FAWM 2024 - Demos

Copia de Your Mix 1

Music Sampler

Forgotten Home

Radiotowers, Jetstreams

Phantoms

Hold My Sail

New Beginning

Liner Notes:
This is my first song for the month.  I loved this skirmish prompt from  and Liz's take on it resonated with me deeply. (FYI, a "Skirmish" is a group songwriting sprint. A time is announced, a prompt given, and then everyone has 1 HOUR to write a song.)

Liz says: I’m so grateful that Tara brought her beautiful music and insightful sensibility to create this moving gorgeous song from lyrics I quickly wrote for a skirmish. Her tweaks and nuanced delivery elevated the poignancy I was trying to convey.

Lyrics
If That Were To Happen 
©️Liz Petty and Tara Craig 2024 

C 
when I dream about the future 
I dream about us 
about growing old together 
with deep lasting love…. 
but then I wake up and wonder 
if that will be enough 
it’s not you it's the future 
that I can't trust… 

V1 
maybe I’ll grow more hair 
on my chin than my head 
if that were to happen 
would you still love me then? 

maybe I’ll forget that 
you were ever my wife 
if that were to happen 
what would become of our life? 

PC 
maybe oh maybe 
we were meant to be 
but baby oh baby 
that’s not up to me 

C 
when I dream about the future 
I dream about us 
about growing old together 
with deep lasting love…. 
but then I wake up and wonder 
if that will be enough 
it’s not you it's the future 
that I don't trust… 

V1 
maybe I’ll stumble 
into the depths of despair 
if that were to happen 
would you ever find me there? 

maybe I’ll see you out 
in another’s arms 
if that were to happen 
would I live without warmth? 

PC 
maybe oh maybe 
we were meant to be 
but baby oh baby 
that’s not up to me 

C 
when I dream about the future 
I dream about us 
about growing old together 
with deep lasting love…. 
but then I wake up and wonder 
if love will be enough 
it’s not you it's future 
that I don't trust… 

B 
maybe we’ll grow old together 
with deep and lasting love 
but even if that doesn’t happen 
 I’ll know this love was enough 

  OUTRO 
 oh even if that doesn’t happen   
I know this love was enough 
I know this was enough

The Future - FAWM 2024 demo

A reminder to get out of my head, have fun and play!

Skirmish prompt: Play

(A "Skirmish" is a group songwriting sprint. A time is announced, a prompt given, and then everyone has 1 HOUR to write a song.)

Get Outta Your Way - FAWM 2024 demo

TW: sexual assault, violence 

Liz's original liner notes: 
I saw the forum thread “give me a title” and ran with a title I just saw by @miltz as it made me a remember the dark and traumatic night of my high school graduation party…. Lots of truth to the story but the river name has been changed and no one died. There is a Killsnake River in Wisconsin. 


Tara's notes: I almost didn't write for these lyrics because the subject matter felt too heavy. Then I realized that's exactly why I needed to write. Stories like this should not be carried alone. 

Killsnake River
©️Liz Petty and Tara Craig 2024

borrowed kisses in a stolen car 
on the bank of the Killsnake River 
as cold rain was pouring down 
ominous clouds grew thicker 

stolen pistol on a borrowed breast 
on the bank of the Killsnake River 
as his body pressed hard against her 
he ripped open her zipper 

borrowed hours in a stolen night 
on the bank of the Killsnake River 
as she struggled he bit her deep 
she cried with fear and shivered 

stolen chances on the borrowed land 
on the bank of the Killsnake River 
as the car rolled through mud when 
she pushed the clutch and shifter 

borrowed dangers of a stolen time 
on the bank of the Killsnake River 
as the car plunged in the water 
she was the only strong swimmer

Killsnake River - FAWM 2024 demo

This is a 30min write based on the prompt: The Missing Socks Lament". I had so much fun with this one.  I was literally laughing out loud while writing it.  Hope you enjoy this one.

Anythings, Nothings and Underthings
©️Tara Craig 2024

He came to,  didn’t know where he was
It smelled like forgotten things
He stumbled to his foot 
And got his bearings 
He was in the  land of anythings, nothing’s and underthings 

He was in the  land of anythings, nothing’s and underthings 

Where few have gone and fewer still returned
Needless to say he was extremely concerned 
He checked his seams which promptly confirmed
His world as he knew was completely upturned

He was in the  land of anythings, nothing’s and underthings  

He cried aloud, “why this torment, 
Has mine not been a knit well spent? 
Without me my pair has no choice but reinvent”
This is the missing socks lament

He was in the  land of anythings, nothing’s and underthings

Anythings, Nothings, And Underthings -  FAWM 2024 demo

Christoper and I were paired up for the Random Collaboration challenge.  This is my first time working with Christoper and I feel really happy with the result. 

Lyrics by Christopher Castle
Music and performance by Tara Craig 

Lyrics
ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

V1.
When leaves are blown off the tree
Some float down the road together
Others are set free
And that's me , that's me

CHORUS
I'm on the road less travelled
I don't follow the herd
You have to go your own way
To have an opinion and say
On the road less travelled
You have the last word

V2.
To be the lead in your play
You show all those folk you mean it
But that comes with pain
I'm okay , okay

Repeat chorus

Bridge
The more I stand out
The more I fit in
When I wanna go out dancing
You're not gonna keep me in

Repeat Chorus

Road Less Traveled - FAWM 2024 Demo

We are pleased to present Ten Thousand Tiny Fingers, a Music Network commission by Bróna McVittie for our February 2024 Tour. Bróna wanted to create something in memoriam of all the innocent civilians killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict, particularly the children. The song is also born of her own experience of conflict growing up in a segregated society during the troubles in Northern Ireland. Speaking to Bróna about the commission, she said the song was born of her own experience of conflict growing up in a segregated society.

The track was recorded at Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway on 6 February 2024. 
Performed by Niamh Dunne, Bróna McVittie, Cormac Breatnach & Seán Óg Graham and recorded by Donnacha Moynihan.

Ten Thousand Tiny Fingers

10,000 Tiny Fingers - Brona McVittie - Music Network Commission (2024)

Heavenly in the garden 
She says a prayer
That all the tape will hide her measurements so well

My judgment is poor
I drink my tea in shortcuts (short cups)
The tall ones always end up getting cold

Stop me from tending to empty gardens

Remedies from the pharmacist 
To restrict myself
From sucking apple vinegar straight to my mouth

It’s tranquil when it goes down
I don’t have nothing else to think

Stop me from tending to empty gardens

Measuring Tape Capo On 4

Off the Ground

In a hotel room in Dallas
On the Fourth of July
Strumming on a rented six string
To drown out the highway noise

Your cat opens the cabinets 
and tracks litter everywhere
But I’m grateful for Hope’s company
Her and Jamison make a great pair

And I hate that I was mean 
On that night when I first got to town
But you poured gasoline 
Lit the match, burned your whole life down
And now it’s up to me
To pick what’s left of you off the ground

I drove you to the ER
At the advice of the doctor at the urgent care
Then I emptied your apartment 
Carried it down three flights of stairs 

You don’t feel like talking
And I don’t blame you at all
I get up from the window seat 
To help you change your hospital gown

And I hate that I was mean 
On that night when I first got to town
But you poured gasoline 
Lit the match, burned your whole life down
And now it’s up to me
To pick what’s left of you off the ground

Flying with hope
To our childhood home
Where you can heal 
Where you won’t be alone

And I hate that I was mean 
On that night when I first got to town
But you poured gasoline 
Lit the match, burned your whole life down
And now it’s up to you
To pick what’s left of you off the ground

Off The Ground - FAWM 2024 demo

This was one of Kimberly's most cherished songs to cover, because she said that it was challenging in a good way.    She recorded it so that she could perfect to perform live one day.   Kimberly's warm, rich vocal performance of this song accompanied by her father, Kinard Cherry on guitar creates a timeless experience for the listener.      

Original song information:
This song was composed by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul for the stage play "DogFight".   The character Rose, played by actor Lindsay Mendez, sings this solo piece as the closing piece of Act I. Pretty Funny, the centerpiece of the show, is one of the most well known piece of Mendez’s early career. It is also frequently chosen as a female audition song in the musical industry.

**WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS MUSIC**

Pretty Funny (Covered by Kimberly E. Cherry)

/CAVALRY/ LYRICS


Living a hopeful dream
Standing in the caves they’re deep 
I’ll be coming
I’ll coming around
Again

Fighting with a mystery
Working all hours 
Delivery
I’m owed 
more than this 

No one’s even at the show 
Flowers on the tables
Alone 
Not picked for
One another 

Every little while you’ll be
Out there 
running with 
the cavalry
Once in a while you’ll see
You’re out there
Running ahead 
of the cavalry

No one’s even at the show 
Flowers on the tables
Alone 
Can’t be picked for one another 

Every little while you’ll See
Out there running with the cavalry
One in a while you’ll be
Running ahead of that cavalry
You’ll see

Every little while you’ll see
You’re out there 
running with 
the cavalry
Once in a while you’ll be
Out there
Running ahead 
of the
Cavalry

#songdump #acoustic #songwriter #idea #draft #spire #landr iPhone #emergingartist #cavalry #flowers #90s #chill #livelounge e

/CAVALRY/ Acoustic rough (IPhone)

i like the wrinkles of your mind

“When you see her live there's this amazing sensation that her voice is the only instrument you need to hear, sort of now... or ever.”
— Charlie Cheney

“One of the most vibrant and pensive songwriters emerging”
— Richard May of the Songwriter's TV Series

Tara Craig captivates audiences with a huge voice that is equal parts soulful and vulnerable. Her songs drip with imagery and are delivered with palpable emotional intensity.  Her immersive, vocally-driven, indie-folk-pop songs have the ability to give a voice to the unspoken places within the heart.  

Tara Craig earned her musical chops in the "Live Music Capital of the World", Austin TX.  In 2010, she was awarded, Austin's "Best Female Musician".   

Throughout her career, Tara has played hundreds of shows in a wide variety of venues and she continues to hone her craft. Whether in a crowded bar backed by a full band or on the streets of a sleepy beach town, the strength and vulnerability Tara shares through her music resonate.