Written as a poem at the 2014/15 Woodford Folk Festival and turned into a song shortly afterwards. The simple arrangement belies a powerful song.

lyrics
I am brimming with sadness 
Waves of grief crash on my brow 
Not mine to keep just a custody 
Trapped behind bars of my frown 

Overflowing with sadness 
Like salted rain it trickles down 
I’m right here planted in pity 
I try to speak but choke it down 

Chorus 
I know that it won’t last, all things have to change 
My mood is just a visitor, flowing through this space 
I suppose that it takes time, to see what I’ve become 
I hope that you still think of me, with every setting sun 

Misaligned with sadness 
Quietly unkind 
Sitting with my feelings 
Taking my sweet time 

Please come back from sadness 
Reconciliate 
You mean the world to me 
I’ll see you when you feel safe 

Chorus 
I know that it won’t last, all things have to change 
My mood is just a visitor, flowing through this space 
I suppose that it takes time, to see what I’ve become 
I hope that you still think of me, with every setting sun 

I know that it won’t last, all things have to change 
My mood is just a visitor, flowing through this space 
I suppose that it takes time, to see what I’ve become 
Know that I'll still think of you, with every setting sun
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Vocals (Forté), Piano (Claire Chittleborough), Cello (Rachel Bruerville)

CONDUIT

Every Setting Sun

The first of three versions of this piece. I wrote "Father" at the end of a Mens Retreat in the Adelaide Hills while thinking on and appreciating my relationship with my father.
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Classical & Acoustic Guitar (Forté), Cello (Rachel Bruerville)

Father (overture)

I wrote this song after sending a message to a friend telling him that I was "officially single but realistically in love". The song evolved quite a lot as it was being recorded.
lyrics
Officially single, realistically in love 

Hard to explain, I've come through so much pain 
But now it's gonna last, we didn't go too fast 

You are all to me, give me time and you will see 
With the ticking of the clock, together we will rock 

Understand your lover’s needs 
It worked for me 
If you love them set them free
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Acoustic Guitar & Lead Vocals (Forté), Didgeridoo & Clarinet (Burke Stacy), Trumpet (Josh Chenoweth), Lap Slide Guitar, Cymbal Rolls, Shakers & Tambourine (Heather Frahn), Double Bass (Theo Vandersman), Darbuka & Cajon (Caellyen Bruerville), Backing Vocals (Ria Loof & Heather Frahn)

Officially Single

This song is about working on myself to be ready to share my time with a partner. I wrote it on my mandolin in an airport when my plane was cancelled. It used to be called "Long Way Round" but we changed the title during recording.
lyrics
I’m coming to see you, but it’ll take a little while 
I promise to be there, to frolic in your smile 
I know that you’re waiting, you put your life on hold 
I will embrace you, our story will unfold 

Chorus 
Taking the long way round to you 
Been up and come back down for you 
When we’re together you will see 
Taking my time will bring 
The best that I can be 

A sweet invitation, accepted with open heart 
Distance frustrations, I saw potential from the start 
Part of my journey, revealing who I am 
Constantly changing, becoming a better man 

I don’t mind waiting 
But I won’t be complacent 
Not needy but I’m open 
To spend my life with you
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Acoustic Guitar & Lead Vocals (Forté), Cello (Rachel Bruerville), Piano (Heather Frahn), Bass Guitar (Paul Allan a.k.a. Flex), Drum Kit (Paul White), Backing Vocals (Heather Frahn & Rachel Bruerville)

Best I Can Be

The most simple version of this piece. A lovely interlude in the middle of the album.
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Acoustic Guitar (Forté), Cello (Rachel Bruerville)

Father

Written while sitting by a waterfall in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria while appreciating the amazing natural beauty that is available to enrich and renew our lives.
lyrics
We’ve come here New Year’s eve 
Abound in strength and travel with ease 
Chasing water falls 
They make you feel so small 

Chorus 
I’m glad they are protected 
From him and his machines 
It has not yet been infected 
An ancient untouched dream 

Sun glitters through the trees 
Speckled silver on the leaves 
Rainbows dance around the falls 
I don’t want to leave here at all 

You can bring your kids along 
They may not understand 
That it is oh so important 
Our connection with the land
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Mandolin, Acoustic and Electric Guitar & Lead Vocals (Forté), Cello (Rachel Bruerville), Didgeridoo (Burke Stacy), Bass Guitar (Paul Allan a.k.a. Flex), Drum Kit (Paul White), Djembe (Caellyen Bruerville), Shaker & Tambourine (Heather Frahn)

Untouched

The therapeutic nature of songwriting encapsulated in song. I originally wrote this on piano and I really enjoy the strange time signature in the verses.
lyrics
When you’re upset, dazed and confused, put it to song 
When things in life, bombarding you, do not belong 
Whistle or hum, start with a tune, before too long 
You’ve got a song 

Relax your mind, open your heart, let yourself be 
Opening up, writing it down, it’s therapy 
Dispensing those, old heavy thoughts, your heart is free 
Share it with me 

Has you’re lover just left you did you do something wrong? 
Has a young life departed no chance to belong? 
Did you lose your way on that highway of life? 
Are you pushing uphill in a never-ending fight? 

Pain creeping up, slowly on you, backbreaking weight 
Feelings arise, reason unclear, then you translate 
Writing it down, sorting it out, never know what… 
You will create 

Someone out there, enjoys your song from the same place 
What you have told, may dry the tears from their sad face 
It’s good to know, you’re not alone, no not just you… 
Having to chase 

So you see that creating and writing a song 
Can sort out your issues, they can be quite long 
Getting moving again on that highway of life 
Even help out another, achieve clearer sight 
Clearer sight
credits
from CONDUIT, released November 13, 2015 
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin (Forté), Clarinet (Burke Stacy), Double Bass (Theo Vandersman), Bodhrãn (Gillian Murray), Shakers & Tambourine (Heather Frahn), Backing Vocals (Rachel Bruerville & Heather Frahn)

Clearer Sight

I recorded this demo to submit to a songwriting competition. I wrote the song on my way home from Melbourne. I'd seen "Matilda" with music by Tim Minchin and the kindness and tenacity of the characters moved me to tears. I called to the universe for more of this strong emotion and then, on the way home, while looking for a place to sleep for the night, I got bogged in sand. Fear and shame gripped me. With no reception and nowhere to be, I wrote this song. The next day I got ready to hike 5km back to the road to call for help and was struck by the beauty of my surrounds. I was towed out and continued on my way, full of appreciation. 

Forte's Album

Lost in the Night (Demo)

I have used the tune of a Hari Krishna song that I know and drawn on the things that S.N. Goenka says while teaching a 10 day vipassana meditation course. I made this song to remember his wise words, to commemorate the life-changing effect of meditation and recorded this demo for my friend, Fluffy. Hope you enjoy. May you enjoy real peace and real harmony.

Goenka Says

A tune I wrote for my Grandfather at the request of my Mother. I challenged myself by writing something slightly harder than I could play and then practiced rigourously to be able to pull it off. A tribute to a man who always strives for his best and has inspired me immensely.

Grandfather

This is the most recent draft of the song, Spirit of Woman which has been written to support the cause of raising awareness of domestic abuse and call for a memorial to the victims of domestic violence to be created in Adelaide. There will be more additions and alterations before the song is finalised and released.

Heather Frahn sings on the track with me. Burke Stacy plays Didgeridoo. Ingrid Homburg plays the violin. There are 20 singers from the community. Cindy-Anne MacDonald and Ange Pano-Brugman are featured vocalists. The song is co-produced by Heather Frahn and Forté in Heather's studio. Piano, drums and bass created by Heather. 

For more information go to www.spiritofwoman.com.au

Unreleased

Spirit Of Woman - Draft Nov 3rd 2017

Written in collaboration with Curtis Medley in England shortly after arriving in Europe for my folk music pilgrimage in 2018. I was inspired by a street festival in Cornwall and channelled the sound of a loud punk band into the guitar part. I chatted with Curtis about the intention of the song and he wrote and performed the spoken word part. We recorded it in his lounge room in Kendal, the "Gateway to the Lake District".

I Just Wanna Belong

Music and sung lyrics by Forté, Spoken word written and performed by Curtis Medley and Beatbox by Deano

I Just Wanna Belong (Beatbox Version)

Forté is a mindful South Australian Singer Songwriter Guitarist who creates positive meaningful folk-rock music for social change. He is also a high school Science teacher and a White Ribbon Ambassador who is deeply moved to promote gender equality and healthy, authentic masculinity.

Forté

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