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Fort Madeline

by Karl Sanden

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Karl Sanden
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Karl Sanden This album is my solo project. This album constantly reminds me that what I do has value, whatever I do. Favorite track: The Struggle (Instrumental).
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Digital purchase of Fort Madeline includes the full spread of the front and back cover album art by Jamie Smith in the form of a high resolution desktop wallpaper.
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      $5 CAD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Some people like holding the real thing in their hands, and still have a CD player in their beat-up old Pontiac Sunfire. I know I certainly appreciate the tactile experience. Artwork by Jamie Smith. While quantities last.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Fort Madeline via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days
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      $8 CAD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 6 Karl Sanden releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Snowflakes - Single, Face of the Refugee - Single, I am the Other's Other - Single, Fort Madeline, Live at Kranky Cafe, and Not Yet There. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $3.25 CAD or more (35% OFF)

     

1.
Lyrics: Wet boots on his feet The mist fought through the trees Thoughts awash in snow His steps a mere tableau Shoulder straps taut Pick-ax at his knee Waiting for a sign A whisper from the pine There, he sees her flag, beyond that flash The sun cuts through a loosened edge Of his haggard mind Must I stay, 'til you get back someday Waitin' on that topmost stair No luck to ensnare You're far away, striking earth and clay One day I'll see my guarantee But until then, he trudges on Searching downward, reachin' deeper He must find, though unrefined The one oblation to bring him fame That gold eludes him now, though his spade is true Cares tapped his brow, wise to her solitude If he shall pursue Walkin' in, standin' tall With that prize in his hands He will find Fort Madeline Just the same as it was She's the same as she was The same as she was
2.
3.
Lyrics: Bourgeois musings In quiet alleyways Daydreaming pigeons Of idleness and ease The promenade Has you strolling on Brick streets and clearly felt dreams These morning sighs And your glossy eyes See not the gathering rainstorm When your words forget their names Walls of glass Mirror the inner contentment That unruffled courtyards Invent for your unversed mind The thought is quenched My mind is wrenched Walk out the door and say: Arrogant assertions pounded down The solid facade cloud Collapse of walls, resound in flame Security slides off the scale Hard work is no safety Why strive to force one's way? Critical thought and invention are shamed When your words forget their names Fog now draws in close And each step sees no fame Conceals the surge and hides the crest Derails the blare of the train Mind the games, the fair play The lines are here to stay You stand too composed, too tame When your words forget their names
4.
5.
6.
Lyrics: Stars Angling overhead This trackless expanse, I see That thin line is dim My heart mislaid in shadow The wayward unknown Suppressed beyond the trees In silence and unease A fool was I To heed the frontier I sought to find A clarity here You unlocked that door But didn't keep score Will I take more Than tides on my shore? The hope draws me onward The distance, my foe I will find a way Though the forest push back I will find my way That glow will remain Whoah You say Though words, you have not said Today It seems, I have not read Your gambol and mirth Do not yet purvey My soul from its stead My mind is unfed The sky is on fire But only at night I will find my way But only at night The glow guides me home But only at night The hope draws me onward The distance, my foe I will find my way Though the forest push back I will find my way That glow will remain Though it seems I'm undone Whoah
7.
Lyrics: Moments we wish would last The feeling fades far too fast Waves lap between my toes Holding tight her hand in mine Dusk creeps into the afterglow The image stays but slows its throb That song that you played Volumes disclosed The heart that you changed Moments of halcyon age Behold, in that vault they stay Honest pearls, they won't fade away Unremitting bounce and sway Keep you up beyond the fray The gaze that you captured The scene that you displayed The crowd sits, enraptured A friend that you saved Moments enduring on through halcyon days

about

This album is written to the artist, as an exhortation to persevere. It is a bildungsroman of sorts, as it chronicles my own journey as artist over the last few years. The story begins with "Fort Madeline", where the lead character sets out on a journey to find a contribution to present to the world. The Bach Prelude then portrays the first few stages of that journey, which are full of pleasant surprises and enjoyable discoveries. However, the character then becomes overly self-confident, and runs into trouble, at which point he realizes several key flaws within his own personality that need addressing, most notably how his words often contain meanings he did not anticipate. The song "Your Words Forget Their Names" describes this stage, and "The Struggle" expresses his convoluted path during this time. The Moonlight Sonata speaks to the patient endurance of his soul, and doesn't allow him to take any shortcuts. "Distance, My Foe" explains the character's determination to succeed in his goals and the drive to return to Fort Madeline despite how far he still needs to travel. Finally, "Moments of Halcyon Age" is the song he sings while he is on the road - it reminds him to hope for the future, and to enjoy the key moments along the way which give his life eternal significance.

For more information on each specific song and the symbolism therein, please click on an individual track and read the description.

* * *

I am so grateful to all my friends and family who have helped me out with this project:

Arran Baird – your mixing advice and your rock-solid bass guitar playing really made a difference. Looking forward to more projects in the future!

Christine Wu – your cello part in “Distance, My Foe” is arguably the emotional climax of the album. Thank you for playing so passionately and skillfully!

Dave & Brenda Sanden – You are my parents. Therefore, I complain about you far more than I should and thank you far less than I ought. Would I be even remotely successful without you? Nope, not a chance. Thank you for raising me to love music along with so many other things.

Jamie Smith – Thank you so much for lending your amazing skills as an artist, and for being willing to partner with me in this project! The painting is absolutely phenomenal, and I am so glad I decided to call you up and ask for help. Great music is made complete by great album artwork, and the image you have have created is stunning – I could not have wished for any better.

Joan Keay – Your decade of piano instruction gave me the tools to do this project. I love Bach because of you.

Joel Krahn – that snare drum in Fort Madeline really pops!

John Sanden – Your critique is useful because you are right. Having such high standards for your work has helped me increase my own. Thanks, brotha’.

Kris Barns – Your have the ears of a master! Thank you so much for listening to my mix and giving me your thoughts and criticism – your opinion is always appreciated (whether I chose to follow it or not).

Kristen Chan – Your violin playing makes me so happy every time I hear it! Thank you for being patient with me as I learned the process of creating a score for a studio musician - you performed it masterfully.

Natalie Cheung – You sing beautifully. I am so pleased you were able to lend your voice to this project!

Nathan Ehret – Thank you, my friend, for putting up with late-night recording sessions, countless unfinished mix-down iterations, and a constant stream of musical commentary and updates, which you graciously endured for the whole trajectory of this project. I would have given up long ago without your continuous daily encouragement.

Rebecca Sanden – Your confidence in my work is such an encouragement – thanks, Becky.


To those who I have not listed – thank you! Your patience and support are greatly appreciated, and your encouragement is no less appreciated just because your name is not here.

The artwork for this album has been created by an amazing Vancouver artist, Jamie Smith. You can check out more of her work here: www.jamiesmithstudio.com.

credits

released July 21, 2014

Words and music on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 by Karl Sanden.
Contributions to lyrics on track 6 by Natalie Cheung.
Contributions to music on track 6 by Natalie Cheung and Christine Wu, and to track 3 by Arran Baird.
Track 2 written by J.S. Bach.
Track 5 written L. van Beethoven.
Additional vocals on tracks 6 and 7 performed by Natalie Cheung.
Snare drum on track 1 performed by Joel Krahn.
Bass guitar on track 3 performed by Arran Baird.
Cello on track 6 performed by Christine Wu.
Violin on tracks 6 and 7 performed by Kristen Chan.
All other instruments and vocals performed by Karl Sanden.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Karl Sanden.
Produced by Karl Sanden.
Photography by Karl Sanden.
Artwork painted by Jamie Smith.

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Karl Sanden Edmonton, Alberta

Karl Sanden grew up playing piano in the Thompson River Valley. He then moved to Vancouver, BC for 8 years where he taught himself the accordion, mandolin, drums, and harmonica, and self-produced his own recordings.

Karl now spends most of his time fixing broken things or with his family, and he rarely plays music. Once in a while, though, his accordion randomly pops up in unexpected places.
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