Auckland psych-pop musician Dave Weir (The Nightshades, New Gum Sarn, Te Huhu) on the lullabies that make up his debut solo EP, Food For Thought.
Photo: Supplied
This is part of a regular series called Verse Chorus Verse which sees local artists break down the stories behind their music. For more, click here.
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Sweet Lilly White
Like all of my songs, I wrote this in one go and then stressed over the meaning afterwards. I was probably trying to distil a positive, caring sentiment that ended up coming out arrogant and tongue-in-cheek.
Foolish Pride
I strummed and strummed and hit record, combining song structure with word play, repetition and symmetry. The demo was a lot more jovial than this finished version; suddenly “give me your oestrogen, honey, and adjust my foolish pride” doesn't sound very... nice. Though, as with Sweet Lilly White, it's supposed to be encouraging; “you think you've got something to say? That's because you do, in such an understandable way”.
Tomorrow Never Comes
We turned this into a rock tune, even though it started as a shoegazey demo. Stylistically, it’s inspired by George Harrison’s music and lyrically it’s about the ongoing world wars that ravage innocent people daily as well as my own experience of mental illness. It's also a lullaby, like all the songs on Food For Thought.
She Of The Country Side
This songs makes me sad.
Food For Thought
Give me! Jeez... I swear I mean well. I want the government to not be corrupt neoliberal racists concerned with presenting a facade of austerity to America, Europe and its own 1%. I don't want to want any more. Our government has made and perpetuates a society hooked on greed and shallow, consumerist values that are not sustainable.
Food For Thought is out now.
