3 Years at Birdsong Cottage
J. Adam Wesley (2023)
We live in a beautiful space. A barn. Nestled down next to a small hill. Windows, windows, windows. Jasmine covers the balcony and lush Lantana brings hummingbirds and butterflies. Abel and Iris catch lizards on the stucco exterior. Reuben draws in his journal while Jak plays Bon Iver on Vinyl and reads. Amy is drinking coffee from the Wedgewood mug I got her for her birthday and reading her Bible. Our wedding vows hang on the wall and I look out the window and see the grove of trees where we spoke those words for the first time. Then I pick up a Bible for the first time in over a year and read Psalm 27 and for the first time in three years I feel safe with God. It’s perfect.
Unfortunately, None of these things happen at the same time. Usually, the smoke detector is going off because I burned some toast, a kid is crying because they lost at Uno, another is upset because the other took a lego they had in there hand yesterday so they think its there lego even though they didn’t use it, and I haven’t even had coffee yet. All at the same time. It’s overwhelming.
I never dwell too long on the latter but… I remember the former. Memories where you are filled with love. Moments that are decorated with joy.
So these songs are my best attempt to capture my moments that are decorated with joy and my memories that are filled with love.
These songs about my family. My strong, elegant wife and my four precious children. Im hoping it will be apart of our heritage. This may sound weird but the space only allowed us to really find each other. Maybe that will make sense to some. I don’t know.
“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tenet; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.” Ps.27:5-6
We Brought The Darkness
J. Adam Wesley (2023)
"We Brought The Darkness" is the concluding installment in a trilogy of southern gothic releases. Originally written in 2023 to accompany a series of short films.
Watching Our Mothers Pray
J. Adam Wesley (2023)
This is the first of three Southern Gothic themed releases that I have coming out this week. Utilizing found sound, orchestral libraries, and guitar pedals, I aimed to delve into moments and capture their essence throughout various points in time. These moments are ones that I have either observed or been a part of.
Many of us in the South have experienced the presence of a praying mother, or have encountered one. My journey of faith began with my mother's heartfelt words beside my bedside at night. She would fervently pray for me, seeking protection from the world around me. Her prayers were for me to grasp the truth and distinguish right from wrong. She approached prayer with sincerity, fear, and kindness. However, the truth she prayed for me to humbly embrace turned out to be the complete opposite of her intentions when I left Mormonism and started following Jesus. This realization has been disheartening and perplexing for her. Now that I am a parent with four wonderful children of my own. I find myself praying similar, yet distinct, prayers for my children, hoping they will comprehend and internalize Truth.
With this album, I endeavor to comprehend and explore the depths of my own mother's prayers and for anyone who loves and honors a praying mother.