Behind the Cerulean Door

Summer Vlog – Part 1

Uploaded June 20^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Hey, guys! Cassy here! Today is the first day of my songwriting retreat. I’ve just arrived at the cabin, and absolutely love it! I’m so excited to bring you along on this summer journey with me!

This cabin is exactly what I need—a quiet little place to write some new songs and finally finish the ones I started during our tour.

And you guys, just look at this place! There’s a forest, there’s a lake, and there’s literally nobody else for miles! Well, maybe more like a few hundred meters, but still. And here’s the cabin! Doesn’t it look cozy? I mean, sure, on the outside it’s a bit worn-down. The landlord said he just inherited it and hasn’t had enough time to fix it up, but guys, the main treat is inside! Let me show you!

Okay, here we are! I love this rustic wood paneling and the floors. And oh my god, these windows!  They’re huge! So much light! I didn’t expect a cabin this far north to have such big windows, but I guess the original owners mostly used it in the summer. Though there’s a really lovely fireplace too. But I have no idea if it still works.

And drumroll, please! Here’s the star of this humble abode—this old, trusty upright piano!

You guys, I’m so happy I found a cabin with a piano! There’s just something special about writing music on a real acoustic instrument. It feels so much better than any electronic keyboard. It’s like the older the instrument is, the more stories it has to tell, you know? But I did bring my portable MIDI keyboard, just in case. This piano is probably way out of tune, but I’ll try to fix it.

I think I’m gonna set up my laptop right here on this coffee table, so I can put some mics near the piano and record my songwriting sessions.

Now, here’s a small kitchen area. There’s running water and everything, and I’ve already stocked the fridge. Gosh, these windows! Can you imagine how nice it’s gonna be to make a cup of coffee in the morning and just sit here, looking at the lake?

Anyway, let’s get on with the tour. Over here, we’ve got a door to what I’m guessing is a storage room or maybe a shed? Not sure. But look at this colour! What do you call it—teal? Or cerulean, maybe? We should totally paint our studio back home this colour, I really like it. But in any case, it’s locked. The landlord said he doesn’t even have a key, so I guess we have a little mystery on our hands!

Okay, and here’s the bedroom. Not much space here, and I can barely stand straight in this corner, but it’s so cozy! Kinda like a hobbit-hole. I’ve started unpacking already, sorry for the mess!

Now, let’s go check out the lake!

Oh my gosh, it smells amazing out here! I wish you guys could smell it through the screen! It’s like pine trees, fresh grass, and a cool breeze from the lake. And listen! Can you hear the birds? Not sure if the camera mic is picking it up, but I hope you can!

I know I’m gonna spend so much time down here, drawing inspiration from nature.

Anyway, I’m gonna settle in now, play some piano—well, maybe try tuning it first—and I’ll check in with you guys soon! The reception here is kinda spotty, but I’ll do my best to post regularly! See you soon! Bye!

Summer Vlog – Part 2

Uploaded June 21^st, 2024

Video transcript:

Hey, guys! So, it’s my second day at the cabin. Last night, I stayed up way too late working on a new song, and I guess my brain didn’t fully shut off when I finally went to bed, ‘cause I’m pretty sure I dreamed a melody. Isn’t it funny how our minds work?

Sometimes, I hear a song in my sleep, and in my dream, it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard! But when I wake up, it’s kinda meh at best. Or worse—it’s not even my song at all! Just something I heard before. But every now and then, I do get a real song idea from my dreams.

Honestly, even when I’m awake, it feels like songs already exist somewhere out there, you know? Like, when I’m really in the flow, inspired, or whatever you call it, it’s like the music comes to me, and I just have to write it all down before it slips away. Weird, huh?

Other times, it’s more like solving a puzzle: I have all these pieces, I just have to figure out where they fit. And when I find the right spot—it just falls into place.

Maybe there’s a place where all the songs and stories live, and we’re here just to write them down. Who knows?

Anyway, enough of my rambling. I tuned the piano as best I could. A couple of keys are still slightly off, but I didn’t want to push it and risk breaking something. It’s good enough for now!

Alright, I’m gonna go write down some new songs. You guys have a good one, and I’ll check in with you soon! Bye!

Summer Vlog – Part 3

Uploaded June 23^rd, 2024

Video transcript:

Okay, guys, this is weird.

Remember how I said I dreamed of a melody? Well, now I’m not sure it’s just a dream. I’ve been hearing this melody in my sleep every night, and last night, I woke up—but the song didn’t stop. I still could hear somebody—or something—humming it. It was really soft, but it was definitely there. I tried recording it, but my mic didn’t pick up anything. Just background noise.

I swear, I’m not making this up.

This song... it’s so beautiful, so full of longing. But it gives me goosebumps—and not entirely in a good way.

And the weirdest part? It’s like it’s stuck in a loop. It just ends abruptly and starts over, like it’s forgotten how it ends. And now it’s stuck in my head!

Oh, wait, I’m so stupid! I definitely didn’t get enough sleep. Here, let me sing it for you.

<distorted audio>

Now, you see what I mean, right? It’s like it’s missing its ending…

Anyway, maybe it’s just my brain doing weird musician stuff. I’m gonna go explore the woods now and try to clear my head, and then focus on my own songs.

Let me know what you think in the comments! See you soon! Bye!

Summer Vlog – Part 4

Uploaded June 25^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Hey, guys! Sorry for this shaky, on-the-go vlog, but I just found out something, and I have to share it with you.

So, today, I went into town to get some supplies, and I ended up chatting with this old guy at the shop. When I mentioned I was staying at the lakeside cabin, his whole face changed. Like, he actually looked disturbed. He told me that about 30 years ago, another musician rented the same cabin—he thinks his name was Daniel or David, something like that—and he just… vanished.

I have to find out more about this missing musician. I’m gonna hit the local library tomorrow and see what I can dig up.

Oh, and before I forget—no, I did not distort the audio in the last vlog on purpose. I didn’t even realize the part where I sang the melody got corrupted. I tried recording it again later, but when I played it back, all I got was this weird, distorted static... And after the third try, the electricity actually went out!

Maybe the song wants me to finish it first, or maybe it’s just so old-school that it only wants to exist in analog. Either way, for now, I’ll just have to stick to good old pen and paper.

Alright, I’ll keep you posted! Bye!

Summer Vlog – Part 5

Uploaded June 26^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Hey, guys! I have an update on the missing musician mystery.

So, of course, I tried googling it first, but without a full name, I didn’t get very far. But today, I went to the town library, and I actually found an article in a local newspaper from 1994! Here, I made a copy.

There’s not much information here, but at least it confirms that a musician really did go missing. His name was Daniel Hart, and he disappeared in July 1994. From what I can tell, the police didn’t search for him too hard, since he was a touring musician and wasn’t from around here. They figured he just moved on.

But here’s the weird part: the article says that all his belongings were left at the cabin, including his guitar. Now, show me a musician who would willingly leave their instrument behind.

I also talked to the librarian—this super stern elderly lady—and she actually remembers Daniel. He came by a few times to research local history and culture. She told me he always seemed to have his head in the clouds.

And I think when I was leaving, the lady mumbled something like “musician’s curse,” but I’m not totally sure. Not creepy at all, right?

Now, about the melody, I transcribed it into sheet music and have been working on the ending. I’ve been writing down every option I come up with, but nothing fits yet.

But there’s something wrong with my notes. I don’t think I wrote some of these variations in my notebook. I remember the versions I had in my head, but on the page, they’re different. I don’t know…

Maybe I screwed up and made a bunch of mistakes when I wrote them down, or maybe I’m just going crazy, like some of you suggested in the comments… It looks like my handwriting, but it’s hard to tell with just the dots and lines in the notation…

And these cadences feel more than just incompatible with the main melody—they feel wrong. Almost sinister.

Honestly, the fact that I don’t remember composing them freaks me out even more than Daniel’s connection to the cabin.

Summer Vlog – Part 6

Uploaded June 28^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Guys, look! I just noticed this page sticking out from under the locked door! I swear it wasn’t there before!

Let’s see… Oh wow, it’s the song, but… hmm, there are a couple more bars added at the end.

It looks old. And the handwriting isn’t mine. Do you think it’s Daniel’s? Jeez, how is that even possible? And why did this page suddenly appear now? I don’t believe in ghosts, but this feels like too much of a coincidence, right?

Also, I’m not just hearing the melody at night anymore. Now, it comes as a faint whistling whenever a draft moves through the room.  It gives me chills, though I’m not sure if it’s the sound itself or just the cold air…

Am I losing my mind?

Summer Vlog – Part 7

Uploaded June 29^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Guys, I’ve made some progress on the melody. I got a couple more bars right—I can feel it! But it’s still not finished. It’s like it’s just on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t quite get it right…

It’s louder now. I hear it even outside in the wind, though the farther I get from the cabin, the fainter it becomes. And, of course, I can still hear it in my head since I’m constantly thinking about it. It’s the ultimate earworm!

There’s this urgency in it now. I’ve got shivers crawling up the back of my neck all the time. I think it wants me to figure it out. And soon.

Sorry, I don’t have much time to spare—gotta get back to work.

Summer Vlog – Part 8

Uploaded June 30^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Okay. This isn’t just "cabin weirdness" anymore.

I ran into town to pick up some groceries, and when I came back… this. The whole place was trashed.

They tore out a few pages from my manuscript notebook… And there are deep scratches on the locked door, like someone was trying to pry it open. But they didn’t take my laptop or camera... The only thing that makes sense is that they were after the song. But why? Luckily, I had Daniel’s sheet with me.

I know the rational thing would be to pack up and get out of here immediately, but I don’t think I can. I need to finish this song… I’ve always felt like it was important, and now I know it is.

I think I’m getting closer to figuring out the right ending. The melody is clearer now, and sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I swear I see it—this pale blue ribbon of light, flowing around me…

SVN News Report

July 1^st, 2024

Forest Fire Near Songvale Lake

A fast-moving wildfire broke out overnight near Songvale Lake, with fire crews working since early this morning to contain the spread before it reaches nearby homes and hiking trails.

Authorities believe the fire may have originated at a lakeside cabin, possibly due to faulty wiring in the aging structure.

At this time, there is no confirmed information about potential victims.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for several properties along the eastern edge of Songvale Lake, and officials are urging residents to stay alert and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

SVN News Report

July 2^nd, 2024

Missing Musician Last Seen Near Songvale Lake

Authorities are searching for Cassy Reed, a 29-year-old musician who was last seen in the town of Ridgepoint, just a few miles from Songvale Lake, the day before a fast-moving wildfire broke out in the area.

According to local authorities, Reed was reported missing by her manager after she failed to show up for a scheduled video call yesterday. She had been renting a lakeside cabin near the fire’s suspected point of origin.

Reed was last seen on June 30th at a small grocery store in Ridgepoint. Witnesses say she appeared distracted and was acting strangely.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Reed was inside the cabin when the fire started.

Officials are urging anyone with information about Cassy’s whereabouts to come forward. Meanwhile, her fans have taken to social media, using the hashtag #FindCassy to share updates and express their concern.

Summer Vlog – I’m Alive!

Uploaded July 8^th, 2024

Video transcript:

Hey, guys. Cassy here. I know many of you have been worried, but I’m okay. I had to go dark for a while. Someone—or something—set fire to the cabin. And they still might be after me… and the melody.

I know some of you already thought I was crazy. Now, you’ll be sure of it. But hear me out—I believe the song saved me.

I found the right ending. I know the whole song now. It happened just a couple of hours before the fire. The moment I played the melody from start to finish, I heard a creak. The cerulean door opened.

Inside, there was a room filled with old instruments—flutes, violins… I think I even saw Daniel’s guitar. And there were cassette tapes too.

There were many more musicians before me or Daniel. I don’t know what happened to them… But many of them tried to write this same song.

I found heaps of sheet music in that storage room, all in different handwriting. Some pieces were definitely the same song, with variations of the last part—though not many were finished. What’s interesting is that some of them felt right to me, even though they were different from my version. Maybe the ending isn’t just about fitting the song; maybe it’s about reflecting the person writing it…

And there were other songs—completely different ones, each with variations of their own. I don’t know what that means yet.

But I believe this song holds some kind of benevolent power—a protection spell, maybe—something that keeps a darkness at bay. A darkness that’s been trying to destroy the song… and anyone who tries to finish it.

I think all those creepy feelings I had were coming not from the song itself, but from that darkness, trying to scare me away. And when I finally finished the song... it got really, really mad.

I must’ve dozed off while going through all that sheet music, but I woke up to the melody whistling under the eaves. It was so loud and piercing—like a siren. That’s when I smelled smoke. The cabin was on fire.

I grabbed as many pages of music as I could reach and ran to the living room to get my laptop. But everything was already on fire. I couldn’t get to the door. Luckily, those huge windows made a great escape point…

And then I just ran…

Now I’m safe, and the song is too. I can record it now—I’m not sure if it’s because it’s complete or because that dark power doesn’t stand in the way anymore. But I still have so many questions. I have so much research to do to fully understand what it all means. So, I’m going to disappear again for a while. But I will leave this song with you.

It’s out there now, everywhere you can listen to music. And I think it’s important that as many people as possible hear it, sing it, remember it.

This song matters. And I’m going to find out why.

Wish me luck.