Tag: Ben Cramer

WATCH: Mark Wilkinson, “Taking Our Time”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Mark Wilkinson
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Song: “Taking Our Time”
Album: Golden Afternoons
Release Date: July 7, 2023
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “I co-wrote this track with Ben Cramer from Old Sea Brigade. We wanted to write a song that carried a sense of nostalgia mixed with an optimism about the future. The song is essentially about how our lives are constantly evolving and about learning to adapt and let go of the past. It’s almost like a quiet pep talk to yourself to stop chasing history and start embracing what’s in front of you. Memories can be beautiful things, but spending too much time looking back can stop you creating something new. For me, the track is a recognition or realization of that, as it moves from reflective thoughts in the verses to a point of resolution in the bridge, culminating with the line, ‘I won’t fall into the shadows of what I intend to leave behind.'” – Mark Wilkinson

Photo Credit: Maclay Heriot

LISTEN: Justin Wade Tam, “The Comfort of Our Dream” (Featuring Erin Rae)

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Justin Wade Tam
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “The Comfort of Our Dream” (Feat. Erin Rae)
Release Date: September 16, 2022
Label: Soundly Music

In Their Words: “‘The Comfort of Our Dream’ was co-written with my friend Ben Cramer (of Old Sea Brigade) in his sunroom one morning last winter. We were reflecting on the beauty of the mundane moments of a committed relationship. At some point love stops being ‘flowers in the spring’ and starts being about the story you’re building together and all the ups and downs that entails.

“Ben Cramer and Owen Lewis produced ‘The Comfort of Our Dream’ at The Galt Line studios in Berry Hill, a true dream team of collaborators. We started with my guitar/vocal and then Ben added electric guitars, bass, and keys — he really set the ambient frame for the song. My dear friend Jordan Lehning then arranged a French horn part for the bridge and we ended up tracking the arrangement with Corin Dubie at Jordan’s studio. The French horn/whistle combo really took the production in the whimsical direction that I’d hoped it would go in the bridge. To round out the sound, Erin Rae kindly agreed to come sing harmony. I’m a huge fan of her work and her vocal timbre elevated the song to a whole other level. I’m incredibly grateful for this cast of super talented folks making this song special.” — Justin Wade Tam

Photo Credit: Sam Street