After he moved away he'd call every fortnight, then I moved further, to London, and the calls became fewer. But after a few red wines, he would ramble down the line, and say things like, "She doesn't listen like you do." 

"Stop saying things like that," I squashed.

"Write a song about it then. Get your guitar and write a song about what an asshole I am."

"I'm not going to do that..."

Down the Line - Acoustic

In Dolly Alderton's book Good Material, the woman realises her boyfriend would love her no matter what - her values, her beliefs, or how she acted. She says to herself "I don't think I want to be loved like that."
I was drawn to that line, thinking of relationships I've witnessed where the affectation seems warped or misplaced.

Loved Like That - Acoustic

You sit alone waiting, landlord’s paintings on the wall
New phone’s full of numbers, but you stare at ones that won’t call
And you recite the names of the guys who played games
And looked right through

Oh Dorian
Dorian

I’ve watched the faces of strangers rearrange when they make your acquaintance
And all of the great ones embraced you

You once told me “I hope you that know how much you changed my life”
But all I did was give a kick and I got to watch you take flight
I lead you where I could, the edge of the dark wood
But you pushed right through

Oh Dorian
Dorian

I’ve watched you work it out then work the crowd and grow your wings on the way down 
So don’t you dare doubt darling, it was all you

You cry how dreary the climb was
I say look at how far
You’re sweeping up shavings
While I pin up the art
Your old life’s a short book, you called it a brochure
That you’d skip right through

Oh but Dorian
Dorian

I’ll never release my balcony seat for all of your debuts
But know that I’ll keep the precious antiques of all of the previous versions of you too
You

Oh Dorian - Acoustic

A soul-baring debut single blending indie intimacy with cinematic folk textures, and delicate but resolute vocals. Duplicity is a late-night confession, delving into the despair of wanting to live every version of your life at once. It’s what plays when you’re driving away from something, then realising you’re also driving toward something.

Duplicity

Forget Yourself Not

Over There

Indie artist with roots in Melbourne but blossom in London — songs for quiet nights & contradictions.

Freya Magee

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