The Four of Swords represents taking a break and resting from your worries and obligations. It's time to step back from it all, take pause, and recuperate.
A RESOUNDING RESPITE
SONG RELEASE STORY
September 8, 2021
I had worn a Lapis Lazuli Wishbeads Intention Bracelet for several months at the beginning of 2021. It was a Christmas gift I had bought for myself. Hidden within its clasp was a secret compartment, containing a tiny slip of paper. On that paper, I had written, "I write the most beautiful song of The Music Tarot collection thus far." Five months later, my wish came true.
I drew the Four of Swords on Friday, May 28. Interestingly, this would also be the fourth song written in the Suit of Swords - preceded by Queen of Swords (written August 4, 2019), Seven of Swords (written September 6, 2020), and Eight of Swords (written May 1, 2021). Previously I had thought the Swords indicated suffering - illustrated by the sharp and piercing weapon. But Swords are associated with air and represent a person's mind, powers of comprehension, and ability to communicate.
It was a simple melody that called for sparse, almost non-existent percussion. Just one lone kick drum at the end. And the chorus was a single word, if you can even call it a word, "Ahh." The song was easy and peaceful to record. The harmonies came with little effort. I didn't know what was to come next. But I believed this song was asking me to rest. Something big was in store, and I needed to pause and recuperate.
Just Breathe / Four of Swords was a breakthrough song for me. It opened doors and showed me a path I had never dreamed possible. I used my digital Yamaha keyboard, capturing MIDI notes set to digital instruments: Wurlitzer electronic piano and violin. My AKG P220 condenser microphone worked well enough for vocals. I decided to email my former producer and ask if he could mix the tracks. Brian Daly had been a resource for me in the past, teaching me mixing and production skills. He is the best producer I know, and I have great trust in his abilities.
A week later, an email showed up, "Here's a mix for you to check out, Lorie." I put on my headphones and opened the file. And then, I stopped breathing. The sound was beautiful. The volume was perfect. The engineering was exceptional. I had a commercial sounding song, and I had done it using home recorded tracks.
Brian and I had many discussions following this first mix, and formed a collaboration. Brian would be my producer, and I could record my tracks at home. He taught me how to improve my studio and I hired a graphic designer to make the album artwork. I built a small website and released Just Breathe / Four of Swords quietly, telling only friends and family. I used it as an opportunity to practice my new distribution process. On the day of its public debut, The Music Tarot as a whole was not yet officially launched, but I released this one song early, to test the waters of this new ocean of [sound] waves.