Velvet Courage” is a tribute to my daughter — a song born of the way she makes me strive to be more than I am. It blends smooth, shimmering tones with a bold new soundscape, leaving distorted guitars behind for a sleek, luminous vibe. A hymn to quiet strength and the velvet light that guides us home *** I used to carry you on my shoulders Through streets lit up in winter dark You’d press your cheek against my sweater Just to hear my beating heart *** I held your hand on your first school day Felt the lump down in my throat Never guessed how fast you’d wander Never guessed how far you’d go *** And you make me try To be better than I am Yeah, you make me try To be more than just a man Though you’re learning how to fly You’re the reason why I keep trying *** You’re singing truths I never dared to On stages where the spotlight shines Your courage stings me, kind of sweetly For all the dreams I left behind *** And though you’ve stumbled here and there And wiped your tears with your own hands You keep dancing through your battles Teaching me to take my stand *** ‘Cause you make me try To be better than I am Yeah, you make me try To be more than just a man Though you’re learning how to fly You’re the reason why I keep trying *** One more year and you’ll be leaving Trading childhood for your name But I’ll be cheering from the sidelines *** Sometimes I wish you’d stay my small one Tiny hand and sleepy eyes But I’m proud of who you’ve grown to You’re my strength and my surprisemore

A close friend says the world might be better without them. They speak of ending it all, feeling unloved and unseen. This song is for them, though I know I can’t fully understand. When I try to say how much they matter, my words fall short. But still — I’m trying. Always. *** Little Bird, Broken Wings Remember How to Fly *** I found myself in a midnight train station You were crying under flickering signs, Little Bird We used to drink beers down by the water And talk about stars and reckless times *** But listen, Little Bird — we’ve seen worse nights There’s stars above these neon lights *** So hold on, hold on, hold on tight There’s a new day coming, there’s a new day bright Hold on, hold on through the night We’ll find our way in this northern light *** I found myself in a cheap hotel room, Little Bird You lay curled up, small as a flame Remember rooftops where we watched the sunrise? Funny how even joy can leave a stain *** But even broken wings remember how to fly And dawn still rises in this northern sky *** So hold on, hold on, hold on tight There’s a new day coming, there’s a new day bright Hold on, hold on through the night We’ll find our way in this northern light *** I found myself on rain-slicked streets, Little Bird Where you chased ghosts past silent bars But I still taste that cheap red wine We shared one night beneath the stars *** Love still grows in hidden spaces Like wildflowers bursting through concrete *** Little Bird, I know we had big plans But sometimes life got in the way Lost jobs, lost friends, lost second chances But we’re still breathing, come what may *** So take my hand, don’t close your eyes, Little Bird *** | G | D | Am | Em D ||: | Em | C | G | D |more

Was working on a finely tuned acoustic song but then this song forced itself in instead. Done in minutes. A bit like a break music for fun when you were working on something that was a little more laborious. But next time the "real" and intended song will be finished. But not in ten minutes. *** I found myself in a borrowed coat Under streetlights flickering like a strobe Sometimes I do wrong, sometimes I steal Sometimes I forget what’s fake or real *** I found myself at the wrong damn door Knocking hard on the night before Sometimes I’m lost, sometimes I’m late Sometimes I’m just tempting fate *** Wrong turns, wrong words, wrong fights Wrong streets under neon lights Sweetheart, sometimes I’m wrong, sometimes I fall Sometimes I don’t know what I’m about But I keep moving through it all *** I found myself with blood on my shoe Didn’t start the fight, but I saw it through Sometimes I’m trouble, sometimes I hide Sometimes I just can’t pick a side *** I found myself in a stranger’s car Radio low, driving way too far Sometimes I’m quiet, sometimes I shout Sometimes I didn’t know what I’m about *** I found myself in a motel hall Reading names scratched into the wall Sometimes I’m broke, sometimes I’m blessed Sometimes I can’t get no rest *** Wrong turns, wrong words, wrong fights Wrong streets under neon lights Sweetheart, sometimes I’m wrong, sometimes I fall Sometimes I don’t know what I’m about But I keep moving through it all *** Sweetheart, I know I’m stained By things I’ve done and scars I’ve gained Sometimes life just takes the reigns But I’m still running through the rain more