day eighty-eight - heavy hearts

Album Artwork - Heavy Hearts - Paul Dyason

Today, and those preceding it, have been pretty dark. Worries about my family, my parents, work and my career, the local community and the world at large.
Big thoughts. Big feelings. Big hurts.

I was sitting in my shed when I saw the announcement of a new song from Paul Dyason, one of the finest songwriters and lyricists of his generation. He is one of my favourite humans, musicians, inspirations, role models, and someone I’m so proud to call my friend. He released an exquisitely beautiful and honest song today, the anniversary of his birth. I couldn’t love it more, even though it’s a hard song not to be emotional listening to... especially as these dark days seem ever closer to our doorstep.

I dove straight in, not considering if I was in the headspace to deal with a big work such as this. The melody wrapped around me, but the lyrics hurt. I felt the pain, the anguish, and without even noticing it at first, I began to cry. By the end, I’d experienced a range of emotions and gone on a journey; partly along with my friend, but also though my own lens with fears of what an uncertain future may bring.

But afterwards, I felt better, as if somehow by doing nothing more than listening, I’d been able to process some of the thoughts and fears I’d been having though the day, as well as a better understanding of the anguish he had been living through.

After so many years being totally immersed in sound and music, I am still utterly amazed at the impact that a song can have; the shapes made by the melody, the colour of the harmonic progression, the texture of the rhythms, and how the lyrics can me more visceral than spoken word.

Like some of his other compositions (particularly Watermark - I’m still SO in love with that one), Heavy Heart is truly an incredible example of how music can tell stories no other medium can convey. A stunning work of eloquence, humanity and emotion, told by someone with the courage to put themselves out into the world in their most vulnerable form, talking about their most personal moments.

Happy birthday my friend. I hope you don’t mind me writing this.
I love you & know he’d be so proud of you.

‘Heavy Hearts’ was written a week before I went into the studio.
It’s predominantly a reflection.
I was sitting in the living room at my family home in Albury, a place that held a great deal of sadness for me at the time.
My dear dad had passed the previous year, and while it was privilege to spend his final months there with him, returning to Albury has had its mental challenges since.
Memories can change with absence. They can be both precious and painful.
This song was me walking through that time of grief and growth and trying to find, if not some understanding, a lesson to make the anguish seem worthwhile.

Dedicated to my mum, my sister and my brothers. Incredibly resilient and endlessly supportive, like old boots with new inner soles ❤️

Paul Dyason

Kilt of the day - A shed-dusty Black Watch utility kilt

Soundtrack of the day - Heavy Heart - Paul Dyason
https://open.spotify.com/album/5BIIcMRMLVBYDL0mVsb36A?si=zu2v3ShpTjSAa07TZSDN_w

Bonus Soundtrack of the day - Watermark - The Northern Folk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6jtKMdfbk

Link of the day - Paul Dyason - Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pauldyasonmusic/