Maintenance Man: Checker Out?

Post Reply New Topic

For those who want the short story: this is an album born from stress, and is about trying to keep your head afloat through the
anguish and pain you go through. It's about breaking out of it, rather than wallowing in it.

For those who want the long story:

This album was originally supposed to be a concept album based on a superhero I had made up.

Inspired by the lyrics of Five for Fighting's "Superman" and Foo Fighters "My Hero", I thought about whether there is a single superhero that can be credited as one not just for saving other people but for saving himself. I named that character Maintenance Man. Maintenance Man is a superhero that gets a lot of expectations placed on him, and is constantly faced with the fear of failure, the inevitability of invisibility, and getting out of his own way to try and get himself where he needs to be. It was supposed to be my attempt to humanize superheroes to the point where the idea of you and me being one everyday doesn't seem so childish.

The album wound up being a collection of songs I wrote on my keyboard, and my guitar as way to pour out my thoughts on anxiety, small bouts of depression, uncertainty, and finding happiness regardless of people's attempt to toss misery your way. After living with a sociopath for two years, getting into arguments with people, and taking on work all by myself, it was clear what kept me going was more than just the other people around me, but writing songs.

This album took around a year and some change to create, and what I am the most proud of is that I got out on my own way to try and color the feelings of being invisible, being emotionally paralyzed, basically writing songs that I really needed as a way to carry on with my day. It's a bedroom pop/antifolk record that I hope you enjoy, as this album will be released for free download, completely, no strings attached, two weeks from now. Because I know someone needs these songs. I know someone needs a song that will describe weird feelings we have sometimes. Someone needs a song that will inspire them to do what they need to do without fear.

Here is the album. If I keep on with my creative trajectory (and keep at my practicing), you will soon get to hear that album I had planned for a year about Asperger's in the works. But enough of that later. Enjoy!

Maintenance Man: Free Download on October 14th