Alien Song

Episode #134:  Alien Song   (Song starts at 5:00) The rain came down gently as I hit record for this episode. I have a corrugated iron roof on my studio. I don’t mind that, as it keeps me in touch with nature… I get to hear the odd parrot squark - or the wind …or the rain. It’s pretty relaxing, isn’t it. What’s that got to do with songwriting, I hear you ask? I find the quiet - and the occasional sound of nature - allows me to rediscover the sense of peace required to create.  You tune in naturally to the essence, the true self…the ‘honest’ voice that you write with. On this episode, I take you outside at sunset in the Australian outdoors to look for bats (!). Very peaceful, indeed. Some people find bats creepy. I generally don’t. But thinking about what a lot of people think about bats brought Alien Song to mind..as it’s kind of creepy. I’ve written a lot of different sorts of songs over the years. This song is definitely not a piano/vocal ballad. The piano and vocal is actually is in the mix, but it’s presented here with the band Pete Pascoe and The Patient Hum….it’s a guitar driven rock song. Alien Song was composed by the whole band. It came as a surprise to us when it starting taking shape. I’ll talk you through how it happened. Neil Sims started a guitar riff and away we went. The lyrics were 90% stream of consciousness. I just started winging lyrics as I talked and sung & a story started to develop. As I sang ( and played piano and bass keys left hand), I shut my eyes and saw myself in a movie. So the lyrics are that of a commentator, sometimes with a sort of birds-eye view, looking down. Other ‘camera angles’ would be close ups, some scenes viewed as the main character viewed the scene, etc. Yes, I can see the whole music video for this song. Although the album The Roughest Cut (which has Alien Song on it & which is streaming now) was released a couple of years ago now, I never made the video. I think I still will one day. I’ll include the green alien I drew and painted when I was 17, as an exchange student in Cheyenne Wyoming,. now that was a great experience. I stayed with a wonderful family. From a creative point of view, I think the overall effect was: it sort of tipped me on my head and really set me free to follow this creative path - and this is what happened to the character in this particular song.  He heads west (because he thought it might be for best) and he has some life changing experiences during his travels. These Wyoming connections are very timely indeed - my host sister from my American family is coming to visit this week! Looking forward to this. I love how art and life are so entwined. That’s the beauty of art and music. You begin with something real and present it as something completely new - with the same essence. The essence of the self…listeners are letting me know they are getting to know the artist, the composer as well as find out more about the songs and that’s all part of podcasting. In this episode I think that is perhaps Alien Song has revealed a bit more of me - in a story. Everyone loves a good story. Ok, I hope you enjoy the song and story on this week's episode. I did enjoy rediscovering alien song. Got a cuppa? Sit back and have a listen…here we go…

Om Podcasten

Be entertained with a song and an extended chat, ranging from off the cuff banter/humour to life observations and song analysis. Welcome to Song and a Chat. This is the podcast where you'll have the pleasure of listening to a new song each week - plus, you'll get to step into the shoes of a songwriter : You'll hear about the background of the song, the inspiration, how/ why the song came into being.  After the song finishes, I'll go over the lyrics and finish each episode by looking at the song from a songwriting point of view. If you just want the song and no talk, the time where the song kicks in will be in the title of each episode. Hi, my name is Pete Pascoe. I am a performer and composer - I love lyrics and I love a melody. I play piano and sing. I have a number of albums to my name.  I have written over 800 songs. Of course, not all of these songs I written will make it onto an album. As a songwriter, the first step for a new song is ( or was ) to record a demo. Often you catch something unique in this demo - something that is often not replicated in the studio cut....a certain feeling.  If you're looking to be entertained, like listening to new songs and live recordings, I hope you'll enjoy what's on offer here. I have a stack of demos from which I'm sharing one on a weekly basis. Plus I relate anecdotes about my life as a piano man, from around the time each song was written. I treat each show as a mini intimate concert - with extended chat, which ranges from off the cuff banter/humour to life observations and analysis. The idea is : the song can be listened to for pleasure in its own right, or the listener may choose to also be entertained and informed by the story around the song.  I'm really enjoying recording these podcasts. Each week I look forward to getting behind the mic, setting aside my current musical and artistic projects and casting my mind back in time by focussing on a song I've composed. It's turning out to be a satisfying - and sometimes surprising - time of reflection and discovery for me.  The lyrics and the recordings take me straight back to when the song was written. Gain an insight into songwriting and listen to a series of snapshots of life of a songwriter / performer / artist.  It's a great way for me to archive a song and it's 'back story'. Music is to be shared. What point is there In having five songbooks and piles of demos gathering dust?  I welcome feedback - whether you're tuning in to enjoy music for music's sake, you enjoy finding out about the origins of songs, you're looking for tips on songwriting or perhaps you've got tips for me. Either way, I'll be learning plenty as I go along. Thanks for a having a read. Come on and join me for a listen.