The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hey guys.
For the past few weeks my life has been rapidly changing. People are becoming aware of my... well... issues.
I've been dealing with undiagnosed depression and anxiety for about 4 years now. It's been tough. Finally,
someone decided it was enough and alerted some people who could (try) to help.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is, I haven't really been musical lately. I've been listening to Love You a lot.

So, noticing that a major part of my life was missing, I was told to record whatever I wanted for a full day, and just get excited about it again.

Please enjoy :)

https://mikeleroy.bandcamp.com/track/i-bet-hes-nice

Love that song.

Cool version  :)  Well produced, sounds like an update to the sound of Brian's (and Carl's) original production.  Kind of traded some of that craziness for a different edge of...poignancy, during the verses at least.  This is how I like to think of it anyway...Nice twist at the end.

Sincerely hope the worst of your problems can be behind you now bro, glad to see that there seems to be good people around you.

I still find myself surprised each time I read your age. Nice work.

‍

Glad everyone likes it :)

Yeah, it's not much about not being able to write, I'm doing lots of that....
It's just a lack of ambition or even ability to get excited about stuff.

It's just tough, because, well I guess I might as well see what I can figure...
It's hard to decide if I want people to know how serious I am, I had a suicidal experience that was
while not successful, very very close (it involved a rocky ocean cliff I love). It's just hard to explain,
some nights I say I'm ready to explain how bad it is, and some I just want to be normal.

I don't want to end up in some institution, but if I explained some of the things that haunt me, I think
you'd all agree I belong in one.

Well I'm getting "help" but anyone who's struggles with this stuff knows that's a very loose term...

Either way, I've got lots of music left to make, and about 7 REAAAALY great tracks to finish. :)

the bridge section is the best to my ear - i think you're a carl!  :)  on the dennis parts i would have sung a bit less legato, leaving more space.  nice work all in all. 

i too can relate to this stuff, having been more or less 'off' music for almost 5 years, mostly due to depression.  good job for getting help.  better to deal with it (mood disorders) sooner than later, after digging yourself into a rut.

advice i would give myself: medication (ssri's, etc) can help, but once you start feeling better, set and forget the dose for a while (dont stop taking it because you think 'i feel better').  use that better mood to work on improving other things (therapy, c.b.t., diet, fitness, life goals, etc).  don't get discouraged if you can't 'beat' it.  its something you learn to live with, not something you can fix outright.

anyway, good luck!  keep making the music you want to make.  thanks for sharing.. i'll check out more of your bandcamp tomorrow.

‍

Really great work!  It's a shame I don't live closer.  Would love to work on some ideas with you. 

Thanks everyone!

@Silodweller - I'm always interested in collabs! If you're interested you could PM me your ideas and we could do some sort of E-Collab?

I still have Take a Break (From Love) in my head. Will never get rid of it.

:) Thanks man! Means so much, that whole album means so much to me :D

Hi Mike,
I'm not ignoring your offer to work on some sort of E-collab, I'm just in the middle of a lot of things right now!  I definitely will be in touch.  Hope you're well.

Started medication today, going pretty well :) Thanks! Sounds good, I'll be here whenever :D

Very Interesting cover! Was a great listen for me, great job!

The 3rd cover I heard of the song on here. This one sounds like a businessman's story of bankruptcy. I don't know, there's just sth. official & earnest about your voice. But I like it, it's a great vocal, even one of your best, I'd say. Dig the "club" effects in the middle too, but my favorite bit is the last seconds closing in with funky jazz & gospel a cappella. Well done, Mike! Keep like that & thanks for the free download, here's to another song in my collection of Smiley Smilers' music.

Re mental concerns: Be good, try to be positive & you'll be O.K. Also, mind that Placebo effect can really work.

Cool cover, btw. I could describe it as "Harry Potter met his twin in the valley".

Thanks so much man, I love that analogy! :D

Glad you guys enjoy it! More shall come!

It's called I'LL Bet He's Nice...

 ;D

Nice job on that song enjoyed it !