“Turn Off the Tears” by Vân Scott – A Song Feature

 

     The motivation for “Turn Off the Tears” came from his sister and the lyrical spark stemmed from his uncle, inspiring Vân Scott to maximize both his production mastery and his vocal prowess. It’s true of all songs, but particularly ones intended to motivate the listener – the details hold the power to transform “entertaining” into “personal and stirring.”
 
     Some details are readily apparent, such as the brief reverberating burst (at 1:02) that definitively separates the chorus from the following verse. Other details are subtle-yet-impactful, such as at 1:46, when the vocals convert from lo-fi to high resolution after the first syllables of “Are you gonna keep on crying your eyes out?” There isn’t an obvious explanation for the resolution shift, but its existence is effective.
 
     Vân Scott is the performance moniker of Scott Oatley. The explanation of “Turn Off the Tears,” states:
  “The song began as a request from Scott’s sister, Kayt, to help express ‘what it’s like to go through pain that no one else understands.’ Kayt’s life was put on pause in 2017 while she reeled from the setbacks and mental hurdles caused by a traumatic brain injury. After enduring 12 more concussions over the next 7 years, she managed to persevere through the darkest nights of the soul to once again ‘start living in the light,’ a heartfelt cry found in Scott’s chorus.”
 
     The lyrics at the bottom of this post are clear reflections of the sister’s request, particularly the first two verses. Regarding the uncle’s role in the song:
  “The title ‘Turn Off the Tears’ was inspired by a comically familiar phrase from Scott and Kayt’s childhood. Those same words were once shouted by their uncle to a car full of bickering cousins, quickly pacifying the whiney breakdowns that would erupt from the back seat. Scott, however, flips the nostalgic yet negative context of the phrase into a positive and uplifting mantra that wills oneself to persevere through life’s most trying times. According to Scott, it might be ‘the song that [Kayt] needed more than the song that she wanted. I hope that the song and the story behind it will be an encouragement to others who are struggling in their day-to-day lives to keep fighting and to never give up hope.’”
 
     Once a demo singer for Maroon 5, Scott’s voice and music has been featured in over 50 film and TV projects, including blockbuster film soundtracks for La La Land, High School Musical 3, and SING, and on hit TV shows like Black-ish, The Simpsons, and The Voice. He released his first full-length album Almost Gone in 2021, featuring the single "What's Coming Next?" that went on to become the Overall Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 USA Songwriting Competition.
 
     “Turn Off the Tears” by Vân Scott

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanScottMusic/
Website: https://www.vanscottmusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://vanscott.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Turn Off the Tears” by Vân Scott
Sun’s been hiding in shadows
Like a walk to the gallows
Without a friend by my side
 
There’s a million questions
And they all feel like weapons
‘Cause no one knows what it’s like
 
Every day feels the same again
Like I’m going under
All of my doubts come flooding in
How long till I
 
Turn off the tears
Stop running
Stop running from the fear
Start living
Start living in the light
You don’t have to hide
‘Cause the sky is clear
Oh, it’s time to
Turn off the tears
 
I remember when dreaming
Didn’t mean I was sleeping
I’ve kept my eyes closed for so long
 
Don’t know what I’ve been missing
But my entire existence
Is just a shell of what it was
 
Turn off the tears
Stop running
Stop running from the fear
Start living
Start living in the light
You don’t have to hide
‘Cause the sky is clear
Oh, it’s time to…
 
Are you gonna keep on crying your eyes out?
Are you gonna keep on crying your eyes out?
Are you gonna keep on crying
Keep on crying
Keep on crying your eyes out?
 
Turn off the tears
Stop running from the fear
Start living in the light
You don’t have to hide
‘Cause the sky is clear
Oh, it’s time to
 
Turn off the tears
Stop running
Stop running from the fear
Start living
Start living in the light
You don’t have to hide
‘Cause the sky is clear
Oh, it’s time to
Turn off the tears
Turn off the tears
Turn off the tears
 

“How You Love Someone” by Pynch – A Song Feature

 

     While staying true to its core identity, “How You Love Someone” ventures into various sonic territories, most notably during its final 100 seconds. At 3:13, Pynch steer the single into an instrumental bridge, led by quick-tempo, lo-fi guitar. The aggressive bridge then seamlessly morphs into pulsating synth beneath distant, reverb-soaked vocals reflecting on a relationship that has run its course, but “ the world keeps turning anyway.” Then, the outro layers a more melodic synth against the pulse, before the track slips away with a Max Headroom-esque stutter effect.
 
     The final stretch of “How You Love Someone” reveals the creative spark of Pynch, though its charm is woven throughout, not confined to those last 100 seconds. The song opens with commanding drums, soon joined by jangly guitar, and by the time the vocals emerge, the track stands fully formed as an engaging triumph. When talking about their song, Pynch explained:
  “We wanted to continue the album campaign with 'How You Love Someone' because it shows a more vulnerable side of the band - a dissection of modern love, built on lo-fi guitars and new wave synths. It’s one of the most personal songs we've ever written, about the breakdown of an important relationship that ultimately couldn’t work, no matter how hard we tried. Produced and mixed in our home studio, this track represents a more cinematic and introspective side of our sound, building slowly but intentionally into a layered, heart-tugging outro.”
 
      The song will be on the album “Beautiful Noise,” which is scheduled for release on Friday October 3 on Chillburn Recordings. According to their Bandcamp page, the musical makeup for “How You Love Someone” comprised brothers Spencer Enock (vocals, guitar, synth) and Scott Enock (bass), along with Julianna Hopkins (drums, synth). James Rees also contributed synth to the single, however, Myles Gammon is the new member of London-based Pynch. The band says that “’Beautiful Noise’ is a document of a band unafraid to be vulnerable, ask questions, and create something messy, human, and quietly transcendent.”
 
     “'How You Love Someone” by Pynch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PynchBand/
Bandcamp: https://pynch.bandcamp.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Pynchband

“Quiet” in the Band Name – “Houses,” “Hollers,” and “Confidence”

       Recently, there have been a number of blogworthy songs from artists who include the word “Quiet” in their band name. The practice dates back at least as far at Quiet Riot’s formation in 1973. But below are songs released thus far in 2025.

     Quiet Houses is a dup formed of Hannah Elliott (vocals, violin, keyboards) and Jamie Stewart (guitar, vocals). They explained the message behind their recent release:
  “‘mark/james’ is a song for all our brave sisters and brothers out on the front lines of dating in London. It’s about navigating casual relationships in a world of £7 pints and flat shares with 8 people. It was written in our first London flat in Walthamstow; it was summer, and we were both working full-time hospitality jobs, squeezing in music-making whenever we could in random pockets of time.”
 
     In a Facebook post, Quiet Houses asked fans to select their favorite sound from the song:
a) monzo sound
b) gunshots
c) the fun lil ‘yeah!’ in the first verse
d) the scream before last chorus
e) retching sound before verse 3
f) police car sirens at the end
g) something else?!!!?
 
     “mark/james” by Quiet Houses

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuietHousesUK/
Website: https://www.quiethousesband.com/

     Quiet Hollers are a band from Louisville, KY formed by singer-songwriter Shadwick Wilde. The credits of “Death Breath” identify him as contributing the vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizers, and handclaps, while Dave Chale mixed the song and added percussion. The Flamingo/Flamenco style ending is particularly interesting.
 
     “Death Breath” by Quiet Hollers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuietHollers
Website: http://www.quiethollers.com/
 
Lyrics of “Death Breath” by Quiet Hollers
Death on their breath
They sing to me of what’s next
After the mystery, what will be left?
I have seen futures, ones with you in them
I try to spin them, time alone tells
 
O, and the water from your eyes
O, and what’s underneath your brilliant disguise
O, and the waters of my youth
I have drunk them dry in vain, this thirst to soothe
Oof…
 
Breath of my breath
My sweet Sarah Beth
After all the misery, I’m still your pet
I have seen futures, dark and confounding
I feel them rounding, right ‘round the door
 
O, and the water from our eyes
Every day in waves, I suppose no surprise
O, and the waters of our youth
The light will dance across the ripples and then…
Poof!

     QUIET CONFIDENCE are based in Louisville, Kentucky. The duo is comprised of Ryan Lane and Matthew Schabel. The strength of their song “stay out of it” is the contrasting vocal characteristics as the song switches between the softly delivered verses and the edgier chorus.
 
     Ryan Lane describes “stay out of it” as a moody but heavy song about the push and pull of a relationship. The single is destined for an upcoming album of QUIET CONFIDENCE, which was formed during the difficulties of the COVID shutdown. Lane worked in a hospital during the pandemic; he says he “found that extra time in my apartment alone to be peaceful, introspective and started playing/experimenting with the idea of writing songs as a quasi-solo act.”  
 
      The vocal skills of QUIET CONFIDENCE are on full display during the first two-and-one-half minutes of “stay out of it.” Then, the production skills share the spotlight with the percussion and the vocals.

 
“stay out of it” by QUIET CONFIDENCE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quiet_confidence/
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/quiet.confidence

 

 

     Clearly Matt Maeson does not qualify as a Quiet-contained band name. But Maeson is preparing to release an album that included the term – “A QUIET AND HARMLESS LIVING.” “Everlasting” is a single that is atypical of compositions from Maeson – with a reliance on piano cellos, violins and violas.
 
     “Everlasting” by Matt Maeson 

Lyrics of “Everlasting” by Matt Maeson
Being honest just got you in trouble
So your mind is liquor and rubble
And in all of your lonely spaces
Sits attractive irrational thinking
 
Like, why can't you just get up, get out?
Leave your wife and your kid and your house?
Stamp the fire and start one anew
Like the darkness that's growing in you?
 
Leave the age on your face, the dog on the couch?
Leave the pain in your knee, the teeth in your mouth?
Leave the yells in the halls, the paint on the walls and start livin'?
 
Golly, boy, you're such a fool
Don't you know we count on you?
Grit your teeth and make us proud
Fake it when you don't know how
 
Is your brain singin' songs to itself? (Mmm)
Are the miles callin' for help?
Do your words taste real when they're belted?
Does your mind feel good when it's melted?
 
We're all here when you are not present
We're all here when you're out and irreverent
We're all here when you're lost to the static
When you act as if you're made for actin'
 
We're all here when the shame pokes the back of your brain
We're all here when you're drunk, and you still won't abstain
We're all here when you treat your life like life everlasting
 
Golly, boy, you're such a fool
Don't you know we count on you
Grit your teeth and make us proud
Don't act like you don't know how

“Savior” by The Death of Lilies – A Song Feature

     The ability of Adam Bravin to craft songs with compellingly dark instrumentation is unquestioned. During his tenure with She Wants Revenge, he released Darkwave and Goth Rock tracks that remain in regular radio rotation. Bravin recently joined forces with Saint Avangeline as the duo The Death of Lilies. The difference with this current alignment lies in the vocal presence of Saint Avangeline, whose ethereal seductiveness heightens the shadowed atmosphere of Bravin’s soundscapes. Their song “Savior” is a striking example.
 
     The history of “Savior” is an interesting one:
  “The track was written as a theme for Arkhan the Cruel, a powerful and cinematic character from Dungeons and Dragons lore,” notes Bravin. “There was something about Arkhan’s dark, unrelenting energy that shaped the entire sound. When Lily and I first started working together, I played it for her, and the spell that had captured me instantly captured her too. From there, we reshaped it together into something entirely our own."
 
     Bevin also stated:
  “‘Savior’ is about the complicated truth that sometimes the ones who need saving the most end up being the ones who save us. It’s about the quiet strength found in vulnerability, the way pain, when faced, can turn into something powerful and transformative.”
 
     Merging ethereal with raw and unfiltered vocals, Saint Avangeline crafts a striking contrast that mirrors the depths of human emotion. Deeply rooted in her journey with mental health, domestic abuse and growing up queer, her songs offer an honest exploration of inner turmoil, rage, hope, and resilience. Over the course of two albums and several singles, the Atlanta-based artist has amassed a rabid fan base.
 
     “Savior” by The Death of Lilies

“Stay Awake” by The Mammoths – A Song Feature

     The single from The Mammoths begins unassumingly, but near-tribal percussion enters a few seconds into “Stay Awake,” signaling unpredictability. The final 80 seconds, in particular, received the message. During those final seconds, a drum-driven instrumental segment leads to a fuzzed guitar hook (at 3:39) before the song dissolves into a swirling haze of 70’s psychedelia.
 
     Still, the gold in “Stay Awake” lies between those bookends. Like the power percussion, the vocals surge with energy, yet carry an undercurrent of darkness. The delivery is more aligned with Rock, but the vocals are reminiscent of Moon Taxi. Meanwhile, the guitars define an irregularly topography, sometimes light and other times eerie (for example, at 1:42).
 
      While discussing the lyrics, The Mammoths explained:  
  We wrote this song almost entirely in the studio. When it came time to write the lyrics, we wanted them to match the eerie vibe of the track. Our hometown of Austin, TX, has seen a disturbing number of bodies turn up in the Rainey Street bar district (too many for it to feel like a coincidence). Inspired by that, we wrote the lyrics from a back-and-forth perspective between the "killer" and the "victim."
 
     The Mammoths are based in Austin, Texas. The members are David Kapsner, (keyboards, vocals) Michael Jekot (guitar, background vocals), Tyler Rush (bass, background vocals), and Tim Durand (drums).
 
     “Stay Awake” by The Mammoths

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMammothsMusic/
Website: https://themammothsmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_mammoths

Lyrics of “Stay Awake” by The Mammoths
You were the last one
Standing in the pourin' rain
I tried to hold back
But I couldn't hide the pain
Watched you walk away
Standin' in the cold cold shame
Thought about the remedy
I thought about the dyin' game
 
Hey yeah hey
I don't wanna play no more
Hey yeah hey
I don't wanna play no more
 
Stay awake for me
Stay awake for me
 
Crossed by the wrong one
Sleepin' in a lonely place
Can't take it back
Never forget a face
Echoes of footsteps
Lost behind the quiet rain
Onto the next one
I know they'll never die in vain
 
Hey yeah hey
I don't wanna play no more
Hey yeah hey
I don't wanna play no more
 
Stay awake for me
[Repeating]