Music & Writings

Music

Music is an integral partner of the arts and PSA Art Awakenings program. The Phoenix Studio houses a stage, instruments and sound equipment that has become a hot venue for the Art Awakenings Band and a draw for the First Friday crowd. Led by Steve D., the band plays a lot of popular music, but mainly originals written by various members of the group. Aligning with the PSA Art Awakenings mission of empowerment and recovery through creativity, if one person brings in lyrics, a composition or poem, the group collaborates to make it into a unique song and performance.

Art Awakenings Band Music

Art Awakenings Song

by the Jimmy F and the Art Awakenings Band
Written by Jimmy F.
Jimmy F. – Vocals
Felipe R. – Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Bass

Squigley Fingers

by Gustavo McGrew and the Art Awakenings Band
Gustavo McGrew. – Vocals, Guitar
Porangui McGrew – Vocals, Guitar
Shaun M. – Lead Guitar
Felipe R. – Bass
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Hammond Organ

We Have The Passion

by Chris G. and the Art Awakenings Band
Written by Chris G.
Chris G. – Vocals
Shaun M. – Lead Guitar
Felipe R. – Rhythm Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Bass

Another Great Day

by the Art Awakenings Band
Felipe R. – Vocals, Guitar
Shaun M. – Lead Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Bass

Mississippi

by Jimmy F and the Art Awakenings Band
Written by Jimmy F.
Jimmy F. – Vocals
Will del Moral – Vocals
Felipe R. – Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Bass

Rock ‘n’ Roll Baby

by the Art Awakenings Band
Felipe R. – Vocals, Guitar
Mike L. – Harmonica
Shaun M. – Bass
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Keyboard

Dance With You

by the Art Awakenings Band
Felipe R. – Vocals, Guitar
Shaun M. – Lead Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Bass

The Way You Are

by the Art Awakenings Band
Shaun M. – Guitar
Felipe R. – Bass
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Hammond Organ

Rock ‘n’ Roll Baby Day 2

by the Art Awakenings Band
Felipe R. – Vocals, Bass
Shaun M. – Guitar
David B. – Drums
Steve D. – Keyboard

Smile

by Lila R.
Written by Lila R.
Lila R. – Vocals & Guitar
David B. – Drums

Solitude

by Gustavo and Porangui McGrew
Former Art Awakenings President Gustavo and his son Porangui recorded this song while the rest of the band took a break.

Ya No Volvo Caer Aqui En Tu Voledo

by Ed R.
This is a solo Mariachi song written and performed by Ed.

Daydreaming

by Steve D.
This is a solo piano instrumental composed and performed by Steve.

Lance Bear

by Holy Arrow, a.k.a. Leroy K.
Leroy sang this song while accompanying himself on a drum in traditional Native American style.

Still Waters

by Holy Arrow, a.k.a. Leroy K.
Leroy sang this song while accompanying himself on guitar.

Writings

Besides the visual arts, many PSA Art Awakenings artists participate in the Writers’ Corner. The group meets weekly to share the power of written words and constructively critique each other’s works. Whether it’s poetry, short stories, or journaling, members often work with staff to produce the words from personal experiences and often evolve, learn from or recover their life’s journey. The group is peer run and comprised of seriously talented writers who annually publish a limited collection of works. Enjoy the following excerpts and samples.

Chris G.

“I want my writing to be true. I want the words to be true, I want the descriptions to be true, I want the characters to be true and I want the emotion to be true.”

Ripped like a Rag

Ripped like a rag saved for dusting –
Cast to the ground like a leaf, blood red –
Separated like a yolk from its white –
Cracked like an old China teapot –
Punctured like a membrane protecting the precious –
Crossed like a doomed lover –
Split apart like an open heart surgery –
Peeled back like skin from the fruit –
An intermission of the soul waiting for Part Two.
by Chris G.

David B.

Dave writes as a creative outlet and considers it a form of therapy…”a way to soothe the soul.”

What is Beautiful to me
A Painting by Monet
An Arizona Sunset
The Ocean in Mexico
A suntan in July
Blue Eyes crying in the Rain
A starry night in the Forest
A sad song on the AM radio
A Flower in the Spring
Love Poems
A full Moon
and Her
by David B.

Jeanette S.

Born and reared in Midwestern town of Mansfield, Ohio, Jeannette completed one year at Phoenix College. She writes “inspirational, liturgical works based on the content of her soul.” “I love people and want to see them whole, not fragmented.” “I want my writings to have a positive effect.”

What About Now?

There was another time when one could sit alone in the park and blow bubbles to the
sky and no one would wonder why.
…What about Now?

There was another time when one could climb up a sloping hill and watch the sun set
while leaning on a tall statuesque tree as the rays slipped beneath the horizon.
…What about Now?

There was another time when children could say hello to a stranger without fear of
going against their training.
…What about Now?

There was another time when GOD was the center of our Universe not just the center
of one’s heart.
…What about Now?
…What about Now?
by Jeanette S.

Steve D.

Besides being a musician, web designer, photographer, and band leader, Steve is also a natural at putting the pen to paper to compose words and musical notes.

Life is but a dream

Last night I had a dream of a world that wasn’t cold
Evil hatred passed away, compassion did unfold
I felt a warmth unfamiliar, saw light I’ve never known
For the first time wounds were healed and I wasn’t all alone
The darkness dissipated, all torment was no more
The pieces of a shattered life were picked up off the floor
The war was finally over, I’d found my heart’s desire
Love and understanding put out the raging fire
My spirit wasn’t fragile, my heart not made of glass
Pain and suffering ended which forever seemed to last
With empty hopes fulfilled and broken dreams made whole
A gentle love and tenderness had touched a wounded soul
I’d found what I’d been looking for through my empty stare
The ball and chain was severed, the one I could not bear
The cold stone walls were broken, a prisoner set free
All inhibitions lifted to what should come naturally
A puzzle was completed, the missing piece was found
An aimless life stopped wandering across once barren ground
Now that dream’s a memory, I woke, it went away
Now it seems impossible to face another day
by Steve D.



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