nested for rest

somehow, after all this time, i am still awake.
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istillremember.

Carrier is now available to stream.
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how it must happen from here:
◦ REDACTED. {cryptic lore and teasers}
◦ (just need to) decide {awaken’s first single}
◦ the sound (of the sun) {awaken’s second single}
◦ (feel the) flow {awaken’s third single}
◦ alone {c-sides}
◦ acts (one, two, and three) {half of a cycle}
◦ (by my own) hands {awaken’s fourth single}
◦ the sight (of the moon) {awaken’s fifth single}
◦ izaak (you are home) {awaken’s final single}
◦ REDACTED. {slightly less cryptic lore and teasers}
◦ izaak. {extended single}
◦ awaken {album}
◦ (again) {again}
◦ TRIBE OF BIRDS (RECOVERED) {the unknown single}
◦ it’sjustabaddream. {the EP.} & the middle. {official music video}
◦ c h r o n i c l e (scattered moments) {official music video} & the final piece of a timeline
◦ realign (remastered) & time (fractured memories) {official music video}

this is all that is missing that should’ve happened by now. we’re approaching the end of what has been a very strenuous beginning of nested for rest. so many unforeseen obstacles have wedged its way in between these songs, the story within, and the plans for what this whole thing is/what it represents. i’ve been trying to bring it all together for years, but each time that i got close i found an excuse to not put in my 100% effort or failed to stay steady through difficult times and challenges.

i believe strongly in the story inside of NFR, and i think it says something important about what we’re all doing here in this thing called life. trying and failing over and over again, learning to always choose love over fear. this story is mostly not apparent at the moment, and that needs to change.

NFR is too important to me to keep on letting it down. and to the people out there who i see that this already means something to you, i have a responsibility to give you the complete experience of this music that you’ve found relatability in, or at the very least some interesting beats to bop to.

the technical difficulties and exhaustion from holding the last show together as it dared to fall apart was an intense wake-up alarm. NFR will be on a brief hiatus until the above list is complete.

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📸:
◦ the story of the unknown crow.

more shots from last thursdays show at , courtesy of .weaver32

i want to give a huge thanks to and .weaver32 for shooting photography. these shows wouldn’t be documented without photographers, so please go support them and all photographers!

i also need to give a huge thank you to / and .aep for allowing the world of the mosaic and the story of the unknown crow to begin to blossom. with how much that has gotten in the way of NFR and with how much i’ve failed so far in my own battles against the mind, NFR wouldn’t be possible without their animation and graphic design work. two of the coolest and most talented artists that you’ll ever work with

i also need to thank my current live band collaborators: for tearing it up on the guitar with the raw energy and sick textures

for shredding out beautiful “floyd drenched” lead guitar licks when he’s available to

for being one of the coolest session bassists to ever step onto a stage

, , and for hopping on the kit and gluing the live show together

, , and for working on sick vocal embellishments and harmonies

and to all of you who come to the shows and add your emotions and energy from the crowd. you’re the most important part of this conversation that we call music

shoutout to the OG core NFR live show lineup of (duh), (drums), (bass), and my brother josh (anything). i will never forget those first 5 shows that we put on before i released the first album

and shoutout to all of the bands that NFR has had the pleasure of sharing a stage with over the last couple years, and to everyone who’s out there making art

keep at it. don’t ever stop if it’s what you truly love and have a passion for, no matter what obstacles or demons try to prevent you telling your story. what you have to say matters so so much, and only you can bring it to the final page

thank you all. semi-hiatus inbound as i finish the two new EPs and your second album ‘awaken’.

love you all,
jay payne

some photos from last thursday’s show at , taken by the spectacular . .weaver32 took some sick shots as well, some of those are coming in the next post.

it’s no secret to my friends and collaborators that i was personally not a huge fan of my set that night. from unexpected technical difficulties, no hours of sleep the night before from trying to ensure that everything was in its intended place (but that not mattering in the end due to the technical issues), my stage piano finally reaching the end of its life with its internal sample engine failing, having to cut a couple songs from the show due to technology failing (including the live debut of izaak performed across the floor), and having to completely improvise and play the whole set differently than intended & rehearsed due to the technical issues (including on the spot arrangement changes, different instrument choice, etc.). i was not a happy camper at all.

the point is, i was not able to give you the show that i wanted you give you, and that is something that doesn’t sit right with my heart. NFR will be performing this set as intended via a future livestream, as i am too confident and proud of our work on the fully intended show for 2/12 to let it wilt away. more details on that in the future.

i appreciate the show for what it was, and am thankful that you all seemed to enjoy the set despite the chaos and unexpected obstacles. i am grateful and happy knowing that people still had a good time, as i never want to let you down when you choose to spend money to come out to a show instead of doing something else with your time.

the night was not all fraught however, absolutely nailed their debut at scandals, and put on a hell of a show. these are some of my favorite indie artists in virginia, and it’s always a blessing to witness and be a part of their shows.

if you’ve read this far, now is the time where i announce that NFR will be taking a brief hiatus. nothing super long, but last thursday took absolutely everything out of me and felt like a sucker punch to the soul. more details on the hiatus in the post after next, but see you in april.
~jay payne

do you remember the curious crow?