Music Arranger: Joshua Keeler

This arrangement is based on a commission I completed for Moon Fever’s bassist, Dave Orton, before the song was published. He asked the lead vocal melody and guitar to be translated into MIDI. I decided to go beyond expectations and make the project my own! While the vocal melody, high harmony, guitar solo and harmonic rhythm were faithfully represented, the countermelody throughout was proudly original. I drafted the N20 version of “Forever Sleep” back in March of 2023 but kept it a secret for a full year. The N20’s range didn’t allow for the song’s exciting high harmony to shine and neither does the official track… unless you listen closely. This experience felt reserved for their live performances, where I could hear the high harmony loud and clear.


I know that many of my fellow Muro Box users will never see a chance to attend one of their live shows. For that reason, I felt it was important to include the high harmony in the N40 chart. The parallel minor 3rds in the verse harmonies alone create this “emotional dissonance”, musically complimenting the song’s bleak original theme of suicide. In an effort to keep each section different from the last, I omitted the high harmony from the end chorus. This allowed my arpeggiated countermelody to be heard more clearly at its brightest moment. I believe the guitar solo transcription right before this will grab the most attention.


While this isn’t my favorite Muro Box melody, it is one that I am proud of. I believe that “Forever Sleep” by Moon Fever deserves your attention. I hope you enjoy hearing my rendition of this new and exciting song.


As one last side note, I wanted to provide some background for the original song. First of all, the title “Forever Sleep” serves as an allusion for death itself. More specifically, the hope of not waking up the next day. So despite what the title might suggest, this song isn’t meant to lull you into a peaceful slumber.


Triston Bracht, Moon Fever’s vocalist, had this to say about the song: “'Forever Sleep’ comes from a place of despair and nihilism, where nothing means anything to you and you find yourself chewed up and spit out by life. At the same time, there's still the hopeful part of you that knows you need to dig yourself out of that hole. This song is for anyone that was born a reject like myself. ‘They' are all the same… but we're not.” (This quote was taken from an interview with BroadwayWorld.com)

【More about the Arranger】
Page 2 Stage Music (Josh Keeler)
Featured Muro Box playlist: Page 2 Stage Music

I write music arrangements for the sake of allowing other talented musicians to be heard and represented. I invite you to explore my Muro Box portfolio to discover your new favorite song or artist! I keep a record of every project I’ve started with a Spotify playlist (See Linktree). Every song I choose has a story to tell in lyric while the Muro Box speaks in melody. You just need to listen.



Linktr.ee/Page2Stage and Moonfever.com (song co-writers)

🔍 “Page 2 Stage Music” to find more melodies he arranged!