Someday

Someday

...this will all go away...

I'll give back to the earth

& return to the dirt

I'll have nothing to say

and nothing to prove

I'll stop running away

and it'll all run smooth

Of course...

I'll no longer be here

The Twisted Truth Of It All

It can't be attained

when you're searching for more

But... Someday...

Someday

I'll learn to be still

& It'll all quiet down

I'll give up my free will

I'll cease with the search

And I'll float on the wind

I'll rise with the tide

& Finally, give in...

I'll stop punching the air

of the Mad, Lunatic World

I'll stop looking for reasons

When the answers to search

Someday

Long Time Comin'

It's been a long time comin'

I watched the days, turn into years

It's been a long time comin'

but the day is finally here

the load I'd borne

was worth the weight

the times were tough 

at times

were great

the time has come at long last now

to break free from the chains of cripplin' doubt

to be yourself and walk ahead

no bother to the otter or what your father'd said

it's been a long time comin' (it's here)

I spent a long time runnin'

& I, nearly outran the fear

I spent a long time runnin'

but I found my place, I'm finally here

the load I'd borne

was worth the weight

the times were tough 

at times

were great

the time has come at long last now

to break free from the chains of cripplin' doubt

to be yourself and walk ahead

no bother to the otter or what your father'd said

it's been a long time comin' (it's here)

I've been a long time strummin'

for empty rooms, where no one would hear

I've been a long time strummin'

Stompin' & Cursin', just tryin' to buy me some beer

the load I'd borne

was worth the weight

the times were tough 

at times

were great

the time has come at long last now

to break free from the chains of cripplin' doubt

to be yourself and walk ahead

no bother to the otter or what your father'd said

it's been a long time comin' (it's here)

The Miracle of Life

For the first time in 4 years I missed my monthly blog post... Although I'm pretty sure nobody noticed, I feel obligated to acknowledge this state of affairs and say that this post will stand to represent August, 2017. Thanks for stopping by.

- SGP

The Miracle of Life

83' when god made me

Found me a mother and a father 

Taught me to believe 

Gave me all of their love 

& Half of their time 

An older brother to walk ahead 

Taught me to really listen, through that old tape deck

He put the music in me

Allowed me to sing 

He put the music in me...

And gave me everything 

Always coming, Always going 

Here today, but the wind is blowing 

The miracle of life 

And the stars and night

It's in the trees that mother grows 

It's in, the sun upon my skin, sand between my toes 

And it's all just a gift...

I'm grateful for mine

This is all just a gift...

& I'm grateful for time 

When I return to the earth 

Please, celebrate the cycle

Call it my rebirth 

Sing at the top of your lungs 

And laugh while you dance 

Cause I'm not gone 

But I've done moved on

I'm in the corner of her smile

In that old sad song

I am the crashing waves 

And the fading light 

Always coming, Always going 

Here today, but the wind is blowing 

The miracle of life 

And the stars and night

It's in the trees that mother grows 

It's in, the sun upon my skin, sand between my toes 

And it's all just a gift...

I'm grateful for mine

This is all just a gift...

& I'm grateful for time 

All that I am, All that I'll be

Every moment

...in the life of a forgotten man

It'll all be returned

It's a matter of time

Forget redemption, forget revenge

I wanna savor every moment

wanna breathe life in

I want the simple things

And acres of land

I want the simple things

I wanna be a good man

Always coming, Always going 

Here today, but the wind is blowing 

The miracle of life 

And the stars and night

It's in the trees that mother grows 

It's in, the sun upon my skin, sand between my toes 

And it's all just a gift...

I'm grateful for mine

This is all just a gift...

& I'm grateful for time

Live at The Alley Bunker

I love music. I especially love writing, creating, and recording music. But, performing music has been something I don't always love doing... I've had good performances & bad ones, great audiences & inattentive ones... but for me the most sacred aspect of performing is the room itself; the venue. It doesn't matter if it's big or small or old or new or filthy & stinky, what's important is the atmosphere. It's inexplicable. It's paramount. And, of course, when playing music, good sound is a key component for any venue. The Alley Bunker had it all (Good Sound / Small & Intimate Setting / Great Ambience & Community of Musicians / The Love and Support of The Coolest Owner Jack Ahn) & will forever be one of my favorite places to perform music. Unfortunately... all things must pass & the bunker is no longer with us. However, I'm happy to have this footage (Thank You Jae Hyun Nam for the video) of my final performance at The Alley Bunker.

The Pilot of the Octagon

In honor of my best friends Birthday, June 25th, I will share a song that we collaborated on long ago, in galaxy far far away...

This song, "The Pilot of the Octagon" was, in my opinion, really brought to life by the ambient keyboards and all the out of this world effects added by my life long friend Justin Merz. The song was both inspired by & a bit of an homage to, "The Octagon"(pictured below), the six sided house that inspired the name of both my musical project and this song.

...& as a side note... Yes, I know... Octagon's have 8 sides not 6... But, for now the story of how our hexagonal house got it's name will remain a mystery...

Life-Long Limitless (Love)

I take my chances

on half-second glances

find storybook love in a smile

And I know this is risky

Don't hesitate just kiss me

cause I'm seeing love in your eyes

Love

If Forever Seems Far

then just wait where you are...

And Take all of the time that you need

...just know that I'm comin'

Life-Long Limitless this lovin'

To sweep you off of your feet again

Love

An Unfinished Dream

I'd say it's a dream

But, it's already real

A passionate truth

I already feel

A desire that burns

...like a candle at night...

Flickering, Fighting

through the wind as it bites

I have what I want

But, only a fraction it seems

Incomplete, Unfulfilled

like An Unfinished Dream

Eighteen

18, with a head of steam

& a crooked smile

lead shoes & some stolen booze

let's go for a drive

Let's do some livin' tonight

She knows a guy, who knows a guy

who can get us drugs

She'll bring a friend, who'll bring a friend

She's a real slut

Let's do some sinnin' tonight

- Bridge -

18, a real wild thing 

with smokey eyes

She's got a boy, but he's just her toy

...just for tonight...

Who wants to taste desire!??

likes tellin' lies & startin' fights
don't piss her off

...means to an end, she's not your friend
she'll make you hurt


Who wants to play with fire!??

18, not a single dream

lives for the night

...with a tattoo that say's, "Fuck You,

It's my life"

Come on, let's go get high!! 

Influence

For this months blog... I would like to take a moment to recognize those that came before me. Their inspiration has shaped not only the music that I make, but also the man I am today. Although, I'm only including 2 videos as of now... perhaps I will add more in the future... Here are the '5 Most Influential Musicians' in my life.

John Lennon. Although I have a ton of respect for each and every Beatle, John is my clear favorite. From the gritty soul in his voice, to the poignant words in his perfectly crafted pop songs, John lennon is everything I look for in a musician. My respect & admiration are only amplified by the man he was outside of music, making him, easily, one of my favorite musicians of all time!!

Next, on my list of influence, is the "Man in Black", Johnny Cash. His sound is definitive. Cash's songs are unmistakable and nobody tells a story better. I guess his influence was inevitable because for me, growing up, Johnny Cash's music was unavoidable. After all, you can't drive past Folsom Prison everyday on your way to school and not get the 'Folsom Prison Blues'... eventually.

Without a doubt, my biggest musical influence is my brother, Curtis. He taught me how to play the guitar and introduced me to The Violent Femmes, Pearl Jam, Jeff Buckley, Weezer, Radiohead, Elliot Smith... & countless others. Although I could never really repay the gift of music that he has given me, I try to give it back as often as I can. The song below, "Here in Montana" is my cover of a song written by my brother Curtis Paul & our friend Lee Shawver (another huge musical inspiration in my life).

Another one of my biggest musical influences is Bradley Nowell of Sublime. He was an incredible singer and songwriter, not to mention how much he shredded on the guitar as well. Sublime seamlessly blended a number of different musical styles, creating something totally original, and influencing countless musicians as a result. I am no exception to that influence and although Brad is gone, thankfully his music lives on...

Finally, a singer, songwriter, philosopher & prophet, Robert Nesta Marley. Arguably the most influential singer-songwriter of all time, Bob Marley has influenced my life immensely. As a singer, as a songwriter, as a 'futboler' and as a man Bob's words and philosophy's are something I carry with me every day.


Peace Love & Music

- SGP

Little One

Hey Little One, I love

you make everything alright

walkin' slow & talkin' fast

drive me outta my mind (2x)

I love the way you call me babe

Smile with those big blue eyes

Hold my hand ease my worried mind

Tell me it'll be alright (2x)

It's so easy to love you...

A full moon & a fifth of bean

She be dancing through the night

Like the rising Sun, when the morning comes

I'm blinded by the light (2x)

With her Mama's grace & her Daddy's charm

Yeah, they sure did raise her right

It was mid July when the stars aligned

And forever she changed my life (2x)

It's so easy to love you...