The Patient Hum – Song and a Chat

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:43 — 21.8MB)

Episode #118: The Patient Hum (Song starts at 4:58 & 24:38)

Song #436, The Patient Hum was written in 1998. Back then, there was a sense of peace about what I was up to (and I’m happy to say there’s a sense of peace about what I’m up to today).

So the song came from a peaceful place. The lyrics talk about how everything is in a state of constant change – including us, as people.

The arts offer a place of reflection where we can see ourselves for who we truly are. It’s also a ‘safe place’ where suggested ways forward can be presented. Yes, I believe music and art has the power to lead the way, to change us.

There’s 2 versions of The Patient Hum on this episode. The first is piano/vocal, the version I performed as I recorded this episode. The second is the pop rock treatment with my old buddies Paul Dredge (guitar & bass) and Earl Pollard (drums).

In 1998, I had recently relocated to Melbourne. When I went back to New Zealand for a music tour that didn’t happen, I ended up recording 16 songs which became a short run of 100 CDs. Patient Hum was one of those songs. I also got 500 CDs pressed of my first piano album, Eridanus / River Music.

So it was a big chapter in my life.

Being a songwriter gives you a way to express big feelings in a ‘safe’ environment – and they then (hopefully) become art that we can listen back to and reflect on.

At the time (also, back in 1998), it appeared my gig was on the way out. I’d been working as a piano man at The Holiday Inn. A new GM had arrived and decided a change was in order – namely introducing ‘happening jazz’ into the recently renovated bar where I’d been the resident pianist for a while. And so I moved on- it was time.

Behind the scenes, I was beavering away, writing songs, patiently doing my thing – and I still am today. Paul Dredge and I have the new album dropping shortly. Looking forward to this being available online for streaming very soon. I was just working a video for a single.

Maybe The Patient Hum might need to be reworked by Paul and I. But then, there’s so many other songs that we haven’t looked yet – and then there’s the songs we have yet to write. Yep, it’s all a slowly changing plan.

That’s the nature of the arts. It keeps us moving on.

Ok I hope you enjoy some of the life observations that pop into my mind as I chat. The Patient Hum lead me to a peaceful, thoughtful state on this episode – a place of balance. And that would be the place where the art of songwriting can happen. It’s would also be the state where we can best unfold as we grow in this life.

The Patient Hum, on reflection, would be about being open to the concept of constant change. If we keep working at it steadily, I believe this can happen peacefully.

You can find the lyrics on this week’s blog ( lots of art and more music and writing here. www.petepascoe.wordpress.com )