Warpaint

Toulouse approached me with the idea of creating a song based on her warrior character, Blue Kitsune. "Asian and sad" were keywords in what she wanted, and hey, those are my comfort zones! :D After seeing her sketches, I developed a very folksy, almost dance-esque version of this song. We agreed it needed more bite, and that's when Korozjin was brought on board. He took my tune, revved up his guitar, and pushed this song to a level I never thought it could reach. It's been such a privilege to work with these two incredible artists!

Support the music!

悲しみという (The thing we call sadness)

落ちた涙 (Is but fallen tears)

魂が燃える (Our souls ignite)

染んだ体 (And color our bodies)

Grief will always burn with tears

Charring us, ash and dust

Souls ignite over the years

Painting rust, staining us

誰様形作る生活、素描？ (Whose life am I molding, this rough sketch?)

僕、絵筆を全部持つ (Only I hold the brush)

誰でもない (No one else)

Painting my true colors now

In the air they can breathe

You are asking yourself how

Your eyes could be deceived

我心には (Within my heart)

彫った涙 (Are engraved tears)

永遠にこのまま (I will stay this way forever)

痛んだ体 (A body full of pain)

Whose life do I draw and mold in my hands?

Paint to dust, glass to sand

I hold every brush known yet to man

So I am alone

吠えてる (I'm crying out)

聞いてね (Please hear me)

痛いので (Because this hurts so much)

Daring to believe more than what I see

Is how I glimpse eternity

この染んだ世界の香り (The fragrance of this painted world)

Is all that matters to me

この染んだ世界の意気 (The spirit of this painted world)

Is all that matters to me

Vocals, lyrics, koto, choir sounds, background instruments © Ashley Serena
Guitar, drums, bass, mixing, mastering © Korozjin
"Warpaint" artwork © Toulouse

Heart Core

Fire inside of me
It helps me grow
It sings a tempo
Change is what I know
It's how I live
It's how I let go

Oh, I know
We are who we choose to be
Oh, it seems
I can refuse my mother's legacy

We are given the sun
To learn to shine
I will never fear dawn
I will glow on
We are given our fears
To learn to choose
I know there are good tears
I will be strong

Though tonight may carry on
I can sing my song

We are given the sun
To learn to rise
I will greet every dawn
I can fly
Fire burning my heart
Lights my way
Now it's time to start

A third soundtrack commission from the lovely Riversaw, this one about a skinchanger. I wanted the song to shift like she does, shedding its old skin and becoming something brand new again and again. The shapeshifter is a past, present, and future, so many things sewn together. And so, this is four songs in one.

"Heart Core" instruments, lyrics, vocals © Ashley Serena

"The More"

Now, this was an interesting project. 

My singing genre is soundtrack and theatrical, 

but I've been commissioned to belt rock vocals, as of late. 

Though it may not quite be my cup of tea, 

it's good to taste more than one flavor, sometimes. 

Because the rest of the song's lyrics are explicit, 

I'm including only my portion in this blog post.
{Best heard with headphones, for the rock echo effect.} 

So many more challenging and exciting projects ahead.
On to more commissions!

{"The More" & "Red Vs. Blue" © Rooster Teeth}

"Walk This Earth Alone"

A villain theme commission for a werewolf author, 

this came right at the time I was thinking of exploring ethnic compositions. 

There are patterns that successful pop songs follow, 

but because this is a tribal piece, I broke from conventions 

and finished the song with a soft bridge leading into a louder, alternate finale. 

"Walk This Earth Alone"

I'll fulfill all your prophecies

Wrote them all in blood

I'll haunt you as much as you expect

Wrath comes with a flood

Everyone thinks themselves heroes

In the books they write

What divides a man and immortal

Is his will to fight

Don't defy the deity inside your skin

Against man the powerful will always win

When you're young you burn with fire

Nothing spills your blood

But those of us with more desire

Cross the line of "should"

Think outside the box a moment

Think above the ground

I've betrayed too many chances

To turn around now

Don't defy the deity inside your skin

Against man the powerful will always win

There might have been

A window of

Little summer's light once for me

But now it's rain

And hail regret

Everywhere my eyes can see

Now that I'm gone

It's all wrong

Oh, the light

Stole my song

I can never return

Always winter

{"Walk This Earth Alone" © Ashley Serena}

{images © respective owner}

"Music Commission Pricing"

I am so grateful for the chances I get to work with creative minds, 

whether I'm composing a theme, crafting lyrics, or chirping vocals, 

I love making music with you. 

And because of these growing opportunities, 

my commission prices are also having a bit of growth. 

Though I wish we could all do away with money, 

it is the nature of this and all business. 

{Those whose commissions I've already accepted will maintain the old prices, as is fair.}

Every artist needs to support themselves.

And hopefully, someday, 

this will be my only line of work!

{images via WeHeartIt}

"Every River" (new iTunes release!)

Working with the masterful composer, Fox Amoore, has been such a treat.
And one of our collaborations has made its way to iTunes -- check it out here!
Thanks to Fox for the orchestration,
to Stephen Cumberworth for his flute,
to AlectorFencer for her photographs,
and to Steve Flavin for the video editing.
More tracks to come -- but first, Kami-Con!

{"Every River" © Runrig}

"Shine the Light"

My friend, Fox Amoore's, newest piece, "Shine the Light" 

with Lanovran on flutes, JarisWolf on acoustic guitar, 

and me singin' along. :)

To work with such a talent as Fox...
I'm fish-mouthed and absolutely honored.
More collaboration pieces to come, soon, m'dears~!

{MP3 Downloadable HERE}

{song artwork via Peritian}

"Music & Art Commissions: Open"

"On a green stem, a flower blooms." 

I'm doing this, initially, to pay off my puppy's exam fees. 

But also, it might give me some exposure 

and help me develop my talents 

as I work to improve myself
for my commissioners.

There are two buttons on the right side of this blog, now: 

one for Music Comissions

the other for Art Commissions.

Take a look... you might find something to your liking.

{images via WeHeartIt}

"I'm Collaborating With My Hero, Fox Amoore"

THE Fox Amoore. 

I sent him some vocals for one of his pieces, and he liked them. 

Said he wants to work with me AGAIN.

I'm just sitting here, like...
IS THIS REAL OR IS IT FANTASY?





I just can't. I don't even. GLAKSJDSDF. 

{fox image via WeHeartIt}