After recording two solo albums in the preceding two years I wanted try working with someone else’s voice. I found Kat McKenzie through a music store noticeboard, and she agreed to sing the four short songs for which I’d already largely completed the backing.
The vocals were recorded in a single session in Newtown, Wellington – which is why the CD is labelled newtowngirl. I remember having to borrow a second pair of headphones, and sitting through the recordings facing the wall with Kat standing behind me – equipment and space were both limited.
1. Else
You have walked upon my waters and, when you felt your footsteps sink, found me deep enough to drown in … more
2.Retroduction
When angels descended in the mists to walk the earth, their terrible beauty was dangerous, irresistible … more
3. Authentic Voice
Your words flow like oil on my ears, drowning the meaning I need to be clear. I don’t need the promises you try to mean … more
4. January Road
Waking up to the radio news is a moment of sleepy deja vu. Different scandals and different wars, but the world … more
5. Drive Away
When the passion is all gone and the feelings are all wrong, your commitment cannot hold your empty words … more
Bonus track
Responsibility was written at the same time as the other songs on this EP but didn’t seem a good fit with the rest of material or with Kat’s voice.
When you’re at the bottom
And you don’t know why
Do you ever ask yourself
“Did I really try?”
Life’s not a scrap yard
On the edge of town
And if we choose to live there
It’s ourselves we’re letting down
R E S P O N S I B I L I T Why?
Because
What goes around just goes around and goes around
Until you change it
What goes around just goes around and goes around
Until you change it
Hey little Ms Victim
Are you really not to blame?
Is it true that everybody else is
Out to bring you shame?
Or could it be you’re hiding
From the real cause
And the key to change your situation
Was always really yours
R E S P O N S I B I L I T Why? …
I can take it
I can break it
I can make it
Leigh is repaying karma from a previous life by working out this one in IT. She’s a project manager, developer, writer, musician … and a recovering soccer player.