So this is life

as shadows fall 
the day is done 
we play as one 
light spills on the lawn 

and dishes clink 
in the kitchen sink 
chatter carries life 
off into the night 

chlorine drops 
mix with sweat and hops 

a drop of blood  
in a pool of sharks 
a flower in a carcass 
carried to the markets 

chlorine drops 
mix with sweat and hops 
saline swells and carousels 

so this is life 
a cannonball 
intangible  

a fucking mess 

shards of glass in lemongrass 
perforate a Sunday morning 

so this is life 
a cannonball 

intangible.  

Written and performed by J.Bowyer2023 

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 About the song 

This "Woozy, hazy” (Various Small Flame) track is equal measures dreamy and unnerving.  The mixture of ethereal synths, stilted rhythms and discordant harmonies contrast the introspective vocals that lilt initially before bringing in a killer hook. All these elements play in concert to paint a warm scene of domesticity that will invariably be blasted by the acute pain of loss, grief and longing that life eventually brings to everyone. No one is immune.  Perhaps as we mature we realise this. We hopefully accept it. In doing so, not only do the darks intensify,  but the warmer hues also become richer.  

The song establishes "a feel of Brian Eno from his Another Green World era" (John Michie Music of UpToHearMusic). And has a "remarkable uplifting and electrifying atmosphere (with) vocals (that) are just perfectly interacting with the moody instrumentals." (Weitblick Records).  

All parts were written, performed, recorded, produced and mixed by Joshua Bowyer in his home studio in Perth, Australia, which is located out the back of his house in suburban Ardross.  It was then mastered with Jim Demain at YesMaster studios, Nashville, Tennessee, with whom anisos has had all recent tracks mastered. This is due to his fondness of Jim’s prior work with Lambchop; who he lists as a major influence over the past 10 years.

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Artist Perspective

The song came about during a long period of introspection as I was processing the deaths of my mother and father. Dad's was sudden and unexpected and mum's was slow and painful. Both occurred at critical points in my life over the past few years; during the period of life I was most looking forward to sharing with them.   

I began questioning all I trusted to be true. I noticed a series of dramatic dichotomies that would generate a kind of bittersweet melancholy. Frequently beautiful and hopeful; but also often horrid.   

The joy of my first born and the challenging process of completing medical specialty training were both coloured by a persisting frustration and sadness of what can never be. My losses seemed completely invisible to everyone but me.    

Accepting these facts as a reality of life helped me grow and notice how common this phenomena is, probably for everyone. Sure, my struggles pale in comparison to some. But the emotions are still just as real. And we are all going through it. Some hide it better than others. Some feel they can't talk about it; perhaps some don't feel at all.  

I write, perform, record, arrange, produce and mix all parts of my creations in my home studio out the back. This song was no different in that regard. But, during a period of playback while working on this song, my beautiful little 2.5 year old girl grabbed a mic I'd left on a seat from a recent vocal take. She didn't think I was watching; and she also popped the headphones on and started singing. I surreptitiously hit record. I let the song play out pretending I hadn't noticed. She was doing these beautiful breathy noises with really interesting rhythms and sort of referencing melodies she heard. She even threw a few random words in there. I loved it. So I cut her take up and slotted little gems  into the arrangement. It was just such a wonderful accident that fit perfectly with the theme and tone of the piece. She frequently asks me in the car if she can hear "our song".

A SINCERE THANK YOU for getting this far. 👏👏🫶 

Did you know that in this current world of algorithms, PRESAVING is one of the best things you can do to help an artist? It doesnt cost you anything but it really helps an artist not get buried by "lack of engagement". 

Please consider hitting the button and following the instructions to PRESAVE if you like the song and or the project. It helps protect the song from drowning. 

If not, completely understandable. Maybe not your cup of tea. In that case, then I would just like to say thank you for your time in reading this far.  Maybe next time eh? 😉