Recorded for the Mischief album, "Were-owl" is a direct result of collaboration with artist Emily Carding, for Kyle Cassidy's 2xcreative project. The idea of the project, hatched by friend and photographer Kyle and others, was to pair creative people all across the world and give them a month or so to collaborate. "Were-Owl" was inspired by Emily's art piece of the same name. Read more at: s00j.livejournal.com/213133.html
From S. J.:
"I chose "Were-Owl" for Witchy Ways because, for me, it's all about shape shifters, and the archetype of the Goblin King or the Erlkoenig. You wanna talk about folklore and the deep roots of what scares us, the Erlking is your guy. Even at their worst, the bad boys have a great deal of magnetism. "Be his love and not his prey." Good advice for so many of us when we fall hard for someone beautiful. Halloween lets us all wear a mask in order to be ourselves- the Were-Owl of the song, along with Goblin Kings and Erlkings everywhere, IS his mask. And he's got nothing to hide. Look into his eyes at your peril."
A portion of all download sales of WITCHY WAYS goes to support Wolf Haven International, as part of the Online Hallowe'en Artists' Studio Trick-or-Treat.
Look long enough into the eyes of any creature,
there's no knowing what you'll find.
We all seek the light one way or another,
mostly flying blind.
Everything flies at the mercy of the moonlight,
lovers more than most at times.
You've sought the light where few have ever found it,
captured deep in tawny eyes.
Little one seek and ye shall find.
Take care what you find
in the tawny eyes of a hunter by night.
Who, who, who is it dares
to find these feathers, stroke this skin?
How, how, how can you dream of
the night he spreads his wings to hold you,
shows you all he knows and lets you in?
I've heard it said none but fools will ever count on
shifting shapes and flying dreams.
Foolish the heart that lights upon a love who's
never what he seems:
Shows one face at dawn and another in the twilight,
kings have worn his shape before
(kings have worn his wings before).
Lord of the evening, so handsome in the sunlight,
leaves you wanting so much more.
Child, death is a dance on the forest floor!
Who, who, who is it dares
to find these feathers, stroke this hide?
Why, why, why set your sights on
the night he spreads his wings to hold you,
shows you all his heart and bids you fly?
shifting shapes and flying dreams
love is never what it seems
wears another skin by day
be his love and not his prey
Who, who, who is it dares to seek the sun
and still want more?
How, how, how can you trust that he'll
open up his wings to hold you,
leave you brighter than you were before?
credits
from Witchy Ways: an October Mix-tape,
released October 1, 2013
from Mischief, released 16 July 2010
Words & music by S. J. Tucker
Guitars, vocals, percussion: S. J. Tucker
Cello: Betsy Tinney
Guest backing vocal: Michelle Dockrey
Tracked & mixed by Tony Fabris, Monkey Brains Studios Seattle
“Without our songs and stories, we are nothing.” S. J. Tucker has been captain of her own music career since 2004, when she
left the workaday world behind to sing songs and change lives. Tucker is the voice of lore at the campfire and the sharp laughter of modern myth. With one hand anchored in her art and the other held out to us, she is songs and stories, community and wit....more
I would happily stroll the green with the Professor if the opportunity came. So very posh, and yet so very silly. Who wouldn't love a chap like this? He inspires me to parasol-rap of my own. <3 S. J. Tucker
Ginger (they, them) is my favorite recording engineer, bandmate, soulmate, and straight-up genius. This Cocoon is their first solo release. Favorite track: "Made It Home". I sang backup on "Masks" S. J. Tucker
Dogwood is the real deal: mythology, wit, whimsy, wisdom, and outstanding musical chops. Do please eat the pomegranate seeds so that you can stay a while and listen. S. J. Tucker
Lush, moody folk-derived music sure to appeal to metal fans, the latest from Wolcensmen is awash in gorgeous keys & mournful melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable May 2, 2020