We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Bird Song (Single)

by Justine Wahlin

supported by
soshann
soshann thumbnail
andreatedwards
andreatedwards thumbnail
Ton van den dries
Ton van den dries thumbnail
vmorris8
vmorris8 thumbnail
Rachel Webster
Rachel Webster thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $2 AUD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 4 Justine Wahlin releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Bird Song (Single), A Pair of Dreamers, A Long Way From Home, and Conversations With Crows. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $20.80 AUD or more (35% OFF)

     

about

While deciding how to record and release my next studio album “A pair of Dreamers”, I decided that Bird Song should stand alone.
Bird Song is inspired by the death of a friend and mentor and also by the lover he left behind. While I only knew Karl Broadie in music circles and only for a couple of years, his warm and generous spirit touched me deeply and like so many others he inspired a belief in myself that I had sometimes struggled to find.

The song started taking form on the back of a napkin as we gathered at Rooty Hill RSL for what was to be a fundraiser to support Karl’s treatment through chemotherapy.

We soon found out that this night was to be a rite of passage and that those of us gathered had the dubious honour of singing him out as he lay “talking with angels” and preparing to leave.

His partner Rachel Webster was there and it was her words that struck me so deeply “Talking with Angels”. I was spell bound by the courage of this woman and indeed Karl for engaging in this last conversation with what I imagined was single minded clarity and devotion. Goodbyes said, songs all sung he was about to go somewhere none of us could go.

I considered how that would feel to know the love of your life still clinging to life by one tenuous thread had committed to letting go even though he knew that meant leaving you behind, had in-fact already said goodbye.

And it’s so hard to fathom at the time but after the pain, life must go on and we must let new love in. We cling to the grief for fear of losing the connection and feel a sense of betrayal when we finally slip out of grief’s grip. But there’s a time to look at what life is giving you not just what it has taken away.

So I imaged what Karl in his clarity and devotion would say to Rachel and what his wishes for her were…and this is Bird Song, a goodbye, a ballad of undying love and a blessing to be happy and free.
Although it’s inspired by a single story it’s relevant to many and my hope is that Bird Song will offer hope and comfort and be an uplifting rather than sad song.

The song was recorded and produced by the amazing Michael Carpenter. He played all the instruments except the acoustic guitar (played by me) and also lent me his voice for a couple of very subtle vocal overlays created to evoke the spirit of Karl. With a voice of similar tone and timbre, these parts sound eerily like Karl Broadie.

credits

released December 2, 2019
Produced and engineered by Michael Carpenter Love Hz Studios Leichardt - All instruments except acoustic guitar played by Michael Carpenter

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Justine Wahlin image

Justine Wahlin Sydney, Australia

Justine Wahlin (pronounced; Wah-Lean) is difficult to categorise. She sits somewhere between alt folk/country and Roots but regularly seems to slip through the cracks to wander on her own sonic adventures, much like an octopus will sneak out to sample tasty morsels from the neighbouring tank but be back before dawn. ... more

contact / help

Contact Justine Wahlin

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Justine Wahlin recommends:

If you like Justine Wahlin, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now