BackgroundBianca Moretti is no stranger to music. In fact, she's been surrounded by music all of her life. Rather it be performing it or just listening, Bianca has never went a day without hearing a magical tune in her head or around her. Moretti's burst into the industry was only a few months ago with her first ever single,
'Left Alone', which debuted at #6 on the charts. Even though she's proud of her high charting single, Bianca doesn't want her career or success to be based on any of it.
Quote:"The biggest downfall that I see a lot of great musicians go through is that they become so obsessed with the way their songs or albums are doing, it generally defines them. They want everything to be #1 or it's a failure and then they begin to put so much pressure on themselves so they feel the need to become someone who they never intended to be or become this arrogant, self-absorbed person. I don't want to be anything like that. Even if I never get a hit single or #1 album, I'll know I'm successful because I know what I'm capable of and numbers can always lie. I never felt trusting of the positions anyway. Something could have happened that week and made your single go up or down so it really isn't a clear say so on how talented you are. Nowadays, with the right people and right kind of money, anyone could get a #1 single but that doesn't mean they are good."
Already making herself known in the music business, Bianca isn't afraid of failure at all, in fact she welcomes it. She doesn't have any clue how good or bad her EP will do but it doesn't matter to her at all. As long as she gets her message across, she's satisfied. She doesn't mind the fame and all it comes with it but she will not sell her soul to be on the iPod of every person in the world. To Bianca, she makes real music, the kind not manufactured by labels or over produced.
Quote:"Sometimes, simplicity is best. As long as I get my point across I don't need the extra stuff in the song."
She also goes on to talk about the title of her EP, Notebook & Pen and what it means.
Quote:"Notebook & Pen was chosen as the name because I wrote all of these songs myself. It's really nothing cryptic really, I just thought it would be a good EP title. (Laughs) I've always written down ideas and thoughts in my little notebook with a pen, never a pencil, because then I couldn't erase and might change my mind about something. I think it's always good to have something near you at any time because you never know when inspiration might strike."
Title: Notebook & Pen
Genre: Folk, Acoustic, Pop Rock
Length: 20:19
Label: Take Action Records
Recorded: January 25th, 2012 - February 26th, 2012
Released: March 7, 2012
Produced By: Brandon Caulfield, Cole Morrison, Bianca Moretti
PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Guitar, Madonlin, Piano, Lyrics, Production
Cole Morrison - Tambourine, Bells, Drums, Backing Vocals, Production
Brandon Caulfield - Production, Guitar
Laura Morrison - Backing Vocals, Artwork
Diana Lachey - Artwork
Tracklist1. Left Alone (3:47)*2. Last Days (3:07)3. Poor, Lost Soul (2:56)4. Set It In Stone (5:39)5. Reflection (4:50)*= Single (Released)
1. Left Alone (3:47)DescriptionBianca Moretti has already made her mark in the business just by showing a performance of her from January 1st, 2011 in Steubenville, OH. She has the ability to sing, play guitar, tell a story with her songs, and keep her confidence. Her debut single
Left Alone was her obvious choice for her first single. A song that she wrote years ago but still keeps it's sorrowful meaning to it. Bianca has shown that she shouldn't be taken lightly just because she's new to the scene.
"I wrote this song for my friend who recently lost his girlfriend in a car crash. He was really depressed and just mad at the world because she was killed by someone who was drunk and not paying attention. I wrote just about how he felt and what was going on." She starts strumming on her guitar with a tambourine being heard in the background. The strong chords of the guitar really give the song an energetic feeling to it, almost upbeat. She starts to sing with some strong vocals that are soft. Her voice carries a folky sound to it, stressing the notes and holding them for a few seconds. In between each chorus, there's a small instrumental with only the guitar being heard. It's being lightly strummed and matches well with Bianca's vocals.
Bianca also sheds some more light on the meaning of the song.
"It's supposed to be one of those moments in someone's life where they don't know what to do and they feel like they have no choices left. They start to slowly deprive themselves of the world and chances to get help. It's a song about, as cheesy as it may sound, finding yourself and blah blah blah. It's just a really somber song that has a lot of meaning for me, mostly personal, so hopefully it's relatable to someone else out there."PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Guitar, Lyrics, Production
Cole Morrison - Tambourine, Bells
Laura Morrison - Artwork
[Lyrics]
[Verse 1]
I don't think you understand, Just how it is to be this man
Watching his life go down
I don't think that you will know, Why he has to act so cold
No help for he is proud
He said, "I can't figure who I am , But I don't give a damn
I know what I didn't now"
[Chorus]
He's walking through streets
Heart filled with misery, Scars his name
A mindset full of sin
There's no way to win, With his crown
His passion lets him fall
Never should have took that call, Oh no-o-o
But please don't leave him now
So don't you leave him now
[Verse 2]
Family turns their backs, True love is what he lacks
Confess now to yourself
A million times before, It's always an open door
Your failure becomes your he-e-e-elp
[Chorus]
He's walking through streets
Heart filled with misery, Scars his name
A mindset full of sin
There's no way to win, With his crown
His passion lets him fall
Never should have took that call, Oh no-o-o
But please don't leave him now
Do do do do do do
Do do do do
Do do do do do do do
So don't you leave him now
Because he doesn't want to be left alone
Sounds Like:
2. Last Days (3:07)DescriptionThe second song on the EP is quite one of the most understandable being a song about an addiction to alcohol. Bianca wastes no time getting right into the song with her magnificent guitar playing along with getting into the lyrics as well. The tone of the song seems to be a happy one but contrasts with the actual lyrics of the song.
"A friend of mine convinced me to put this song on the EP actually. It was close to not even making it on the list but I decided to include it. This is a very personal and close song to me. I've always said that I want to make sure people don't get the wrong idea with this song. I'm not or never have been addicted to alcohol but the lyrics refer to one. I wrote this about when I used to drink, a lot, and it was almost like an addiction but it wasn't. I never felt like I needed it but when I had it, things always changed. It's more about struggle if anything. It's about being in the last stages of an addiction and wondering if it ever gets better."As quickly as you can sing the lyrics, Bianca changes up the song with it being a bit more fast paced. A lot of notes held and instrumental parts but this song fails to loose it's interest.
"I thought about this being a possible single but then I thought that I could do better and I hope I made the right choice. (Laughs)"PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Guitar, Lyrics, Production
Cole Morrison - Production, Drums
[Lyrics]
[Verse 1]
I've looked and found a way to fill that empty hole
That one that scars and burns so deep within my soul
I've tried to block it out but highs turned into lows
No one to carry me or have my heart to hold
It's tried to tear me up inside but I won't give
For now I've finally found my will to live
Sometimes I lay awake at night and start to pray
Is this the way to spend the rest of my last days
My da-a-a-ays
My last da-a-ays
[Verse 2]
I'll drink a glass of beer for my own truth
There's just a certain line of good that I won't do-o-o
You may be quick to judge unless the one was you
Slowly wasting away that thing called virtue
It tries to tear me up inside but I won't give
For now I've finally found my will to live
Sometimes I lay awake at night and start to pray
Is this the way to spend the rest of my last days
[Bridge]
I know you live in fear of me
One day you hope for me to never see that bottle again
But then again all the stress would seem so heavy on me-e-e
Is there any other way to numb this pain?
[Verse 3]
It's tried to tear me up inside but I won't give (Won't give)
For now I've finally found my will to live (Found my will to live)
Sometimes I lay awake at night and start to pray (I lay awake)
Is this the way to spend the rest of my last days?
Is this the way to spend the rest of my last days?
Is this the way for me to spend my da-a-a-ys?
Sounds Like:
3. Poor, Lost Soul (2:56)DescriptionPoor, Lost Soul, another uptempo song by Bianca that doesn't hesitate to jump in with it's lyrics. Bianca's voice is light and airy, mashing well with the sounds of her guitars and mandolin playing. The very catchy beat has a bit of a bass in it giving the feeling of a soulful song played in an old club.
"I wanted this song to have a sort of weird feeling to it with the whole low and mysterious uptempo, club vibe to it. This is the first song I got to play with my Mandolin in and I admit it sounds better with it than before. I did a lot of second guessing on this EP but I'm happy with my decisions now."The shortest song on here, Poor, Lost Soul, has a simple message to it.
"I wrote it with the intention of making people think. Nowadays we take music for granted. Yes, it's a song about how I'm obviously whining about musicians and music getting overlooked but I think it's very tasteful. I love this song and I hope everyone loves it too."PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Guitar, Madonlin, Lyrics, Production
Brandon Caulfield - Production
Cole Morrison - Production
[Lyrics]
[Verse 1]
I could write something so deep, no one would listen
I could write something so sweet, and never get a position
But what happened to writing for me?
What happened to all of the passion?
Now trying to make a scene
Just don't wanna end up like another
Poor, lost soul
[Verse 2]
I could play a symphony, And no one would see it
I could let out a scream, You probably won't hear it
But what happened to helping those in need?
A little attention
Not trying to make a scene
Don't wanna end up like another
Poor, lost soul
[Bridge]
Do you know how it feels to be ignored?
People would rather be thrilled with all the glamor
Rather than truthfulness
So many lessons to be learned
So many lessons
La da da, La da da, La da da
La da da, La da da, La da da
La da da, La da da, La da da
La da da, La da da, La-a-a-a-a-a!
But what happened to writing for me?
A little attention
What happened to all of the passion, No not trying to make a scene
Just don't wanna end up like
I'll be damned if I end up like,
I don't wanna end up like
Another poor, lost soul
4. Set It In Stone (5:39)DescriptionIn contrast to the last two songs, Set It In Stone is one of two songs that are slow. This song has a pop rock like sound. Starting off with the strum of the guitar followed by a soft sounding drum, Bianca sings with a high voice as she plays the piano. The song itself turns into a sort of an uptempo song with backing vocals that don't belong to Bianca but those of Cole and Laura Morrison.
"I feel like this is the motivational song on the EP. I wrote this about a year ago for myself. I've always been kind of outspoken and unshy but I'm pushing myself to get past all the small things that make me sad. This song is about not living life as if it's a fairy tale but knowing that there's not always going to be a happy ending and I'm prepared for that. It tells people to wake up and basically if you live on hope and wishes, you'll die. You have to go out and do things to be someone."PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Lyrics, Production
Brandon Caulfield - Guitar, Production
Cole Morrison - Drums, Backing Vocals
Laura Morrison - Backing Vocals
[Lyrics]
Black = Backing Vocals (Cole and Laura Morrison)
[Verse 1]
One day you may wake up and realize
Life's just not what it was before
One day you may wake up and figure you
Something's gotta give
You've been hiding all this time
Waiting for that magical moment
Just waiting for your own sunshine
And to go out with a blaze of glo-o-o-ory!
[Chorus]
Wake up, Wake up
Something called reality (Reality)
Get up, Get up
Sometimes you need more than
Belie-e-e-ef
Nothing's gonna happen all on its own
Time for you to set it in stone
[Verse 2]
All day, you'll wonder where exactly you are going
Somewhere far from all the pain
Some days, you'll feel as if the world is crashing
Something's gotta give
You finally take that lonely step
Time to see what you've been thinking
Making it without the help
Reaching for that blaze of glo-o-o-ory!
[Chorus]
Wake up, Wake up
Something called reality (Reality)
Get up, Get up
Sometimes you need more than
Belie-e-e-ef
Nothing's gonna happen all on its own
Time for you to set it in stone
[Bridge]
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) Didn't need that much convincing
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) Staring at her own reflection
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) Do you see what I am seeing?
(Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) That lonely girl was me-e-e-e-e!
[Chorus]
Wake up, Wake up (Wa-a-a-ake Up!)
Something called reality (Reality)
Get up, Get up (Ge-e-e-et Up!)
Sometimes you need more than
Belie-e-e-ef
Nothing's gonna happen all on its own
Time for you to set it in stone
Beat Sounds Similar To:
5. Reflection (4:50)DescriptionThe last song of the EP, Bianca quickly delivers another soft song with her playing piano this time. The song, Reflection, is also another close to home song for the 19 year old.
"Reflection is one of those songs that you can tell what it's gonna be about as soon as you hear the title. I wrote this for my friend who had a tough upbringing. Her parents were always expecting her to be like them and do the things they did but she grew tired of it. She wanted to be her own person but she was afraid to tell her parents. Long story short, she's not my artwork manager. (Laughs)"Bianca's soft and velvet like voice compliments the soft keys played by the piano. Moretti also had another person helping her with this track, Brandon Caulfield. She tells what it was like to work with him.
"I love Brandon, he's one of my favorite artists. He helped me work on the song after I played it to him. I was so happy he loved it and we began to work on it almost immediately. I played notes on the piano and he would play back to me on his guitar. It was a surreal moment for me and I'll never forget it.
I wrote this song when I was in a kind of tight situation so definitely can feel my emotions in this song while I'm talking about my friend. I hope to actually one day play this song with a symphony or an orchestra. I think that would really bring out the full potential of the song and make it sound even better than what I've recorded."PersonnelBianca Moretti - Vocals, Piano, Lyrics, Production
Cole Morrison - Bells, Production
Brandon Caulfield - Guitar, Production
[Lyrics]
[Verse 1]
Expectations, they came and they grew
It seemed like you were the only one
Who really knew
What I'd be doing
Where I would go
You thought we had it all
But you didn't know
Walking through that fine line of real and fake
Some things you have to earn
Some others you take
But I don't want your
[Chorus]
Reflectio-o-o-on, I want a life I own
Holding on to those memories
The ones from home
I don't want your reflectio-o-o-on
I'll say with no hesitation
My life you thought you knew
I don't want your reflection
No, don't want your reflection
[Verse 2]
Situations, they come and they go
Pick me up when I start feeling low
Who would need me?
Why do I stay?
You thought you knew it all
But not today
[Chorus]
Reflectio-o-o-on, I want a life I own
Holding on to those memories
The ones from home
I don't want your reflectio-o-o-on
I'll say with no hesitation
My life you thought you knew
I don't want your reflection
No, don't want your reflection
[Bridge]
Show me what you're looking for
Open me like a closed, shut door
Just show me what you're looking for
Because I-I-I don't want your
[Chorus]
Reflectio-o-o-on, I want a life I own
Holding on to those memories
The ones from home
I don't want your reflectio-o-o-on
I'll say with no hesitation
My life you thought you knew
I don't want your reflection
No, don't want your
Reflectio-o-o-on, I want a life I own (Ohhh)
Holding on to those memories
The ones from home
I don't want your reflectio-o-o-on
I'll say with no hesitation
My life you thought you knew
I don't want your reflection
No, don't want your reflection
So did Bianca 'Wow' anyone with her debut EP or will it be just a flop on the charts?