The starting point of ‘Stranger’ was a song I created some 4 years ago: ‘Lost your halo’ (https://justvera.com/2017/09/23/lost-your-halo/). Just love the sound of these programmed drums. I played around with a new direction, Tez Katajala came up with the lyrics, but no singer seemed interested to turn those into a vocal performance. So I decided to have a go myself… The result was fair, thanks to many hours of meticulous tuning/synching/editing. Still I felt the song deserved a lead singer. I invited Buck, who sang on previous JustVera tracks and fortunately he accepted the challenge. Long story short: I mixed all bits and pieces into the present version with his lead and my backing vocals. And all instruments and production by me/Reason. Three minutes of perky powerpop. So me.
I Have a primal wound Just trying to survive By not getting too deep Into other peoples lives
I’m Trying to survive Just trying all the time I have a primal fear An anxious depression Of losing someone near Of losing someone near
Stranger When will you feel When will you heal
Stranger You’re a stranger to yourself
My Compulsive behavior Compulsive behavior When will I heal
It was back in 2014 when the first JustVera (mini)album got released: ‘What took us so long?!’. Four years later there was ‘Raw and Reckless’ and now there is ‘More than anything’.
35 NEW JustVera tracks, which I composed and produced with the help of dozens of musicians from all over the world. (Full list below.) Be prepared for some amazing new and original stuff… Mastered by Insub and Tommy Hellsten. And Tommy offered to remaster the first two albums as well. So I decided to include these remastered tracks on ‘More than anything’ as a bonus.
All official JustVera tracks collected on one album. Enjoy.
These are the artists who contributed to JustVera. For the sake of Music. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with you. More than anything.
Alan Abernethy Alex Zulaika Alexander K. Alice Minguez Amanda Moubarak Amy B. Andrea Spaziale Andrew Boucher Bill McCarthy Bryan Shoemaker Buck M. Caleb Anderson Cali Beach Chris Bouchard Christine Linge Dan Rosati Daniel Swain David Koehler Elizabeth Auzan Ellen Kussy Esther Bredius Frederic Osuch G TeePee Gabro Jazz Gustavo Abreu Heidar Sigurdsson Ian T. InSub Jan van de Garde Jannik Gade Jarek Adamowski Jean Lui Toudou Jeff Bragg Jeff Dalton Jen Carie Jim Bryan Joel Sattler Joey Six John Heavern Jon Garcia Jordi Ribas Kari DeNeal Kris Pride Lisa Dewey Lloyd Plueschow Loek van der Knaap Louis Marchena Marc Brouwer Mark Adams Mark Alan Dooley Mark Bowen Mark Miller Martin Nilsson Maurizio Marini Michel Pilotte Mike Patterson Monroe De La Vega Nicola Offidani Nigel Robinson NunoW. Olivia Brame Olivier Demaine Oppy Parmia Vaala Patricia Kigilcim Pepino Lorenzo Peter Bomhof Peter Hendriks Ray Kaliss Rick Farrell Rob Glass Robert Saint Denis Sean DeCataldo Serenn Steve Rice Sven-Martin Keil Tarjei Skarlund Tez Katajala Thomas Hjorth Todd Vierra Todd W. Tom H. Tommy Hellsten Tracy Hayden Tracy Hutchison
‘Go ahead and cry’ features Olivia Brame singing a mix of lyrics by Mike Mantecon and Tez Katajala. A beautiful song about accepting life as it is.
Photos on the wall You run and hide For a brighter, better day While the summertime seems to fade, so far away
Thinking about days gone by Is it my turn to cry? Contemplation, consideration Thoughts lead back to you
At the bright of day When shadows still seem so real And you never learn The only constant is change You don’t have to be perfect But you cannot live like that When nothing’s really worth it And the hurt is on the attack
So let go of what’s holding you down Spread your wings to fly You don’t have to be perfect But you can’t let this life pass on by
Never fear what’s ahead, what’s behind, what they said Never fear what they think, what is real, what it seems You don’t have to be perfect
Let go of what’s holding you down And spread your wings to fly Don’t ask why Go ahead and cry
(Lyrics: Mike Mantecon/Tez Katajala, vocals: Olivia Brame)
Powerful vibrations: ‘The 5th dimension’. David Koehler&Buck M. as the lyrical/vocal team, JeanLui Toudou&Sotiris Petridis as the ultimate rhythm tandem. Great collab, cool JustVera track!
I met you once so long ago In a place so far away As we talked vibrations flowed It filled me with the light of day
It was just a short time You said you could not stay Before I knew it you were gone Though there was more I wanted to say
Eversince I knew There was a connection to be sure I’m desperate to go back and feel That energy so pure We live in separate worlds Locked on separate tracks We lost something beautiful With no way to get back No way to get back
I need to break the rules I’ll travel place to place Transform the timeline Alter my life’s pace
It is my intention Defying all convention To seek the fifth dimension And leave barriers of time and space behind
What’s it gonna take To make my dream come true To stop the clocks from ticking So I can return to you They say it can’t be done That it’s a mad delusion It’s mathematical impossible But I won’t accept that sad conclusion There’s got to be a way To go back to that day To keep you in my sight To always feel that light
Show me how to pass These universal laws Through machinery Or magic chance To get a shot at sweet romance
Through time and space I’ll slide To return to your side
It is my intention Defying all convention To seek the fifth dimension To leave barriers of time and space behind
I’ll seek the fifth dimension I’ll leave barriers of time and space behind
It is my intention Defying all convention To seek the fifth dimension To leave barriers of time and space behind
Some 15 years ago I composed an instrumental canvas called ‘The ballad of Errol Warwick’. Recently I added an original love story, based on personal experience and transformed it into ‘Steel mills and apple pie’. Thank you G Tee Pee, Bill McCarthy, Caleb Anderson and Amy B. for helping me to create an epic piece, bringing back happy memories…
Nothing ever changes around this town Nothing ever moves, it’s in the ground
Fifteen, high school, looking past the school room She sat two rows in front of me The one I wanted instantly It’s raw when you’re a teen
Hung at the club where you played guitar I listened it broke my heart the drunks in the bar drinking hard
It’s better than this, that I know
Mid life, now I’m twenty five It’s a clown show, full flow Played out and passed out on the bar floor Saw your mother still serving slow
Malt to the flies and the guys from the yard Hard men, working men That’s all we are
Small town girls look for a car A ride away to a dance in the bar Nothing changed, nothing does, Nothing will, the way things are Nothing ever changes around this town Nothing ever moves it’s in the ground Of steel mills and crunching sounds
Thought I’d look up to you again thought I’d think that’s what mother said I met him at high school, the captain of the team There was something about him, that stood out to me He treated me good, he treated me right It ended up leaving in the same night
Nothing ever changes, nothing ever moves We’re all stuck in the ground With nothing to lose
Been around the world Had many nights Some full of pain Others of delight Other wild times So high on life
I’ve had many lovers of all kinds I’ve rolled from bed to bed from nameless faceless, hopeless covers Missing you so much that I can’t take it, I can’t take it
Nothing fills the hole of you Nothing feels the same as you Nothing works, work work harder Run away you run further
So I find I’m here again (Nothing ever changes around this town) Back here again, sober, straight, saved (Nothing ever changes) Ghost of a town, ghosts are all around (Nothing ever moves, it’s in the ground) There’s no more draw than you No more pull than your eyes You keep me true (Hypnotized by the local sound) This is the life I found (Steel mills and the crunch of apple pies)
Excuse me miss, do you know the way to the…? Well I’ll be, it’s you! Umm, how have you been? It’s been ages you look wonderful, striking actually.
It has been some time hasn’t it, I’ve been well. I’ve been traveling a lot with a man that I met. There are some days that I wish for a quiet moment without the motion of life swirling around me, but those times of trial have made me much stronger.
Sounds like quite the journey. Are you you doing anything right now? If you have time I know a beautifully little cafe right by the beach where we could catch up. I’d love to hear about your all of your plights and victories.
You know what, I think I might have an hour or two that I could spare. Come on, let’s go.
Nothing ever changes around this town Nothing ever moves, it’s in the ground Hypnotized by the local sound of steel mills and the crunch of apple pies
(Lyrics: G. Tee Pee, vocals: Caleb Anderson and Amy B.)
Sure, it was my idea and it is my production. But my goodness… The über-excellent contributions of Joey six, Jim Bryan, Mark Miller and Jeff Bragg made to this 3-minute power ballad almost were too much for me. Do yourself a favour. Open up to 179 seconds of sheer class.
Now who am I?
Frustration, desperation The seeds of this anxiety What if I open my eyes? If what I see I despise? Powerlessness feeds insanity
Destitution my restitution For all these atrocities
Reclamation, emancipation Where did you leave the keys?
Each day begins the healing Pages in the book of liberty
Just who am I supposed to be?
Starting early, not yet seaworthy These first steps of sobriety But am I immune to the lies? Primed for another reprise Prepare for another round of apologies
Now who am I supposed to be?
Remembering who I was Essential to who I will be I live for it all …
Dark and awesome. That’s ‘Wretch’ alright. Sean wrote some first class lyrics and his vocal performance is beyond compare. Not to mention his wicked guitar playing. And on top of that there’s the solid bass Mark Bowen provided. Are you ready for some serious music?
I’m running out of time. Before the loneliness is revived. I’m searching for another drink. The only way I think that I’m alive.
I’m running out of time. I’m running out of time. Before the emptiness will arise. Before the emptiness will arise.
You don’t even have to try. You don’t even have to try. All you need to do is survive. All you need to do is survive.
I’m running out of time. I’m running out of time. Before that person has arrived. I’m searching for a new way out. But what’s so wrong when they all think you are fine?
You don’t even have to try. You don’t even have to try. All you need to do is survive. All you need to do is survive.
Why do I keep asking for more? Why do I keep asking for more?
Why don’t we waste a little time? Come on…it’s just some time. I’m running out of time.
I know you, Are keeping score. Are keeping score. Think you really win this war ? You think you’ve really won this war?
Power, drive, pop. ‘Fully charged’ definitely has got it all. With the help of David Koehler, Buck M., VocalRun and Grandmaster Joey on leadguitar. Boost yourself:-).
Fully charged Ready to stream Livin’ large A YouTube dream A virtual world awaits Altered states Window to the collective mind Human experience All you can find
Pay a song Take me on the go Catch a score Be where you need to be Check this out Have a split ego I’ve seen it before With me your mind runs free
All I need is battery power I’ll keep you busy hour after hour Hour after hour
Fully charged Ready to stream Livin’ large A YouTube dream The light is green…
Your crowd will descend Following the trend Meet there if you can Following the trend Stream until the end Someone never known Is a suddden best friend I’ll be your best friend
Rumors catch fire The truth is pretend No time for reason Must hit the send Pumped up with power All the knowledge of the planet Doesn’t matter how you use it
I’ll feed your fire I’ll help you fan it
Fully charged Ready to stream Fully charged Ready to stream Fully charged Livin’ large Fully charged A YouTube dream Fully charged
(Lyrics: David Koehler, Vocals: Buck M. & VocalRun)
‘Descendant II’ is the remake of an earlier version –https://justvera.com/2019/07/31/descendant/-, with an entirely different jazzy vibe. Lyrics by Tez Katajala, Bill McCarthy on drums and Jim Bryan on fretless bass. Marc Brouwer’s rearrangement of the piano part is truly great in every way and clearly showed the new direction. And on top of that: Kari DeNeal with an unequalled vocal performance… JustThat.
I can’t help who I am I am a descendant I can’t show who I am I’m lost in the dissonance
I’d like to rise above the noise But I’m stuck in the present I’d like to fly away But I’ve been grounded
I need you to help me To keep from drowning I’m lost in all the noise Will I be found
Will I be found Will I be found Will I be found
To rise above the noise I need to be persistent I am a descendant
Lost in the dissonance Stuck in the present Trying to keep from drowning To keep from drowning
When I started ‘Valhalla’ three months ago, I felt there was magic. Chris Bouchard (drums), Joey Six (guitars), Dave Koehler (lyrics) and Mike Patterson (vocals) must have felt the same…
‘Valhalla’ turned out as I hoped it would: with the Scandinavian vibe, the power and excitement in every vein. Enjoy the warriors.
We ply the icy waves By stars we steer In dragon ships Without fear
Foes scan the sea Spot our sails Their stomachs turn Their hearts quail Some test our might And some turn tail But those that fight Were doomed to fail
On the field Don’t mourn the fallen
Valhalla Valhalla The warrior’s right Battle all day Eat and drink all night So may we fly to Valhalla
Fly to Valhalla
By northern lights We are born To live by strength And fear no storm
Forward in battle Weapons unshorn Eternal disgrace For those who yield I will never yield
Honor for those Carried home on a shield When the horns sound And the blood will flow We will fight and win Or to Valhalla we will go
Valhalla Valhalla The warrior’s right Valhalla Valhalla We’ll battle all day And drink all night
