New World Dawning

Episode #212: New World Dawning  (Song starts at 6:22) I really enjoyed writing song #207, New World Dawning, back in 1992. The lines ‘I never thought I’d cry tears You can buy at the chemist’ Were never going to shake the foundations of anyone’s world, but that was my opening gambit (I was talking about the saline solution I used with my contact lenses). Undeterred, I carried on. The words came and they lead on to an expansive sort of a world view. A world that felt like it was yet to exist: a world of golden opportunities, communication and love - that’s one description of this world. Perhaps that was an artists vision. I was inspired at the time and I still am today. You are what you listen to, what you eat, etc. I see at the top of my page in the songbook, there’s a wee sentence scrawled…’it’s amazing what a Crowded House video can do’, so thank you Neil Finn, and the guys, you really inspired me. The demo was recorded in 1996. I remember the afternoon. It was a spur of the moment decision to record one of my piano vocal sessions. What I did  - and still do - is this: I flick open my songbooks (all handwritten, the 800) ..and I find myself in a very free performance mode. I play random songs one after the other, and I keep my ears open for new hooks, harmonies, and lines, as I sing and play. I make mental notes and sometimes quickly note a key line.or new melody to sing for a line. I think as songwriter, you need to be open to editing and rewriting again and again. A song isn’t cast in stone - even when it’s recorded you can always record a new version. So New World comes from an honest place, I think. After walking home from the piano bar, in the early hours of the morning, back in 1992, I opened the door at home. I was living in a converted garage. A single room abode, I gratefully climbed into my waterbed, enjoying the warmth.And I picked up my pen (my habit, my ritual) and began writing. And I’m pleased I did. What made me write all these songs ? ( and there’s also stacks of unused pages of lyrics and poems somewhere around here) Passion. I loved it. And I still do. That’s why I still write. In my studio tonight when I went to record a podcast episode, New World Dawning came to mind. I put my hand in a box of cassettes of random recordings and put the cassette I pulled out on the tape deck. And there it was, all cued up ready to roll. That amazes me. Because it’s not the first time it’s happened for these episodes. I take note of these things. I find coincidences like this all very mystical and reassuring. I do operate on another planet a lot. It’s who I am - I’m an out and out artist. Perhaps this is the new world dawning…the time of the arts… Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this demo - and and the chat about how the song came to be. I enjoyed recording the episode, as always. If you want to hear more , you can stream lots of my music on the usual platforms (eg Spotify) I have a music website: www.petepascoe.bandcamp.com (You can my hear my music; with Paul Dredge; and with the Patient Hum band). Folk rock, rock , solo piano and singer songwriter. I love the variety. On that note you’ll see on my blog I’m also a cartoonist and seascape painter. I’m working on tuition videos to present everything I’ve learned and am still learning. See www.petepascoe.wordpress.com If you’d like to get onboard on my email list, I’d love that (via www.petepascoe.com) I’m into sharing creative uplifting art and music. And I encourage others to get creative. Here we go. A new world dawning…rolling!

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.