Pointed Home [Demo]

Cover of The Island by Paul Brady, originally released on the 1985 album Back to Centre.

The Island [Paul Brady cover]

Originally released December 17th, 2020

Recorded partly for a virtual holiday celebration for Kansas Public Radio, this holiday classic by Charles Brown (also covered by Eagles) is about as perfect an alternate Christmas song you can find (i.e. not just about sleigh rides and jingle bells, but actually sharing something more like heartache). We just love it.

Video available at https://youtu.be/y4RYDMwer2Q

Please Come Home For Christmas (Charles Brown)

Originally released November 12th, 2020.

Recorded for Neil Young's 75th birthday, this song is one of my favorites, if only because of it's piano-based simplicity. Poignant and pretty, A Man Needs A Maid is from 1972's Harvest record, which was a huge influence on me.

Video at https://www.facebook.com/ncarswell/videos/10159035495730663

A Man Needs A Maid (Neil Young)

Originally released April 24th, 2020

Aimee Mann's soundtrack to Paul Thomas Anderson's 1999 movie Magnolia stuck tones that I've come back to for repeated listening over the years. This song was a modest offering streamed live to Facebook of a soothing song.

Video at https://www.facebook.com/728645662/videos/10158457063180663/

Save Me (Aimee Mann)

Originally released September 4th, 2020.

Lawrence Promise was a commissioned song by Explore Lawrence, in an effort to highlight measures made by local businesses to combat the pandemic. I've rarely written songs by commission, but I was 100% behind the effort and the tune came together just as easily. It gave me a great excuse to celebrate this city!

Video avilable at https://www.facebook.com/54533986253/videos/254249108966902

Lawrence Promise (Carswell & Hope)

Originally released November 3rd, 2020

We first learned this tune for a Valentines show earlier this year. For this Quarantined version, we enlisted the help of the phenomenal Beau Bledsoe to shred a guitar solo. You just can't beat this 70s groover from Ace, especially as the sentiment is right on the money while we are all locked down due to COVID. Featuring Carswell & Hope members Jason Slote on drums and Austin Quick on bass, and produced by Jason Slote.

Video available at https://youtu.be/rWnYD997cYI

How Long (Ace) ft. Beau Bledsoe

Originally released May 19th, 2020

For another full band recording-remotely cover version, we turned to the melancholic sound of Radiohead from their 1997 record OK Computer.
Featuring Carswell & Hope members Jason Slote on drums and Austin Quick on bass.

Video available at https://youtu.be/RZj85ndD5cQ

No Surprises (Radiohead)

Originally released May 2019.

Technically a release from last year, this is taken from my solo multimedia project Changing Shades (www.changingshadesproject.com) which had been just going into a new round of development when 2020 happened. I shared a few elements in virtual performances for ArtsKC in May 2020 and through my participation of Artist INC Advance. The sentiment of reckoning, perseverance and - eventually - healing is something that has been kept alive in 2020. Very much so.

More info at www.changingshadesproject.com

The Wave: A Reckoning

Originally released May 3rd, 2020.

Our first Quarantine Cover. A favorite Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush duet where they famously spend the whole music video in a loving embrace. It felt apropos. Produced at home with the magical Katlyn Conroy lending her gorgeous vocal talents.

Video at youtu.be/X00e5rM1g0s

Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush) ft. Katlyn Conroy

A creator living in Lawrence, Kansas by way of Limerick, Ireland. Music, video, multimedia and assorted oddities. More at www.nickcarswell.com

Nick Carswell

Popular tracks