Houseplants for Company

Tracks

1. 1. Snow That Never SettlesFlakes come down like paper stars past the kitchen light. I wanted the record to open the way a quiet winter evening does.winter folk, hushed folk3:47
2. 2. First Frost on the Allotment GateI woke up to a sugar world, every blade of grass in lace. I ran out in my slippers to see it before it melted.playful folk, pastoral folk3:03
3. 3. The Guitar the Last Tenant LeftThe last tenant left a guitar behind, dust on every sill, and I couldn't leave it there. It's tuned a little flat, and so is the song.heirloom folk, wistful folk4:13
4. 4. Mind the Kettle, Mum, I'll Get ItI used to be lifted onto the kitchen chair, and now I lift the heavy pot while Mum watches. Nobody warned me about that swap.family folk, tender ballad3:36
5. 5. Dad's Hand Hovers Near the HandbrakeDad's hand hovers near the handbrake and he says he's not worried at all. I wrote it the week I passed my test.family folk, warm acoustic3:35
6. 6. Winter Lets in the Quiet HotelThe seafront hotel keeps one lamp lit by the door and I'm very fond of it. It's the song I'd hum while watering something.seaside folk, hushed acoustic3:10
7. 7. Gulls Over the Shuttered ArcadeThe arcade has its shutters down for winter and the paint is peeling pink along the rail. I walked the whole front to write it.seaside folk, dreamy folk3:42
8. 8. Play the Old Set for the SeagullsA bandstand with no audience and a bus shelter for a stage, and we played the old set for the seagulls anyway. It's the loudest song I've ever sung, and it's still not very loud.folk-pop, anthemic folk3:00
9. 9. The Evening Leans Against the FenceThe light goes thin and honey-gold across the neighbour's lawn. I wrote it sitting on the back step, leaning on the fence.pastoral folk, evening folk3:17
10. 10. Some Things Only Need WindingThe repair shop smelled of oil and tea and a bell rang over the door. Some things don't need replacing, they only need winding.folk-pop, warm acoustic3:24