Robot

Take a behind-the-scenes journey into Robot—from its evolution to the final track. 🤖

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ABOUT THE SONG

"Robot" has been with me for years, brought to three different bands before it finally found its place in this more modern pop/rock production.
 
Transitioning it from a full-band arrangement to something more produced taught me a lot about my evolving production style. There’s even a field recording I made on the road—rain hitting the van roof—that plays throughout, adding this haunting vibe.
 
It’s one of those songs that kept coming back, and I knew it deserved its moment.

 

Demo // Foundation // Rough Mix

Demo Version - First Point When the Song Started to Come Together! (definitely a rough cut)
Foundation Mix - The first full arrangement, before live drums complete the track!
Rough Mix - This is the mix I did with all the parts in place before being sent off to Ben!

Robot

Demo Version

Robot

Foundation Mix

Robot

Rough Mix

 

Behind the Lyrics

For this song, I really wanted to reflect that feeling of being so far into the future that the past feels distant, almost like a dream.
 
It’s about coming to terms with letting go, and realizing that sometimes you have to release what’s behind you to fully step into what’s ahead.
 
The idea of "robots" came into my head from the feeling of detachment, like parts of your past were automated or out of your control, but now, I’m learning to let it all fall away.

Acoustic and Instrumental Versions

Robot

Acoustic Version

Robot

Instrumental Version

Robot

Looking back on my days
I was such a young boy
And disregarding your means
You sent the robot destroy
But when the time came
I laid down my arms
Figured you'd do the same
Yet you sounded alarms

So what am I supposed to do with you?
Yea what am I supposed to do?

So I'm gathered on up
And I'm sold off for feed
Didn't care much for my wants
You're more concerned with your needs
You said you told me it once
And you won't say it twice
But this was never a sin
And I was never your vice

So what am I supposed to do with you?
Yea what am I supposed to do?
Men come shining their lights
To show me that I
Should have tried tonight

Now big walls they fall
And big walls they fall
Seems to me to be my call
How big walls will fall
Around me now
And big walls they fall
Yea big walls they fall
It seems to me to be my call
How big walls will fall
Around me now
Around me now
Around me now
Around me now

Live Recording Sessions

Recording Drums with Nate Barnes - Denver, CO

Nate has this incredible ability to take a basic drum sample and turn it into something fully realized in no time. It was amazing to watch him map out the song after just a couple of listens and come up with drum parts that fit way better than what I’d originally sketched. Here’s a look at one of those quick sessions where we took the track to the next level!

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Recording Trumpet with Jon-Paul Frappier - Denver, CO

Bringing Jon-Paul full brass arrangements was a blast. We’d work through it part by part, switching between different types of trumpets to get the right tones. Piece by piece, we built the sound of a full brass section...
Here’s a glimpse into our Zoom session where we made it all come to life! 🎺

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Liner Notes for Robot

Drums – Nate Barnes

 

Bass – Pablo Arruda

 

Guitar – case vannön

 

Vocals - case vannön

 

Producer – case vannön

 

Mixing Engineer – Ben Etter