Released June 9th 2023 and recorded at Singing Serpent Studios, "Headlights" is a folk/rock EP and the latest music/inspiration from The Donnis Trio.

Credits:
Nate Donnis - Guitars, Vocals
Phil Woodring - Drums
Denis Sluka - Bass
Ben Moore - Keyboards

Ben Moore- Production/Mixing

The Donnis Trio - Headlights

Our next full length album "A Beautiful Life  (the decompostion of a rhombs pattern)" is out now!  Recorded at Lost Ark Studios and with guest musicians : Melissa Barrison, Marty Schwartz, and Bri Schillings.  This album encapsulates the ups and downs of life and the inherent feelings, lessons, and beauty that they create.  After my own personal experience in the last couple years of divorce, many of these songs were created in search of something higher from new lows.  I hope the songs find people and leave people inspired (in spirit).  The beautiful artwork is by Eric Stegmaier www.artbysteg.com .  I originally wrote the song "Time To Go" to this piece and it felt right for it become the album cover / theme of the album.  Enjoy!

A beautiful life (the decomposition of a rhombs pattern)

Nate Donnis - Down To The Water

Cole Pond

Written/Performed by Nate Donnis
Produced by Lee Coulter
Strings by Marta Zaludov

The Station

Nate Donnis - The Station

Lyrics:

it was a summer night and i was sleeping 
the moon was out, my head was beaming 
i looked at my dreams like they were gold 
amazing feelings draw within me 
all my conflicts slip beneath me 
like the spirit of a song 
or like the feeling of a lover in your arms 

but ever since that night and after 
the dreams i had i can't recapture 
and it brings me down so low 
the more i search the less i find 
the more i look the more i'm blind 
like a melody so young 
hanging on the tip of the tongue 

if i wait long enough now 
will you come to me 
will you come to me 
so far away, but right beside me 
will you come to me 
will you follow me home 

when we first met we were so young 
we played out past the setting sun 
in a world of make believe 
wooden forts and magic beans 
silly thoughts and silly dreams 
how we said we'd never change 
but somehow life got in the way 

but way back then and even now 
i still love you i don't know how 
you got magic in your eyes 
and underneath our conversation 
in our thoughts our contemplations 
there's a feeling left unsung 
hanging on the tip of the tongue

All Directions

The Donnis Trio - Tip of the Tongue

The Donnis Trio - No other place

The Donnis Trio - April 21

The Donnis Trio - Carry On

The Opening

The first single of our upcoming EP, due out in June.

THE DONNIS TRIO - Ancient Lungs

Headlights

Lost Art

Feel Like Fighting

White Cloud

Santa Ana Winds

Ancient Lungs

The Donnis Trio - Written In Stone

Drawn To You

Heavy With Love

Lyrics:

A short in the bulb, a shout from the depths of the soul 
Won't let me away, an old dream that comes back to stay 
Like an owl to his prey 
I will wait, wait for the right, wait for the right 
Time to come, my will be done and these patient ways are won 
The circle spins around again and I will overcome 

A leak in the pipe, a crack in the shell of a life, who could have known? 
A surprise with no hints to be shown, till I find them alone 
I will wait, wait for the right, wait for the right 
Time to come, my will be done and these patient ways are won 
The circle spins around again and I will overcome 

And it's not what I become, It's not what I become 
But what I rise above, what I rise above 
That sets me free 

9 months and day, 90 years and I'll slip away 
The rock and the water, resist till the 9000th hour 
With my strength and my power, 
I will wait, wait for the right, wait for the right 
Time to come, my will be done and these patient ways are won 
The circle spins around again and I will overcome

Patient Ways

Lyrics:

I was awake when you tip toed out 
Sneaking out the door, when your phone went off 
Makes me wonder what I'm doing her 
Putting up with things, that seem so clear 

I deserve better 

You tried to blame it all on me 
I can only take so much you see 
The truth is 1 and 1 make 2 
When you argue with that there's not much to prove 

I deserve better 

and it's easy to get lost, when patterns repeat without pause, and its easy to let things slide, but the little things add up over time 

I remember when we started out, 
I saw the red flags wave about 
Maybe it was all just fear 
Putting up with things, it seems so clear 

I deserve better 

and it's easy to get lost, when patterns repeat without pause, and its easy to let things slide, but the little things add up over time

Deserve Better

Lyrics:

You pulled me through, when I lost heart 
You showed up bright, when I was dark 
Placed my feet where I feared 
Showed me through those years 

Oh my angel how did you know and where did you come from? 
Oh my angel how did you know and where did you come from? 

You saw right through, every doubt 
Turned them all inside out 
Pointed out in the right direction 
Showed me what was true affection 

Oh my angel how did you know and where did you come from? 
Oh my angel how did you know and where did you come from?

My Angel

Lyrics:

	
It was all inside a dream, at least that's what I thought it 
Holy water in the dirt, Lightening in the dark 
And yes you were calm, when we told you of distant bombs 
phobias of phobias relatively close to us 

and everyone is just a mess, shaken up by the government press 
and you relaxed and watched the dirt fall down to the bottom of the glass 

and thats when the chorus sang a Greek refrain 100 years ahead 
A match from all these pieces, a jig saw melody of Presidents 
All chronologically placed, back to the river, not a waste 
Oh you just sit there and paint, paint a glass of wine 

It was all inside a dream, at least that's what I thought it. 
Business bigger than life, a fork and knife. 
And yes you were calm even when it was wrong 
The edge of deranged or the edge of change 

and everyone is just a mess, shaken up by the government press 
and you relaxed and watched the dirt fall down to the bottom of the glass 

and thats when the chorus sang a Greek refrain 100 years ahead 
A match from all these pieces, a jig saw melody of Presidents 
All chronologically placed, back to the river, not a waste 
Oh you just sit there and paint, paint a glass of wine

Jigsaw Melody

Lyrics:

You got me in your water 
You got me in your glass 
I'm swimming in circles, All I see is the past 
What do you want from me? 
What do you want from me? 
How long do we go, your love is attachment, my love is let go 


Oh I see you smiling at me, like I fulfill your needs 
but my heart is sinking like a stone in the sea. 
What do you want from me? 
What do you want from me? 
How long do we go, your love is attachment, my love is let go

Oranda

Lyrics:

So hard on myself, so hard on myself 
Missed the obvious step and I messed up well 
Now my thoughts they loop, into a thousand roots 
and i can't help but feel like I'm falling farther 
Falling farther, Falling farther from the Truth 

If could be better, If I could just change 
Someone clean and organize the inside of my game 
But there's more than a few and every seed it grows new 
and i can't help but feel like I'm falling farther 
Falling farther, Falling farther from the Truth 

and If I follow it in, oh it leads me back in 
and If I follow it out, I'm not gonna let you down 
I'm overthinking, I'm overthinking 


Things could be simple but I want to make it tough 
Make a mountain of a molehill in the rough 
What kind of pleasure is gained from these twisted up view 
I can't help but feel like I'm falling farther 
Falling farther, Falling farther from the truth 

How far will I go, away from my soul 
how far will I climb from the truth to a lie 

So hard on myself, so hard on myself 
Missed the obvious step and I messed up well 
Now my thoughts they loop, into a thousand roots 
and i can't help but feel like I'm falling farther 
Falling farther, Falling farther from the Truth 

and If I follow it in, oh it leads me back in 
and If I follow it out, I'm not gonna let you down 
I'm overthinking, I'm overthinking

Farther From The Truth

Lyrics:

I saw what you wrote, you said "Forgive me love" 
Well I wrestled it with time, you crossed too many lines 
and I forgive you, but there's just no way back 
I forgive you , but we're now on separate tracks, we're now on separate tracks 

It's not a light decision, it's heavy in the heart 
You play the cards your given 
My cards are saying walk 
and I forgive you, but there's just no way back 
I forgive you , but we're now on separate tracks, we're now on separate tracks 

And I will be fine, I will be fine, don't worry about me 
I will be fine, I will be fine , don't worry about me 
The good memories will stay 

I saw what you wrote, you said "Forgive me love" 
Well I wrestled it with time, you crossed too many lines 
and I forgive you, but there's just no way back 
I forgive you , but we're now on separate tracks, we're now on separate tracks 

And I will be fine, I will be fine, don't worry about me 
I will be fine, I will be fine , don't worry about me 
The good memories will stay

Separate Tracks

Lyrics:

Oh my son this one is for you 
I see you smiling in the prime of your youth 
Don't let the world take this from you 
Hold to yourself don't be swayed from the truth 

Believe me the challenges will come 
They'll prey on your weakness, until you stand strong 
Your word are your bond, the truth is your strength 
The lies will lead you only to pain 

Ooh 

Oh my son your born to this life 
Decide what you want and do what you like 
Learn from mistakes and do what is right 
You'll know when your mind cuts doubt like a knife 
Be kind to all who you speak 
Some will insult you, but it's they who are weak 
Your thoughts and your actions leave echoes in time 
please care for them as they build and will bind 

Ooh 

In this time, in this time, I send these words to you. 
In this time, in this time, when your struggling through 
When your feeling blue, when you've lost your truth 

Oh my son this one is for you 
I see you smiling in the prime of your youth 
Don't let the world take this from you 
Hold to yourself don't be swayed from the truth 

Ooh

Oh My Son

Lyrics:

Come in first now to the harvest 
Still your eye in from the iris 
A River once dry, overflowing tonight 

Days of doubting, just a ripple, like a feather on an eagle 
A river once dry, overflowing tonight 

When I wake up in the morning sun 
There's a feeling like a knot undone 
I bring my cup with a new found love 
Cause I'm ready for a change 

Celebrations from the struggle 
Stipulations have no level 
A river once dry overflowing tonight 

When I wake up in the morning sun 
There's a feeling like a knot undone 
I bring my cup with a new found love 
Cause I'm ready for a change 

Oh I found it, what a feeling 
Rest my eyes up on the ceiling 
A river once dry, overflowing tonight

A River

Lyrics:

I feel your pain, enclosed and tamed 
let's go down to the water, to the water 

What things I do, such a cultured fool 
let's go down to the water, to the water 

What guilt, what shame, intrudes my brain 
let's go down to the water, to the water 

Go to your hearts content, remind me again when the feeling ends

Down To The Water

Lyrics:

Encinita's on your clothes, I saw you at the show 
Your a wild gun, a little crazy one 
Friend's for years, though you often disappeared 
In your wandering keeps me wondering 

Leave the questions for your mother 
The frustration for your brother 
and gather to the center of a quiet September 

Disconnect the phone, let the world solve it on its own 
disconnect the phone, let the world solve it on its own 

You say your living the streets now 
like you found something new 
but your excitement retreated in uncomfortable truth 
like a salesman who can't smile 
whose actions are in denial 
I asked about your art, and what was in your heart 

Disconnect the phone, let the world solve it on its own 
disconnect the phone, let the world solve it on its own 

I saw a bird above the traffic 
flying toward the ocean 
I saw a bird above the traffic 
flying toward the ocean 
it reminded me of you 
it reminded me of you 
it reminded me of you

Down to the Water

Bird

Lyrics:

My mind is gravity, my imagination is not me 
My sense are not picking up this world as it really is 
my thoughts are heavy things, the only thing that's weighing me 
my words are tiny islands, in the vastness of this perfect sea 

well what do you know about me 
I'm a dark mystery and you were my dream 
take your time, I've got all the time in the world 

Fishes in aquariums look at fishes in aquariums and I feed them 
And they think, they think they got it all figured out 
And I look through my satellite and travel to the other side of the world 
Looking for the meaning of life 

well what do you know about me 
I'm a dark mystery and you were my dream 
take your time, I've got all the time in the world

Dark Mystery

Lyrics:

Goodbye city streets, goodbye busy bees 
I'm gone with the wailing wind up to the mouth where the heavens sing 
Goodbye little things, little things, you don't mean anything 
not at the eagles peak, up where the path and the rivers meet 

That's where I feel I can breathe 
the weight off my back, like I'm free 

Goodbye ambitious ones, I too am a lonely one 
But my prescriptions gone, I'll see you on the edge of the setting sun 

Goodbye my auntie June, I won't be back soon 
But I've seen your loving eyes, in the glow of the moon and the starlit night 

That's where I feel I can breathe 
the weight off my back, like I'm free 

Quiet as a leaf on summer nights, you won't hear me 
Still as the lake below me, as far as I can see 

That's where I feel I can breathe 
the weight off my back, like I'm free

Where I Can Breathe

In my dream I am walking, out to an island on a hidden in path 
to house made of stone and glass 
where the waves come into crash 

In the house at the table, my wife and we sit and talk 
she said someone bought my album for 711 dollars 
oh the feeling, oh the feeling like the kid in me, like it was 1983 

I played beneath the fountain streams 
they shot out and over me 
And then I saw the sun shine through 
The colors leaked in a violet hue 

Then I met you in the long room 
writing notes you looked at me 
you said you love my music 
gave me a check and the houses deed 

oh the feeling, oh the feeling like the kid in me, like it was 1983

The feeling(1983)

Lyrics:

You pulled me through, when I lost heart 
You showed up bright, when I was dark 
Placed my feet where I feared 
Showed me through those years 
Lightened up my serious side 
Made my heart feel alive 

Oh my angel, how did you know and where did you come from? 

You saw right through, every doubt 
Turned them all inside out 
Pointed out in the right direction 
Showed me what was true affection 
Lightened up my troubles for me 
Showed me how to write a different story 

Oh my angel, how did you know and where did you come from?

Down to the water

Lyrics:

Wild words light up the evening, like some display you thought of for years 
Cuts like a razor, quickly but deeply, slowly making it all become clear 
Gone in circles like the sun, in circles believing none 
I wait for her return 

Weeks turn to months and I tally the arguments 
Friends on the surface, but eyes turning cold 
Your family comes and helps with the documents 
Feeling betrayed, but still a feeling of hope 

Gone in circles like the sun, in circles one and one 
I wait for her return 

Last night I woke and sat in the doorway 
Watched as the morning climbed to your bed 
I gave you a kiss while you were sleeping 
To help your decision in hopes for the best 

Gone in circles like the sun, in circles believing none 
I wait for her return

Her Return

Lyrics:

I remember every summer driving down that road. 
Sit in the back with my brother, watch the countryside unroll. 

With the dog and the cooler, and an evergreen breeze. The sun rising up the mountain side, it's blinking through the trees. 

And the water shines like a diamond, and chases us down, out over to the landing where the wheels break the ground. 

We'd close the door, and we'd run to the grassy shore, back again in the heart of Cole Pond 

And a fire built in the evening on a bed of branch and stone, cracking sparks and stories, so good to be away from home. 

We'd wake up and go fishing, before the early fog breaks and cast out into the deepest dark, watch the line and wait. 

And we'd wait a long, we'd wait till the nightfall comes. Back again in the heart of Cole Pond 

Just a hidden cove, that no one knows, just the locals here, it's been that way for years. An old dirt road that's overgrown. Embedded history in the forest and the stone. And it feels like peace, yeah it feels like peace, yeah it feels like peace. 

Salamander's and dragonflies, the glow of campfire in the night, an Indian summer where the nights get cold, so simple then, I remember those days. 

Hiking trails and skipping rocks, watch the ripple from the docks. An Indian summer where the nights get cold. So simple then I remember those days.

Lyrics:

What are you doing inside? 
No need for shelter today 
You can feel the wind on your feathers 
Coming straight from the sea 

I can see all around 
Everyone's out here but you 
Seems a shame to be working 
So hard on yourself, so hard on yourself 
When it's easy 

Why don't you climb out the window 
Let your feet feel the ground 
You can hear the willows whispering 
Everyone's song 

I was just on the treetop 
I saw the most beautiful sight 
You could see the colors dancing into the light 
Into the light 

But you can't see it if you don't want to

Birds Eye View

Lyrics:

In the shelter of your evergreens. 
In the trickle of your streams. 
The cold water of your canyons, warming up in the mid afternoon. 

I'm un-filtering your answers, taking in every breath 
I set aside all my judgement, and you rushed in like an old patient friend. I come and go, but you always stay the same. 

In the wildness of your nights, in the thunder of your clouds. To burn it all in a field of fire, or rain down in a cold windy storm. 

In every corner I see you smiling. Where I never looked before. On the tips of my fingers, in the water as it drops into pools. I come and go but you always stay the same 

So when I climb up to your ledge again and give my hand we'll you take me in. 
And when the cold of night burns my skin, will you lead me to the place within to warm my body.

Mountain Song

Lyrics:
They make you breakfast here and turn your eyes from the world. 
By the comfort of their old fashioned ways and the patience of slow careful pace. 
The clock is stopped and no one cares. 

All the puzzles and the tea, books of poetry on the shelf. 
And there's a postcard from 1922. 
The hostess greets you she brings you to your room, 
In an old familiar way 

And what seems important, it just falls off your shoulder and takes you over to the chair by the fire 

Edgar Allan Poe, pie a la mode, the day is older now. 
She is sleeping softly in the light. 
The tiny words are growing heavy on my eyes. 
And tomorrows just another day. 

And what seems important, it just falls off your shoulder and takes you over to the bed by her side. 

And what seems important, it just falls off your shoulder and takes you over to the old wooden porch 

Then take a walk by the trinket shops and feel my feet rising up then drop. Like a summer rain back to the river, a state of mind like a floating feather. Then get my fill at the cider mill and come back in to the old hotel, like a summer rain back to the river, a state of mind like a floating feather. It's alright. 

They make your breakfast here.

Julian Hotel

Lyrics:

Wake up little one, its almost the noon day sun 
We've been on the road, since early morning 
Look out ahead you'll see, a river behind the trees 
Don't you wonder, where it's going 

As we go traveling on, everything around us will sing our song. Well it's right on the other side of the Great Green Mountains 

Don't you fret little one, our journey is almost done 
We'll be there before you know it. 
Look at the sky before ya, its nothing but blue and yellow. It's right over the spot of where we're going 

As we go traveling on, everything around us will sing our song. Well it's right on the other side of the Great Green Mountains 

She is waiting for us now, in a warm winter house, where the snowbanks are as high as your head 
The smell perfume on her clothes and dinner on the stove. We can just pretend we're already there. 

As we go traveling on, everything around us will sing our song. Well it's right on the other side of the Great Green Mountains

Green Mountains (the other side)

Lyrics:

My baby, my baby just three weeks to go 
The rain is falling wildly, but the moon is still aglow 
and tomorrow there'll be sunshine and the garden will be green. And we'll lay a bed of lillies for you to dream. 

My baby, my baby just three weeks to go 
Your mothers singing softly to the music playing low 
and she feels you, she feels you from heart to heart to knees. Her love for you is as deep as the sea 

You have my word as the earth has the sun 
As the water has the rock, there is no question there are none. 
You have my word as the branches have the sky 
As these lungs take the air there is no question of why 
My word is good, my word is love 

My baby, my baby just three weeks to go 
The house is abuzzin with anticipation for you you know. 
From the inside to the outside, the faces here they glow 
Girl your welcome here is more than you know 

You have my word as the earth has the sun 
As the water has the rock, there is no question there are none. 
You have my word as the branches have the sky 
As these lungs take the air there is no question of why 
My word is good, my word is love 

My baby, my baby just three weeks to go 
Your father's preparations for you have found their flow, and your mother she is resting for a journey to bring you home and we'll see when the winds begin to blow, yeah we'll see you when the winds begin to blow. Yeah we'll see you when the winds begin to blow.

Rodellos Machine

Three Weeks To Go

Lyrics:

I changed my mind I'm not going back there 
I just don't fit right and when I do 
I feel something wrong, I feel something wrong 

Like an aging star who lost the fire 
Sang his song too many times and he feels like a liar 
Cause he can't sing from his heart 
He can't sing from his heart 

So when I go out alone in this dark and lonely sea 
Will you reassure me and be the rock under my feet 
And when I lose my way and I circle on an on 
Will you point my shoulders, so I can carry on 

Sometimes a gut decision an instinct or hunch 
Will drive me out to the edge, but then I think too much 
I'm not sure why I came, I'm not sure why I came 
And so you got me pegged and this machine won't slow down now. There's a knot in my head and I can't remember how to untie everything, to untie every thing 

And these papers they have my name, but I am somewhere lost in the wake of the waves. 

So when I go out alone in this dark and lonely sea 
Will you reassure me and be the rock under my feet 
And when I lose my way and I circle on an on 
Will you point my shoulders, so I can carry on

Rodello's Machine

Rock Under My Feet

This is a solo acoustic version of Lila that i wrote for Rodello's Machine.  Find the full produced version at Rodellosmachine.com

Lila - Solo Acoustic

This track is a solo version of a song I wrote for a documentary.

Forward with my life (Acoustic)

Folk Rock Singer songwriter for San Diego band's The Donnis Trio and Rodello's Machine.

Nate Donnis

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks