Write Away Magazine - Issue No:13

Issue No: 13
The Lyric Writers Magazine
Happy New Year
Karen Carpenter
It’s Yesterday Once More...
Featuring All The Regulars
And So Much More...
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

In This Issue...
Daryn’s Website link....
06
Simon’s website link...
Pages 30 - 33
Regulars
04 Greg Barnett
06 Daryn Wright
08 Trevor Dimoff
10 Paul Sykes
12 Happy Ron Hill
14 Simon Wright
16 Bamil Gutiérrez Collado
Featuring
18 Richard Solleveldt 38 Bob Phelan
20 Sätilä 40 Ebony Buckle
22 Indie Butterflies 42 The Cranberry Merchants
24 Dave Stark 44 Penny Betts
26 Danny Toeman 46 Strphen Kalpin
28 Gerry Segal 48 Alexis Poulicakos
30 Paul Michel 50 Queen Regina Palmer
32 Paul Michel 52 David Michael Rose
34 Karima Francis 54 Phillip Foxley
36 Paula Vega 56 Ronn van Etten
Vondenstein 58 Advertisments
14
Paul’s website link....
10
Happy Ron website link...
12
Bill’s website link...
Trevor’s website link
08
02 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

A Word From The Editor..
I hope everyone is now fully recovered from their
Christmas and New Year celebrations. Here’s
wishing a fantastic New Year to you all.
I find it hard to believe that this issue marks the
beginning of year two for Write Away Magazine, and
I’d like to personally thank all those who have
contributed to its success over the past twelve
months, most especially my team of regular
writers who consistantly provide quality write ups
each month. Thank you all for your continued
support. And a warm welcome to Greg Barnett.
Next month I’m going to warm you up with some
awesome love lyrics and songs since Valentines Day
is so close. So if anyone has one they’d like to be
featured please drop me an email, I’ll try to fit in as
many as I can to share with you all. And on the
subject of sharing, please feel free to share the link to
Write Away Magazine as far and wide as
possible. There are so many great hints and ideas for
lyric writers of all abilities to learn from.
Finally, drop me an email please if you want to know
more about submitting an article
jane@writeawaymagazine.co.uk
Happy New Year Everyone
Jane. x
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 03

FIELDS & SUNNY SKIES
FIELDS AND SUNNY SKIES
(Greg Barnett)
Once in a while you meet a soul
Who stands out cool and calm
A rock in a turbulent world
A shield against the storm
But look out of the window
On fields and sunny skies
Something unexpected
Can hit you right between the eyes
CHORUS:
The world spins round the seasons change
The stars keep circling by
Say those words your thoughts your feelings
Before the evening tide
Have you made the most of your life
Sometimes it slips through your hands and dies
Life is just a streak of luck
It’s really just a game
We’re all tumbling dice
Remarkably the same
Some remain in motion
And some just seem to stand
Others swept up early
By a quite indifferent hand
CHORUS
It’s really not uncommon
So you shouldn’t be surprised
A simple life is shattered
Life opens up your eyes
Follow this link to listen...
04 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk
www.writeawaymagazine.co.44

The Lyrics Greg Barnett Doctor
I WROTE MY FIRST SONG at age 50!
It had begun as a eulogy for a good friend who died
too young and reflected upon the fact that we men
rarely tell each other of our admiration and affection.
As I was writing it simple felt suited to song lyrics
and, within a year, it became the first track on the
first album of original music I ever recorded (“Not
All It Seems”).
Prior to this, throughout my life I had tried to write
songs, but to no avail. It was the recognising and
the grabbing of a fleeting opportunity that made all
the difference in my own case. That breakthrough
moment eased the path to a second co-written album
(“Prescient”) with a different collaborator, and also
now in 2020 a 30-track debut solo release (“The Flat
White Album”).
All three albums are available on Spotify, Apple, etc.,
but complete lyrics, chords and production stories
for all tracks can be found at
http://www.clancys.com.au/music
A lot of what I have read on the pages of
“Writeaway” are, in my opinion, lyrical poems,
many of which I personally can’t project being set to
music. The greats like Joni Mitchell, Dylan, Cohen,
etc. can magically weave words in and around the
music, and vice versa, but most of us mere mortals
have a much narrower palette.
“What is the difference between poetry and lyrics”
is a question I’ve posed before to Jane Shields, the
Editor or this magazine. She’s a prolific writer but
(by her admission) is not a musician. I think our
answers reflect our creative perspectives.
Because pop songs have short verses with some
repeats, and a shorter chorus with many repeats,
the discussion needs to consider the more elaborate
word-centric folk genre.
In my experience, written words that work great on
paper can often fail when being put to music because
perhaps syllabic rhythms don’t work, key words can
be missed on the beat, some sounds are hard to get
your mouth around or can be mis-heard (e.g. a long
“wild” sounds like “while”), and so on. Phrasing and
word quantity also can make or break a song so
‘poems’ require honing, sometimes substantially, to
fit a musical framework.
I’ve found some support for my amateur views in a
“Rolling Stone” article - “Bernie Taupin on 48 Years
Writing With Elton John”
Do you write longhand or by computer?
It’s almost like a circular motion. I write on a guitar
because it gives me a rhythmic sense. It’s got nothing
to do with how it ultimately turns out with Elton, but
I do use a guitar. I play chords and just sort of sing
the lines over to myself, so that I feel when he reads
them, he can read them in a rhythmic cadence. So
what I’ll do is have a pad and a pen and a computer
and I will just sing to myself on the guitar. I’ll come
up with something, write it longhand and after I’ve
written maybe a verse or something, I put it onto the
word processor because I wanna make sure I can
remember it, because I’m scrawling on a pad. So it
really goes from guitar to the pad to the computer
and back to the guitar again. Again, a circular
motion.
Also, Martin Isaac is an Elton John fan since 1990
and has written the following in his blog:
Elton John primarily writes the music having been
given the lyrics by ... Bernie Taupin. However, Elton
does alter the words a little to fit his rhythmic flow -
cuts out words here, repeats a line there, or asks his
songwriting partner to add another section or
couplet etc.
Conclusion
My hypothesis for discussion is that “lyrics” are the
END product of words being satisfactorily set to
music and sung. Prior to that, they remain lyrical
poems.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 05

Do Not
Series:
Do Not
Drop
The Ball
06 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Daryn Wright
The ball has dropped. Fireworks are going
off marking the beginning of a new year.
Everyone has been celebrating the years end.
The year may have been a good one or a bad
one for you, but we are all in this together.
Not one of us will truly remain in the
previous year, rebelling, refusing to go into
the new year and new decade. If we want to
or not, we all reflect back on the past from
time to time and see what has become our
new lives. For some it will be the same old
thing. For others a bright new beginning.
It is now that we make our New Years
resolutions.
The holidays are over. A new year, and a
new decade has begun. This is time we take
a good look at ourselves. Often, we look at
our down falls and determine to make
resolutions to fix our down falls, or to make
drastic changes in our lives. The truth is,
most of us will give up after a couple of
weeks because the changes we intend to
make are far too different from the normal
routines and life styles we live.
Take a good hard look at what our
resolution is for our every day life, and apply
the same thing to our lyric writing. If we
have the same resolution in varied aspects of
our lives, it will make it easier to stay f
ocused and determined to accomplish those
goals.
Your resolution may be to lose weight. Not
just any weight, but in specific areas of your
body. We can apply this to our lyrics by
evaluating its content. Can the lyric say the
same thing with less words? Is it too wordy
or too long? Does the song build up to a
climax, or does it start strong and fall short
as it progresses?
Your resolution may be to exercise more,
get fit, or gain muscle. Apply this to your
lyric by evaluating the content. Do the
words have enough impact on the message?
Do they stay on point? Is the hook strong
enough?
Your resolution may be to organize your life
better. Do you have your music in order?
Do your lyrics follow a natural and
chronological pattern? Does each verse
follow the same pattern?
Whatever your resolution, be sure to apply
the same resolution to your lyrics. This is
a time to get out lyrics you put away a long
time ago. Take a new look at old lyrics or
songs you wrote a long time ago and
evaluate them. This is a good indication
how you have grown in your writing skills.
If you have not made enough progress in
your writing skills, then maybe it is time to
evaluate your resolutions and include your
lyric writing as part of it.
Accomplishing your resolution will have an
everlasting effect on your life. Winning at
a goal will only lead to more confidence in
your journeys.
Synchronizing your efforts.
The ball has dropped, marking a new
beginning and a new year, and though the
ball has been dropped, DO NOT DROP
THE BALL on your goals.
Have a happy new year. May all of your
goals become accomplishments.
Written by Daryn Wright
www.reverbnation.com/darynwright
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 07

Lyric Writing
How to Focus Your Lyric Writing Powers For
Maximum Results
So you’ve mostly figured out lyric writing but you’re
wondering how to make the most of your talents
with limited time… the day job, family
commitments, getting outside and living a life
interesting enough to inspire great songwriting….
It doesn’t feel like there’s enough time, but others
have done it… so what’s their secret?
I’m constantly reading about and testing ideas from
diverse fields to keep fresh and consistently inspired
in both my songwriting and my teaching. There are
the obvious fields of study like songwriting, music
theory and teaching best practices, but I also
experiment with ideas from elite level musicianship
and athletics, personal productivity, business
coaching and marketing. With a little creative
thinking you can find songwriting insights in many
strange and interesting places.
Let’s see what songwriting insights we can find in this
marketing framework:
What does the market want?
What are your strengths?
What is your passion?
Once we translate this into songwriting speak:
1. What does the market want = who is listening to
your songs?
What’s your songwriting market? If you’re a
lyricist but don’t write music, your market is potential
co-writers who can add music to bring your songs
to life. If you perform your songs live your market is
your audience at live shows and those on your email
list and your social media followers.
Regardless of where you are with your songwriting,
here’s where you can start figuring out your market
and who will be listening to your work.
Who are you? What’s your story? What can you tell
your audience that would help them relate to you as
an artist and as a person?
Who is your target audience? Who do you sound
like? Who wants to hear your music?
Where is your format a fit? Where do you need to
take your finished (or partial) song
With only lyrics, you need to write the music or
attract a co-writer who will
With lyrics and music that’s ready to record you need
to level up to a polished recording - The quality of
your audio recording effects where you can distribute
it
Audio Format - Recorded Songs
Demo Quality recorded on your phone is fine for
social media
Home studio recording might need professional
mixing or mastering
Radio Ready (Professionally recorded and mastered),
ready for distribution to Spotify, CD, iTunes, Synchronization
Video Format - video has become an important way
to share your music. It could be in the form of a:
Performance video of you singing and playing your
song
Live video footage of you performing in front of an
audience
A series of still photos with audio track,
Or a professional video production shot on a
shoestring or with big budget
Who would be interested in your song and the
format you have will affect where and how you
market and share your songs.
To help figure out your target audience check out my
article on page 8 of the October issue of Write Away
Who Are You Writing For?
2. What are your songwriting strengths?
Be honest with yourself, nobody’s an expert at
everything… so:
What aspects of songwriting are your strongest?
08 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Trevor Dimoff
Superpowers
Lyric writing - titles, imagery, conveying emotions,
rhyming, song structure, finishing songs
If you write music are your strengths in melody,
chord progressions, writing catchy riffs and musical
hooks or compelling instrumental parts
What can you do best? What can you bring to a
co-writing partnership?
What other musical strengths do you have?
Playing an instrument
Singing
Leading a band as the frontman/frontwoman
Organizing musicians and running rehearsals
Where are your strengths outside of but related to
music & songwriting?
Social Media, getting attention, publicity
Building relationships and networks, in person &
online relationship building
With an audience
With other musicians
Booking performances
Music bloggers
Music Industry influencers
If you’re not satisfied, it’s time to stretch yourself
out of your comfort zone by learning new skills and
building up areas where you are aren’t as strong.
Instead of learning entirely new skills, you can
partner with other songwriters. Co-writing with
someone who has complementary strengths, who is
strong in areas that you aren’t, opens up possibilities
that are otherwise out of your reach.
Actions Steps
Take a few minutes to review this framework and
write down your honest answers in your songwriting
notebook. What stands out for you? What do you
already have together and what are your next steps?
Then take action: email me and let me know what
your next steps are… or the most strange and interesting
place you’ve found songwriting insights
trevor@epicsongwriting.com
Which areas do you need to improve or spend more
time and energy?
You can read about all the necessary songwriting
skills in How To Start Writing Songs.
3. What do you love to do?
What aspects of songwriting are your areas of genius
and passion? Or to ask the same question in a
different way:
When do you lose time? When you’re writing songs,
what are you doing when you don’t notice the time
going by?
What are you doing when you’re “in the zone”?
What’s your songwriting passion?
Summary
You’ll get your best results when you focus on your
songwriting strengths and your songwriting passion .
Trevor Dimoff is a songwriter and songwriting
teacher, he helps musicians become songwriters at
epicsongwriting.com
If you’re a musician and ready to learn how to write
lyrics and music for your own songs you can Learn
How To Write a Song Chorus!
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 09

Karen Carpenter’s
Vocals
10 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Paul Sykes
I’ve always been fascinated with singing drummers. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because
all four of their limbs are busy and now they add yet another complexity into the mix.
One of the common questions I get is how someone can play an instrument and sing simultaneously.
For this, we defer to someone expert in the field of learning, Martin Broadwell.
Back in 1969, he developed the four stages of learning - These days, commonly known as the
four stages of competence.
They are, unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence and
unconscious competence.
Let’s break them down..
Unconscious Incompetence: You’re completely unaware of the skill or the training required.
Conscious Incompetence: You have an awareness of something you’d like to achieve but you
have no idea how to do it.
Conscious Competence: You can do the task but only with much concentration and mental
effort.
Unconscious Competence: You have achieved true mastery of the craft and can do it without
thought.
From driving a car to playing an instrument, you may notice that you have gone through
these phases to achieve mastery.
Unconscious Competence is what every aspiring singer and player must get to. To be so automatic
that your attention can be on the emotion of the performance and be with the audience.
There’s no time for a race driver to be concerned with the movement of their clutch foot in
the middle of a race. That stuff is taken care of in practice so that their attention can be out
there with the track and the other drivers.
How do we get to Unconscious Competence? Repetition of a correct
technique that you’d like to develop. That’s why most coaches advocate 30 disciplined minutes
a day is waaaaay better than three hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Why not go ahead and make 2020 the year of daily repetition? 365 opportunities to add a
hundred new unconsciously competent actions into your musicianship.
Pauls Online Vocal Course
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 11

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND REMEMBER
by HappyRon
When you are sad about how they passed
Remember how they lived
When you are mad life took them away
Remember how they would forgive.
When you don’t know how your world will look
Without the things they would do
Remember to live the love they brought
And they’ll live on through you
So close your eyes and remember, Close your eyes and remember
Close your eyes and remember, All the ways they loved
When you are worried about what they would think
Remember their minds at rest
When you feel bad for what they will miss
Remember their life was blessed
When you are feeling less than you were
Remember they thought you’re amazing
When time makes them feel so far away
Remember how they’re still giving
So close your eyes and remember, Close your eyes and remember
Close your eyes and remember, they’d want you to go on
When things seem too serious
Remember how they loved to have fun
When you’re feeling inadequate
Remember you did what could be done
When you can’t get back the love in your heart
And their memory seem to blur
Listen for the loving things they would say
Even if you just hear a whisper
So close your eyes and remember, Close your eyes and remember
Close your eyes and remember, you’re not the only one
So close your eyes and remember, Close your eyes and remember
Close your eyes and remember everyone loses someone
Follow this link to song....
Close Your Eyes
12 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Happy Bill O’Halloran Ron Hill
And Remember
I got the news that the love of my life had
died. It hit me hard because a year ago we
had thought we were going to spend the
rest of our lives together. I had never had
someone near my age die that I had been
that close to.
The day after I got the news I started making
a list of how I would handle my emotions.
For instance, when I felt bad about the
terrible way she died I would instead think
about the wonderful way that she lived. It
didn’t take long to realize that I had the start
of a song here. The verses are mainly this
list I had made.
This first time I played a rough draft in front
of an audience was one of the most profound
things I’ve ever experienced on stage.
The crowd was pretty rowdy and expected
me to do the fun sing-alongs I am known for.
I had never done a serious song as a singalong,
yet they loved it and sang along and I
felt closer to everyone.
It came to me that I could take the power of
the sing-along to build community to make
the song more powerful. So I added into the
first half of final double chorus lyrics about
how loss is universal “you’re not the only
one” then another chorus then “everyone
loses someone”. This made the shared experience
of singing along transition people
from the solitary experience of grief to the
realization that it happens to us all. This
has brought me closer to people in general
because now when someone says they have
lost someone I know what it is like.
What a gift to write and sing music is to us
all.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 13

Lyric Writing - The
Lyric Writing – The art of simplicity
Lyric writers can become obsessed with the desire to
dazzle through the sheer brilliance of our words. We
might admit, whether secretly or openly, that we’d
derive more pleasure from being told we’re a poetic
genius than from securing a hit single! That’s fine but
a pitfall that some lyricists fall into is equating
sophisticated flowery language with lyrical quality.
The best lyrics oftenhave simplicity at their heart.
What’s your best ever lyric?
I saw a post on a music website where site members
were invited to showcase their best ever lyric. It’s
quite a daunting task to pick out just one favoured
snippet of lyrics. There were half a dozen or so lyrics
that came to mind for me but I opted for the first
verse of a lyric that I wrote for a song called
‘Footprints in the snow’.
(Verse 1)
Footprints in the snow
Tracks that soon will vanish
No-one will know
That I was here
That you were here
Or that I felt your breath
As I pulled you near.
(Taken from ‘Footprints in the snow’)
I considered why I chose this lyric from the
hundreds I have written. It helps that Footprints in
the snow was turned into a song by incredibly
talented musician Josh Castagno, and that it won
the Collaboration Contest that we entered, but there
was more to it than that. When I re-read the lines
I realised there are no superfluous words – each is
needed for the story that the opening verse tees up.
And there’s nothing overly flowery in the lyrics, but
they (hopefully) succeed in conveying a deep
emotion that the protagonist is recalling.
It reminded me, too, of advice I once received from
a published author, Allan Guthrie. Allan had very
kindly reviewed a couple of chapters of a novel I had
written, and one piece of advice he imparted was to
ruthlessly and continuously edit one’s work to cut out
unnecessary literary embellishments. Indeed, he felt
so strongly about this that he’d written an article
entitled ‘Hunting down the Pleonasm’. A pleonasm is
a word that could be removed from a sentence
without affecting its meaning.
It suddenly struck me that the same is probably true
of other writing forms, including lyrics.
Examples of brilliantly ‘simple’ lyrics
Having had the idea that the art of simplicity is
important in creating impactful lyrics, I wanted to
test that hypothesis out. I searched on ‘best ever
lyrics’ and ended up on an article by The
Independent, called ‘The 40 best song lyrics, from
Kendrick Lamar to Nirvana’. Clearly such lists are
extremely subjective but I picked out a few examples
from the featured songs.
‘And you could have it all / My empire of dirt / I will
let you down / I will make you hurt’
(‘Hurt’, by Nine Inch Nails)
There are no words there (or in the whole song) that
my 6 year old son wouldn’t understand, but Trent
Reznor created one of the most powerfully emotional
lyrics of all time. Each word matters, and the
intensity grows with each line.
‘Well you know that I love to live with you / but you
make me forget so very much/ I forget to pray for the
angels/ and then the angels forget to pray for us.’
(So Long Marianne, by Leonard Cohen)
Cohen is rightly regarded as one of the all-time great
lyricists, and spent a lot of time editing and
perfecting the lyrics that he worked on. He was an
extremely intelligent and articulate man and no
doubt could and did use sophisticated language when
creating some of his songs. But in So Long Marianne
the poetic magic is delivered through the careful
arrangement of everyday straightforward words.
‘I don’t believe in an interventionist God/ But I know,
darling, that you do/ But if I did I would kneel down
and ask Him/ Not to intervene when it came to you.’
(Into My arms, by Nick Cave)
14 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Simon Wright
Art Of Simplicity
My final example is from one of the greatest living
lyricists, Nick Cave. What I like about this one is
that it starts with a statement that’s all about hard
scientific logic, but then turns that round to feelings
that are very tender and intimate. Apart, possibly,
from the word ‘interventionist’, there is nothing
overly complex about the words he used, and it’s
certainly not flowery language.
Why there’s beauty in simplicity
Sometimes an artist’s greatest skill is in knowing
when not to show off the full range of their abilities.
It is in creating something that is both easily
accessible but which also comes across as genuine
and emotional. I think it’s worth remembering that
when people are dealing with raw emotions, they
don’t tend to speak in elegant flowery language.
Emotions such as grief or hate cause us to speak in
short sharp sentences, so replicating that in your
lyrics can help make those powerful emotions seem
genuine.
Here’s the full lyric for Footprints in the snow.
Footprints in the snow
(Verse 1)
Footprints in the snow
Tracks that soon will vanish
No-one will know
That I was here
That you were here
Or that I felt your breath
As I pulled you near.
(Verse 2)
Spiderwebs that glow
Perfect threads that glisten
No-one will know
That we were here
Blue sky so clear
And that you said you loved me
As I pulled you near.
(Bridge)
Now memories they fade
And snow begins to melt
Dripping on my pillow
As the stars are fading out
I trace the steps
Mine large, Your’s small
And the years roll back
I can see it all
Not a dream, not a fantasy
Nor a trick of my mind
A moment captured
A frozen snapshot
A perfect moment in time
(Instrumental solo)
(Verse 3)
Footprints in the snow
That slowly will vanish
Only we will know
That I was there
That you were there
That we kissed beneath the larch
Beyond prejudice unfair
And that you said you loved me
As I pulled you near.
Written by Simon Wright (with additional contributions
by Josh Castagno)
(February 2018)
About Simon Wright
Simon is an Irish lyric writer who lives in Scotland.
He collaborates with musicians across the world to
turn his lyrics into songs.
Check out his website www.LyricSlinger.co.uk
and follow @TheLyricSlinger on Twitter.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 15

The Loneliest Road
The Loneliest Road
(The Thompson And Fernández Story)
Music + Lyrics By
Bamil Gutiérrez Collado
Sacred Healing Songs/ASCAP©2019
All Rights Reserved
This the little journey
Of Thompson and Fernandez
Two bikers with free spirit
And desire to fire the road
They’re heading east to feel the breeze
Across the 50 route
Where only the coyotes whistle
To make their journey a song
While the wind hug them in the loneliest road
Plenty of black in the wheels
And the clock have no authority
They’re under nature oven
With the leathers wild and hot
Starting in el Dorado crossing Carson city plains
Middle Gate, Cold Springs
Mt. Airy Summit 6686 riding fold
Like Sleepy Hllows through Nevada’s loneliest road
The loneliest road
where they won’t pay a dime to cross
The loneliest road
where a rattle snake slide on the dust
The loneliest road
where they’ll find some wicked loves
400 miles of isolation
crown them in the loneliest road.
3 thousands miles of curve in America’s backbone
Looking for Catrina C at the Hot Love Ranch brothel
Fernandez asked to a stranger
That looked alike to John Wayne
Thompson choose to hit the road
Because he knows was ghost town blur
Now they’re sure they have been riding
the loneliest road
The loneliest road have been friend for quite a while
The loneliest road have been intimate soul
The loneliest road is a poetry in four wheels
Until they have left the last 4 miles
Scratching the border of Utah
Until they have left the loneliest skyline
Leaving some white lines on the road
Spoken:
Dayton, Fernley, Fallon, Austin, Eureka, Ely, Baker...
Ok, let’s keep the compass tuned
and let’s metal across Pueblo, Colorado
Garden City, Kansas; Tipton, Missouri;
Lawrenceville, Illinois; Midland Trail, Indiana;
Belpre, Ohio; Parkersburg, West Virginia,
Winchester and Salisbury, Maryland
to scratch D.C. ...
We’re up here and let’s go straight to Miami,
But this time we’re not gonna get Nacho
We’re gonna find some rancho to descansacho
Hit the road, we already have too much for this 50
Click here to listen...
Tracks from the Album ‘DOORS’
:
1.The Loneliest Road (The Thompson And
Fernandez Story)
2.Open Your Eyes (Keep Ripping It Up)
3.Look Into Your Heart
4.Dirty Dirty (Dirty Lie)
5.Do You Forget About Me?
6.Gates Of Glory
7.The Colors Of The World
8.Doors
9.Inferno
10.From Life Something More
11.Give Something In Between
Written, Arranged, Engineered, Mix And Produced
By:
Bamil Gutiérrez Collado
Sacred Healing Songs/ASCAP©2019
All Rights Reserved
273 NOTERECORDS
0-27319-20193-5
16 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Bamil Gutiérrez Collado
On January 1st, 2020 BAMIL released his
11th studio album titled ‘Doors’. This album
features 11 original tracks like he always
does. Some of the tracks are; ‘Look Into
Your Heart’, ‘Do You Forget About Me’,
‘Inferno’, ‘Gates Of Glory’ and ‘The Colors
Of The World’, but the lead single ‘The
Loneliest Road (The Thompson And
Fernadez Story)’ is the one that have start
the album journey. This album was Written,
Arranged, Engineered and Produced by
BAMIL. The title concept was created by
BAMIL’s wife Nancy Rosario as well as all
the photos. The songs on the album comes
with variety of subjects that comes from
love, historical facts, social and universal
matters. ‘Doors’ was recorded while the
album ‘10’ was in promo, but as usual
BAMIL doesn’t like to repeat subjects in his
songs so all tracks are completely different,
but keeping the ambience and style that
has made BAMIL unique, ‘Doors’ has been
recorded in BAMIL’s own Cave Wolf
Recording Studio and under his own record
label 273 NOTERCORDS.
Why this album is titled ‘Doors’?
The original idea of the title was from my
wife Nancy, who approached to me with
this idea. After 10 solo studio albums many
entrances has been made and passing
through a Door is the real meaning of what
our journey has been in this musical life. It
seems to me that ‘Doors’ was an appropiate
one. All the songs in the album has an itself
touch of what’s life has to be shown once
you pass the ‘Doors’ of time.
How I Came Up With ‘The Loneliest Road
(The Thompson And Fernandez Story)?
I always wanted to write something
similar to the Stephen J. Cannell and
Lorenzo Lamas ‘Renegade’ TV Series
soundtrack, not the same, but at least that
sound so ‘Outlaw’, ‘Desertic’ and with an
‘Harmonica’ ambience’. I was listening
to some Johnny Cash tracks and I wanted
something that could tells a story and i was
reading that same week an article about
the Nevada’s Loneliest Road (Route 50) and
when i finished reading the article I came up
with some facts which are very marked in
the song. Also the names of Thompson and
Fernandez were the names of one TV series
i was watching at the moment titled ‘The
Baron (El Baron)’ Nacho Montero which his
name is mentioned in the song too.
Thompson and Fernandez were two
detectives in the series working on some
narcotraffic case from the Medellin Cartel. I
needed two characters to ride the long road
and in the series they were riding
Harley Davidsons, so I mixed all the
elements and that’s when ‘The Loneliest
Road (The Thompson and Fernandez Story)’
came to be the lead single of ‘Doors’.
Follow these links to discover more about
BAMIL:
http://bamilthehitmaker.simplesite.com
www.facebook.com/groups/FANSBAMIL
https://www.instagram.com/bamilmusic
https://twitter.com/BamilMusic
https://www.mixposure.com/bamil/audio
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 17

Tips For Wr
I started writing lyrics about a year ago. I tried to give it my
best shot and started out with the most basic build up of all
songs. Verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, verse 3, end. Using 5
or 6 words in each sentence. That’s great for starting out.
However somewhere along the way I found myself stuck
with a lot of songs and I couldn’t finish them in the basic
build up. Sounds familiar?
Then it’s time to look at what you have so far. My main
problem often was that I had problems finding the 3th verse.
Tip 1. mix it up and use the chorus to begin your lyric.
With this you can give your song a lot of energy right from
the beginning. And you’ve solved a problem.
After this you will put the 1st verse, chorus, 2nd verse,
chorus, end. For example: Senorita, Shawn Mendes
Tip 2. Use two sentences of a verse which is already used
earlier in the song. Start from there. See what you can come
up with. You might gain a couple words :-)
Tip 3. Still unsolved? You can also check out this article using
the following link
https://www.writersdigest.com/guest-columns/7-ways-toovercome-writers-block
and after this try to finish your song
Tip 4. If none of the above works out for you, you might
have to consider a co-write.
Good luck with your writing.
As a new year has started, for me this also means new chances
in some songwriting competitions.
These lyrics I entered into the “lyrics-only” of the
International Songwriting Competition. Looking at the title,
will let you know what this is about. Hope you like it.
Wanna read more ? I also write lyrics for musicals and
theatre.
http://www.geencovers.nl/
https://m.facebook.com/geen.covers?refid=8
www.instagram.com/geencovers
18 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Richard Solleveld
iters Block
Flirty
Verse 1
You’re a gamechanger
In a boring game
Since I met you
I feel my luck has changed
You give my a little extra
In a lotta things
I’ve got more power every day
More joy in everything!
I’m more positive
Since you looked my way
And I’m looking out for friday
Cause I know I’ll see you then
Chorus
I know you’re flirting
Cause I can see it in your eyes
Oohh, I know you are
cause I can see it in your smile
Its no rocket sience to guess
whats on your mind
Its the way you move, boy
Its the way you smile
You’re looking for adventure
cause you wanna feel alive
I can “feel” your flirting cause
you touch me with your eyes
Ohh boy you look amazing
And you’re messing with my head
I guess I really like you
cause I keep looking back
Verse 2
Ohh boy, I can get excited
Your my favourite guy
You give my life a boost
All that in a little smile
I feel I’m in the fast lane
since we met last week
You can make my head spin
With a single compliment
I dont have a lotta problems
cause I fix them right away
I’m looking out for friday
Cause I know I’ll see you then
Chorus
Verse 3
Every day I wake up
with a big smile on my face
And there’s nothing
That can make it dissapear
I’m feeling uber happy
even on a Monday
And I singalong with everything
playing on the radio
I think I got it
I think, it wont go away
Oh boy, youre in my dreams
And I hope you never leave
Now I’m looking out for friday
Cause it’s the best day of the week
Chorus
Ohh boy you look amazing
And you’re messing with my head
I guess I really like you
cause I, keep looking back
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 19

Like Yo
Verse 1:
I keep hiding from the sight of your love,
from the sight of your love
‘Cause it’s burning everything on the inside, everything on the inside
I look up every now and again
but I find no rest from the greatest of pain
I know, I need to grow
I’m just hoping in the end I can trust you,
in the end I can love like you do
Chorus:
Like you do
Like you do
Love like you do
Verse 2:
I can’t stand it if I end up alone,
if I end up alone
‘Cause it would mean I couldn’t change after all, couldn’t change after all
I can run for the rest of my life
but I won’t know love if I don’t even try
to see and forgive
I’m still hoping in the end I can trust you,
in the end I can love like you do
Post-Chorus:
I will not resent
I will let you love me
Let you love me
I will not relent
Loving like you love me
Like you love me
Click here to listen....
I started writing this song at the beginning of January 2017, but it actually took a couple of months to perfect
it. It’s about a dynamic in a relationship where you feel like you can’t trust and love the other person the same
way they can. When you know you should be more forgiving, more gracious but you struggle to find the
strength in you. But there is hope that one day it’s possible if you just receive that unconditional love.
20 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Sätilä
u Do...
Finnish born, London based artist Sätilä, aka Teemu
Sätilä, combines a fresh fusion of infectious
alternative/indie music with rich pop soundscapes.
Having started writing songs at the age of seven after
learning the piano, Sätilä spent his formative years
in an alternative rock band before moving to Sydney,
Australia, where he studied songwriting. His time
spent there defined who he was as an artist and the
songwriter soon realised his ambition to create
something that was entirely his own, eventually
heading back to Europe to follow his own sound.
Leading single ‘Like You Do’ was inspired by past
relationships and narrates the struggle of receiving
love from someone who you think is more gracious
and trusting than you are. Highlighting Sätilä’s
velvety vocals and impressive range, the track comes
to life through twinkling synths, pulsating basslines
and vibrant melodies. The musician reveals, “This
song has been the defining cornerstone of a bigger
body of work I’ve been working on when it comes to
production and the sonic vision”. Produced by Mikko
Pennanen, the song emulates fragments of Foster the
People and Tame Impala, featuring analogue synths
and illustrating Sätilä’s goal of blending organic and
electronic elements together.
Sätilä has seen success with his previous releases
garnering close to a million streams on Spotify alone.
He has received attention from the likes of YleX
(Finnish equivalent of BBC Radio 1), as well as being
playlisted on official Spotify playlists in Finland,
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Canada.
‘Like You Do’ is currently available worldwide.
https://twitter.com/satilamusic
https://www.instagram.com/satilamusic/
https://www.facebook.com/satilamusic
“When I was a kid I listened to a lot of mainstream
pop and as a teenager I got into alternative and indie
rock. I feel like that has shaped me more than I
thought it did. I know people say indie rock has had
its moment but I’m just not sure. It still makes me
feel. I think there is room for all sorts of music so
why restrict people’s expression just because it’s not
a trend and if it still makes people feel something”,
expresses the Finnish native.
Sätilä hopes his music will be an aid in times when
you feel you are not enough. Through uplifting lyrics
and building progressive components, ‘Like You Do’
transforms into the ultimate pep-talk, self-love
anthem. He confides, “I hope my music inspires
people to live their life to the fullest. Make the change
you need to make whether that’s circumstance or
your attitude. Make the dream a reality. Love yourself
and others. Make every situation better when you
come around”.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 21

Justice For Kurt
...I’m doomed
Wasn’t doing what i should
Doomed
Always been misunderstood
All the way to Rome
It didn’t feel like home
I just needed warmth
A shelter from the storm
Doomed
No one told me that I’m good
I’m doomed
Now I know that I’ve been fooled
All the way to Rome
It didn’t feel like home
I just needed warmth
A shelter from the storm
I was waiting I was waiting for you
I was ready I was ready for you
I went crazy I went crazy for you...”
‘Justice for Kurt’
Duration: 2:51
ISRC: QZHN91988632
All Music & Lyrics: Jackob P.
Producer: Reuvn H.
To listen follow this link...
Justice for Kurt/ Jackob P. (Singer/Songwriter
of ‘Indie Butterflies Dream’) The song is about
a man whose fate is doomed, so he feels.
When I wrote it I felt the same, I could
connect to a kind of retroactive view of my
entire life in which I was misunderstood
by my surroundings. The repeated couplet
speaks about a particular moment in which
this man felt he had to find a shelter from the
storm. But the storm is in his head. That
moment happened on the way to Rome.
Loneliness. For me Rome represented a place
far from home, far from yourself. At the end
of the song, he is talking to someone and says
he was waiting and went crazy for them. Is
this a woman? Or is he addressing himself?
I guess both. The song was written about
Kurt Cobain.
Bio:
The band released their debut single
“Seven” in December of 2018, they describe
the track as “a rock style themed ballad” the
single has been followed up with their second
release “Piece of Mind” on February 2019.
Both songs have recieved critical acclaim for
the deep lyrics and a now “classic rock style”
refreshed for a new generation.
The 3rd single ‘RadioZombie’ was released on
May 2019, and fourth single ‘Another Day’ on
last August.
The single ‘Justice For Kurt’ is a new song -
now on ITunes . Please listen!
22 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Indie Butterflies Dream
Apple music:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/indie-butterflies-dream/1447244270
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3qbQv5GT9ZdDwy3e29iIlT
(Tag us @indiebdream)
http://www.twitter.com/indiebdream
http://www.instagram.com/indiebdream
http://facebook.com/indiebdream
Best regards,
Indie Butterflies Dream
indiebdream@gmail.com
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 23

A Week At
I’ve got ghosts in three cities, demons in my sleep,
You are my witness, my secrets you keep.
Now stumbling without in the cold light of day,
I’m just a player in need of a play.
I walked down Longmarket, Wale Street and Brie,
I searched for our tower, the old you and me,
And I stood under archways
like mouths looking forlorn,
My Prima Donna it’s almost the dawn.
I think of you sleeping, I think of you warm,
I wrestle the darkness till I’m ragged and torn.
You say the wind’s biting
though the fields are still green,
The props are all ready, you’re setting the scene.
So put on your armour and pick up your sword,
I’ll find a guitar and sound out the chords,
And we’ll meet in the wings
while the curtains are drawn,
My prima donna it’s almost the dawn.
So put on your armour and pick up your sword,
I’ll find a guitar and sound out the chords,
And maybe you’ll leave me in love
or maybe in scorn,
My prima donna it’s almost the dawn,
My prima donna it’s almost the dawn.
Click this link to listen...
About the songwriting process:
This song is about a trip that I took
to the City of my birth – Cape Town,
South Africa. I was visiting for a series
of performances and one afternoon
with some time to spare, I took a walk
around some of the old haunts of my
youth. It’s a song about nostalgia,
remembering a love story about a
“world of two” created by a couple as
they experience being together as a
moment trapped in time and separated
from all other human contact.
Verse one speaks to the nostalgia – the
ghosts of relationships past and also
the loneliness of the one being in the
city without the other. The street names
mark out the route through the city
centre and the “archways like mouths
looking forlorn” are the great doors of
St Georges
Verse two
the person
where they
and happy
comfort to
There is a t
throughou
references
wings”, the
“curtains”
being addr
leading lad
The song e
idea that it
encapsulat
to remain
end – with
sun…
.
24 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Dave Stark
The Cape
Biography:
Dave Starke is a South African
singer-songwriter who strives to capture
human moments in musical form - to
sum up a whole host of thoughts and
emotions using just his voice and a
guitar. He describes a guitar as
“nothing more than a wooden box with
strings, tensioned to near breaking
point – it’s fundamental, honest and
often scary and it’s a good metaphor for
the human experience…”
Inspired by the creators and
capturers that came before him that
poured themselves into paper, canvas,
vinyl and clay, Dave uses enough words
to get you thinking, but no so many that
he tells you what to think. He sees song
writing as something of a survival
strategy – a pressure release valve that
keeps him together. He is a two-time
semi-finalist in the UK Songwriting
Contest for his songs “Calling out to
you” and “Burn after reading”.
His music is lyric-driven, performed
on guitar with occasional touches of
percussion and some very haunting
whistling. For Dave it’s all about telling
stories, so the voice is the most
important instrument and everything
else is there to be a support structure for
the narrative.
His most recent album “Duende” was
released in January 2019.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2acM-
RhqNXbkhGJQj7gy7Cy
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=7ZQ9AMkYEoY
https://www.facebook.com/davestarkemusic/
Cathedral.
turns itself to thoughts about
being missed. Back home
are, imagining them safe
and that bringing some
the “player without a play”.
heatrical theme that runs
t the song, hence the
to “Props”, waiting “in the
“sword”, “armour” and
as well as the the love interest
essed as “Prima Donna” – the
y…
nds with a return to the
was an experience that was
ed or frozen in time and that
that way, it had to come to an
the inevitable rising of the
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 25

Give It All Up (
When the show is over,
and the curtain falls,
I’m only left with memories,
of when I had it all....*
Call me mister show time,**
I’m gonna lay it down on the line,
can you feel my soul, for you it’s crying out?
At a million miles a minute, let’s take it to the limit,
until all the lights go down.*
Cause I would give it all up for a little taste,
give it all up for one embrace,
give it all up for a little piece of you.
Give it all up for a little taste,
give it all up for one embrace,
give it all up for a little piece of you. ***
I never seen so clearly.
Spent the day in meditation savouring every ounce of energy,****
and I want you to give that love back to me.
When there’s a river flowing through me,
they can’t say or do to me,
nothing I ain’t ever heard before. *****
Don’t try to deny it,
if you want it I’ll supply it,
give you nothing less for ever more.
Cause I would give it all up for a little taste,
give it all up for one embrace,
give it all up for a little piece of you.
Give it all up come on don’t be shy,
give it all up lay it on the line,
give it all up for little piece of you.
Cause you give me everything I’d ever need.******
Now I know you’ve had some promises,
well intentioned promises,
I’m making you a lifetime guarantee. *******
Deep anticipation for your loving adulation,
I wanna give you every single part of me.
Cause I would give it all up for a little taste,
give it all up for one embrace,
give it all up for a little piece of you.
Give it all up come on don’t be shy,
give it all up lay it on the line,
give it all up for little piece of you.
Cause you give me everything I’d ever need.
You give me everything I’d ever need.
You give me everything I’d ever need.
One more time!
You give me everything I’d ever need.
To listen click this link...
Meaning of the lyric....
* (I’m always one of the last to leave a gig of mine I try to meet as
much of the audience afterwards as possible. Before I leave, I often
do a sweep of the stage to check I haven’t left anything. When the
lights are up, it’s a very different place than it seemed a few hours
before. Discarded plectrums, crumpled setlists, random bits of
gaffer tape is all that’s left behind. These are the ‘memories’).
** (The name Mr. Showtime comes from the EA Sports Fight
Night boxing game I used to play on the Gamecube, as one of the
pre-approved nicknames you could call the boxer you create. I like
the idea of being able to turn on the ‘Showtime’ when the moment
arrives.)
***(This is a self-referential nod to my long-term followers. ‘Feel
My Soul’, ‘Layin’ It on the Line’, and ‘When the Lights Go Down’,
have all been staples of my setlist for years and amongst my most
popular songs with crowds)
****(This is pretty much me before every show. If I could, I’d have
my own dark, isolated room to sit in and just focus on what’s
coming ahead in silence.. However, these days I’m usually yucking
it up with the Love Explosion band backstage, and giving one of my
‘motivational pep talks’!)
***** (This is that drug of invincibility that performers often feel on
stage. If you get into the music and the vibe of the room, nothing
else matters, and everything in the outside doesn’t exist for a
beautiful moment.)
****** (Essentially the message of the song; sometimes all we really
need is love, and that can by fulfilled in different ways. In this case,
it’s the overwhelming love of the audience.
******* (I am so grateful to audiences I’ve had, that I never want
to half-ass what I’m doing. A long time ago, a guitar teacher gave
me a stern warning that just because I was feeling ill, people have
paid good money, they’ve been at work all day and now want to let
their hair down, so it’s my job to allow them to. For me, a show is a
two way street, it shouldn’t just a musician telling the audience how
artistic/deep/thoughtful/cool through song).
Bio of Danny Toeman
Danny Toeman is a vibrant and powerful performer who
seamlessly blends the classic vibes of Funk and Soul’s golden age
with his own inimitable London edge, delivering a modern and
fresh ‘neo-vintage’ flavour. The North London singer who is known
for his outstanding live performances that showcase his rugged
vocals and altitude-defying falsetto, creates a sound oozing with
character and emotion. Along with his seven-piece band The Love
Explosion, Toeman stages an electrifying show filled to the brim
with feel-good funky soul, designed to make you move.
In his latest release ‘Give It All Up (Mr Showtime)’, Toeman
presents a dramatically beautiful, classic love song that
perfectly captures his use of fusing vintage sounds with
contemporary style. Sonically the single comes to life through
colourful grooves and embellished melodies, with a ‘Torch Song’
style introduction and uplifting finish, the track lends itself to
26 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Danny Toeman
Mr Showtime)
a feel-good love song. Toeman expresses how gratitude was the
inspiration for the new track sharing, “This song came to me as I
was travelling home from a random gig in the middle of nowhere,
clunky guitar case and amplifier taking up space in the train carriage.
I was thinking about the show and how despite how small it
was, the audience had shown so much love for my set. I wondered
what they would think if they saw me now and if they knew it was
their reaction that keeps me going. So I decided to write something
that would express my appreciation to them and all other audiences
who’ve had a similar effect on me”.
Influenced by the power and swagger of James Brown, the pained
romance of Marvin Gaye, and the uplifting joy of Curtis Mayfield,
Toeman combines his love of classic soul with modern elements,
bringing a new sound of soul, whilst forging his own path into
unchartered territory. Thematically his music narrates finding the
sweetness in the sour and getting through the rough times with
dignity. “I try and keep my music positive and aspirational, in
matters of life and love, matter how hard the present
circumstances. This is the message I have always found at the heart
of the music I love”, admits Toeman.
When he is not performing, writing and producing music, the
musician hopes to flaunts his powerful charisma as a professional
wrestler, having taken up training last year. Whether in the ring
or on stage, he displays a charming eccentricity and incomparable
flair that consistently captivates his audience.
To date, Toeman has performed to sold out audiences at prestigious
venues such as Alexandra Palace and the o2 Arena, as well as
supporting soul luminaries such as Kool & The Gang, Betty Wright,
Michael Kiwanuka, and Charles Bradley. His music can also be
heard in a global advertising campaign for Toyota, on Saturday
Night Live and in Made in Chelsea, as well as receiving national
radio airplay from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Craig Charles.
Put quite simply, there is no other artist quite like Danny Toeman.
With a full album release on the horizon and a range of live dates
on the way, now is the ideal time to catch an awe inspiring live
performance from a true rising star. ‘Give It All Up (Mr Showtime)’
is currently available worldwide.
https://www.dannytoeman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dannytoeman
https://twitter.com/dannytoeman
https://www.instagram.com/dannytoeman/
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 27

Twenty, July 69, Houston is Calling
Woodstock was coming soon
Armstrong walking on the moon
I was walking near and far
Looking for my lost guitar
On a hot Crete afternoon
At small Greek farms and local bars
I followed every lead I could
People glued to their tv
No one was expecting me
They opened up and let me in
This mangy, motely American
I was Looking for my Martin guitar
Friendly eyes, friendly vibes
I met along the way
For all the times that my country’s fallen short
I was proud that day
The first house a young family
shared a bottle of Metaxa
That moon walk space mans dignity
Just seems to have rained down on me
A drink or so, I let them know
I took no credit for the glory
I was just looking for my Martin Guitar
At each house I was honored with
Another bottle of Metaxa
As I stumbled from door to door
I forgot what I came there for
In that hazy, happy towns embrace
I took full credit for the trip in space
I gave up on my Martin Guitar
Friendly eyes, friendly vibes
I met along the way
For all the times that my country’s fallen short
I was proud that day
Twenty July 69, Houston is Calling
I was looking for my Martin Guitar
Words and Music by Gerry Segal ©2019
Gerry Segal production, vocals
Bob Rose lead guitar
Gerry Segal Singer/Songwriter @ Artisan
Songs From New York City. Performed
at the legendary clubs of the Greenwich
Village Folk Revival including: Gerde’s
Folk City, The Village Gate and The
Bottom Line. Gerry is writing,
performing and recording music full
time. His first YouTube Video: “Jacques:
The Wall Street Tailor” won first prize
on WNYC’s Satire Slam and was featured
at New York City’s Blackout Film
Festival.
“Looking For My Martin Guitar” is a
true story that I’ve been telling for 50
years. It began the day before Neil
Armstrong walked on the moon. I was
busking my way across Europe with my
016 Martin New Yorker. On July 19,
1969 that beautiful guitar was stolen off a
truck.
The next day, the day of the moonshot,
I started walking house to house to pick
up any trace of what happened. As the
song goes, I never found the guitar that
day.
What the song doesn’t say is that I put an
ad in the local paper. Offered a $50
reward and got it back no questions
asked. I still play it today, That’s it in the
picture.
www.gerrysegal.com
Click here to listen...
28 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Gerry Segal
My
Martin
Guitar
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 29

By Paul Michel
“Yesterday Once More”
When I was young
I’d listen to the radio
Waitin’ for my favorite songs
When they played I’d sing along
It made me smile
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they’d
gone
But they’re back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine
When they get to the part
Where he’s breakin’ her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more
Lookin’ back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I’d memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine
30 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Karen Carpenter
It’s no secret that the 60’s and 70’s was an oasis of incredible
musicians on the popular music front. The variety of skill
and talent was simply mindblowing.
Quite a generic start for an article I admit but when talking
about Karen Carpenter, you have to use words like ‘incredible’
and ‘mindblowing’. It’s funny though, to the casual music
listener, very few would accredit Karen Carpenter as a
drummer. Many wouldn’t know that she actually started her
music career this way, not singing until some time later. In fact
she often described herself as a drummer who could sing.
By the time of her death in 1983, she had one of the most
unique voices in popular music. Of course, it was truly
beautiful but it had a power which could reach right into the
soul of any mere mortal without the hint of effort. So we begin
our story of Karen Carpenter...
Karen was born in 1950 in New Haven, Conneticut, the
youngest of two children. Her brother, Richard was older by
three years and would later become the other half of the duo,
The Carpenters.
During Karen’s younger years, she loved dancing and by the
age of four was already involved in Tap and Ballet classes.
Her brother was already learning piano and becoming a very
talented musician.
In 1963 the family moved to Los Angeles and a year later, at
the age of 14, Karen joined her school band. To begin with she
was given the Glockenspiel, an instrument she was not very
fond of but soon found herself drawn to the drums. Her family
bought her a drum set and within a year she was playing very
complicated and skilled drum signatures.
Carpenter was initially nervous about performing in public,
but said she “was too involved in the music to worry about it”.
She graduated from Downey High School in the spring of 1967,
receiving the John Philip Sousa Band Award, and enrolled as a
music major at Long Beach State where she performed in the
college choir with Richard. The choir’s director, Frank Pooler,
said that Karen had a good voice that was particularly suited to
pop, and gave her lessons in order for her to develop a threeoctave
range.
In 1965, Karen, Richard, and his college friend Wes Jacobs, a
bassist and tuba player, formed the Richard Carpenter Trio.[16]
The band rehearsed daily, played jazz in nightclubs, and also
appeared on the TV talent show Your All-American College
Show.[8] Richard was immediately impressed with his sister’s
musical talent, saying she would “speedily maneuver the sticks
as if she had been born in a drum factory”.[17] She did not sing
at this point; instead, singer Margaret Shanor guested on some
of their songs.
After Jacobs left the band in 1967, Richard and Karen were
keen to try out other music styles and with Gary Sims and John
Bettis they formed the band Spectrum. However, this was not
to prove successful.
In 1969, A&M Records signed the Carpenters and the first
album, The Offering (later retitled Ticket to Ride) was written.
10 of the 13 songs were written by Richard with Karen singing
most of the songs as well as playing drums and bass.
Their next album ‘Close to You was to provide the Carpenters
with two hit singles, (They long to be) Close to you and We’ve
only just begun reaching No:1 and No:2 in the charts.
During the mid 1970’s both were plagued by health issues.
Richard had drug addiction problems while Karen was battling
with weight loss and Anorexia. The result was many cancelled
gigs and tours.
In 1979, while Richard was taking a year off for addiction
treatments, Karen decided to record a solo album. Many of the
recordings on the album were shelved but later released after
her death.
Karen’s personal life had become turbulent, not finding stable
romance until 1980 when after a whirlwind relationship, she
married Thomas Burris. This would also prove to be ill-fated
and 14 months later the couple split.
Her ongoing illness with her weight was also becoming very
apparent at public appearances as she was looking more
and more frail. Karen was frequently in and out of hospital
undergoing treatments for Anorexia and her addiction to
laxitives.
On 4th February 1983, Karen collapsed at her parents home.
Paramedics were called and found her heart beating just once
every ten seconds. She was rushed to Downey Community
Hospital but was pronounced dead at 9:51am.
Carpenter’s funeral was held February 8, 1983, at Downey
United Methodist Church. Approximately one thousand
mourners attended, including her friends Dorothy Hamill,
Olivia Newton-John, Petula Clark and Dionne Warwick. Her
estranged husband Thomas Burris also attended, and tossed his
wedding ring into her casket. Carpenter was buried at the Forest
Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California. In 2003 her body
was moved, to be placed with her parents in a mausoleum at the
Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village,
California.
An autopsy released on March 11, 1983, ruled out drug
overdose, attributing death to “emetine cardiotoxicity due to
or as a consequence of anorexia nervosa”. She was discovered
to have a blood sugar level of 1,110 milligrams per decilitre,
more than ten times the average. Two years later, the coroner
told colleagues that Carpenter’s heart failure was caused by
repeated use of ipecac syrup, an over-the-counter emetic often
used to induce vomiting in cases of overdosing or poisoning.
This was disputed by Levenkron, who said he had never known
her to use ipecac, or seen evidence she had been vomiting.
Carpenter’s friends were convinced that she had abused
laxatives and thyroid medication to maintain her low body
weight and thought this had started after her marriage began to
crumble.
Again, Rock ‘n’ Roll had claimed yet another young life but
Karen’s silky voice can never be forgotten. ALthough her voice
is where she will be remembered, it is fitting to remember that
she simply called herself ‘the drummer that sang’.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 31

DISCOGRAPHY
32 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Karen Carpenter
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 33

Theres a hola from the boulevard calling,
As I take a tun in to a desolate morning,
I spot a man who carries
a sack of clothes on his shoulder,
He’s mouthing the vowels
from the alphabet we share.
In our beds we are made
countless, relying on literary raids
There are strangers on the outskirts
Running fast a far away
with there questions directions to never look back
Restorations pushed back in the Shelf
And its hard on the Shelf
Hard
Hard on the Shelf
a tear from the mornings eye…
It’s tough on the shelf life.
Village people are scoring under a subway,
I’m not one to judge them
because I have my own demons,
The devils play thing has you
tuning around in his pockets,
Send love from the valley and sever unsparingly.
In our beds we are made
countless, relying on literary raids
There are strangers on the outskirts
Roaming fast a far away with there
questions directions to never look back
Restorations pushed back in the Shelf
And its hard on the Shelf
Hard
Hard on the Shelf
a tear from the mornings eye…
It’s tough on the shelf life.
it tough on the shelf life
it’s tough on the shelf life
its tough on the shelf life
There are strangers on the outskirts
Roaming fast a far away
with there questions directions to never look back
Restorations pushed back in the Shelf
And its hard on the Shelf
Hard
Hard on the Shelf
a tear from the mornings eye…
It’s tough on the shelf life.
Click this link to listen....
34 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Karima Francis
Shelf Life
Karima Francis is a critically acclaimed musician
and songwriter hailing from the illuminated seaside
resort of Blackpool. Known for her ability to blend
haunting melodies with honest lyrics and an alluring
ambiance, Francis creates entirely captivating music,
oozing with emotion and rooted in sentiment.
Taking her first steps into the music industry at only
13 years old, Francis relentlesslytaught herself drums
and before long progressed to the guitar and
songwriting at age 18. Soon after she unveiled the
debut release of The Author, which lauded praise
from prestigious publications, propelling her into the
limelight. Her consequent album’s The Remedy and
Black further acknowledged the musician’s profound
talent, each timeshowcasing a denser amalgamation
of sounds and textures.
Seeking new inspiration and an escape from London
life, Francis recognised her overwhelming sense to
explore something new in Los Angeles. Selling some
of her most beloved guitars and purchasing a ticket
to the West Coast, she was finally able to soak up the
laid-back Californian lifestyle and her music found a
fresh perspective. Francis reveals, “I was very
influenced by the West coast indie folk singer
songwriter revival that’s happening out in LA right
now, when I heard the Phoebe Bridgers record I was
blown away by the production and musicality from
the players and wanted to find them for my music
so I sold up and went out to start making new music
relations in LA”.
Her time spent there resulted in the highly
anticipated single ‘Shelf Life’. The stunning track
narrates Los Angeles’ deepening homelessness crisis.
On the surface the City of Angels is a place of
celebrities and million dollar mansions, but scratch
a bit deeper and you will find the devastating truth
which is encompassing so many people’s lives.
Karima felt beyond compelled to write about the
epidemic and shine light on the reality of the
situation, sharing “The music was inspired by the
homelessness crisis out in LA. I was just devastated
by what I was seeing and the contrast between the
rich and poor out there was uncomfortable to see”.
‘Shelf Life’ emits a melancholy warmth through
contemplative lyricism and organic instrumentation.
Soulful velvet vocals envelop the celestial melodies,
delivering an intimate and authentic release.
Recorded with artist and producer Tim Carr (Fell
Runner), Carr brings the West Coast sonic laziness
and beauty that Francis had been searching for. ‘Shelf
Life’ takes a step away from Francis’ typical
autobiographical songwriting, admitting, “I wanted
to try and explore new ideas and context when
it comes to writing. I think tone helps with writing
also, if you have a beautiful guitar sound that makes
you feel a certain way, this can open up new realms
in your creativity and expression”.
The visuals for ‘Shelf Life’ feature a day in the life of
a homeless man. After Francis and video director
Joseph Calhoun explained the concept of the video
to the man, he instantly wanted to be a part of it and
help raise awareness. The outcome is a personal,
poignant and truly captivating insight into the
homeless crisis.
Inspired by the organic sound of analogue audio,
Francis was drawn to recording to tape and
capturing the essence of the performance through
both creatively adept musicians and the finest
quality equipment. Her musical influences blend the
best of modern day greats such as Sharon Van Etten,
The National and Big Thief with old time producers
including Berry Gordy (Marvin Gaye) and William
Mitchel (Al Green), to create a sound leaning
towards indie rock, folk and alternative route.
Francis recently studied music production
specifically to learn how to use analogue mixing
desks with the intention to be more creative in the
studio and produce her own music.
Karima Francis’ journey has found her playing on
Later… With Jools Holland, supporting the likes of
Paul Simon, Amy Winehouse and The Stereophonics,
as well as working with renowned producer Flood
(Nine Inch Nails, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Depeche
Mode). ‘Shelf Life’ is currently available worldwide.
https://www.facebook.com/karimafrancis/
https://twitter.com/KarimaFrancis
https://www.instagram.com/karimafrancis/
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 35

Who Would Write A Song A
Anyone who has been watching our Bible Belt
Blues journey this past year has to see that this
is clearly the hand of God who has opened up
doors for us! Nothing else makes sense! Before I
left Houston eight years ago I had spoken these
exact words to my pastor Dr. Duane Brooks of
Tallowood Baptist Church, “I want God to use
me in a mighty way.” He responded
enthusiastically, “Paula, that’s a wonderful
prayer.” Here I am eight years later at age 65
launching a music ministry with my Christian
musician husband, Harold, whom I married four
years ago at age 61. It was my very first marriage.
I am living proof that God’s delays are not God’s
denials. Harold and I officially met online on
Christmas Day of 2014 when he responded to my
online profile on Christian Mingle asking for a
Christian musician who would not set limits on
what God could accomplish through him.
In September of 2018 we officially started
creating music together as a couple after I had
convinced my husband, Harold, to let me write
the lyrics first. A talent I had for lyric writing
that had been sitting dormant for over forty years
suddenly blossomed! Being led by the Holy Spirit
of God with my lyric writing I created songs with
bold, biblically sound lyrics like I had
never heard before on the radio or in church
these days (repentance songs, invitation songs,
prayer songs, and songs for church revivals).
Since January of 2019 Harold and I have created,
recorded, mixed, mastered and produced two
Christian albums (“I’m Not Ashamed to Be a
Christian” and “My God, My God”) in our own
home recording studio. In the process I
discovered that I had a talent as a vocal coach
and as a producer; talents I did not even know I
had. Amazingly, a year later we actually won the
2019 Josie Music Award for Duo/Group for the
genre of Gospel/ Christian/ Inspirational after
more than 23,000 nominations were submitted
across all genres from around the globe! We
stand humbled and amazed at what God is doing
through us with our music ministry! Thank You
Jesus!
We never imagined that our songs would ever
receive radio airplay since they were so
counter-culture, but God got the last word with
eleven of our songs having already received radio
airplay, thanks to Bill and Kat Radio’s Gospel
Blues Hours Syndicated Radio Program. Our
song that has received the most airplay to date is
about stealing God’s glory, “The Glory Belongs to
You, Lord.” Who would write a song about
stealing God’s glory and what radio station
would ever play a song like that? But God got the
last word!
I know He must be smiling right now!
“The Glory Belongs to You, Lord” was one of the
very first lyrics I wrote. Its lyrics are brief, but
powerful, intense, and quite heavy. Every time I
have shared it with someone from memory they
literally break down into tears. It strikes a chord
with everyone because we are all guilty of
stealing God’s glory whether we are consciously
aware of it or not. We serve a jealous God who
doesn’t want to share His glory with another.
“The Glory Belongs to You, Lord,” transports
us to a place of both reverence and remorse as
we bare our souls before the majesty and glory
of God. My husband, Harold, crafted the music
to reflect and envelop the remorseful, reflective
lyrics. He even made the harmonica weep. This
was one of four songs that we had submitted to
the 2019 Josie Music Awards that helped Bible
Belt Blues secure the coveted award for Gospel/
Christian Duo of the Year!
YouTube Channel: Bible Belt Blues
Website: www.BibleBeltBlues.org
Facebook Page: Bible Belt Blues
Facebook Page: Paula Vega Vondenstein
36 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Paula Vega Vondenstein
bout Stealing God’s Glory?
THE GLORY BELONGS TO YOU, LORD
© 2019 Bible Belt Blues
Lyrics by Paula Vega Vondenstein
I took away Your praises
And replaced them with my name
I took away Your glory
And replaced it with my fame
I took away Your glory
For the things I did not do
Looking back I’m filled with shame
The glory belongs to You, Lord
The glory belongs to You.
(harmonica solo)
It was You who gave me talent
It was You who saw me through
It was You who opened doors for me
The glory belongs to You, Lord
The glory belongs to You.
To listen follow this link....
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 37

The Two Richest Me
Verse
Today they placed the markers
on two sets of bones
William Smith and Samuel Evans
carved into the stones
Bill was Eighty-Two
and Sam was only Fifty-Five
But the lives they led were different
when they were alive
Chorus
They are the two richest men
in the Graveyard
And I wonder which one’s happy,
with the life they chose?
One died with money and the other poor,
but he had love
Both ended up in the same place;
with a marble stone above
Verse
Billy Smith was loved
by nearly everyone in town
He fell in love and spent his life
with Emma Brown
He barely kept his children fed
but they had love
And every night at supper
he would thank the Lord above.
Bridge
Billy was the one we all went searching for
When we needed credit
at his little grocery store
If you needed help
he was the first to raise his hand
The whole town had a special love
for this simple man
Verse
Now, my Uncle Samuel loved his money
and he spent his time
Making more and more and more,
hardly ever spent a dime
He never had the time for love
or time for a family
His Funeral was only the guy
that dug the grave and me.
Chorus
They are the two richest men
in the Graveyard
And I wonder which one’s happy,
with the life they chose?
One died with money and the other poor,
but he had love
Both ended up in the same place;
with a marble stone above
Both ended up in the same place;
one with money, one with love
Follow this link to listen...
The story behind the song:
I started participating in Curt Ryle’s online
songwriting workshop three years ago, where
hundreds of writers from all over the world
compete to get a line in a song. At one point.
in one of our conversations I commented
about him working much too hard and I said
“You’re going to end up the richest guy in the
graveyard”. I had that hook stuck in my head,
so a week or so later I created the story of two
men who lived two completely different lives.
One with a love of money, and one with love
in his heart.
38 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Bob Phelan
n In The Graveyard
Bob Phelan - Singer/Songwriter (More And
More Music, Nashville, Tn. BMI), Originals,
Christmas Parodies, Jingles
Music Director/Producer for The EllieB Block
Party Show/EBBP Productions.
Songs for Radio, Advertising and just for fun.
I started playing drums in bands at age 11
in Arizona. Picked up the bass at age 16 and
have played gigs for nearly forty years. I
started writing in the 80’s and it was hit-andmiss
through the 90’s. The writing bug hit
me again around 2009, and I got into writing
classic songs into Christmas parodies as well
as more original songs. I found that parodies
are a real challenge. Taking a classic song and
re-writing it into a different storyline and yet
maintaining the same sound and feel as the
original can be tricky. I have retired from live
performance, and writing and producing is
my passion now.
I do all my own vocals and most
instrumentation myself in my home studio.
I’m a storyteller. I hope you find my music
entertaining and inspiring! All my works can
be found on my Reverbnation page and many
on YouTube. I have several songs published,
but as of yet I am still awaiting that elusive
cut by a major artist.
My current hometown is Viborg, South
Dakota.
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 39

Susan you’re my best friend
Susan you’re my best friend
we go out, we go out
Susan you’re my best friend
Susan you’re my best friend
we go out, we go out
I’ve been thinking lately
where you are, where you are
where you are, where you are
I’ve been thinking lately
Susan you’re my best friend
Susan you’re my best friend
we go out, we go out
Susan you’re my best friend
Susan you’re my best friend
we go out, we go out
I’ve been thinking ‘bout what we’d do
If you were me and I was you
We’d be back in the Jurassic Time
With all your family
We’d be running through the forest
With an asteroid upon us
And I’d probably win them over
with some homemade pavlova
And we’d be ripping up the carcasses
of lonely stegosauruses
LALALALALALALALALALALALA
We go out, we go out
LALALALALALALALALALALALA
We go out, we go out
I’ve been thinking lately
where you are, where you are
where you are, where you are
I’ve been thinking lately
who am I, who am I?
who am I, who am I?
I’ve been thinking lately Susan
Dance break!
LALALALALALALALALALALALA
We go out, we go out
LALALALALALALALALALALALA
We go out, we go out
I’ve been thinking lately Susan
To listen click this link....
40 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Ebony Buckle
Susan
Introducing the new single from quirky pop
songstress artist Ebony Buckle. Entitled ‘Susan’ the
track is dedicated to her imaginary best friend and
alter ego, Susan the Raptor. Featuring whimsical
leftfield-pop, complex harmonies and imaginative
storytelling lyricism, ‘Susan’ is reminiscent of Regina
Spektor meets Kate Bush.
Ebony Buckle is a London-based singer/
songwriter. Hailing from the seaside town of
Townsville, Australia, Ebony was encouraged into
the entertainment industry by her parents, studying
singing, violin, piano and drama and before long she
completed a degree in opera singing. Taking
listeners on a whimsical leftfield-pop journey with
her complex harmonies and imaginative
storytelling lyricism, Ebony sings about topics
covering everything from romance and broken
hearts to disgruntled mermaids, lonely whales and
alien invasion.
Realising that the only way to be in true control of
her own creativity and express herself
authentically was to start her journey as a solo artist,
Ebony jumped in head first and has not looked back
since. She confides, “I am a naturally shy person and
sometimes find it hard to be myself in front of other
people, but music has really helped me
connect to my true self. I feel like the songs I write
come straight from my brain and they are a true
expression of who I am”.
Following the release of her debut single ‘The
Mermaids Said No!’, the quirky songstress is
introducing her follow-up single entitled ‘Susan’.
A track dedicated to her imaginary best friend and
alter ego, Susan the Raptor. Mixing elements of
whimsy folk, with fanciful pop melodies and
infectious lyrics, all baked in to one big Ebony
Buckle cake, the delightfully eccentric musician has
created a delicious sound, bursting with vibrancy
and charm. Emitting a joyous feeling with a hint of
melancholy, the track highlights the singer’s
operatic trained vocals, which shine brightly
throughout. Ebony reveals, “Susan was born one
night after too much prosecco and the name just
stuck. She is the carefree, risk-taking and sometimes
reckless side of me. I think we are all made up of
many different personalities and I just decided to
name one of mine! Mostly we wanted to make a
really joyful track that would make people smile”.
Reminiscent of Regina Spektor meets Kate Bush,
Ebony is inspired by other strong female artists who
have forged their own paths into the music
industry. Aspiring to create music which will help
others realise their most authentic self and
encouraging people to always take life with a pinch
of salt, Ebony confides “I hope it inspires people to
be true to who they are. To not be afraid of being
different and to know it’s ok to express themselves”.
The singer come actress has performed in West End
plays, as well as a BBC drama, where her role as a
Geordie folk singer saw her music reach number
1 in the iTunes World Music Charts. She has also
received extensive airplay from numerous BBC
stations across the nation, as well as garnering blog
attention. In the words of The Mind Monster Solution
author Hazel Gale, “It’s a rare thing to find music
that speaks so directly from (and to) the heart.
Wonderful!” Ebony continues to feed our
imagination with her beautifully kaleidoscopic
music. ‘Susan’ is currently available worldwide.
Website link...
Facebook page...
Instagram...
YouTube...
Twitter...
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 41

Q
u
I
e
Her shadow wanes in time through parallels of light
On her guard in her glorified camouflage
Heady with the winds like a discipline
She won’t mar landscapes that her will can draw
(Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take)
The silence breaks astray a devastating wave
Beat my chest with fears that demand respect
The sky goes by, air solidifies
Heavy in my head as it fills my bed
(Oh angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
to rule and guide… Amen)
She sees to serenity, seizes my mortality
Faces my eternity, calms the sea that lives in me
She knows where my truth must lie,
brings in earth and brings in tide
Runs the secret through my veins,
brings me to another day
There in the dark, crossing the bridge with them
They disregard, they have quiescence…
Another liquid night eclipses from my eyes
Back to clutch the things that I left untouched
And she’ll justify life she modified
Walls she left that watched me while I slept
(My good angel, thou comest from heaven
God has sent thee to take care of me,
oh shelter me under thy wings)
(Do not leave me, stay quite near me
And defend me against the spirits of evil)
She sees to serenity, seizes my mortality
Faces my eternity, calms the sea that lives in me
She knows where my truth must lie,
brings in earth and brings in tide
Runs the secret through my veins,
brings me to another day
There in the dark, down in the closet chasm
Don’t be alarmed, it’s just Quiescence
To listen follow this link....
s
c
e
n
c
e
42 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

The Cranberry Merchants
SONG:
“Quiescence” was inspired by a famous painting called “Heilige Schutzengel” (or “Guardian Angel”) and
the instilled belief in the protection of angels over children to quell fears. Our angel is a bit of a rocker
though, and in spite of the chaos and anxiety represented by the music itself, she brings all fear to rest... to
tranquility... to quiescence.
BIO:
The Cranberry Merchants are an award-winning husband & wife Rock Duo out of Atlanta, GA comprised
of Steve & Dianne Moore. Their debut EP “In the Blood” has quickly found its way onto a number of indie
radio programs, and is in regular rotation on many college and internet radio stations in the USA, Canada,
Europe, Africa, South America, and Australia; topping or placing in the Top 10 of many of the stations’
charts. They are recent silver winners of the prestigious 2019 International Singer Songwriter Awards
(ISSA), were nominated in 3 categories of the 2019 Josie Independent Music Awards, and were recently
voted Rock Band of the Year by Indie Star Radio.
LINKS:
Website: www.cranberrymerchants.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Cranberry-Merchants-358404611588914/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cranberrymerchants/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cranberrymerch2
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVzYnUI2z628Q4Dp4odPJpQ
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 43

Electric Ball
She is in a mess, Electric Ballroom Dress...
You hate the wooden floor, the metre stands with just about 5 days left.
Kicking it for more, my own mind let me down again, at half past ten.
But shoot hoop dream on,
Life’s cheap knee deep life’s on,
Its on...
He is in a dress, Electric Ballroom mess,
I watch her, do her hair eclectic ballroom chair,
Kicking up a storm, dreaming big it’s not like that,
And if I never call, the meteor strike rain on me once again,
I feel more alive then ever, when you put my head in the river,
yeah I feel more alive then ever, when you put my head in the water...
Yeah I...
Click here to listen....
44 www.writeawaymagazine.co.44

Penny Betts
room Dress
The UK’s own Penny Betts offer up a uniquely
smooth blend of indie-pop and sixties-style
songwriting with their latest and self-titled EP.
A four-piece who know precisely who they are and
how they want to sound, Penny Betts are inspired by
bands stretching as far back as Cream and Pink Floyd
as much as modern influences like The Arctic
Monkeys and Tame Impala. Their heartfelt
songwriting and hypnotic melodies pour through
amidst reverb-soaked indie-rock soundscapes,
creating something that’s perfectly calming or
decidedly energizing – depending on what you need
from it; and how loud you let it play.
Beach-side vibes meet with classic UK tones and an
anthem-like approach to songwriting. The band have
honed their style and sound over time, with lead
singer Matt Felix and guitarist Al Finch first jamming
together way back during their school years. Over
time, bassist Lufta and drummer Jocelyn completed
the arrangement and kicked off a whole new chapter
for the band. Rock and roll has returned, the genre
and the original flair of the 60s and 70s is alive and
well. With a touch of originality and a willingness to
storm through language barriers – thanks to Matt
Felix’ French native tongue – Penny Betts are well on
their way to carving out a path of their own.
Passion and musical precision meet under the
blanket of sweeping guitars and experimental waves
of audio warmth. Penny Betts aim to get you
dancing, connecting, and embracing the live music
scene as the rightful escapism it was always meant to
be. A band well worth looking out for over the
coming months and years.
https://www.instagram.com/pennybettstheband/
https://www.facebook.com/pennybettstheband/
https://twitter.com/PENNYBETTSband
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 45

My S
Somewhere between what you are
And what you want to be, lies compromise
To seek the easy answer, may not be wise
And you know there are those who would
Expect you to be, like all the rest
Don’t be fooled with bad advice,
you know what’s best
Don’t waste yourself with those things
That they try to sell, just what brings you joy
Don’t follow the easy path, it’s just a ploy
Now I see that all my time and toils,
were a broken oar
I wish I’d known
Chorus
Oh no I just can’t take this shit anymore
Cos you know I’ve gave you all I have,
and still you ask for more
You can have my heart but not my soul
Oh no it’s not mine to give,
if that’s not good enough
I guess I’ll have to walk you right to the door
Cos you know it don’t belong to me,
so baby don’t go there
Because you know it belongs to rock and roll
Ah....................
Oh....................
Mmmm....................
Your words touched my very soul
You have shown me the way,
from beyond the grave
And we must not forget those,
lives you will save
Your guiding light shines down
on the darkest place
We must follow our, passions to the end
Or live a half life, as fools to spend
This council you’ve sent across
the great divide
Is it a warning, in hour eleven?
Or is it a ray of hope, from your heaven
Maybe there’s still time
to change the path I’m on
And choose another box just to find my heart
Chorus
Oh no I just can’t take this shit anymore
Cos you know I’ve gave you all I have,
and still you ask for more
You can have my heart but not my soul
Oh no it’s not mine to give,
if that’s not good enough
I guess I’ll have to walk you right to the door
Cos you know it don’t belong to me,
so baby don’t go there
Because you know it belongs to rock and roll
Ah....................
Oh....................
Mmmm....................
Outro
We must follow our, passion where it leads
Then we’ll know true love,
in your guiding light from up above
Oh....................
Ah....................
Mmmm....................
To listen follow this link...
Rhea, was a sweet, kind, soft spoken older lady that loved
everyone. Around 2011 I had started a part time job as a
ski instructor. Rhea, a full time instructor, was one of the
people responsible for my training, she had been there
forever. I got to know her well over the next few years, she
was always so kind, and always trying to help. She became
ill in the 2013-2014 season and had to go on leave.
In the fall of 2014 I went to the 14-15 orientation and
found out she had passed away over the summer. Before I
go much further, I need to explain that being a ski
instructor is neither glamorous, nor well paying. So
people who do it full time as Rhea did, are not well paid
and have little chance to get ahead. That being said, during
that orientation, they read a letter Rhea had written for all
of us before she passed away. So “You have shown me the
way, from beyond the grave “,”in your guiding light from
up above”, “Your have shown me the way, from beyond
46 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Stephen Kalpin
oul
the grave”and “This council you’ve sent across the great
divide” Are actually referring to the letter.
This letter touched me so deeply, I can not even begin
to explain,”Your words touched my very soul,”. It was a
long letter, maybe 3 or 4 pages, and it talked in general
about doing what you love, “just what brings you joy”, not
something just to make a lot of money so you can have
a lot of things, “Don’t waste your life with those things,
that they try to sell”,. She said in the letter she had never
had any regrets about the path she chose. She also spoke
about not letting other peoples ideas and expectations
for you determine what you do with your life, “Now I see
that all my time and toils, were a broken oar, I wish I’d
known,” and how you should do what you do to make
yourself happy and not anyone else, “And you know there
are those who would expect you to be, like all the rest.
Don’t be fooled with bad advice, you know what’s best.”.
At the time, I was also going through a difficult time at
my full time job. Between the unreasonable requests, the
backstabbers, and the constant, unending, and ultimately
futile attempts, to show I was doing something wrong, I
was not not in a good place mentally, ”Oh no I Just can’t
take this shit anymore. Cause you know I’ve gave you all
I have, and still you ask for more”. At the time I found
my only solace in music. I felt like my work was taking
everything from me, but while thinking about Rheas
letter, I realized my work could never could never take
away what makes me special, ”You can have my heart
but not my soul, Oh no it’s not mine to give,”. I spent all
my spare time playing just to get my mind off what kept
going on at work, ”So baby don’t go there Because you
know it belongs to rock and roll ….”.
who had suffered a finger injury in a band called “KAOS”.
Frustrated by the bands unwillingness to play originasl
music he wrote his own, booked studio time and r
ecorded it alone.
Stephens original recorded material drew interest from a
small label so he began writing more songs. He
continued to play with the band and record on his own
until age 29, when a virus caused him an almost total
hearing loss and forced him to quit music.
After a relocation moved him far away from his musical
friends and unsatisfied with playing acoustic guitar alone,
he began recording again.After years of comments like
“This is too good to keep to yourself ” and technology
changes that allowed easier recording of a better quality
he began writing to publish. His first single “Banishing
The Beast” was released in 2016 under the name of Seth
Koos. He has since been working on an EP to be titled
“Days Of Vinyl”
You can find a few of these tracks on SoundCloud.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265070968/been-too-long
In the end, I came to the realization that Rhea was right.
It didn’t matter whether or not it ever made me rich or
famous, As long as I tried, I would find love. “We must
follow our passion where it leads. Then we’ll know true
love, in your guiding light from up above”.
Stephen Kalpin AKA Seth Koos has been drawn to music
for as long as he can remember. Keenly interested in
creating original sounds, he played on his grandparents
organ from a very early age, fascinated by the effects of
combining notes and how it made him feel.
At the age of 4 or 5 he began experimenting on guitar,
looking for combinations that evoked certain feelings.
He had no formal lessons until age 11. Soon he was
playing in bands and at age 19 he replaced the bass player
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 47

This song was based off of my recent endeavors. I had people
telling me that I was not ready to go out into the world and do the
things I loved most. There was always someone being a critic, but
that’s the world we live in. I was either “too this” or “too that” or
there wasn’t “enough” to go off of. This song is about my journey
through the modeling and song writing world. As soon as word
started getting out that I was getting published all over the place
people flocked into my corner wanting to be a part of my life.
They all told me how happy they were for and and that they had
always believed in me.
Over You
My name is Alexis poulicakos, and
writer and a dog mom. I love the w
a wonderful way to express yourse
a breath of fresh air and scream “h
Song writing has always been a big
musical lrish family when they fou
were thrilled. They encouraged m
reach for the stars. They taught me
make it so. My love for music com
Small Town beauty
Small Town minds
Roots laid down
Its was a matter of time
Talented girl
Difficult life
Two faced enemies
Holding the knife
Opportunities
Come knocking
For the lady
Stocking shelves
At the grocery store
And all the people say
Girl you’re in over your head
Don’t go, you’re not ready yet
You got your life ahead of you
Don’t forget where you came from
If you go far you’ll just be
Another star in the sky I bet
She followed
Her dreams
Now she’s
Queen of the music scene
area studios and
Tony photo
Pretty little
Galway girl
With a heart
Of gold
Jet back hair
Great big eyes
48 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Alixis Poulicakos
r Head
I am a published model, song
hole idea of music. I think it’s
lf, that it’s a new way to take in
ello world!”
part of my life. Coming from a
nd out that I was writing they
e to pursue my dream and to
the sky’s only the limit if you
es from the one and only
Michael Howe. He was my best friend. He stole my heart
before any man could ever steal it he taught me to never take
any less from a man, than how he treated women. He taught me
everything I know. It is good to know you have at least one friend
in your corner, because people can be so cold. My grandfather
had a big ol heart of gold and was happiest when he was playing
his guitar and singing with his family. He has always been the life
of the party and the brightest smile in the room. he will always
occupie a very special place in my heart.
Website link....
Who knew
She’d be their Demise
And all the people said
Girl you’re in over your head
Don’t go, you’re not ready yet
You got your life ahead of you
Don’t forget where you came from
If you go far you’ll just be
Another star in the sky I bet
She could never
Speak for the trees
But she could sing her melody
She’s a legacy
No one
Could ever
Take that
Fire from her eyes
Fighter by nature
Said her goodbyes
The ties that bind
Did come loose
It was just
A matter
Of time
Before oh,
All the people say girl look at you
Your doing great, we love you
Let’s go on a date, how’s it going
Jumping state to state
Your the highest star in the sky
So happy we let you go
area studios and
Tony photo
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 49

Girl get your head and your heart in sync
Don’t let either of these two things
decide your fate individually
Think, think, think, Sister
use your reasoning
You already know your heart
is gonna wanna rush this thing
Don’t discredit your head
when it says
there’s a missing link
Innertwine the threads
Else your garment will be incomplete
I’m not shy to take my own advise
It’s taught me a few things
I’ll finally be the master of me
When my mastermind syncronizes to bind
these feelings I fight
This presinct of me, my heart
wants to take the lead
But I won’t discredit my head
when it says, theres a missing link
Don’t be naive
So I preach to me
So I avoid the bleed
I’m trying hard to succeed
I don’t wanna be naive
So I don’t be naive
I’m on the brink of outshining Einstein
so I draw the line
I recognize the signs
I sing outloud to to hear my own advise
Designed to kindly remind me
to simply decline, wasting my time
when love and lust is fighting
This presinct of me, my heart
wants to take the lead
but I wont discredit my head when it says
Theres a missing link
Don’t be naive
Don’t be naive
Don’t be naive
Don’t be naive
To listen follow this link...
This song came to me like a light bulb
coming on after my 3rd divorce.
That’s when I began writing again, after 20
years.
I sat down & had it written in 10 minutes.
My heart is always the one thing that kept
me in trouble. I wouldnt listen to my head.
I was tired of failed relationships &
unequally yoked commitments. That what
the line about Outshining Einstein means.
When I write, it’s about real life events that
I use as a therapy to endure the heartaches
my heart has put me thru. It was a “Dear
Me” song. I vowed to myself that I would
never again be naive in love.
When this one was written, I had
aproximately 2000 lyrics written with
no way to Capitolize on any of them.
No funds to put into getting a legacy
song library produced or to market. So I
preached to me.
50 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Queen Regina Palmer
D
O
N
‘
T
B
E
N
A
I
V
E
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 51

Sometimes she talks to me
Sometimes she pushes me away
Sometime I know she doesn’t mean
Half the hurtful things
I hear her say
Must be confusing to her
Because it sure is to me
I’m stepping in Where her daddy used to be
Her Summers come and go
I get to watch her grow
From a little girl in a shattered world
To a young woman who knows
The one she longs to see
Has been replaced by me
I’m stepping in where her daddy used to be
So I’m praying every night
Lord shine down your wisdoms light
So that she will see that its not just me
Who’s steppin in where her daddy used to be
He calls her now and then
Sometimes I talk to him
Try to let him know how much she’s
Grown and everything she’s in
Still its just not the same
Holidays and soccer games
I’m steppin in where her daddy used to be
So I’m praying every night
Lord shine down your wisdoms light
So that she will see its not just me
Who’s stepping in where her daddy used to be
Bridge
From blue jeans to a prom dress
From skinned knees to her first kiss
He should share these memories
So I’m praying everynight
Lord shine down your wisdoms light
So that he will see
He needs to be where her daddy’s
Supposed to be
Sometimes she talks to me
To listen follow this link....
By David Michael Rose ©2003 Broken Dancer Music
ASCAP
20 years ago I became a part of a blended family. I had a
son from a previous marriage, and now
I had two daughters. An 18 year old who had moved out
on her own, and an 11 year old who I fell in love with
from the very first time we met. We struggled trying to
find our stride in this New world we had entered. I only
knew about raising a boy and she, she had only know
one Dad. I told her from the
beginning that she already had a dad and that I was sent
here by God To help her become the daughter that would
make her dad so proud of her.
This is where this song came from.
As I have said before (if you have read my previous
submissions) the best lyrics are written from Your truth.
When a listener hears your words sung, they want to
know, feel and understand something to which they can
relate. Many of us have been in relationships that fell
apart for whatever reason. Many times, there are children
involved. As men, we find ourselves trying to find that
fine line. We Never want to speak ill of the biological
father but we also don’t want to be taken advantage of.
We try to provide a stable loving family environment but
we find ourselves challenged by a child trying to control
what is out of their control. This song is about that
struggle.
Since this recording I have changed one line. “He calls
her now and then, sometimes I talk to him” it seems
okay, but over time I found a stronger line “He calls her
now and then AND when I talk to him.” Changing that
one line adds a lot more strength to that dynamic in the
relationship. That is, the relationship between myself
and the biological father. Sometimes makes it seem as an
accident that I answered the phone. Saying” AND when
I talk to him” makes it intentional that I am bringing into
this relationship whether he knows it or not. Sometimes
girls, in my experience, will not say whats going on because
they are angry whether at the other person or the
situation. Promises broken hurt feelings, the list goes on.
By changing this lineI made him the focus and inclusive
in the relationship and what was going on that he might
not know.
I hope this song says things the listener might not have
been able to express and they find some inspiration, hope
and balance in their own blended families. Its twenty
years later and I have watched her grow into a beautiful,
smart woman. She has her own business, a loving husband
and two beautiful children. I am so blessed!
Cheers
David Michael Rose
S
T
E
P
P
I
N
‘
I
N
52 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

David Michael Rose
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 53

I have no problems
I have no nagging doubts
I have no anger
Although I scream and shout
I have no enemies
No animosity
I think about freedom
And what its meant to be
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
I see the danger
when the lost are lead by a few
with cold hearts
and one point of view
It’s up to us
All of us!
I’ve no illusions.
it’s plain to see
It’s not about religion
It’s about you and me
It’s a long road
we just have to take
respect for all cultures
resolves fear and hate
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
It’s up to us
All of us!
It’s Up To Us ...
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
I see the danger
when the lost are lead by a few
with cold hearts
and one point of view
It’s up to us
All of us!
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
I see the danger
when the lost are lead by a few
with cold hearts
and one point of view
It’s up to us
All of us!
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
I see the danger
if we can’t unite as one
We fall apart
and freedom has gone
It’s up to us
All of us!
It’s up to us!
Click here to listen....
54 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Phillip Foxley
IT’S
UP
TO
US
This lyric is called ‘It’s Up To Us!’
and it all began when listening to
a news bulletin about a terrorist
attack in France. This was quickly
followed by more bulletins about
further attacks elsewhere in the
world and I thought “why can’t we
all just get along together, it’s up to
us really” and the first lyrical seeds
were sown. When the first verse
was completed, I thought it might
suit a few piano chords I was
playing with at the time and hey, it
seemed a perfect fit so I continued
with it. With the help of talented
session musicians, Deri on vocals
and Ori on keyboards, the result is
a song that I’m quite proud of.
Phillip Foxley is a multi-genre
songwriter, guitarist and music
producer. He writes Blues, Rock,
Punk and Piano/Acoustic music
for TV and film soundtrack
licensing from his home studio in
North Wales, UK.
With influences like Buzzcocks,
The Clash, David Gilmour,
Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Mick
Ronson and Leslie West, Foxley
has now released his own debut
album entitled “I’ll Try ‘Till I Die”,
an eclectic collection of original
blistering blues rock guitar and
soft acoustic and piano tracks
written over the years. Foxley says
“Every track on this album means
so much and every note is from
my very soul”.
This album is like my musical life
story. It’s also a ‘big’ album in that
there are over twenty tracks on it
already and, because I don’t intend
to release any more albums, I just
keep adding tracks to it as they are
released so it’s always up to date.
Phillip Foxley
“If you’ve never heard of Phillip
Foxley then you should seek out
his music, turn up the volume and
zone out. It reflects the maturity so
loved and appreciated in the great
blues rock players. His song
collection has all the right stuff;
edgy blues to classically styled
rock to soft acoustic and piano
tunes. It’s like listening to three
generations of blues-rock on one
album”. Jamsphere Magazine.
Debut album: ‘I’ll Try ‘Till I Die’
Wav quality tracks etc:
MP3 tracks, Press, Interviews,
Video etc:
Twitter: @foxleyinfo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.
com/phillipfoxley
iTunes:
Spotify:
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 55

Listen To All That Jazz
Baby, you’re like music to me.
You’re the picture I see, when I close my eyes.
Baby, you’re like a melody
that lingers inside of me. You make me realize.
You’re the sound that matches my soul
and I listen to … all that jazz.
Baby, you are the words for me
that makes the sentence come free, when I write a song.
Baby you are the notes for me
when I write a melody and the music lingers on.
You’re the sound that matches my soul
and I listen to … all that jazz.
Baby, you give meaning to me.
To all that I long to be, when I’m with you.
Baby, baby you set me free.
You let me fly to where I wanna be and that’s with you.
You’re the melody that’s inside my soul
and I listen to … all that jazz.
Click here to listen....
Inspiration is everywhere, so very often I cannot say I
am ‘writing’ a song. Very often I’m more like
‘receiving´it; a melody, a piece of lyric, or an idea, or
just a guitar lick. And when time is on my side I do
something with it and it evolves into a real song, and
sometimes it gets recorded.
I have been playing and singing from age 10 and
my first song dates from 1968 – I was thirteen at
that time. Never stopped since, although there have
been periods I wrote less. But always I was playing
in bands. The first years/bands we performed many
of my own songs, being the writer/composer of the
band.
My first CD (1995) was inspired by expecting, getting
and having two daughters. All songs (in Dutch) are
about that wonderful experience of getting and having
a child.
Much later -2015- I released a double album with all
kinds of different songs, many styles; hence the title
“All sorts…One guy”. Songs about love (of course),
about music styles, self-reflection, losing someone,
social media, Christmas, a photograph, and more.
Other CD’s were “Shades of blue’s”; a bluesy, blues
inspired CD with songs with lyrics about the terrible
terrorist attacks (Paris, Bagdad,Manchester) that happened,
about criticizing nearly everything, or about
lost love and starting over. In 2017 another Dutch
CD came out with 16 songs on it. In 2018 I released
a second double album: “WAVES”, with a second
“bonus”CD filled with (decent enough)demo’s of the
songs I played with several bands.
“Listen to all that jazz” is a love song. Simple lyrics,
written one line after another, expressing my thoughts
of that moment. The song was on the 2015 album “All
sorts … One guy”. It’s an example of a song that more
or less writes itself. Lyrics in maybe 10 minutes and
composing during the morning and recording it in
the afternoon. Loved it!
At the time of writing this article (December 2019), I
am waiting for my latest album release, coming end of
2019, entitled “61 – Etched in Memory”. On it some
more personal songs. Maybe you’ll read about one of
them in a future edition of this Write Away magazine.
56 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk

Ronn van Etten
https://ronnvanetten.nl/
https://www.youtube.com/user/RvEtten
https://www.reverbnation.com/ronnvanetten/songs
https://drooble.com/ronn.van.etten
https://soundcloud.com/ronn-van-etten
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/RonnVanEtten
https://www.facebook.com/Ronn.van.Etten
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 57

Life In Lyrics
Discover snippets of my own life brought to you in lyrics.
A collection of volumes each containing 30 original
lyrics/poems with a short write up on each telling of the
inspiration behind the verse.
Volumes one and two are available now from my website.
You may preview the first seven pages of each for free, or
download each individual volume for only £2,00 Volume
three will become available in March 2020
Visit my website www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk and scroll to
the bottom of the page to discover both available volumes,
have a preview to see which of my lyrics/poems are contained
in each.
38 www.writeawaymagazine.co.58

www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 59

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