Low Tide

Episode #161: Low Tide  (Song starts at 4:23) Welcome to another episode. Today we are looking at the song #556, 'Low Tide'. Last night I was out fishing. I did a quick recording while I was there, rod in hand at the beach at night. You can hear it on this episode. Being out in nature really blows the cobwebs away. It clears my mind, it seems brings in energy. When I return home, I’m rejuvenated. The world seems to be an even better place. So head out to my studio and get stuck into some seascape painting or some song writing... ...like the morning, in 2011, when I sat at my piano and looked at some handwritten lyrics.  I came up with some chords and a riff straight away. Earlier that day, I’d had pretty dark bad dream, right before I’d woken up. So I'd been moved to pick up my pen. The words that I'd written turned out to be the lyrics On the episode, I mention the book The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. One of the great things Julia suggests is morning pages. The idea is you wake up and write down whatever comes through. Most often you are just clearing your thoughts. Sometimes snippets of ideas seem to come through that seem to come from somewhere else. That’s the moment you sit up and take notice. A couple of things seem to be happening. You are inspired, dipping into somewhere within and from somewhere else. The other thing that is happening is you’re discovering your own voice. It’s a long road, the unfolding process that is a life in the arts. There is no ‘getting there’ - and if you do, it’s a fleeting moment of (perhaps) success before you go "well, that was good. What’s next"? For me, composing a song like 'Low Tide' moment like that. Generally, I come up with some chords and perhaps a riff, and then you sing over the top of it, and then you realise you’ve come up with something you like. So you then become secretary. And write down what you’ve just composed. It can be a bit like recalling a dream. You can’t force it, but if you just sort of wait, the music comes back to you. Then you write it down. So, back to this morning in 2011, 'bad dream'. . I’m glad I wrote the words down when I woke up, caught my thoughts as they came through, I turned a murky feeling (which stayed with me for a few hours) into something good. The title low tide only came to me after I’d written 12 lines. That’s the way I work: I often just start writing and something almost always come through 'Low Tide' became a song I like to listen to - and I like to perform it with my band. On this episode, the version you’ll get to hear the album cut from the album 'This World Offers You' - by 'Pascoe', as we were known back then ( it’s now Pete Pascoe and The Patient Hum.) You can check it out on www.petepascoe.bandcamp.com There’s a live version on my YouTube channel Pete Pascoe Art and Music Here’s my blog. The lyrics from Low Tide are here ( + other music and art): www.petepascoe.wordpress.com I hope you enjoy hearing more about how the song came together. I also draw attention to the underlying themes that are woven into the lyrics. As I sit at my piano, it's fun, demonstrating the songwriting process. Enjoy.

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.