Artist Bio
Influences: Dave Carter, Richard Shindell, Antje Duvekot, Phil Henry, Peter Mulvey, Erin Ash Sullivan
(She/her) This (2022) is my eleventh FAWM. This thing that I was going to try once because it seemed impossible has become a central part of my year. In 2021, in addition to FAWM, I wrote a song a week for the whole year. So I'm not sure what I have left to write about . . . still, I'm sure the songs will show up.
For me it's about the songwriting and not about the production, so all my song posts are one-take iPhone recordings. Isn't it a miracle that we carry little recording studios in our pockets?
I write folk-ish songs. Sing Out! Magazine described my songs as "smart and uplifting . . . focusing on the quiet meaning to be found in ordinary life," which I think describes my music just fine. I have four CDs. I'm happy for any kind of feedback -- I actually love criticism when the song is new enough that I'm not attached to it.
February: bring it!
Songs (14)
| #1 | Planting Flowers |
28 Feb 2022 |
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| #2 | A Short Song |
15 Feb 2022 |
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| #3 | After the Storm |
12 Feb 2022 |
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| #4 | I'll Be Ready |
16 Feb 2022 |
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| #5 |  Just Keep Walking |
22 Feb 2022 |
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| #6 | $7.25 |
14 Feb 2022 |
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| #7 | Imaginary Constellations |
19 Feb 2022 |
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| #8 | If I Could Tell You |
18 Feb 2022 |
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| #9 | My Father's Ears |
20 Feb 2022 |
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| #10 | The Smallest Moments |
13 Feb 2022 |
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| #11 | I Won't Be Famous |
18 Feb 2022 |
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| #12 | Bay of Biscay |
14 Feb 2022 |
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| #13 | The Train I Didn't Take |
16 Feb 2022 |
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| #14 | While We Can |
12 Feb 2022 |
Soundboard
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@lmr Mar 2022
Beth, thanks again for your kind words about "How Are you?" I'm not sure how she managed to out all that together, she is a force of Nature that Nadine! I loved "While We Can", a beautiful reminder to seek sanity especially in difficult times. "There’s no guarantee of a happy every afterSo let’s enjoy this moment while we can", well said! I've mentioned before how much I love your guitar playing as well!
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@billwhite51 Mar 2022
train and tracks are a solid metaphor in the lexicon of roads not taken. ive missed my share of those trains myself. but had we bought those tickets we wouldnt
be where we are today -
@billwhite51 Mar 2022
i could never love you....faust as small time gangster vs mephisto in guise of gorgon
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@berni1954 Mar 2022
Glad you liked my "Doomsday in the Desert" (Dust). That was definitely one that some muse gifted to me. One of my best skirmishes this FAWM.
I love skirmishes, they seem to get my creative juices flowing in overdrive. (Who said mixed metaphors are bad news? :-) -
@nadine Mar 2022
Hey Beth, thanks for returning the #tit4tat!
I just started playing guitars, but I have more than 15 years of experience in composition, arrangement and production. It's easier for me to write a full band arrangment on a DAW than picking one instrument and sing.Guess I'm just the opposite of most FAWMers xD Thanks for your kind words, and yes, we will turn "She's Contemplating" (with @wacha who is a way better performer) and "How are you" (with a bigger team) into final versions in the next months. There's lot of work ahead.
I definately enjoyed my listen here :) -
@berty38 Mar 2022
Beth, thanks for your comments! There's a couple reasons why we haven't run into each other around town: First, I only just moved back to the Boston area in 2020. I grew up here, but I left for grad school, a postdoc, and then some years as a faculty down south. Second, this FAWM is my first public musicianship since my college years. I'm still a junior faculty member, and a bad strategy I've had throughout my academic career is to hide the fact that I have interests that aren't my research! I'm trying to build up the courage to be fully "out" as a musician, because the past few years have taught me that life is short. But I'm not fully there yet. FAWM was a bit of an experiment to see if I still got it.
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@nadine Mar 2022
Thanks a lot for listening and commenting on "Fit right in". I'm happy you enjoyed our song. Right now, it's just a sketch, so it will sound a lot better with a proper instrumentation and @katestanton on the vocals. (I'm definately a better songwriter and producer!!!) I'll return your #tit4tat later. My list is long, but I won't forget :)
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@paulharrison Mar 2022
Thanks for the explanation, which proved to be an inspiration. My wish is to write, too...not take an easy way (ie., use an existing song) to meet an "assignment." So, while my wife worked in the yard and I got another "pass" due to my thumb, I wrote a new song this afternoon (using piano). I know it's not required, but it does have the word "wade" in it :o) I'm not totally enamored with it but like parts. Letting it sit a bit before posting and recording might help; otherwise, I'll post and see what the group suggests. Anyway, I appreciate your perhaps-unintended pep talk!
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@paulharrison Mar 2022
Another small world item...I see that you are involved in Peter's songwriting group for patrons. In thinking recently about how to keep up the momentum from FAWM, I remembered Peter's group and maybe finally jumping in. (I'm a patron but haven't been active in the group.) I actually thought posting one of my FAWM songs for this month....is that cheating? Regardless, I hope to add the group to my short list of ways to stay involved in songwriting. Anyway, it was nice to become acquainted with you and get a taste of your fine music. 'Hoping to hear more.
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@aaronnathans Mar 2022
Congrats!
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@tukayandryan Mar 2022
Congrats on reaching the finishing line! Looking forward to listening to more of your songs this month!
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@actualjulian Feb 2022
Thank you for the love this year Beth. And congrats on finishing! May the FAWM be with you ALWAYS
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@hamiltonpoolhall Feb 2022
Thanks! And congrats to you as well for crossing the finish line!
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@mikeb Feb 2022
Thanks for the listen and comment on 'A Wish For You'. I see you are one song away from your trophy - you can do it!
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@aaronnathans Feb 2022
You’re close too! Good luck with the final song before 14.
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@hamiltonpoolhall Feb 2022
I think so!! You?? I have one collaboration to finish and another acoustic guitar instrumental in the queue, so it's just a matter of making the time....
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@paulharrison Feb 2022
Thanks for the comments, Beth...and yes, I added the Body Parts tag.
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@sunnymae Feb 2022
Same here Beth. We're all scrambling and I know I'll have more time to relax and listen to all my friends in just a few days. I've had to really pace myself this year. Not sure why but I'm pretty fried.
:0) -
@mikedelaney Feb 2022
Beth, thanks again for the insightful comments. When the month is over I'm going to go back and study your comments more carefully. One thing it's gotten me thinking about is how the story/information gets revealed over the course of a song. I'm thinking more carefully about the different situations--a live performance when the audience doesn't see the song title and you get to do a little introduction, versus seeing the song title before you listen to the song.
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@tukayandryan Feb 2022
Thanks Beth for your lovely and considered comments on Balance.
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@mikeb Feb 2022
Thanks for the listen and comment on my collab with Tams 'Tired of the Blues'!
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@mikedelaney Feb 2022
Hi Beth, yes, I will make it to 14 one way or another. I have some close to "done" and a couple to finish up. And I will also listen to the rest of your songs.
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@dudachris Feb 2022
Hahaha I'm so glad you picked up that Douglas Adams reference <3
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@paulharrison Feb 2022
What nice comments on "Passing Through," Beth! I appreciate knowing what registered for you.
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@mikeb Feb 2022
Thanks for the comment on 'Madness'!
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@lmr Feb 2022
Hey Beth,
Thanks so much for your kind words about "Fixer-Upper", it's a work in progress and still needs a little more 'something'. I have to say "Bay of Biscay" is such a beautiful tune. The storytelling is fabulous, the message is so pertinent as is the imagery and what lovely finger-picking. -
@midwayfair Feb 2022
And a strange basque name sounds like something that would be awesome to hear in a song …
In an older song of mine I stuck the name of the river that runs through Prague and I’m not going to lie it’s one of my favorite lines to sing because it is such an unusual collection of syllables. Every once in a while it also catches someone’s ear and makes them ask about the song. Sounds gimmicky I know but when it also serves the song I’m all for it! -
@midwayfair Feb 2022
In that case — make up a name for the boat
History is kinda like just guidelines :D -
@philhenry Feb 2022
Go Beth! So close now!!
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@oswlek Feb 2022
Thanks for stopping by and giving "Caped" a whirl, Beth. I agree that Andrea was in the zone with this lyric, particularly the second verse, which she had to write further into the project. You pointed out some good ones, but I particularly like the duality of "always there to answer the call." That is a feature of their stories, but it also speaks to how they were always there for him when he needed support. Such a great line.
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@hamiltonpoolhall Feb 2022
Thanks for the comments on the paint card challenge! Having a list of words gave me permission to use phrases I would never choose on my own, like "pay it forward." I'm at that (desperate) point in the month where I'll take any idea for song, so this one was especially helpful with all those free words :-).
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@paulharrison Feb 2022
Hi Beth. Thanks so much for your kind comments about "Time and Time Again"! It was fun working with Elizabeth's lyrics and she was great to "work" with. I read your influences list...you must be in New England (?). My wife and I hosted Peter when we used to do house concerts; I mention Shindell in a song I wrote ("Will You Be My Lucy Kaplansky?"; and I heard and met Antje last year at a venue where I usher. Congrats on the Sing Out comments...I look forward to listening to your music soon!
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@pippa Feb 2022
Hi Beth, thank you so much for liking whichever tune it was... I am very glad to find you. I listened to every song, and each one is a surprising jewel each shining in its own right.. Just lovely. Thanks
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@aaronnathans Feb 2022
Thank you for all your generous and thoughtful feedback.
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@mishykatz Feb 2022
Wow, ten songs!! And still time to listen to mine (I Kinda Love You), thank you so much!!! I added the body parts tag Much appreciated!
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@midwayfair Feb 2022
Hey Beth thanks as always for the kind and constructive comments on my songs.
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@aflinner Feb 2022
Thanks so much for posting my song on the recommendation thread! :-) Really glad you enjoyed it.
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@mikeb Feb 2022
Thanks for the comments on 'Something Wicked'!
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@tukayandryan Feb 2022
Thank you so much for your lovely comments! Going to binge listen to yours tomorrow!
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@eas3637 Feb 2022
You have had a productive week, my friend! Can't wait to listen to these!
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@mikegtz Feb 2022
Beth, I will follow the prompts informally this year and it doesn't make sense to jump into the middle at this point. The prompts are usually so good that I look forward to them every year at this time.
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@mikeb Feb 2022
Thanks for the comment on 'Molly Bloom'!
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@mikegtz Feb 2022
Beth, I have a song I want to post to the February 2022 Fearless page. How do I do this? I'm stumped.
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@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Beth, what Swedish folk music did you listen to? Folk och Räkare? Lena Vilmark? I've obviously listened to a lot of it.
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@sunnymae Feb 2022
Thank you Beth! I wanted to make sure to set up the story in the first verse so there was no confusion. I'm glad I accomplished that, so I appreciate your comments very much.
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@tukayandryan Feb 2022
So lovely to hear you again. Happy FAWMING :)
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@mikedelaney Feb 2022
Beth, thanks for commenting on my first song. I'm determined to listen to all of your songs this month.
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@dudachris Feb 2022
Hey, I've been thinking of highlighting some of my favourite FAWM stuff on my social media platforms. Would you be cool if I linked to your FAWM stuff and let people know about the other ways to support your music?
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@jwhanberry Jan 2022
On your marks.....Get set.....Watch out, here it comes!
Have a fantastic FAWM my friend. -
@kovbleu Jan 2022
Hi Beth! Glad to see you back and looking forward to hearing your beautiful music!
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@kenmattsson Jan 2022
Good to see you back Beth! Happy FAWM!
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@eas3637 Jan 2022
Hooray! You're back!
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@alyxanderjames Jan 2022
Beth, so glad to see you're back for another year! :D
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@mikegtz Jan 2022
Welcome back to the FAWM show, Beth!
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@mikeb Jan 2022
Happy FAWM 2020, Beth!
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@tamsnumber4 Jan 2022
Hope you have a creative FAWM!
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@kadmad202 Jan 2022
Hi Beth - I put you on my watchlist last year, so am really excited to see where your muse takes you this February! Here's to a great FAWM!
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@nathansurles Jan 2022
Happy January. Hope you are able to do FAWM this year.
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@philhenry Jan 2022
Even after writing songs all year, are you in for FAWM? Hope to see you!
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@nuj4x Jan 2022
