Winter Aid

Pull The Sky Inside is the new Winter Aid album, and it is out now (see link in bio).

It is very strange to have this finally out in the world, after having worked on it in one way or another for years and years.

My favourite moments:
- the drums kicking in after the first chorus of Secret Sister
- the shivery guitars in Inner Sunset (i wanted them to sound like the SF fog coming over the hills, and they do)
- the pianos that lead Pull The Sky Inside out of the dark
- the way the chorus of Holy Mary sounds a bit like mass
- Carol Anne's voice on Papercuts as it goes out of control

If you want to go straight to the quiet sad songs, today I am feeling particularly proud of 'Holy Mary' and the title track (tracks 9 and 15).

Writing and recording a song is one of the most rewarding things I know how to do, and the feeling of capturing a song as it slowly arrives is phenomenal. Releasing an album, however, with its administrative deadlines and endless checklists and ever-demanding "Share" buttons, often feels like the exact opposite.

I am very grateful to everyone who has sent a kind message over the last few years - knowing that The Wisp Sings has continued to reach people even ten years later has been a great source of motivation and inspiration. I love you all.

thanks for listening.

1 year ago | [YT] | 40

Winter Aid

Out now: a beautiful revisiting of The Wisp Sings by Chuck Johnson.

I've been a big fan of Chuck's for years - ever since hearing his song Riga Black one day and becoming completely bewildered at how perfect it sounded, and at how emotionally devastating a simple instrumental piece could be.

I had a strange kinda-maybe-near-death experience last year that left me with some deep anxiety - for maybe the first time in my life i had regular panic attacks.
As I recovered, I found myself revisiting so many of the messages I had received over the years from listeners who felt The Wisp Sings had helped them with their anxious nights, and I felt even more grateful that the song had reached so many people.

I found solace in Chuck's album Balsams whenever I was struggling, so I was thrilled when he agreed to rework the song. It's lush, and gentle, and it preserves the spirit of the song while building its spirit.

thanks for listening x

1 year ago | [YT] | 14