“Her Hero” commentary notes…

1. 1. Intro
2. 2. Brand New

(Music by B. Rice and S. Jones, Lyrics by B. Rice for Making My Music Publishing, BMI) …“This song was originally a concept taken from one of our favorite instrumentals to play.  Shontez and I were rehearsing and came up with a new sound to our old standard.  When I began writing lyrics, the dark quality of the sound gave me an image of an anti-hero preparing to save the only thing he really cared about…”

1. 3. Hello Venus

(Music and Lyrics by B. Rice for Kognate Music Publishing, BMI) “…this is a song that I feel is an accomplishment in my growth as a lyricist.  It captures the moment that I have felt inspired by music and women who perform it, and the surreal imagery you see in the sounds.  Also, it’s really a song that came to me after I realized I had a huge crush on one of the most unlikely female artists, and she totally doesn’t pay me any attention…”

1. 4. Coming To an End

(Music by B. Rice and S. Jones, Lyrics by B. Rice for Making My Music Publishing, BMI) …“I started this song by myself from a random melodic progression that just wouldn’t leave my head, which is how it normally starts.  After I brought this song to the group, ‘cause I couldn’t finish it, it took on an entirely different feel.  Shontez was practicing a lot of Latin rhythms that week, and couldn’t wait to get it in a song.  This groove is crazy when we play it live.”

1. 5. Just To Us

¤ (Music and Lyrics by B. Rice for Kognate Music Publishing, BMI) “…this is 100% true, I wrote this song after being caught in a very elaborate lie, which ended up getting me so stressed that I couldn’t eat, which is an amazing feat, cause I can ALWAYS eat, but this day tore me up. The result, I had to write in hopes that someone would hear, ‘cause the girl I had just pissed off, wasn’t having it…”

1. 6. Percussive (Drums by S. Jones)
2. 7. Between You and I

(Music and Lyrics by B. Rice & S. Jones for Making My Music Publishing, BMI) …“Sooooooo…..yeah…Shontez & I know about leaving a wake of pissed off women in our path, and from our own experiences wanted to share a hybrid story of one such occasion when we weren’t so honest.  Tez has reached his “good guy” status and is all straight and narrow…the Lord ain’t done with me yet, so we’ll just keep the commentary moving right along…”

1. 8. Cold Front

(Music and Lyrics by B. Rice & S. Jones for Sofabulistik Entertainment Publishing, BMI, Bass Synth: Je Reid.  Mixing: Rob Reiner, Jupiter Studios.  Mastering: Doug Storm, Jupiter Studios. St. Louis, MO) …“This is the first song that Tez and I wrote together.  We centered our imagery around weather to really communicate the temperamental changes in the life and times of someone in bondage….sorry…I mean, a RELATIONSHIP… and the pursuit of having that companion.  Sometimes it doesn’t go over so well, and you get turned down, again and again and again….and again”

1. 9. Juanita’s Place

(Music by B. Rice and S. Jones, Lyrics by B. Rice for Making My Music Publishing, BMI) …”crazy heifer tried to play us, she was fine tho’…tell you the truth, wouldn’t mind callin’ her up.  We named the band after her.  The least I can do is try to thank her over dinner…at my house…in the tub……” Kidding……maybe…

1. 10. Immortal

(Music and Lyrics by B. Rice Kognate Music Publishing, BMI) …“most of us realize that some point just how temporary this life is.  Whether it’s through their children, their business, or the lives they touch, people want to be remembered for something and by someone.”

1. 11. They Say

(Music by B. Rice, Lyrics by B. Rice & Keesha Mishawn for Sofabulistik Entertainment Publishing, BMI) …“Keesha is fantastic.  Thank you for bringing this song to us.  But I gotta tell you, readers, this was the LONGEST song idea I have ever seen.  It was like size 8 font and filled up a page and a half.  I guess she had a lot to say. The concept was something I knew about personally.  I’ve been on all sides of this: offender, offended, and spectator.  Problem is, trouble in love can’t be avoided.”

1. 12. Rehearsal

“Uhhh….Jason…..thank you for making me go deaf!”

1. 13. Die A little

(Music and Lyrics by J. Warren & B. Rice for Making My Music Publishing, BMI) …“Jason originally intended for this to be a bluegrass or blues tune, something like that.  Either way, when he started playing the melody, it had me hooked.  I hummed this song for a week straight and the lyrics we wrote just scratched the surface of all that we wanted to say in the song.  But you’re probably asking, “How do you die a LITTLE?”….”

1. 14. At Home

(Music and Lyrics by B. Rice Kognate Music Publishing, BMI) …“See…I don’t hate relationships…”

1. 15. Soul Superhero

(Music by B. Rice, and Jonathan Brown, Co-Produced by Jonathan Brown, Lyrics by B. Rice for Making My Music Publishing, BMI.  Synth Programming: Jonathan Brown, Additional Synth: Je Reid) …“So, one day I was walking around an office building on the 9^th floor, and was watching a lot of anime that week.  I thought to myself, how cool would it be to burst through the window like a superhero, like in a comic book way…not the kill myself way.”