Standing Steady, my fourth full-length original album, was released in February of 2025. Along with the album, I released a chapbook that includes the poems that inspired the album, the lyrics of each song, and a little bit about the inspiration behind the writing process. Sprinkled among the pages are illustrations by artist Angela Boyle, and the cover art, the same as the album cover, is a wood-block print of an owl created by Anita K. Boyle. 

Multiple experiences inspired me to create this album and adjoining chapbook. A dare from a stranger, a collaboration for a songwriting book club (Bushwick Bookclub Seattle), but the main influence seems to be from much further back in my history. Growing up surrounded by creative, inspiring, supportive family members. A couple of which are featured in this project.

In the next few posts, I will share the inspiration behind the songs on the album. Have a listen or grab your copy!

Asking

Another poem by my uncle, poet James Bertolino, “Asking” feels to me like a layered statement cloaked in simplicity. To me, the poem expresses the sweetness in learning something new about the one you love day after day. At the same time, like all good art, someone else could come away with an entirely different meaning from just a few short lines. 

I chose to use an open tuning on my guitar to create a foundation for the song that enhances its openness and provides space. The possibilities for soundscape on this song seem endless. I can imagine virtually any instrument being layered into this song to explore even more possibilities of meaning. I used the exact words of the poem, adding some repetition, and did not add a chorus. “Asking” contains one of my favorite lines on the album: 

“Each moment 

builds a new universe 

and I need to find 

you there.”

James Bertolino - Asking © 2002 Pocket Animals, Egress Studio Press