Hello! Welcome to my first Substack! I’m new around here. Sounds of a Story is a place for me to explore, create and share original music and the stories that inspire it. My favorite room in my house is the kitchen. It has been my favorite in every house I’ve lived in. It’s where all the best laughs have been had, where games are played, stories are told and music is shared. Sounds of a Story is my online kitchen. A place to share stories and music, a place for connections and gathering. Thanks for reading and listening!
The station wagon was blue. It was a 1980’s Ford Pinto, always parked on the road, in front of our next door neighbor’s garden. My favorite friends lived there. A house with 5 children, full of comings and going and always somebody to play with.
I am 4. Thomas is 10. We are sticking our heads out the window in the back seat, while the car hugs the edges of Flower Hill road. It is summer in Ireland. A bright, mild day. Perfect for head out the window-ing! The wind whips my long wavy hair behind my ears and I giggle with pure joy. “Pull your heads back in or a bird will take a bite of them” Ollie bellows. Reluctantly we do and slowly crank the window up. For the rest of the journey we plead with Ollie to let us stick our heads out again. The risk of a bite from a bird, worth it in our estimation. Finally, as we slow down, nearing our destination, we get a chance. Bliss! Thomas was my first friend, he died that summer.
I am 41 now and I think of Thomas often. This memory is my most vivid and brings a smile to my face every time I think of it. My Mum and I have been reminiscing about our lovely and too short time with Thomas. Her fondest memory is of Thomas, at the age of 7, showing up at our back door every morning, unbeknownst to his Mum, Mary, school bag on his back, to feed me my cereal while she got ready for her day. Weeks went by before my Mum realized Mary didn’t know he was spending his mornings with us! (That was 1980’s Ireland! Back door always open, kids coming and going, sometimes with your knowledge, sometimes not!) My Mum was a teacher at Thomas’ school. When it was time to go, we three would bustle over to his house where I would spend my day with Mary while he, his siblings and my Mum all walked across the road to school. Face pressed up against the front window, I would wait for them to come back so we could play!
These memories and the Thomas shaped stamp on my heart inspired the music I write here. It is an ode to the power of human connection at any age.
Who is someone from your childhood that you think of often? What are your most vivid memories with them?
Credits:
I play violin, viola and piano on this track. My husband Kevin is on drums.
Recorded & mixed at Test Tube Audio (our studio in Austin, TX) - Kevin Butler
A memory that sticks out for me was after my family returned from a long summer holiday the grass in our back garden had grown to be the height of me. I was probably around 5 years old. We lived in the middle of the village and 4 or 5 friends arrived to play. We created a village stamping the grass down and making lanes between shops, houses and a school. The sun was out, which is a rare day in Ireland. I still remember the feel of it on my skin, the glow of gold reflecting and shimmering off the tall grass. I was so happy and full of joy.
I could see you both, heads out, hair flying, birds potentially biting at any second! Beautiful music to beautifully written words Niamh and a beautiful tribute to Thomas. You’re so incredibly talented. Keep shining and can’t wait to follow you on this journey. Thank you for taking the leap and sending out something lovely into the world. Magic ✨🎵🧡