Warmth in a cold setting
Ethan and Mattie’s story unfolds during a snowy winter in Starkfield. I chose Christmas-like chords to contrast the warmth of love with the cold surroundings.
ORIGINAL SINGLE · 2023 — 2024
Submerged Under Snow
My first single, inspired by Ethan Frome.
I wrote this song for Mr. Whitehead’s AP Lang class after reading Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome. It became a project in songwriting, recording, and finding ways to translate a story into sound.
I wrote about the process in the school newspaper: My Journey of Composing a Song for AP Lang Class.
01 / THE SINGLE
Submerged Under Snow.
02 / COMPOSITION & PRODUCTION
Turning a winter story into sound.
The crunch of snow
I used EQ to emphasize frequencies around 1,500 Hz and above in my vocals. Consonants such as “th,” “sh,” “ch,” and “s” brought out the crisp, crunchy texture I associated with snow.
Regret in the bass
A roaring bass sound carried the regret I imagined the characters feeling.
The “smash-up”
I added a smash sound to the drum beat, echoing the event the narrator tries to understand throughout the novel.
Lyrics beyond the novel
I kept the lyrics simple enough that someone going through a difficult time with a friend could relate to them without knowing Ethan and Mattie’s story.
03 / NOVEMBER 2023
Before the final version.
November 23, 2023
Chords, bass, and a drum beat.
I started with synth chords I had made in Logic Pro. Their winter feeling made them a natural fit for this project.
November 26, 2023
Finding the words.
I added lyrics, melodies, and vocals. The opening originally read “We’re under the snow,” before I changed it to “Submerged under snow.”
November 29, 2023
Finishing the second part.
As the deadline approached, I finished the remaining lyrics and melody. I was rushing, and the vocals still had room for improvement.
04 / PERFORMANCE & RELEASE
From the classroom to a single.
November 30, 2023 · In class
I performed the song in class using the equipment I had gotten for Busking Club.
Winter break · First release
Between December 23, 2023 and January 1, 2024, I made the final edits and released the single through DistroKid. The original cover was a photo I had taken on a New Jersey highway.
Summer 2024 · Another pass
After listening back, I felt the pronunciation was unclear and the mix was muddy. I rerecorded, remixed, and remastered the song, then released the new version through TooLost.
