We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Paint (10th Anniversary Edition)

by Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope

supported by
DJ Dilla
DJ Dilla thumbnail
donmakivelli
donmakivelli thumbnail
Kekoa Schlesinger
Kekoa Schlesinger thumbnail
Bloodmon$y Perez
Bloodmon$y Perez thumbnail
samurai banana
samurai banana thumbnail
Tony V.
Tony V. thumbnail
m00kie
m00kie thumbnail
themanilow
themanilow thumbnail
/

  • Cassette + Digital Album

    The Paint on cassette + digital album + I Want to Die in Your Sleep (companion album) digital

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Paint (10th Anniversary Edition) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD  or more

     

1.
If You Are Still Here... 02:26
buy track
2.
Constant 03:18
buy track
3.
Moments Ago and Before 03:11
buy track
4.
Still Life Series (Prod. by Tapurekoda) 03:27
buy track
5.
Broad Shoulders of the Earth 03:22
buy track
6.
Briny 01:59
buy track
7.
That Dark Works Perfectly 04:25
buy track
8.
...I Will Wait 03:42
buy track
9.
Head Coma 03:57
buy track
10.
Wake for Waves 03:08
buy track
11.
Under a Lemon Tree 04:25
buy track
12.
Old and Dead 02:44
buy track
13.
Thomas, Full of Fireflies 03:11
buy track
14.
Cloud Cover 04:31
buy track
15.
Empty Stage 02:39
buy track

about

THE STORY

I started writing songs for The Paint in 2006 and finished in 2011.

This is the longest gap between music projects in my discography.

Unlike other projects, these songs weren't necessarily recorded to be part of an album. They were relatively loose and free of concept except for motifs I wouldn't notice until much later. I guess I don't really know why the songs came together at all in the end.

I felt a bit washed up as a rapper since transitioning from the fertile days of MySpace to the wasteland of Facebook. In the 5 year span there were nearly 50 songs, ideas and scraps recorded for a "solo" project.

During the editing phase I noticed there absolutely was a central story and character floating between the songs.

Our nameless character finds a book under his bed written by the mysterious Thomas. The stories in the book keep influencing the dreams of our narrator and the people around him. Soon reality itself becomes unstable. Distant towers turn into windmills, buildings into trees and writing quills are produced from peoples chests. The characters start to wonder if Thomas' stories are fictional or biographical. The title 'The Paint' is a reference to Thomas' fascination with hiding from death. He claimed that the universe isn't as intelligent as believed and that simply by painting one's self to blend in with their surroundings they can hide from death.

He believed that the moon held a pigment necessary for full invisibility and eternal life.

The stories on the album weave in and out between Icarus and Don Quixote. Ambitions, narrative confusion, love, loss and fear of being considered uninspired all run throughout the music.

As I listen back, 10 years later. there are certainly some different choices I may have made. Editing here and there for length. Production, lyrical, mixing (or lack there of) choices that annoy me. There are also some ideas, deliveries, tonal and arrangement choices that I don't know if i'd have the courage to try and pull off today.

Overall I'm very proud of this album and I hope that people who are familiar with it find some new insight in the older songs along with the companion project.

And to all the new listeners I really hope that you enjoy both parts of this project. I don't believe you'll find much of it 'dated'. I've always been proud of myself for not jumping on any sonic bandwagons and really trying to make music that sounds fresh or just different and exciting.

credits

released June 4, 2021

All songs written, produced and recorded by Unsung (S. Miller) except Still Life Series (prod. by) Tapurekoda

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope image

Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope

We are your friends, and we are making records.

contact / help

Contact Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now