Catch-Up Mechanics

from Catch-Up Mechanics by Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire

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about

I was asked to contribute cues for a short film. The request was to write a brief instrumental trip hop piece. So I did. In the end my music was not used. I liked the process and was happy with the result, so no loss. I built lyrics around the premise of the film - heading into Mojave Desert aiming for a drug induced spiritual reset.

At the same time I was putting this together, a friend taught me about the concept of catch-up mechanics. This is something you build into a board game so that if a player is losing early on, a catch-up mechanic may come along and give you an opportunity to win. It's basically a blast of hope. I suppose catch-up mechanics could be rolling a special number, turning over a particular combination of cards, or unlocking some puzzle. I began to ask myself, what are the catch-up mechanics of life? Drug use? Spirituality? Art? Solitude? Travel?

I am extremely pleased with this song.

lyrics

Speeding past inspiring terrain with buttons and caps
Needing to rewire my brain synapse by synapse

Soaking in Mojave on a spiritual reset
Inching up the volume on a Portishead cassette

They built the game with catch-up mechanics
So one bad spin
Won’t do you in
I can’t become a woman who panics

Doo doo doo…

I can’t become a woman who panics
‘Cause one bad spin
Won’t do you in

Doo doo doo

Dancing through my nervous shock in a crown of baby’s breath
Kicking free a Birkenstock as I near my ego’s death

Rental Airstreams and vivid daydreams
Built into the game
Microdoses and self-hypnosis
Built into the game
Ketamine and tons of caffeine
Built into the game
Hit refresh, take control, it’s your turn to roll

They built the game with catch-up mechanics
So one bad spin
Won’t do you in
I can’t become a woman who panics

credits

from Catch-Up Mechanics, released August 1, 2023
Music, words, production: Elliott Marx
Vocals: Katie
Percussion: Reinaldo

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Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire Los Angeles, California

Counterpoint by avocation.

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