New songs on the way from Finn Miles! I (Paul) have been tracking guitars and drums at the Hakeman Estate, our latest recording location in scenic central Des Moines, IA.

The new EP will contain five songs, probably our most mature and well balanced tracks to date, all centering around the ‘L’ word, LOVE. Here’s a lyrical sample from one of the new songs – enjoy!

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We go out
pretty things looking around
playin’ it cool
we are the kings and queens of fools

new time, the bomb
hurried love under cover songs
stretch cars and highlights
how will we know when we’ve done it right?

we’re making us
a game of chance
we’re taking us
for a joyride, baby

- I confess I haven’t a clue
when it comes to loving you
modern love, what we have we done?

We’ve got a great song “Looper” that we’ll be sharing with you a live shows. Wanna sing along? Here’s the lyric sheet. Print it off and see me before the show if you’d like to join us on stage to sing!

Looper

You try to make it fit, you can’t make it fit
You’re living over flames, you’re so sick of it
over and over and over and over again

You’re running through life with legs of cement
you’re crying ’bout your life of crime and punishment
over and over and over and over again

Oh, Oh Oh!
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh Oh Oh!

You’re hungry for the real thing, your heart sings the well springs
in your soul, but ohhh, ohhh these hands won’t let go, these hands won’t let go.

Well the echoes are calling, the feathers are falling
the waters are rising, you’re falling apart
the distance is growing, your weakness is showing
the dogs of the day are tearing you apart
they’re tearing you apart, they’re tearing at your heart
they had you from the start, had you from the start

There’s a better way
There’s a better way
There’s a better way
You’ve got to turn it around

Oh, Oh Oh!
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh Oh Oh!

Oh, Oh Oh!
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh Oh Oh!

There’s a better way
There’s a better way
There’s a better way
You’ve got to turn it around

There’s a better way
There’s a better way
There’s a better way
You’ve got to turn it around

There’s a better way
There’s a better way
There’s a better way
You’ve got to turn it around

As musicians, we’re always trying new things, squeaking out new songs and lyrics. I’ve already begun working on demos for our next album and the first track is streaming below. “Winteresque” began as a haiku…

Autumn’s light will fail

long white sheets on a pale field

will we bloom again?

take a listen and let me know what you think! Just email finnmiles@finnmiles.com or leave a comment right here on this post.

I buried my feelings, just to keep us apart

I heard your heart, it was beating like a clock.

You’re a ghost.

A hot breath on my neck; just the trace of a scent.

But you keeping me scratching for something I can’t put my finger on.

I can’t go back and change my sins,

forgiveness isn’t mine to give.

I thought I’d buried all the evidence…of your telltale heart.

I promised that I’d die, before I was untrue.

But truth is perception, and I don’t see you…anymore.

I’d make the sacrifice, oh to save a life….just as long as it’s mine.

But I’m losing time like a clock that’s been broken for years.

The crowd watches Finn Miles play the Telltale Heart in Des Moines, IA

Tonight I had a friend ask me to help him with songwriting..which for me is a bit like trying to explain who a person should marry. It’s an elusive task; it’s a personal affair; one that seems elusive, even when you feel that you’ve written a few good songs.

Just as a hint as to how MY process usually goes, I often start with a lyric (lyrics or music first? That’s another huge debate!) For instance, I’ve had the follow lines floating around for a few weeks.

Sign of the Times -
If you are a sign, a sign of the times, I must be heading the wrong way
Away from the flashing, crashing calvacade
Oh, mystery in the eyes of a neon design
eyes like slate on the interstate

Is it good? I don’t know yet. Maybe I’ll sit down with a guitar or keyboard and play around with the feeling..the idea. When I read the lines above I hear cars, see flashing lights, desperation…lonliness. Perhaps a late night escape from man-made noise and light pollution. So…that’s the key. Zero in on the feeling, then let the feeling dictate the music and the rest of the words.

That’s generally what works for me. What works for you?