In his basement workshop, Beak works mostly with a MPC2000XL. He layers propulsive, hard-hitting drums with driving guitar and keyboard melodies. He paces after the addition of each element, ducking to avoid the overhead pipes, playing air drums, and calculating his next layer.
Beak’s sequencing is a large part of his sound. “After you’ve got the main structure, to make it a real song, you have to take it all part again. It’s like a battle with the beat, every time.” And Beak always wins. When it’s over, the effect is some helicopter-at-the-omnitheater shit. He’ll take a beat down to its most essential elements before letting it off the leash to explode into anthemic proportions.
Lazerbeak got involved with the Doomtree crew through his high school friendship with Stef (P.O.S.). But by then he’d already been playing music for years. Since 8th grade he played with The Plastic Constellations, the indie rock group that would go on to tour the country, signed to French Kiss Records. Stef, having heard Lazerbeak’s music with TPC, encouraged him to start making beats. Beak got a loan from his folks to buy his first MPC from Guitar Center. Stef came over in the afternoon to show him the ropes. No looking back.
To date, Lazerbeak has produced over 400 beats. His production appears on almost every Doomtree release, including all three of P.O.S’ solo albums. He's now completing the production for the upcoming Sims solo release and working on a solo endeavor of his own.
Most recently, Doomtree released Lazerbeak’s collaboration with Mike Mictlan. The two schemed for years to write and record the disc. For much of that time Mike was living in L.A. Lazerbeak sent Mike beat CDs in the mail. Mike rapped his verses to Lazerbeak over the phone. Big dreams, big phone bills. Now the fruit of their labor is available in all its glory as Hand Over Fist. Legend Recognize Legend.
Solo Projects:
Hand Over Fist (with Mike Mictlan)
Legend Recognize Legend
http://www.doomtree.net/lazerbeak
Salt And Sea
Lazerbeak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On top a raft many miles from shore
I guess at times we make some tough decisions
It's never easy when you're stuck between the current and the ocean floor
Lately I know we've been sinking
Don't let storms get you down
Baby, you know I've been thinking
Out where the salt and the sea get mixed in
Up where the steam and the stars divide
I know I make a lot out of made up missions
It's never easy when your stuck between the urchins and the twisting tide
Lately almost without blinking
Storms have rolled in to town
Baby, you know I've been thinking
I'd be a mess without you now
Out where the salt and the sea get mixed in
Up where the steam and the stars divide
Down where the ground turns the rock to liquid
Until the choir and the fumes collide
The first verse of Lazerbeak's "Salt And Sea" describes a challenging situation where the singer and another person are stranded on a raft, many miles away from shore. The second line suggests that the situation is not an entirely hopeless one, but that tough decisions are necessary to survive. The metaphor of being "stuck between the current and the ocean floor" suggests that the situation is precarious and difficult to navigate. The singer is admitting that they have had to make some tough choices.
In the chorus, the singer acknowledges that they have been struggling lately or perhaps have been faced with some challenging circumstances ("we've been sinking"). However, they encourage their companion to stay positive and not let the storms of life get them down. The singer expresses their deep affection for the other person ("Baby, you know I've been thinking / I feel the best when you're around"), suggesting that this love is what keeps them afloat and helps them navigate through tough times.
In the second verse, the singer continues to describe their situation in metaphoric terms. They use the image of the salt and sea getting mixed in to evoke the sense of being in a space where one thing is blending in with another. They also use the image of the "urchins and the twisting tide" to describe the dangerous environment they are in. Despite this, the singer is recognizing that things are changing and acknowledging that they are feeling increasingly vulnerable ("storms have rolled in to town"). The presence of their companion, however, is still what's giving them strength.
Overall, "Salt And Sea" is a song about the challenging nature of life and how important it is to have someone by your side to face those challenges with. It's about the beauty of the sea, but also acknowledges its danger, and the importance of finding a way to stay afloat in tumultuous waters.
Line by Line Meaning
We find ourselves in a valiant vision
We are in a courageous but imagined situation
On top a raft many miles from shore
We are stranded on a floating device far from land
I guess at times we make some tough decisions
We have to face difficult choices occasionally
It's never easy when you're stuck between the current and the ocean floor
It's challenging to be caught between the water's flow and the seabed
Lately I know we've been sinking
I am aware that we are gradually going under
Don't let storms get you down
Do not be discouraged by turbulent weather
Baby, you know I've been thinking
I have been contemplating, my dear
I feel the best when you're around
I am happiest when you are with me
Out where the salt and the sea get mixed in
In the area where the ocean's saltwater and its contents combine
Up where the steam and the stars divide
In the highest points where vapor and celestial bodies separate
I know I make a lot out of made-up missions
I recognize that I build a lot around imaginary objectives
It's never easy when your stuck between the urchins and the twisting tide
It's challenging to be trapped within the sea urchins and the unpredictable waves
Lately almost without blinking
Recently, barely even taking a glance
Storms have rolled in to town
Tempests have arrived at our location
I'd be a mess without you now
Without you, I would be distraught
Down where the ground turns the rock to liquid
In depths where rock turns into fluid
Until the choir and the fumes collide
Until harmonious sounds and gases come together
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aaron Mader
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind