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Alcove

by Marian McLaughlin

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  • Streaming + Download

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

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    Handmade monoprints inspired by the album. Each monoprint is unique - printed one time only. There are a lot of repeated themes for each monoprint but shape placement, color, and other factors change each time, creating lots of variations. Each monoprint will have a handwritten message of thanks.

    Monoprints will be chosen at random and shipped. If there is a specific color or theme you'd like, please use the message box on my page to share those details.

    Hand-printed on card stock with acrylic paint or hand-printed on watercolor paper with block print paint.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Alcove via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Book/Magazine + Digital Album

    Handmade lyric booklet with artwork - shipping out in May 2024.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Alcove via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    shipping out on or around May 5, 2024
    edition of 25 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

1.
River Walker 01:04
I only saw the river when we crossed the bridge, I never took a moment to measure out its width. It wasn’t my decision, I didn’t run the ship. We traveled not for pleasure, it was a business trip. But now I walk the river, I want to learn its course. Some people call that leisure, while others call it sport. But I will deem it neither, I’m drawn in by its force, a streaming, flowing being connected to the source.
2.
Walkabout 02:44
Oh, are you able to go on a walkabout with me? I put all my cards on the table in a game of sweet memory. There’s an owl in the box elder maple and a squirrel and a hawk in an alder by the stable and oh how I wonder what you and I will see when you’re able to go on a walkabout with me. There’s a baby nestling deeply in a cradle and the North Star shining brightly on the handle of a ladle and oh how I wonder what you and I will see when you’re able to go on a walkabout with me. Oh, the day before I saw a sycamore so enormous in proportions I compared it to a dinosaur and oh how I wonder what you and I will see when you’re able to go on a walkabout with me. There’s an eagle flying over Conowingo and a robin serenading from the branches of oa ginkgo and oh how I wonder what you and I will see when you’re able to go on a walkabout with me. Now you’re mending the frayed endings of your sleeves and I’m sending out blessings for our friends to be at peace and oh how I wonder what you and I will see when you’re able to go on a walkabout with me.
3.
How do you measure time? By value or degree? By cause of by extent? Effect or quality? Time is ticking away, I'm grateful for each day. I'm a finite being finding new ways of seeing. How do you measure time? By hour or by minute? With all the days combined, with power and with limits? Time is ticking away, I’ll value each day. I'm a finite being finding new ways of seeing. How do you measure time? With rhythm or routine? And do you ritualize the moments in between? Time is ticking away, I’ll treasure each day. I'm a finite being finding new ways of seeing. How do you measure time beyond what’s incalculable? When lost to the sublime but still so palpable?
4.
The woods at night are not a place I’d find myself to be for my two eyes have such constraint, relying on the light to see. Trails that are familiar become a blur as darkness drapes with twilight being liminal things merge into amorphous shapes. And I was taught to go inside as evening sun is descending. This ritual, as if to hide, what is the fading light portending? To see the landscape disappear perhaps induces worry. But night is not a thing to fear, this unknown territory.
5.
The sounds of dawn are filled with grace, reminding me of peace. Beginning with the robin’s song which multiplies with ease. Sounds that are familiar gently stir us both awake. Sunrise is the pinnacle, a warming glow as daylight breaks. It beckons us to go outside and gradually it widens. This ritual, which we imbibe, fill up your cup with the horizon. To see the landscape reappear is always reassuring because another day is here, a miracle occurring. It’s natural (another day, another day) yet mystical (a miracle, a miracle occurring). It’s wonderful, so many things are possible (the possibilities are infinite). Don’t limit yourself (try new things) Don’t be hard on yourself (a reminder to be kinder) And remember (remember) “Joy is not made to be a crumb” There’s abundance. Another day (another day), another opportunity To radiate with joy (radiate with joy) And resonate with peace (and resonate with peace) Another day, another day is here.
6.
I’m sorting through the photographs, the artifacts, the aftermath. Resorting to a backing track, the year where we all wore a mask. I’m trying to make sense of things, of who I was and what I’ll be. And in the midst of this infinite wintering, I find my little vessel anchoring. And in the midst of this infinite wintering, I find my little vessel anchoring.
7.
Simple Truth 03:58
I was dealing with some severance, there’s some things that I’ve been fearing. And I couldn’t tell the difference between being stuck or persevering. I had turned into a skeptic, retreated and reticent. But a change in my perspective was much-needed medicine. When I saw a simple truth as two hawks flew overhead. Old cousins twice removed, traveling far from the homestead. They offered me a service, it took me by surprise. They seemed to say unlearn this and remove your strange disguise. All that has proceeded resonates with peace. You’ll find it when you need it in the stars or flocks of geese. Or in the river as the current flows. Or on the hillside as the sunset glows. Or in the meadow with twilight’s fireflies. Or in the garden when a hummingbird alights. You’ll find it when you need it. You’ll find it when you need it. Radiate joy, resonate with peace. Radiate joy, resonate with peace. You’ll find it when you need it.
8.
All of a sudden the spiral dissolves the moment moves into another layer. Although our problems have not resolved, this subtle shift helps clear the air. And I’m reminded of the stars, the Milky Way, the atmosphere, the crawfish in the creek that crawls, the inner peace from being here. And where is here? I cannot tell. I spend far too much time out there. I know those landscapes all too well, anxiety paired with despair. The spiral turns and magnifies I’ve learned how to discern its route. And at the center of it lies
9.
My Parachute 01:17
When I feel like I'm falling Gratitude is my parachute. Take me back, safely land me Gratitude.
10.
Cosmos 04:17
He wanted to be a botanist, but he thought, “Not in this life, there is not enough time.” But he found himself getting lost in the microcosms that called to him often, like golden pollen and columns of moss. The cosmos called, the cosmos called, oh, the cosmos called and he could not ignore. When the cosmos beckoned for his attention, he set the intention to spend time outdoors. On walks he’d notice overflowing phlox or a budding lotus that gave him the nod that he was interlocking with the cosmos. She wanted to be an astronaut, but she was taught to remain grounded in class. She found herself surrounded by four walls and a ceiling so tall and made out of glass. But the cosmos called, the cosmos called, oh, the cosmos called and she could not ignore. When the cosmos beckoned for her attention, she set the intention to spend time outdoors. Clear nights permitted a trip outside of the city limits and she’d stare for hours at the cosmos. She wanted to be an ornithologist, but someone convinced her to dismiss her dreams. Sadly, she listened, but later on, she was redeemed When the cosmos called, the cosmos called, oh, the cosmos called and she could not ignore. When the cosmos beckoned for her attention, she set the intention to spend time outdoors. A great blue heron graced her sight and it grew apparent that she just might be quite connected to the cosmos.
11.
Affinity 03:00
I cannot separate myself from the continental shelf even when I’m drifting, even when I’m dreaming. And I cannot separate the snail from the spiral or the shell in the garden after dinner as it’s gently gliding. And I cannot separate the pigeon from its perch up in the pine. Listen, the repetition, constantly cooing. And I cannot separate the hirondelle from its backdrop of the sky. Crescent wings, scissored tails, gracefully flying. And I cannot separate the tides from their relation to the moon, changing phases, ‘tween my gazing, receding and rising. And I cannot separate the bells from the sound of the divine, every morning, every evening, every hour that they’re ringing.
12.
Visitors 02:53
13.
Gradient 00:39
I went to the hillside to take in the view. The sunset was radiant, a golden to lavender gradient.
14.
Golden, Ours 01:38
In the summer shine on goldenrod and in the autumn shine on golden leaves and in the winter shine your golden lives on our lives and shine on golden meadows in the spring.
15.
A field 00:38
A field of flowers fecund for a season, for a second. Then fallow by the morrow, but don't partake in sorrow. Rest is necessary for things to be restored. Cultivate a sacred space for things to come together on their own accord.

about

Alcove is a compilation of peaceful songs inspired by time spent outside.The album highlights the joy and gratitude felt from witnessing simple yet transcendental moments in nature, like watching the golden hour, fireflies emerging, a hummingbird zipping by, or two hawks flying overhead.

I recommend listening to the album in one sitting as the songs are meant to connect and flow together.

Visit this link to order a unique monoprint with a digital download:

marianmclaughlin.bandcamp.com/merch/handmade-print

credits

released March 8, 2024

Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Clean Cuts by Nick Sjostrom

All music performed by Marian McLaughlin except:

Walkabout - Nick Sjostrom on bass, drums

How do you Measure Time? - Nick Sjostrom on bass, drums, background vocals

Miracle Occuring - Nick Sjostrom on organ

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all rights reserved

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about

Marian McLaughlin Baltimore, Maryland

For booking or any other questions or comments feel free to email me at marianmclaughlinmusic@gmail.com

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