FAWM 2024 - Demos

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

John and I were paired up for the Random Collaboration challenge.  John's lyrics are fantastic and totally not something I'd come up with on my own. Which is one of the many reasons I love collaborating with other musicians.  

Umbrella Uprising
Lyrics by John Nicholson

Rain pouring down on this dark weary street
hope's heartbeat finds its one true beat
But the winds of change begin to rise
Igniting flames that reach the skies

Welcome to the Umbrella Uprising
Where raindrops can't drown our cries
With our thoughts and hearts united
Nothing can break our ties

No longer shackled by fear's heavy chains
With every step, making solid gains
Torch held high in a symbol of might
Guiding us through the darkest night

Welcome to the Umbrella Uprising
Where raindrops can't drown our cries
With our thoughts and hearts united
Nothing can break our ties

Our voices echo through the thunder's roar
Unwavering, steadfast, forevermore
In unity, our strength, we find mission
To break down barriers, end oppression and division

Welcome to the Umbrella Uprising
Where raindrops can't drown our cries
With our thoughts and hearts united
Nothing can break our ties

Umbrella Uprising - 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

“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.