I Believe

Hello friends

I hope you're well. I'm writing from the airport at Addis Ababa as I head to Europe again to be on tour with Madalitso Band for three months. Leaving my 10-year-old son at the airport was certainly the hardest part.

I hope you've been enjoying the new album Songs from Pandama - it's now out and available to listen to from all platforms (spotify, iTunes, bandcamp etc.) or just go to the music page on my site if it's easier.

The album has 8 songs and 1 instrumental track, and over the coming months I plan to share stories behind the songs.

Today it's about track 3 - I Believe. The funny thing now is what I can't believe - how much has changed since I wrote this song! It was actually one of the first songs I wrote when I arrived in Malawi in 2012 - not only was I at a crossroads, I was working for an organisation called Music Crossroads. I think that's where the opening line came from.

It all starts out with nowhere left to go
You're at the crossroads, when feelings start to flow
And they start to grow, and by the middle of the day
A hand falls from the clouds to send you on your way

You never really know who you are
'Till you take that step too far

I believe that love will guide me where I need to go

Disclaimer - I like Tarot cards. The line 'a hand falls from the sky to send you on your way' was a reference to a Tarot reading I'd just done for myself (in 2013) where the Ace of Wands stood front and centre, 'sending me on my way'.

I feel the line 'you never really know who you are, 'till you take that step too far', is still really relatable. As the song progresses, it's a reminder to follow your heart and know that God, the Universe, or however you believe it, has got you're back. You're on the right path. Keep going.

In terms of the style, I had arrived in Malawi worried about what music I could play to connect to the people here. Little did I know that country music would be so popular. Luckily, in my repertoire I had a whole bunch of Kenny Rogers songs and I ended up learning many Don Williams numbers as he's a local favourite.

And voila. I wrote my first country song. If you've never listened to Made in Malawi by Neil and the New Vibration - my last album from 2014 - the song is on there too.

I recorded this recent album very spontaneously when the opportunity came up to go to Guyana and hang out in nature to record an album. Most of the songs on the album are new, but a few old ones made it on there too, that I felt fit with the vibe.

Thanks for your continued presence with me on this journey. Wishing you an amazing day.