Whispers

BACKGROUND

“Whispers is Embers’ second official release. When I first started writing it, I didn’t have any lyrics nor an idea of what the song would be about. The chords and melody were there, and I just had a single phrase that I used as placeholder: “No sad Whispers floating in the ether for you, my friend”. As the song took shape, I decided to record the instrumental pieces before the lyrics were written. In the midst of that, one of my closest friends from my formative years in New York City passed away, completely unexpectedly and under extremely sad circumstances.

It may sound cliche, but he was like a brother to me. The two of us spent countless time together and with our group of friends, making music and other art and discovering who we were and what we wanted to be.  We took long, aimless drives late at night to nowhere in particular, talking about our hopes, fears, dreams and ideas.  He challenged me to think differently about things, exposing me to new ideas, artwork, and writing that truly changed me.  He always seemed to be creating something; his imagination, expressiveness and sense of humor were things to feed off of and share in joyfully.  I would honestly not be who I am today without his friendship.  While distance, time and circumstance left us largely out of touch in later years, he has and always will hold a truly unique and indelible place in my life.  

This song became a way for me to say farewell to him. The song’s lyrics and musical tension and release try to express the dichotomy of his relief from pain contrasted with the loss that remains since he left us. The first verse is about the prior and the second verse the latter. The choruses are my attempt to express my sincere belief that he is free and at peace.  

LYRICS

No sad whispers floating in the ether for you, my friend
No more sorrows hanging from the gallows for you
No more shadows filling up the spaces of you, my friend
No more wishes left like dirty dishes for you

But now, there is a light in the dark, my friend
No sad whispers, nothing else can you hurt you again
My friend

No desires burning in the fires of you, my friend
No more beauty put upon a canvas by you
No more stories, jams in all their glories with you, my friend
No more driving under stars to nowhere with you

And here, here is a light in the dark, my friend
No sad whispers, nothing here can hurt you again
My friend
My friend

THE MUSIC

Whispers was performed, recorded and mixed in my home studio (Kill Room Studios), with wonderful contributions from:
– Marty Christensen (fretless bass)
– Noah Miller (marimba)
– Cathy Miller (ambient flute and breaths)
– Tobias Gebb (MIDI keyboard parts)

The amazing video animation was done by Drew Morton. Please check out more of his many talents at www.drewmadestuff.com

I cannot believe you are gone, but I am so deeply grateful that I knew you as I did. I wish I could take just one more drive, under stars to nowhere with you, my friend.