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Overhead the Stars

by Peter Doran

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    The album download includes an exclusive bonus track! (Strings & Vocal arrangement of Perfumed Letter).
    Purchasable with gift card

      €7 EUR  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    "Overhead the Stars" DigiPak physical Cd album. Album art direction by Marcus Gunnar Pettersson and Photography by Luke Danniells.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Overhead the Stars via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      €9 EUR or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    This unique and exquisite version of the album comes in a numbered luxury black envelope. Each envelope will be signed and decorated by Peter. (Limited edition of 500)

    Includes:

    - The Standard CD Album (DigiPak)

    - 6 Musician photos taken during the recording sessions, printed on heavy 400gsm card.

    - A typed letter about the albums recordings and songs, signed by Peter.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Overhead the Stars via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 500 

      €12.99 EUR

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 10 Peter Doran releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Voices, Blue Mountains (feat. Haley Heynderickx), Nothing New Under the Sun, Stray Dogs, Oldtown Sessions: Live at Canton Casey's, Outlines, Live in Holland, Overhead the Stars, and 2 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      €38.40 EUR or more (20% OFF)

     

1.
Every day’s a perfumed letter from a skilled hand A supple neck longing to be kissed Every day’s awash with wishes waiting to be wished But a pounding heart is stronger than a fist Every day is wide open, forgiving and a-hoping For hatching plans or building dams or peaceful pipe smoking But I have let too much time slip through my hands I have spent too much time watching the time go by Every day’s an olive branch, another chance For anyone to stake a claim or for a criminal to clear their name Every day is an enchantress, a beautiful chanteuse She’ll hypnotise with fire in eyes and she’ll sing for you in truth and lies But I have let too much time slip through my hands I have spent too much time watching the time go by Every day’s a crystal clear pool, dive right in we’re all fools But I just stand here, staring at my shaking image on the ripples yeah
2.
Julia 04:36
Many miles from land and miles from my lover I find myself thinking about honour Thinking that maybe the rules are different here On the Santa Isabel with Julia I am wearing her coat and she is wearing mine I have stolen her cigarette and I’ve lost track of the time Over our heads the stars begin to shine For the Santa Isabel and Julia She tells me she’s studying medicine, oh, but I just study her face My eyes follow her hand as it slips across her waist I understand how it’s easy to stray On the Santa Isabel with Julia For I am tempted and curious and drunk upon her glow I wonder if there is anywhere quiet where we might go What harm could come from one little kiss On the Santa Isabel with Julia On the Santa Isabel with Julia Somewhere in a mind that’s swimming with whiskey There flashes an image of somebody dear to me Her face, once clear, is fading from me What is happening to my memory? On the Santa Isabel with Julia On the Santa Isabel with Julia It is too late now, she has fallen to sleep I carefully cover her, from her shoulders to her feet I kiss her once and I whisper pleasant dreams And I turn out the light On the Santa Isabel and Julia
3.
Out of Here 03:51
I’ve been quietly docile for as long as I’ve known I am a sleepy lord of my own comfort zone Here I’ve avoided all kinds of terrors I’ve skilfully sidestepped all life’s little tremors I turn a blind eye to impulse and dare Every step taken was rehearsed and prepared I know the terrain, the highs and the lows I have crept to the outskirts to watch others grow Someone get me Someone get me out Someone get me out of here Patterns emerged and habits were formed Circles were walked in and I became bored I began to suspect that I’d been deceived That I’d been robbed, and that I was the thief Someone get me Someone get me out Someone get me out of here What I built as a haven, a place of escape Turned into a fortress, a prison, a cave And this glorious palace, where I couldn’t fail Is now an airless cocoon that I’ve overstayed Someone get me Someone get me out Someone get me out of here
4.
Master is that you, it sounds like your old voice Why do my eyes burn, why did you drop me When I had so much left to learn Master is that you, it sounds like your old voice It’s hard to be certain, with all the background noise But if I am to go back, it’ll be kicking and screaming If I am to go back, it’ll be fighting and pleading with you I’ve been asleep for so long, frozen in carbonite Dreaming of renaissance, praying for some light Master it is you, I see far clearer now There’s a stronger blood in my veins, I’ve shaken all my growing pains But if I am to go back, it’ll be kicking and screaming If I am to go back, it’ll be fighting and pleading with you
5.
Little Room 04:44
High in a mountain village, their clouded romance began He saw his future right there in her eyes, but to her he was just a man She fell in love with the rivers, they grew right out of the mountains She knew his love couldn’t carry her, as far as the rivers would She’d so little room for love, so little room In her wandering heart, there was little room for love Nights she would sit by the river bed, and give her bare feet to the flow And sing from the bottom of her voice, “Take me I’m ready to go” He was dreaming of children, but she was dreaming of strangers With curious names and marvellous brains, and no wish to build her a home She’d so little room for love, so little room In her wandering heart, there was little room for love She filled her suitcase quietly, in the small hours of the night And words that should have been spoken, she settled down to write She said, “Darling, my heart’s an explorer, but it withers in this place. I must go now to see the world. If you love me, don’t give chase. I’ve so little room for love, so little room In my wandering heart, there is little room for love I cannot carry you, I cannot carry you In my wandering heart, in my peregrine heart In my wandering heart, I can never carry you.” The sun rose early next morning She was already miles, she was already miles away
6.
Thread 04:52
My closest friends are farthest away In Stockholm, Vienna, in Italy and Spain I’ve got one that’s laying roots in Australia If I had a little money, I’d be right there after you We don’t speak as often as we should We promise and we cross our hearts but hearts are no good When you’re tired and forgetful, distracted and removed When the time difference is killing you and you’re not in the mood Oh you’re not in the… Help me find the thread x3 Won’t you please, help me find it friend I’ve got friends of course that have stayed at home But they might as well be living on the moon for all I know We try to meet for coffee, but no-one ever shows They have got children to feed and gardens to grow One by one we quietly slip right out of sight To oversee and execute the movements of our lives Deep into our shells we joyfully retreat Clutching our monastic souls we drift off from the fleet We drift off from the… Help me find the thread x3 Won’t you please, help me find it friend Some friends will slip right off the edge of the world Never to be heard from, never to return But real friends are joined by a very special thread It has been spinning from the start and it will spin right to the end These threads are made from memories, these threads are made from love And all the little secrets that no-one else gets told These threads are made from laughter, and the feeling that we’re home We’ll always be connected, no matter where we roam No matter how we… No matter…
7.
Thief 05:02
This morning I was a prisoner on the run I knew the fear of being caught as I broke for freedom I ran in another way to all those around I was sure that this fact would lead to my being found This morning I was a thief with guilt breaking my back I’ve taken nothing from you, call off your attack Some line has been crossed and I’m in a dangerous place With each step I take I’m twisting time and I am twisting space I wait to be pounced upon but no-one ever jumps I wait to be gunned down but no shots ever fire And all those eyes behind the shadows They are all hate filled and white They’re only monsters in my mind, and tricks inside the light They’re only monsters in my mind, and tricks in the light This morning I was a liar convinced that he’s dealing in truth Stubborn like a lost man who claims that he’s on a better route All is impossible under this sky of blue But I’m not sure exactly what it is that I should do, what I should do I wait to be pounced upon but no-one ever jumps I wait to be gunned down but no shots ever fire And all those eyes behind the shadows They are all hate filled and white They’re only monsters in my mind, and tricks inside the light They’re only monsters in my mind, and tricks in the light
8.
Turtles 05:19
On a peaceful and clear night, a boy was staring at the sky Eyes lit up with moonshine, feeling like a valentine In the silence someone spoke, an old man in an overcoat He said, “Don’t you find it magical, I can’t recall a night so still.” “It’s quite a sight” the boy replied. “The universe is vast and wide. Do you suppose we’ll ever know, just how far out she goes?” “Come in close” the man whispered, “why I myself have known for years. But if you listen good and you listen well, I’ll tell you of the turtle shell. We’re on a tiger that’s sitting on top of an elephant Who in turn is balanced upon the back of an old tortoise And all that’s beneath them is solid and sound For it’s turtles all the way, all the way down” The boy thought this was quite absurd, the strangest thing he’d ever heard But there was something in the words. The wildest thing he’d ever learned. “Tell me sir, could this be true, how can I believe in you? You haven’t got a shred of proof, but yet you seem so resolute” “Boy believe what you will, you are young with years to fill. I promise you you’re safe and well. You’re dancing on the turtle shell.” We’re on a tiger that’s sitting on top of an elephant Who in turn is balanced upon the back of an old tortoise And all that’s beneath them is solid and sound For it’s turtles all the way, all the way down”
9.
Every little thing, you think that you need Every little thing, you think that you need Every little thing that’s just feeding your greed Oh, I bet that you’d be fine without it Every little thing that you’ve gotta have Every little thing that you’ve gotta have That you’ve got to reach for and you’ve got to grab Oh, I bet that you’d be fine without it So tear your eyes away, oh tear your eyes away Every little thing that sparkles and shines Every little thing that sparkles and shines It’s driving you sweetly out of your mind But I bet that you’d be fine without it So tear your eyes away, oh tear your eyes away Every little thing that you’re lusting for Every little thing that you’re lusting for How did you ever get along before Oh, I bet that you were fine without it So tear your eyes away, oh tear your eyes away Before you’re tripping over junk that’s lying scattered on your floor The dusty and discarded toys that don’t shine any more Every one you had to have, every one you swore Would satisfy your greedy heart for now and evermore Every little thing that catches your eye Every little thing that catches your eye Gets under your skin and it won’t be denied Oh, I bet that you’d be fine without it Oh, I bet that you’d be fine without it
10.
Some day I will pay for my own wine But until then, what is yours is mine And I know you’d never dream of keeping score And that you’re well aware, what is mine is yours But I only wish it was a whole lot more But I don’t want to be the stone around your neck I don’t want to be the years that you regret I don’t want to be sunlight in your eyes That blinds you every time you’re throwing knives Some day I will hold you in my hands But for a while more, you will have to stand Some day I will fill up your belly But for a while more, we won’t go hungry But I don’t want to be the stone around your neck I don’t want to be the years that you regret I don’t want to be sunlight in your eyes That blinds you every time you’re throwing knives You’re throwing knives now!
11.
All of our fears are born out of the same refusal, deep in our hearts To accept that our lives hold no great meaning And they mark no charts But we prefer, by far to claim, that we’re the brainchild of a great deity And it’s easier still, to embrace the belief that when we die There’s this whole other side, and it can’t be a lie Yes, I will kneel king I need the peace that it brings It takes my mind from noiseless woods And the falling trees, the falling trees within Oh the falling falling trees But I’m happy to be hypnotised by a perfume of sweet belief Eternity is spent chained or free, depending on, how we perform I want to lie in a Simpsonesque sky When the time comes for me to fly And it can’t be a lie Yes, I will kneel king I need the peace that it brings It takes my mind from noiseless woods And the falling trees, the falling trees within Yes, I will kneel king I need the peace that it brings It takes my mind from noiseless woods And the falling trees, oh yeah the falling trees within

about

"...eclectic batch of songs that mingles folk, alt-country and sonic rock in one heady mixture. Opener ‘Perfumed Letter’ channels Jeff Buckley’s ‘Grace’ with great aplomb. ‘Julia’ and ‘Kicking and Screaming’ showcase a voice located somewhere on the spectrum between David Gray and Ray Lamontagne" Shane Leahy, MusicReviewUnsigned.com

"Mullingar’s Peter Doran has been around for a while. His third album Ovehead The Stars marks a change of direction as it’s much more a full band affair than his previous two offerings. Recorded at the famed Grouse Lodge in his native Co. Westmeath, it boasts a big budget sound. The songs, meanwhile, vary in texture and approach, from the mid-tempo pop of ‘Perfumed Letter’ to the plaintive, chiming ‘Julia’ via full blown rocker ‘Out Of Here’. Doran’s appealing voice, which can hit an impressively high register, lies between Damien Rice and Glen Hansard. His songwriting approach is not dissimilar either. With ‘Falling Trees’, the album’s memorable closer, a particular highlight, this is an impressive outing"

- Colm O'Hare, Hotpress Magazine, Ireland.

"this album is not only enjoyable but thought-provoking. These days it is rare to come across an album or Album you can easily listen to from start to finish. With thousands of songs available on one device it takes a special set of songs to keep a listener interested for the entirety of a record and that is exactly what ‘Overhead The Stars’ does. It’s a beautiful, varied, incredibly written and artistic collection of songs."

- Claire Kane, Golden Plec Blog.

credits

released September 14, 2012

All songs written by Peter Doran.

Arrangements, grooves, dynamics, and all musical decisions made by the band:

Ricky Byrne, Darragh J. Glennon, Nicky Brennan, Brian Murphy, Colm Lynch and Peter Doran.

Special thanks to the following additional musicians:

Gerard Toal: Cello on "Turtles"
Anthony Daly, Adrian Kelly and Paul Kiernan: Brass arrangements and performance on "Little Room"
Bean Dolan: Upright Bass on "Every Little Thing"

The essence of "Overhead the Stars" was recorded live at Grouse Lodge Studios, Ireland, Spring 2012.

Produced by Filippo Gaetani & Peter Doran Band
Mixed and mastered by Filippo Gaetani at The Cave.

"Kicking and Screaming" co-mixed by Sandro Ferrini.

Additional Recordings made by Fintan Moore at Grouse Lodge Studios, and Michael Cronin at Transmission Rooms Studio, Drumlish, Ireland.
Mixing for "Julia", "Every Little Thing" and "Little Room" by Filippo at Recordable Studio, Vienna.

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Peter Doran County Westmeath, Ireland

Welcome to the official Bandcamp Store of independent Irish Song-maker Peter Doran.

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