Album: Seas of Sorrow (published)

Symbolism

My songs and videos are rich with symbolism, much of which is not immediately apparent. Take our music videos, for instance. We made the deliberate choice to use a single static image for each video. This decision may seem counterintuitive since the essence of a video is typically in its moving pictures. However, this static image serves as a poignant metaphor for the state of our lives since our loss.

The unchanging image reflects the static nature of our existence-caught in a moment that we can't move past. Just as an old photograph captures a single moment in time, our lives have become frozen, unable to move forward or retreat. This immobility and stillness convey our deep sense of being stuck, encapsulating the feeling of being trapped in a perpetual present, unable to progress. Through this symbolic choice, we aim to convey the profound impact of our loss and the way it has halted the flow of our lives, leaving us static and unmoving.

The symbolism extends to the very name of our album, "Seas of Sorrow" The initials "SOS" are universally recognized as a distress call for boats in trouble at sea. This duality in the album's title is intentional and deeply significant. It speaks to the overwhelming grief and sense of being adrift in a vast, turbulent ocean of sorrow. Just as sailors send an SOS signal when they are in dire need of help, our album is a cry for understanding, for connection, and for rescue from the engulfing waves of our emotions. The title encapsulates the depth of our despair while simultaneously reaching out for solace and support, mirroring the duality of our inner turmoil and the hope for rescue.

Seas of Sorrow album cover
Seas of Sorrow album cover

The minimalist nature of the album cover, featuring simple text on a stark white background, is a deliberate artistic choice designed to evoke the simplicity and innocence of childhood. This pared-down aesthetic mirrors the purity and unblemished nature of early life, before the complexities and sorrows of adulthood intervene.

Central to the cover is the poignant image of our little girl, depicted as a spectral figure adrift on the sea. This haunting visual conveys a profound sense of loss and longing. Her ethereal presence, barely more than a ghostly outline, symbolizes the enduring impact of her absence-an indelible mark on our hearts and souls.

Beside her, our sailboat sails alone in an expansive, seemingly endless sea. This imagery powerfully reflects the themes of isolation and uncharted journeys that permeate the album. The vast, empty ocean represents the boundless grief and uncertainty we navigate in the wake of our loss. The sailboat, small and solitary against the immensity of the sea, underscores our vulnerability and the daunting scale of the emotional landscape we must traverse.

Together, these elements of the album cover encapsulate the essence of "Seas of Sorrow." They offer a visual prelude to the music within, setting the stage for a deeply personal exploration of grief, remembrance, and the enduring quest for meaning and solace in the face of overwhelming loss.

Tracks

The album features a total of 13 tracks, comprising 11 original songs and two distinct remixes, each contributing to the cohesive narrative and emotional journey of the collection.

  1. On Our Catamaran We Sailed the Sea
  2. In The Still Of The Night
  3. Single Footprints In The Sand
  4. The Sound Of A Heart That Grieves
  5. How Do I Love Again?
  6. Dark Like The Night
  7. The Mermaids' Lament
  8. How Do I Say Goodbye?
  9. The Mists of Time
  10. The Silent Sea
  11. The Empty Birthday Party
  12. In The Still Of The Night - Dead of the Night Remix
  13. The Sound Of A Heart That Grieves - Fireside Remix

One standout piece is Track 10, "The Silent Sea." This song holds a unique place in the album, as it is based on an unpublished poem written in December 2023. The poem's words, never before shared with the world, find new life and expression through the music. "The Silent Sea" transforms the raw, unspoken emotions of the written word into a haunting melody that captures the essence of its origins. The song's deep, reflective lyrics and poignant composition resonate with the themes of solitude and introspection, mirroring the silent depths of the sea. By integrating this poem into the album, we bridge the gap between literary and musical artistry, creating a timeless piece that speaks to the heart of our collective experience.

"In The Still Of The Night - Dead of the Night Remix" encapsulates the essence of its name-a haunting reimagining born from the depths of the nocturnal hours. Crafted in the eerie silence of the late night, between the bewitching hours of 1 and 3 AM, this remix emerges as a spectral rendition, echoing the quiet intensity of the dead of night. Its composition draws from the mysterious energy that permeates the darkness, infusing the original piece with an otherworldly resonance.

Similarly, "The Sound Of A Heart That Grieves - Fireside Remix" transports listeners to the intimate setting of a beachside campfire. Recorded amidst the flickering flames and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore, this remix captures the raw emotion and primal warmth of the fireside gathering. The crackling of the fire and the soothing rhythm of the Caribbean Sea serve as a backdrop, lending an organic authenticity to the music. While additional layers were woven into the composition later on, every element remains rooted in the primal ambiance of the fireside recording, preserving the authenticity and emotional depth of the original moment. Close listening reveals the subtle nuances of the natural surroundings, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the immersive experience of the beachside campfire, where every note resonates with the palpable heartbeat of grief and solace.


The Poems

Here are the original poems, that form the basis of the songs on this album.

 

On Our Catamaran We Sailed The Sea (track 1)
In The Still Of The Night (tracks 2 & 12)
Single Footprints In The Sand (track 3)
The Sound Of A Heart That Grieves (tracks 4 & 13)
How Do I Love Again (track 5)
Dark Like The Night (track 6)
The Mermaids' Lament (track 7)
How Do I Say Goodbye (track 8)
The Mists of Time (track 9)
The Empty Birthday Party (track 10)