local tunes: John Gill

I cannot stop playing this video. The song is so good! It’s catchy and upbeat, but then when I read the lyrics, it’s haunting – it’s exactly how it can feel, to be young here in Cape Breton.

i need a little help acquiring a reason
to finally leave this place
so many of the ones that i have come to know here
have found another space

so feign a sense that you belong here when you don’t
recall the things that beckon you to stay
when every fiber in you screams to leave

i’ve got too much on my mind these days
you’re not fooling anyone this time around

i need to calm my nerves, need to sit back and
re-evaluate my plan
because now every time i try to make a little progress
i get knocked the fuck back down

so feign a sense that you belong here when you don’t
recall the things that beckon you to stay
when every fiber in you screams to leave

Then there is this one. His voice is so rich, the words so sweet. Listening to this, I picture myself sitting with friends around a campfire, maybe half into a delicious cider or beer, listening to someone play tunes, and staring into the coals and feeling immensely happy.

wash your hands clean of the trouble you’ve seen
i feel like we’re worse off for it
time wears us thin but we make progress here

we want the best for ourselves and the rest
we’re not the selfish ones here
forgotten tastes of an old life will help us breathe

look to the sky when you’re lost in the night
ask the stars which way is right
they tell me they can see for miles

I’ve grown fonder of
things i once took for granted
tell me sweet things
make me remember

so pack up your things, and promise me this
you’ll follow me where i roam, dear,
give me your hand, don’t let go

lay your head down, and make not a sound
remember the secrets we shared
we don’t have time to wonder what comes next

I’ve grown fonder of
things i once took for granted
tell me sweet things
make me remember

About the musician: John Gill has been writing and playing music in Cape Breton for around 5 years. During that time he’s written a large number of songs, mostly in the folk/indie vein. Front man for the Sydney band Heartwood Slacks, Gill is influenced by all kinds of music, from the flatpickin’ folkies of yesterday, to today’s folk-influenced indie, as well as blues, roots, and rock music. For booking contact johngillplease@gmail.com .

You can also find him on these platforms:

http://johngill.bandcamp.com/
#/johngillmusic
http://heartwoodslacks.bandcamp.com/
#/heartwoodslacks

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