Tyler Nimon - Carpe Diem
All music and lyrics written by Tyler Nimon, except “Red Bird” (written by Doug Norris, arranged by Tyler Nimon)
Produced by Tyler Nimon and Roland Lim III
Recorded at Rudiez Studios in Kobe, Japan
Mixed and Mastered by Roland Lim III in Chicago, IL (www.mixingbyrolandlim.com)
Personnel
Tyler Nimon - All vocals, musical instruments (except drums), and recording engineering Hideki Enomoto - Drums (tracks 2-5) Kozo Okamoto - Drums (track 1) Roland Lim III - Mixing and mastering (all tracks), sound effects (track 1) Cover photo by Erica Nimon; edited by Roland Lim, Jr. (www.rlimphoto.com) Special thanks to Erica Nimon, Roland Lim III, Jimmy MacGillivray, Tomoko Togashi, Doug Norris, Hideki Enomoto, Kozo Okamoto, Yasu at Guitarworks Roost, James Hamilton, Blake Alexander, John Toczek, Paul Apice, Roland Jr. and Annabelle Lim, Akemi and Miyoshi Hayashi, John and Michele Nimon, Cody Nimon, Jacob Nimon, Margaret Nimon, and Mike and Carol Tychewicz.
The Story
Carpe diem. Seize the day. That about sums up how this whole thing came together and apart… When the pandemic took hold in early 2020, I was living in Kobe, Japan with my wife, Erica. Up until this point, I had been spending a lot of my free time playing music with my good friend, Jimmy MacGillivray. Jimmy and his wife owned a building in downtown Kobe, right next to the ancient Ikuta Shrine, which contained three businesses: Rudiez Studios, a set of four rehearsal spaces; Rudiez Cafe, a neighborhood gathering place for musicians and artists; and Art House, a live venue on the top floor with a 30+ year history. When the lockdowns started, Jimmy and I took advantage of the time and quiet atmosphere to convert one of the rehearsal spaces into a recording studio.
For the next two years, that studio became my saving grace—a space where I could explore my creativity without bounds. As soon as we set up the recording capabilities, I began sending tracks back and forth to my longtime friend, collaborator, and mixing engineer Roland Lim III who was in Chicago at the time, resulting in a truly global musical project. We had no idea that anything like this could happen or even be a possibility for us. At the same time, we knew that it wouldn’t last forever; my wife and I had plans to move permanently to the US, and Jimmy and his family also had plans to return to Canada while being in negotiations to sell the studio's building. Because of this, a sense of urgency surrounded all of our music work, hence the title of this EP—Carpe Diem (seize the day).
In late 2022, Jimmy and his family sold the building and Rudiez Studios no longer exists. All of the songs we recorded there are a testament to that special time in Kobe during those two years. While I recorded dozens of songs there, both for myself and for other artists, the songs on this EP stand out as what I believe to be my best original work to date. Only in post-production did Roland form this collection into a cohesive musical statement. His contribution, while behind the scenes, was immense. I owe a great debt of gratitude to him for helping me fully realize the potential in these songs and to fashion them into a collection that we can both proudly stand behind. I am deeply grateful to be able to share this music with you. Enjoy Tyler Nimon
Lyrics
Extras
Mondays
I never really tried that hard
These days
I’m hanging in my backyard
Cross-eyed
Jumping through an open door Genius
But nothing more
Extras
Walking on a movie set
No lines
But don’t forget
Georgie
Chopping down the cherry tree
No lies
Just you and me
That's Alright
I always missed the good times
I never was around
I try to live a good life
But it's always crashing down
They said they didn't know me
Didn't recognize my face
I've been trapped inside a postcard
That never found its place
I don't mind
‘Cause this world is spinnin’ 'round
I never tried
To blend in with the crowd
But that's alright
I sit and watch the TV
Be flipping through shows
I listen to the music
I still love rock and roll
They always try to blame us
How did it get like this?
They always try to change us
But I can see right through their tricks
I don't mind
‘Cause this world is spinnin’ 'round
I never tried
To blend in with the crowd
But that's alright
I never tried to fight it
I never stuck around
I never gave a warning
I never made a sound
Turn the Pages
You turn the pages
Until you find someone
Knows what your name is
Knows what your name is
Who are you kidding?
I see my picture
It’s hanging on your wall
You need to change it
You need to change it
Oh, who are you kidding?
I never met you
I don’t know who you are
You’re in a hurry
You’re in a hurry
Oh, to get yourself nowhere
You take your chances
But you know you never won
You know you never won
You know you never won
Oh, you know you never won
Come and See
Every time I see you
It’s like a brand new day
And I just want to tell you
I need you here to stay
But now you’re gone
There’s a hole in me that I can’t fill
This love is real
I can’t bear to see you walk away
But you know I can’t stop this feeling
It’s the only thing I believe in
Can’t you see?
I can’t fight it any longer
And the feeling’s only getting stronger
If you don’t believe me
Why don’t you come and see?
I tell you that I miss you
But you turn the other way
Tell me what I have to do
To make you want to stay
But that game you’re playing
Ain’t gonna work on me
Oh, the only thing I’m saying
Is why don’t you come and see?
Cause now you’re gone
There’s a hole in me that I can’t fill
This love is real
I can’t bear to see you walk away
But you know I can’t stop this feeling
It’s the only thing I believe in
Can’t you see?
Can’t fight it any longer
And the feeling’s only getting stronger
If you don’t believe me
Why don’t you come and see?
Red Bird
Red bird on my window cill
I know you want to stay here still
But autumn’s frost is coming soon
And the harvest moon says winter’s on its way
So red bird in my window cill
What are you doing still?
This old man’s hands get brittle
When he feels the chill of winter coming near
Fly away
It doesn’t have to be goodbye
Fly away
Old friends never die
Red bird if you wait too long
I may not hear your sweet sweet song
Again in spring, when love is in the air
So please don’t let your heart strings
Stop your wings from soaring
Your gentle song will last all winter long
And when the fire’s high
And your wings are soaring
Your song will ring true
Fly away
It doesn’t have to be goodbye
Fly away
Old friends never die
They live on in the memories
And in the tears we cry
Red bird on my window cill
I know you want to stay here still
But autumn’s frost is coming soon
And the harvest moon says you must be on your way
Fly away
Red bird
Red bird
Fly away