Life On A Desert Island

So, I’m writing and recording like crazy, these days. “These days” meaning since the isolation thing. Of course, as a writer, isolation is a familiar desert island to be on, with only yourself as a muse. Where’s Wilson, when you need him?

Anyway, I’m not exactly sure why my productivity is up so high. More time to think? More time to create? More time to worry, perhaps. Lord knows worry is the fuel of many great songs. But I think the crisis (let’s not use the actual medical term, please) has ultimately given many of us, including me, a real sense of urgency. An urgent drive to live. Not just survive this crazy thing, but to really live! Life! 

But I had to break away from the daily news cycle to do it. I had to accept and embrace my desert island. And voila, like the sea lapping at its shores, I found my path and my level point. All of a sudden, I was thinking more, and creating more, and just plain living more. Now that’s just what the doctor ordered. And I’m really doing it! Writing and recording with abandon, trying things I never even thought to try. For instance, I’ve been studying the great American songbook of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and actually teaching myself to write in that style. Yikes! Oh I’ve wanted to try, but never had the courage to reach for the challenge. Their music is tough to master. But, I’m doing it (insert caveat here), and I’m just about done with my first “in the style of” Bacharach-David homage. 

So, yes, these days have somehow brought me purpose and hope and an “I’ll Show Ya” spring in my step. Unfortunately, it took “these days” to do it.  But… lesson learned. I really do look forward to the world coming out of isolation and getting back on stage – safely of course – but in the meantime, my little desert island ain’t half bad. I hope I can say the same things about my new songs. Hopefully at least Wilson will like them.

More About Pete

Pete Silva is a singer/songwriter/poet and teacher of English literature, based in South County, RI. In his spare time he builds New England stone farm walls. There seems to be a lot of spare time, lately.

Pete is on Instagram @PeteSilvaMusic and his site is PeteSilvaMusic.com.