Even The Best Of Us Need
Rescuing Sometimes...
I am a songwriter, a creative educator and a leader. I am also an artist – and I have been in hiding for rather a long time.
Ten years ago, I had a career as a singer-songwriter. I had been fortunate enough to attract the interest of an independent label, who sent me to Austin, Texas to make a record in the summer of 2012. After the first and only single was released, and following two promotional tours, my unresolved mental health issues became chronic and so I needed to take a break from being a performing artist. A ten-year break, as it turns out.
I did think about quitting music altogether – but then realised that I had absolutely no idea what I might do instead. So, I decided to focus on building a creative career that didn’t require me to release my own records or to get on stage and perform: writing songs for other artists and working in songwriting education. And I love it.
My cowriting experience has taught me so much about songwriting and the power, beauty and challenge of musical storytelling and creative collaboration. I have been – and continue to be – inspired by artists' bravery, vulnerability and their drive to make themselves heard. This is what I am returning to now - for myself.
As a songwriting educator, I have worked with hundreds of writers. I am immensely grateful to these writers for the thousands of songs they have shared and discussed with me. Through this collaborative activity, I have learned so much about songcraft, as well as the many ways in which we can liberate ourselves from our self-imposed creative limitations.
“Hiding is a way of holding ourselves until we are ready to come into the light. What is real is almost always to begin with, hidden. Hiding is a bid for independence, from others, from mistaken ideas we have about ourselves. Hiding is creative, necessary and beautifully subversive of outside interference and control.”
‘Hiding’ An extract from ‘Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words’ by David Whyte
​Having now understood what got me into difficulty all those years ago, I am excited to finally share this album. The tracks were recorded in 2012 and 2013. Aside from its first (and only) single, ‘Blind Belief’, which received healthy support from radio stations across the UK, the tracks have never been released.
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Eight of the tracks were co-produced with Bruce Hughes in Austin, Texas. The other four tracks were co-produced with Paul Stanborough in London.
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​The songs are a series of conversations with friends, partners and family members; they represent the person I was then.​​
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I am currently writing and recording material for a brand new album.
​Songs written by Jonathan Whiskerd, with Sophie Daniels, James McLean & Awsa Bergstrom.
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Produced by Jonathan Whiskerd, Bruce Hughes & Paul Stanborough.
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I Could Be You (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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Lifeline (Whiskerd)
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Blind Belief (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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You Made Me (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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Suddenly Strangers (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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Raise Your Eyes (Whiskerd/Bergstrom)
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Give Up Your Ghost (Whiskerd/Daniels/McLean)
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Lost (Whiskerd)
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The Stranger (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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Battlescars (Whiskerd/Daniels)
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Vocals – Jonathan Whiskerd
Drums – J.J. Johnson, Jon Harris, Chip Vayenas, Paul Stanborough
Bass – Ben Jones, Bruce Hughes
Guitars – Jonathan Whiskerd, Clint Wells, Paul Stanborough, John Sanchez
Keyboards – Stefano Intelisano, Paul Stanborough
Backing vocals - Jonathan Whiskerd, Bruce Hughes
Violin – Leigh Mahoney
Viola – Ames Asbell
Cello – Sarah Nelson, Steve Bernal
Arranger (Strings) – Stephen Barber
Recording Engineers – Matthew Shultz, Kyle Crusham
Producers – Jonathan Whiskerd, Bruce Hughes, Paul Stanborough
Mix Engineers – Michael Brauer, Paul Stanborough
Mastering Engineers – Bob Ludwig, Paul Stanborough
Executive Producer - Sophie Daniels, Liberty Rose Recordings