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Carley Baer

@carleybaer
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Songs

61

Joined

2008

Singer/ songwriter/ student studying to become a music teacher. (she/her)

This year I'm wrapping up my final year of undergrad, and I'm working on my thesis project which deals with songwriting (I've got a thread in the forum about it if you'd like to contribute to the body of research! https://write.fawm.org/forums/454).

I had some dubious math up for a while about my goals (my sister got all the math genes) but I’m still aiming for 42, only now I know that’s a triple FAWM and not a double-double, which would be 56. We’ll see how it goes…

Fifteenth year, sixteenth FAWM, let’s do this 😎

Instrumentation:
- Guitar
- Tenor/concert ukuleles
- Bari uke
- UBASS
- Accordion
- Mandolin
- Ocarina
- Recorder
- Clarinet
- Violin
- aux percussion
- harmonies up the wazoo
- MIDI everything

Songs

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1
Tape 4 UK to US (4T1T Video 4) (Placeholder) by @fourtracktape +4 more
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10
Middle-Aged Non-Traditional Student’s Lament by @carleybaer #fuc #punk #acoustic_one_take

Soundboard

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@roddy
Hello. Just to let you know I haven't received a questionnaire for your songwriting thesis research. If it's still useful to send one to me then the email address is roddyrenfrewmusic@gmail.com
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Hi Carley- I saw you mentioned maybe coming to FAWMStock West . I wanted to reach out with an update in case you hadn't seen the thread.

We've narrowed down the weekend and venue for FAWMStock West -
August 18th through 20th in Ocean Park, WA!
Cost is planned to be about $84 (plus fees) per person, not including food. That costs covers lodging on site and activity space.

We need to put together a minimum count of attendees to be able to reserve the facility. We'd like to have that information within the next two weeks or less, if possible.

If you are planning or at least leaning strongly toward attending FAWMStock West, would you please add your info to this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/oFMRsWhvER5RfqzWA

Please note that this form is just to confirm if there is enough people to make this happen. If we get enough people signed up, we'll probably setup an EventBrite page or something similar later this year as more details get worked out.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!
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@beacon
I did go through all your songs, and tried to come up with what I thought all the different genres were. Here's what I came up with:

Funk
Country/Fingerpicking
Driving Guitar focused
Jazzy Blues
12 Bar blues
Humor/bubbly
Horn band funk
Breezy, slinky percussion
Rap
Urban, fast lyrics
Cute, rhymey wordsplay ukulele song
Disco
Church clapping revival song
Synthpop
Lo Fi
Cabaret
Mellow, oohs in background with mellow percussion
Garage band
Punk
Country waltz
New Orleans jazz
Loops
German Oompa
Polka
Rock
Folk Guitar Story
Eurodance
Torch song
Rap over a rhythm
Bossanova
Blues with jazz trio
Island vibe (Jack Johnson)
Driving guitar rock (GoGo’s)
60's beach party
PIano bar ballad
Country bar crooning
“Don’t worry be happy” hand claps relaxed vibe
Western Story song (Day that FAWM went down)
Jazzy lo fi torch song
Finger picked contemplative
Lullaby
Billy Holliday bar torch song
Sweet harmony
Indie Rock
Piano Bar ballad
Django-jazz
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@beacon
Just replied to your email. Talk in 1.5 hours!
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@beacon
How about meet in Kumospace at 6:30 pm EST/3:30 pm PST?
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@beacon
Yes, I replied twice on Monday. I can chat tonight if you're available.
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@beacon
I can chat tonight if you're available. Check your email!
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@gslade
Thought mine was on the profile..oops
.its gslademailbox@gmail.com
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@beacon
Carley,
Great to see you in the Kumospace Lounge. Let's figure out a time to talk and let me know if you're serious about the Soprano Banjolele.
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@beacon
Carley, Hope you can make the listening skirmish and reception, but regardless, I'd love to have a chat sometime for me to pick your brain about your creative process, and since I did career development for creative professionals for years, I might have some thoughts on your struggles to release your album.
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Looks like you went WAAAAY over your goal. 59 is MORE than a double-double ("quadruple"). Four albums worth of music in a month. I'm in awe!!!
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You are a truly awesome FAWMer, and it's been great that you've had more time to play this year!
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Thank you for checking out the draft for "I Wear the Scar" -- I hope I'll be able to set a melody for it soon.
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@beacon
Altos are definitely the glue! As a tenor, I love having an alto next to me to play "get off my note!"
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@beacon
Thanks for your response! I'd love to chat and pick your brain sometime (I assume after February) as I love your approach, and I think there are so many place you venture off to musically where I'm not sure where to find the start of the trail!

Definitely loved having you on the Harmony Challenge and I'll be pesky again the next time!

How you are so busy with school and work and have done over 40 songs here is beyond me.
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You made your goal! I'm impressed!

Did you choose 42 because math, or because life, the universe and everything? Or both? I'd personally be tempted by that synchronicity, if I thought I could keep at it with that kind of focus. Maybe someday when I have healthcare....
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@beacon
Thanks for being on the Harmony Singers Collab. I'm in absolute awe of your level and variety of production (damn, you've done 3 songs in the past hour, in all different genres). You are a model for what I'm striving toward here in FAWM.
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Thanks for your kind words on Palette Gone Dry, nothing like a mnemonic device for some inspiration 😆
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Hey, Carley - I'm always up for a collaboration if you ever are - this FAWM, next one, 5090 or sometime a decade or two from now....I love everything you do, and the complete all-in sincerity that you bring to it all.
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Thank you for listening to "When You're Famous" -- I'm so excited! My first collab was a blast, thanks to @jlampson !
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Thanks for listing to my Shut the Front Door, and your kind comment! I am definitely stuck in the 80s, myself :p
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Carley, Carley, Carley I was just complaining to Charlie (that’s a fun rhyme) that my layers have that eerie 50’s sound instead of the textural badassness you and I have done before. Alas.
Hope you are feeling amazing after putting up each and every one of these. Amazing job!
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Thank you so much for your kind comment on Into the Night and for being happy to hear a song. My collaboration with Josh is now posted: https://write.fawm.org/songs/19858
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Wow, you're on fire! Good on you.

I didn't wanna hijack that other thread but I remember the psychic driving skirmish and had to look up what it was, but bastardized the title to "Psychic Drive-In" and still like the song I got out of it. :)
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Hi Carley, I am looking forward to hearing your musical idea for Memoir. I think if I add you as a collaborator on the song, you might be able to just upload the file directly in FAWM. If that doesn't work, I'll send you my email address.
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Thanks for the kind note on "Who Would Be Mine" -- I'm working on liking it more. ;)
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Thank you for commenting on my take on "Into The Night." Honestly I wouldn't mind if more than one person wanted to put a tune to the words. In fact I'd be tickled. I am a bit concerned that my own effort would end up sounding like the old lullaby "All Through The Night."
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oh daym 18 already huh?
you go!
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Hey, Carley - I just listened to your whole FAWM ‘23 collection of songs while I was making dinner. I’ll mean to go comment on each one in turn, but wow. What a fun experience. It reminds me of what listening to the radio felt like to me as a little kid. Those little windows into some vast world opening and closing. These voices that were talking to me. I don’t think I knew then that people wrote songs, or else they would have made me know I wanted to write songs too someday. Thanks for being inspiring like that.
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@inger
Wow, you’re prolific! And here I am struggling to write even a few songs in a month. Thanks for your kind words on I’ll feed you…
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@beacon
Hey, just wondering where we are on the Harmony Challenge Song? Have you recorded your part, or is it with @katestantonsings ? I couldn't figure out what your email is either.
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You find someone to do the heart collab with? I haven’t collaborated yet — curious how it might work!
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Thanks for the advice regarding 'The Block'.
When I first started making music, I would just do all kinds of absurd sounding things just...cause. And...just as you say, after I got that out of my system, I was able to make "real" music again.
Its pretty cool to see you saying to apply kinda the same thing here.
I'm worried that I won't let myself do that anymore, though. Like...I'd just slap my hand if I tried to purposely make something sound bad and stuff...
I was listening to some of my ollllllllddddd stuff the other day and it hit me hard - I'm not as creative and free with my music anymore. its like I've become afraid of "what will people think?!?"...and that has been the ONLY negative thing that I get from FAWM and 50/90...its like actual people are actually listening to these songs during these months - so I can't just do any old thing...cause then...well i dunno what. I mean, I still DO make silly nonsense songs sometimes, and it IS fun...but, I dunno; something has changed with me and music-making and not a good change.
ANYWAY! Sorry to babble - but yes, I need to go back to purposely making stuff sound crazy or bad...or at the very least try to work on letting go and "doing any ol' thing" like I used to be able to. Thanks again, I appreciate you lending your insight and help!
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Sent ✨
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I didn’t see your email address on your website. When you get a chance, please let me know where to send. Thanks!
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I’ll forward @metalfoot’s email on to you now! I’m sorry for any inconvenience—I do feel better but my head is congested and my voice isn’t there quite yet. On the mend indeed. Thanks Carley! @kenmattsson (team 3 harmony challenge)
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Welp, Carley. I’m new to you— and thank you for taking time to comment on my song - though I’m not sure where you found the time! You are certainly up there with the most prolific fawmers without compromising flow, quality, ambition, or creativity. I was going through what you have so far and you have impressed me beyond an ability to respond with any kind of specificity. Excited to follow along.
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Thanks for your comment on “The Lights on the Radio Tower.” It’s nice to hear that the minor to major switch worked for you, and even nicer to hear from other people who have radio tower memories!
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Please don't think that I used the word critique in a negative light. It is one of the best tools a lyricist has at their disposal. I'm a horrible "grammar Nazi" when it comes to my writing and at the time, I couldn't think of a fix without doing a total rewrite. Your take on the "mystery" is appealing and I'm gonna go with that! I'll be back...
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Hi Carley! Thanks for stopping by and leaving that astute critique on the Spanish Harlem song. It is a little confusing and I didn't take notice until I read it again after the write. The rhyme is with clue and I couldn't think of another pronoun that rhymed with clue. So, I left it as it was because I got attached to the rest of it. I see where you're coming from and it is a definite detractor.
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@mikeb
Thanks for the listen and comment on 'Xenon Headlights'!
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One does not simply walk into the Dentist's office.

Actually, no, that's probably what most people do.

Good luck; I hope the news is good.
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As requested, Three Chords and the Tooth: https://write.fawm.org/songs/15517

I wasn't really in the mood to make one cheap pun the centrepiece of a lyric, so it's rich in metaphor, literary allusion and various winks and nods. Hope you like it.
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Since you asked so nicely, I'll make it my next project.
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Simply had to follow after that skirmish song!!!
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@atam94
Thanks for listening to my song! No wave sounds, definitely cool overtones to add to the ambience
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I'm glad you liked the poem! One I read in school that never left me. :) #snaillove
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Hey Carley!! I was sick with strep throat over the weekend, so I didn't get to record my harmonies yet. I'll send them as soon as I can! I'm also willing to switch order if needed @metalfoot @kenmattsson Thank you! #HarmonyChallenge
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Hi Carley. Have you any thoughts about our cinematic composition - let me know if you have any particular reference(s) or styles in mind? You can start me off with some lyrics and/or a melody if you prefer and I'll take it from there?
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Thank you for your kind comment on my track. :)
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Hi Carly, thanks for your comments on the Feline Fagin lyrics! I did have a cat who brought socks that had fallen off people's washing lines, and raw cabbage leaves which she dropped on the mat with so much pride! I started with the socks in the lyrics then it went absurd!
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Thanks for the listen. It’s a funny thing that it was raining and I was outside of a restaurant on the Gap. The music playing was Harvest Moon. I expect Barbados reggae or Caribbean music here, not the Canadian guy. Life’s silly coincidiences.
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Thank you for the listen and comment on kleptomaniac!
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Thank you for your comment on Forebodes
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Thank you for your comment on "Snapping at Silverfish!" You really got what I was going for, and it is SO nice when someone does. ;) You made my whole day with your summary of my underlying idea.
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Lovely song that I all too relate to. Between your wonderful voice, the catchy chorus, and the whispy island associations of the ukulele someone should probably pay you to use this in a travel commercial. But that would probably just lead to big obligations ,commotions, and uproars and hullabaloo. Better off doing nothing. Well done!
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Thanks SO much for listening to the song and commenting. I appreciate the thoughtful words.
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Welcome back! Looking forward to collabing on a #4_track tape with you this year!
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Carley, the restaurant with the vault was called Bloc 11 in Union Square in Somerville, It's called the Bloc Cafe now.
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Carley, I have a lyric I'd like to show you. May I email it?
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Hey Carley

I am new hear and also newer to writing. Really enjoyed your song...your style and flow is beautiful.

I posted one song just have to add music....i am often in my own way...so super stoked about this challenge!!

can't wait to hear more from you!
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Hey you beautiful weirdo! :) Best of luck on the Triple FAWM! Would love to hear you bust out the mandolin but i'll be delighted with whatever you whip up! Zoom soon?
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woohoo CBaer <3
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Carley - looking forward to hear some of your music this year - have a great FAWM!
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Right! I was thinking you only had the video one, but just saw and remembered the 50/90 one (that I totally knew about but totally forgot). All good!!
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Are you going to want to be on any other tapes? Haven’t heard from you over there, so I thought I’d check in. Everything is filling quickly this time around (although we and/or you can always start another tape)
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@nadine
Happy FAWM! Wow I didn't know you play soooo many instruments :O
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Salut ! Désolé d'avoir manqué ta chanson sur l'avion en papier l'année passée. Je ferai plus attention cette année. Laissons ta muse nous surprendre...

I love your instrumentation list ! Makes me think of those restaurant menus where you want to get a taste of everything.

Have a great FAWM !
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Hi Carley. Have a fantastic FAWM.
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Hi Carley, enjoyed watching your 4-trak video a few weeks ago. Glad you are doing well and staying active.
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I hope you write a song about cheese - otherwise good luck and wow, Nice list of instruments you got there too
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Saw a comment of yours on Bru's profile.

"Fucked around, found an elegant harmony an octave higher."

It may not fit on a T, though.
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Have a wonderful FAWM! So great to see you back this year.
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@zam
Hi Carley, I'm following my fellow Portland artists for this FAWM and stumbled across you. Happy FAWMing!
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Yaaaaaaas!
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Happy FAWMing!
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🐢🐓🌛🚐
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Oh, hooray - of course you can musify as many of mine as you have time and appetite for. I love our Cut-Rate Crystal Ball song.
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@thetau
It's time again let's all have some FAWM
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So glad you are here. I always love your songs.
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@beacon
Interested in the Harmony Singers Challenge? https://write.fawm.org/forums/505
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Thx for the nice welcome, Carly. Yea, we know each other through Jimm… long time friend.
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Hi Carley - Just a reminder that I've been running a Sunday skirmish for FAWM and 5090 since around 2008 so I might have some comments about skirmishes too 😄
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Hi Carley! Looking forward to our 4-track / video challenge collab.
Happy FAWM!
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i was talking to some other fawmers on zoom today and discussing that AI bio writer and said the name - about 3 of them said they follow them - well well!
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THIS.
“Maybe a challenge where we tuck LOZ leitmotifs into our songs and see if the other can spot them? :D”
Yes!!!
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Hi Carley!! Happy almost FAWM to us!!
You are the queen of woodwinds!

I just thought I'd point that out.
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Hi Carley. 👋
I'm sure he will at some point. 🐕😉
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My Zelda buddy :) I hope to hear your beautiful voice in a song with an ocarina, perhaps? Happy FAWM Carley!!
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@mikeb
Happy FAWM 2023!
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Happy FAWM to you too! 👍😁👍
#classof08 is in the house...
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@carleybaer I'd like you to meet my oldest dearest friend, first time FAWMer and writer extraordinaire @lichtere !!!
I don't think you guys have met IRL right???
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CMFB!!!!! If we don't write at least one this year it will be an aFAWMination!!!
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Yoooo! I am indeed here; glad to see you are, as well! Looking forward to your music as always :)
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@enzo
duuuuuuude!
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@erbaer
ALmost , almost, almost Carley!
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Have a great FAWM!!!
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I mean it isn't official until it is OFFICIAL. Welcome back!!!
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Welcome back Carley! Have a great FAWM!
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Hi, there! Have a fantastic FAWM, Carley! Looking forward to your songs!
[FAWM]