Some musicians choose to define a genre. Others defy them. Consider Treva Blomquist one of the latter.  

This album finds her sharing her heartfelt vocals through a delivery that’s both hushed and heroic, upbeat and yet unassuming.  Of course, those who have followed this Nashville resident from the beginning are already aware of the fact that Blomquist writes songs filtered through with honesty and compassion. Her music encapsulates both the concerns and complexities of everyday circumstance — the joys and surprises as well as the difficulties and disappointment.

SNAKES & SAINTS

This is a conversation I had with God. I found myself confused and deceived by some people I had trusted. I wrote this song crying most of the way through it. Just talking to God. And through the course of writing the song, he answered me: I’m safe in his hands. I used the analogy of a child with a father. The father gives a gift, representing life, to the child and the child runs off to
play with it. The child decides to bring it back after it breaks, and she finds that she didn’t understand how to use it. It isn’t broken.

GIFT - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
One fine day You gave me a gift
I ran off to play with it
I don’t know how but now it’s broke
And I cannot fix it on my own

V2
Will You help me understand? 
Show me how it works in Your hands
Because it’s plain that I’m confused
And I need to be taught by You

PRECHORUS
I could hide it away, but what’s the use?
I’m gonna bring this broken gift right back to You.

CHORUS
I’m in the right hands, in the right hands, in the right hands, when I’m with You
I’m in the right hands, in the right hands, in the right hands, when I’m with You

V3
Please forgive the mess I made
I was scared, I was afraid
That you’d throw it all away
And instead, You sat down to play

PRECHORUS
I could hide my joy away but what’s the use?
I’m gonna stay right here so I can be with You
I’m gonna stay right here so I can be with You

CHORUS
I’m in the right hands, in the right hands, in the right hands, when I’m with You
I’m in the right hands, in the right hands, in the right hands, when I’m with You

Snakes & Saints

Gift

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.

As human beings, we are capable of bringing light and/or darkness to any given situation. I think we have so much light to offer, and sometimes, we
just need to be reminded to choose it. Sometimes it feels like the good has disappeared. But it hasn’t. To choose to believe is such a rebellious act.

We didn’t know that we’d all be voluntarily self isolating due to COVID19. We didn’t know that disease and death were coming for so many, world-wide. This song just feels timely. And it’s been so beautiful to see so many kindnesses spring up during this time. So many people are choosing to carry the flame and keep it alive. Even while we are separated, we can keep our lights burning for ourselves and our world.

THE LIGHT - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
Walking in the darkness can take it’s toll
Hard to be sure which way to go 
MmmMmm MmmMmm

Many paths to take and the choice is mine
Oh show me the way in these troubled times
MmmMmm  MmmMmm

CH
To carry the flame, keep it alive
Believe in the light, believe in the light

V2
Dark is only dark until it’s met by light
I am holding on for a swift sunrise
MmmMmm MmmMmm

With each quiet blade she’s calling you
Whispers in the night full of blinding truth
MmmMmm MmmMmm

CH
To carry the flame, keep it alive
Believe in the light, Believe in the light

BRIDGE
What are you holding on to?  Is it making you who you want to be?
What are you holding onto?  Is it making you who you want to be? 
Who you want to be?

CH
Carry the flame, keep it alive
Believe in the light, believe in the light
Carry the flame, keep it alive
Believe in the light, believe in the light

The Light

This is for the women. I feel like there’s a shift coming. I think women are realizing just how capable we are, and I think the old systems are breaking down. This is a picture of turning on a faucet that you’re unable to turn off. I’ve sat in some church services where, as a woman, it feels oppressive. I don’t believe this to be God’s heart towards women based on what I’ve read and studied in the Bible. In addition, oddly enough, this song was also inspired by the HBO show Westworld, which continually revolves around the idea of waking up and finding your identity.

WOKE UP - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)
CH
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me

V1
I can see the clouds rolling, thunder on their heels
Rain’s coming this time the storm is real
You’ve gone and messed with the Source now you can’t turn it off
The grounds caving in and you won’t budge (It’s gonna catch, gonna catch, gonna)
It’s gonna catch up with you; all of that bad juju

CH
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me

V2
I can see the truth and the lie like a fire in the sky - Waking up the sleepers, pointing us to the light
And when I stand in that light I can finally see, myself and my sisters so clearly
And we’ve had enough. We've had enough

CH
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me

BRIDGE
Do you know justice?  She’s a woman in white, blindfold over her eyes
Justice.  Under that blindfold she’s awake.  She’s wide awake.
It’s gonna catch up with you.  All of that bad juju

V3
I can see a new day coming, I’m looking to the skies. 
The scared start running and the brave stand firm and fight
Yes I’m the one who at the apple, I tasted the first sin
And I’m the one who bore the Savior, so all would be forgiven
It is now forgiven

CH
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me
You may not like what you woke up, what you woke up, what you woke up in me

Woke Up

What does it feel like when you’ve reached rock bottom? I wrote this one when I was in the middle of some counseling. I kept asking myself ‘am i depressed?’ I was grieving, and I think I was trying to move out of it ASAP instead of just walking through it. I was contemplating things like: How far down is the bottom? Can I go further? Is this what the bottom feels like? How do I know? I have such a good life, why would I be depressed?

THE BOTTOM - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
How do you know when you’ve reached the bottom?
Is there a warning sign?
How do you know when you’ve reached the bottom?
Everything hurts inside - Still everybody 

CHORUS
Smiles and talks about the weather
Laughs - How else do you get better? 

BRIDGE 1
Don’t you pity me?  Don’t you pity me.
That’s the one thing you’ve got that I don’t need.

V2
How do you know when you reach the bottom?
It’s hard to tell these days.
How do you know when you’ve reached the bottom?
Do you yell or pray?  While everybody

CHORUS
Smiles and talks about the weather
Laughs - How else do you get better? 
How else do you get better? 

BRIDGE 2
Put one foot down on the solid ground
Trust the other one to come around
Put one foot down on the solid ground
Trust the other one to come around
While everybody

CHORUS
Smiles and talks about the weather
Laughs - How else do you get better?

Snakes & Saitns

The Bottom

Sorry is about reflecting on past relationships. When I entered my first relationship, I thought I was so grown up - but really, I had no business being there. Love is vulnerable yet strong. To understand its depths, we must participate in apology and grace. This song is a chance to say ‘I’m sorry’ to people I’ve not loved as well as I could have. But it’s also a chance to say ‘I’m sorry’ to God because he’s given me so much that I’ve taken for granted.

SORRY - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
I feel the need to apologize. I was young, didn’t realize what love was.
I took the hand you were offering without ever really knowing what love was

CHORUS
Messy and clumsy – I am sorry.  I am sorry.

V2
Took me by complete surprise, when I saw how steep the price of love was
Left a mark I can’t shake off, a permanent reminder of what love was

CHORUS
Messy and clumsy – I am sorry.  I am sorry.
Can you forgive me?  I am sorry. I am sorry.

BRIDGE
Cause I want what I want, I’ve learned that this is nothing new
I want what I want, now all I really want is you
I want what I want, I thought I knew a thing or two
I want what I want, now all I really want is you
Cause I want what I want, I’ve learned that this is nothing new
I want what I want, now all I really want is you
I want what I want, I thought I knew a thing or two
I want what I want, now all I really want is you

Sorry

It seems we are taught that anger is not ok; but I’ve learned that anger is a valuable tool and often a signal, telling us when boundaries have been violated. Anger is personified in this song.  He (anger) is clearly seeing me, though I don’t always see him. He’s tricky and elusive. I have to take the time to look at him and stop avoiding him. To see what he’s really trying to tell me, and to decide if it’s true or not. This song still feels mysterious to me, just like the emotion of anger.

ANGER - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
I saw Anger walking around
Walking around like he owns this town
Saw his face, he tried to hide
He’s really good with his disguise

V2
Anger saw me watching him
Stood his ground gave me a grin
Whispered words I won’t repeat
Then anger started watching me

CH
But I know his name.  I know his game.
He lights a fire to watch it burn.

V3
He followed me into my house
Quiet as an old church mouse
Waited very patiently
Then anger took a hold of me

CH
But I know his name.  I know his game.
He lights a fire between you and me.

Anger

Sugar is about being done with a relationship. No drama, no revenge, no games
- just done. It’s actually about confidence; I know who I am, I know what I’m capable of and I’m not doing this dysfunctional dance anymore. I ain’t your sugar.

SUGAR - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
I know the rules, I know the law
I know what I can do and I know what I saw
I know I ain’t your sugar no more

V2
How many lies, should a woman take?
How many times should she lie down with a snake?
One, Two, Three, Four – I ain’t your sugar no more

CH
You broke the love, You took the trust and I can’t tame a heart that rough
Ain’t no recipe, no quick fix and I’m not sticking around for this
I’m out the door.  I ain’t your sugar no more

V3
Not playing the victim.  Not holding a gun
It’s simple, I’m leaving.  I'm not drinking the poison – no I won’t

CH
You broke the love, you took the trust and I can’t tame a heart that rough
Ain’t no recipe, no quick fix and I’m not sticking around for this
I’m out the door.  I ain’t your sugar no more

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

CH
You broke my heart, I gave you my trust
I can’t stay here – enough's enough honey
You broke the love, you took the trust and I can’t stay you’re too rough
You broke the love. You took the trust and I can’t tame a heart that rough
There ain’t no recipe, no quick fix and I’m not sticking around for this
I’m out the door.  I ain’t your sugar no more

Sugar

This song is about those times when you feel like you’ve had the rug pulled out from underneath you. Whether that means disappointment, heartbreak or loss; no matter what shape we find ourselves in, the world keeps moving around us.

SHAPE I’M IN - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
I saw you. I thought all I ever wanted, all I ever wanted
Had come true. I thought this is really living, this is really living

CHORUS
'Til the bottom dropped out, the cold moved in
This cruel world continues to spin
No matter what shape I’m in

V2
Forget you. Oh I wish it was that easy, wish it was that easy
I want to. But you got me so dizzy, got me so dizzy

CHORUS
When the bottom dropped out the cold moved in
This cruel world continues to spin
No matter what shape I’m in, shape I’m in
No matter what shape I’m in, shape I’m in

BRIDGE
Time aint slowing down
It’s pushing right along, pushing right along
World keeps spinning around
Pushing right along, pushing right along
Time aint slowing down
It’s pushing right along, pushing right along
World keeps spinning around
Pushing right along, pushing right along
Push you right along, right along, baby come on.
No matter what shape you’re in
No matter what shape you’re in, shape you’re in
No matter what shape we’re in, shape we’re in
No matter what shape we’re in, shape we’re in

Time aint slowing down
It’s pushing right along, pushing right along
World keeps spinning around
Pushing right along, pushing right along

Shape I'm In

So many times I feel like I am missing something. As if I need more instructions or I don’t really know what I’m doing so I can’t move forward. When I feel limited in this way, I’m listening to fear. I’ve learned that many times, people fake it until they make it. This song is saying “what if the secret is that there isn’t a secret?

SECRET - Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
You want to find me out?  Find out what I know
Want to find me out?  I’ll lay it on the table.

V2
Story is the same everywhere you look
Story is the same – we're all theives and crooks.  We’re all theives and crooks

CHORUS
Do you want to know a secret? 
Do you want to know?  Do you want to know?
Do you want to know a secret?  
Nobody knows what we’re doing. 
Nobody knows what we’re doing.

V3
Want a magic fix?  I have never found one.
Want a free ride?  Somebody’s gonna drive.

CHORUS
Do you want to know a secret? 
Do you want to know?  Do you want to know?
Do you want to know a secret?  
Nobody knows what we’re doing. 
Nobody knows what we’re doing.

BRIDGE
It’s trial and error, the luck of the draw
You fall on your face, and then dust yourself off
Get right back up

Do it.  Cause nobody knows we just do it.
Nobody knows

Secret

This song is the summary of the entire album. We learn from what’s behind us, but we don’t let it define us. It’s a call to believe in the strength of your heart beat and to seize the day while it is here.

STRONG –  Treva Blomquist © 2020 Plain Vanilla Publishing (ASCAP)

V1
The future is yours, the past is too
What’s done is done, what can you do?
It’s less about who you meet, more about who you’ll be

CH
So I’m running, like I’m on fire
No more regard for the bullies and liars
That weave their nets and place their bets ‘cause they’re wrong
I can hear my heart beat

V2
We live in a world of snakes and saints
It’s hard to tell the difference these days
It’s less about who you meet, more about who you’ll be

CH
So I’m running, like I’m on fire
No more regard for the bullies and liars
That weave their nets and place their bets ‘cause they’re wrong
I can hear my heart beat, it is strong

BRIDGE
I’m headed for a great unknown, a deeper sea
What lies beyond, a far greener country
If you wanna go, if you wanna come, all you’ve got to do is move your feet
If you wanna go, if you wanna come, all you’ve got to do is move your feet
If you wanna go, if you wanna come, all you’ve got to do is move your feet
If you wanna go, if you wanna come, all you’ve got to do is move your feet

CH
And start running, like you’re on fire
No more regard for the bullies and liars 
that weave their nets and place their bets ‘cause we’re gone!
We’re running, like we’re on fire
No more regard for the bullies and liars
That weaver their nets and place their bets cause they’re wrong
I can hear my heart beat
I see the light growing
It is strong
It is strong

Strong

Singer-songwriter. Truth seeker. New music - Snakes & Saints - available now!