Film concept, direction, production & editing by David McGorlick.

LYRICS (words & music by DC Cardwell)

I can't move my fingers
I can't move my toes
But at least some feeling lingers
And I hope somebody knows
That I've never been alone
I've never been alone for so long

I can still see you
But you can't really see me
I'd like to be you
But you wouldn't like to be me
And I hope somebody knows
I've never been alone for so long

I am still the same
I am still the same
Do I have to spell it out
When I can barely spell my name?

You might remember
You knew me well
I might not look the same
But my name should ring a bell
And I hope somebody knows
I've never been alone for so long

I was locked out
And now I'm locked in
I can't live without you
But I can't live within
I've been neglected, I've been rejected
When they passed round the hat
Nothing was collected

DC's WEBSITE - http://www.dccardwell.com
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook/com/dccardwell
YOUTUBE - http://www.youtube.com/cardwell
YOUTUBE COVER VERSIONS - http://www.youtube.com/dccardwellcovers

Recorded in DC Cardwell's home studio using a PC and Adobe Audition 3 via an Edirol M-16DX digital audio interface.
All instruments & vocals by DC Cardwell.
Vocals recorded with a Behringer B-1 large diaphragm condenser microphone.
Guitar - Tanglewood TW15CE-B (spruce top acoustic guitar) recorded with a Behringer C-2 microphone simultaneously with vocal track.

OVERDUBS:
Bass - Hofner "Violin/Beatle Bass" copy
Electric Guitar - Epiphone Dot Deluxe
Toy Angel Glockenspiel & toy sleighbells.

Video shot on Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera.
Director - David McGorlick
Filmed at The Briars Park, Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia.

STORY BEHIND THE SONG: This song is based on a true story I read in a magazine of a woman with "locked-in syndrome", which means she had a spinal injury which rendered her unable to move anything except her eyelids. Eventually someone figured out how to communicate with her. She would spell out letters by blinking. Apparently the first thing she spelled out was "I Am Still The Same", which I thought was very profound. Amazingly, I think she went on to write at least one book! I've tried to find the magazine again but without any success. If anyone knows the name of the person or has information on the story please let me know!
______
Now based in Australia, DC Cardwell grew up in Northern Ireland and also spent some years in Canada.

Category:

Music

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[AnnaJohnsonMusic]

I love this.

[cardwell]

@AnnaJohnsonMusic Thanks Anna - that means a lot coming from someone with your gifts! DC

[practicing4]

WOW! DC, I just read that you won 2 awards for this song. My goodness, congratulations!!!!! It really is a beautiful song with a deeply moving message too. The emotional delivery on this is what grabs me. Superb! So happy for you and all yours!!! Excellent video presentation too! Wow!!!! Beautiful, DC! Blessings, min :-)

[cardwell]

@practicing4 Thanks Min!

[KatherineJane001]

@cardwell Wow, what a beautiful song! I love the chords you used, and your lyrics are really nice! Do I hear a hint of The Beatles in there somewhere? :) I am also a musician, I'd love for you to check out my channel if you have the time! I would love to know what you think! Thanks

[cardwell]

@KatherineJane001 Thanks, and yes, I love the Beatles. I can't really hear how this sounds like them but a lot of people have said it does so it must, haha. I'm just listening to your songs now. Will send you a comment over on your channel. DC

[rmille69]

Awesome song, fellow stroke survivor/author Kate Allatt turned me on to you. I'll share on my network at Strokes Sucks dot com

[runmadkate]

... Sorry pressed return by mistake! The wheelchair, the mirror, I was the same person inside, not a patient number. I was a cripple to look at but the same Kate inside. This video describes my emotions in the early months of ITU. Then the Rocky theme tune best describes my fight back to full life and kids. Thank you so much. Kate Allatt

[runmadkate]

I am astounded! Very well done. You have captured my feelings superbly. What a great soundtrack to my books Running Free and Gonna Fly Now! (may 2012 amazon)! 7/2/10 brainstem stroke with locked in syndrome.

[ZJProz]

Congrats DC...awesome <<

[cardwell]

@funnycurly22 Thank you! DC