featuring creative performances from the WVIA Studios.

I'm George Graham.

This time we have a singer-songwriter pianist who created the songs for the nationally acclaimed band, The Brilliant Mistakes.

It's Alan Walker.

(hopeful piano music) ♪ Put a light out on every step of the way ♪ ♪ You knew how to rally my heart with a single look ♪ ♪ And if you could hold on ♪ I might have something to say ♪ ♪ Well, I'll keep on trying until we find the hook ♪ ♪ Where would we be if we could just roll with the punches ♪ ♪ Regret that we could never stop ♪ ♪ And say, "Oh my love, this will never do" ♪ ♪ However much the sunken heart could lose ♪ ♪ And if you don't feel the same ♪ ♪ There's no other final move to make ♪ ♪ Wake up in the morning with something down at your feet ♪ ♪ Well, it's out of focus, deception walks its beat ♪ ♪ Sorry if I do remember what we felt ♪ ♪ On that day, we promised to avoid the mistakes we repeat ♪ ♪ Where would we be if we could just roll with punches ♪ ♪ Regret that we could never stop ♪ ♪ And say, "Oh my love, this will never do" ♪ ♪ However much the sunken heart could lose ♪ ♪ And if you don't feel the same ♪ ♪ There's no other final move to make ♪ (hopeful piano music) ♪ Maybe tomorrow, maybe one year to the day ♪ ♪ Or maybe we jump ship to get one step further away ♪ ♪ And if there's lesson, you don't need a fancy degree ♪ ♪ To bet on your own love is like throwing away the key ♪ ♪ Where would we be if we could just roll with punches ♪ ♪ Regret that we could never stop ♪ ♪ And say, "Oh my love, this will never do" ♪ ♪ However much the sunken heart could lose ♪ ♪ And if you don't feel the same ♪ ♪ There's no other final move to make ♪ (hopeful piano music) (audience applauds) Thank you.

Appreciate that.

This next one's called "Gone From View."

(emotional piano music) ♪ I know it's something else, but I am too tired to say ♪ ♪ It hits me when I'm by myself ♪ ♪ And we are still lifetimes away ♪ ♪ Step out of the dark into the light ♪ ♪ Something stranger going on ♪ Whenever your day reveals a night ♪ ♪ I know I have no use for anything ♪ ♪ Replace in doubt ♪ And time keeps marching on ♪ And there is no time to rest ♪ That child in your arms is never yours unless ♪ ♪ You step out of the dark into the light ♪ ♪ Something stranger going on ♪ Whenever your day reveals a night ♪ ♪ I know I have no use for anything ♪ ♪ Replace in doubt ♪ Go head and take it ♪ It's so much easier said than done ♪ ♪ When it's gone, you can't replace it ♪ ♪ Because people'll pray to the winds of a saintly some ♪ ♪ It sends you back where you belong ♪ ♪ Sends you back where you belong ♪ ♪ Sends you back into my arms (emotional piano music) ♪ Step out of the dark into the light ♪ ♪ Something stranger going on ♪ Whenever your day reveals a night ♪ ♪ I know I have no use for anything ♪ ♪ Replace in doubt ♪ Gone from view ♪ Out of sight ♪ I know it's something else, but I am too tired to say ♪ ♪ It hits me when I'm by myself ♪ ♪ And we are still lifetimes away ♪ (emotional piano music) (emotional piano music) (audience applauds) Thank you very much.

I appreciate that.

It's funny how songwriting works.

Those chords, (emotional piano music) I think I wrote that about more than 25 years ago, and it just kind of stayed on the slush pile for about 20 years until I finally came up with words that I liked for the song.

So, you know, it's funny how things happen.

It's good to hold onto those old hooks you come up with.

This next one- Those two songs are from the album I released a few years ago called "Something up My Sleeve."

And I do have a new album coming out that I'm working on right now, we're mixing, and should be out in the fall, and I'm gonna play a few songs from that album.

And you guys will be some of the first human beings to hear these songs.

So, see how they go.

(laughing) This is called "Twist of Fate."

(lively piano music) ♪ Do you wanna know what I've got on my mind ♪ ♪ Sorry, I'm so slow ♪ Well, I've had nothing but bad luck ♪ ♪ Doesn't it mean something to you ♪ ♪ That every time I turn my head and try to walk away ♪ ♪ You're standing there ♪ Telling me I can't even try or even dare ♪ ♪ To ever find another true love ♪ ♪ Only you could take me there ♪ Only you could make me care ♪ About how I spend my days and hours ♪ ♪ Only you can take me one step closer ♪ ♪ To the water's edge ♪ Last call at the cocktail bar ♪ ♪ Know it's getting late ♪ Let's drink the bitter taste of romance ♪ ♪ And throw in a little twist of fate ♪ (lively piano music) ♪ Do you wanna be any place that I've been ♪ ♪ It's not hard to see ♪ That I've got nothing to show for it ♪ ♪ Doesn't it say something to you ♪ ♪ That every time I try to get back up on my feet ♪ ♪ I get knocked down ♪ Followed by the boot ♪ That leaves me lying here on the ground ♪ ♪ Looking up, it seems so simple from this view ♪ ♪ I see it all unfold over you ♪ So, I will grab ahold onto anything within my reach ♪ ♪ Only you can take me one step closer to a precipice ♪ ♪ Last call at the cocktail bar ♪ ♪ You know, it's getting late ♪ Let's drink the bitter taste of romance ♪ ♪ And throw in a little twist of fate ♪ (lively piano music) All right.

(audience applauds) Thank you.

Thank you.

Whew.

Better get a drink of water after that one.

All right, this next one's called "Wavelength" and also from "Something up My Sleeve."

And this one on the record is a big horn number, kind of groovy R&B thing on the piano.

It's a little different, feels a little different.

Definitely this song comes from a period of my life when all I could listen to were old Van Morrison albums.

And, indeed, there's an album by Van Morrison called "Wavelength," and that's no accident that this song is also called that.

But here goes, see what you think.

(groovy piano music) ♪ You pick the place, and I'll pick the time ♪ ♪ We stepped out for a drink or two ♪ ♪ Or was it a few ♪ Now the music's too loud, and the beat has got no feel ♪ ♪ That I can relate to, that I can relate to ♪ ♪ And I built these walls against the sound ♪ ♪ They only work when you're around ♪ ♪ I hope that you have it, what I've been through ♪ ♪ I hope that you are one of the chosen few ♪ ♪ I hope that you on my wavelength too ♪ ♪ So, you asked me to dance ♪ I'd rather say, "No" ♪ Look like a fool in front of you ♪ ♪ Just give me a beat, it's half human ♪ ♪ Maybe I'll show you my moves ♪ Show you my moves ♪ And I've seen the world in my dreams, ♪ ♪ And I fill the holes in between ♪ ♪ I hope that you have it, what I've been through ♪ ♪ I hope that you are one of the chosen few ♪ ♪ I hope that you're on my wavelength too ♪ (groovy piano music) ♪ Know everyone yells over the top ♪ ♪ It's hard to believe it's only small talk ♪ ♪ It's only small talk ♪ So, next time, I'll pick the place, you pick the time ♪ ♪ Baby, I'll show you my world ♪ Show you my world ♪ I built these walls against the sound ♪ ♪ They only work when you're around ♪ ♪ I hope that you have it, what I've been through ♪ ♪ I hope that you are one of the chosen few ♪ ♪ I hope that you're on my wavelength too ♪ ♪ I hope you're on my wavelength too ♪ ♪ And I hope you're on my wavelength ♪ ♪ On my wavelength, on my wavelength too ♪ (groovy piano music) (audience applauds) Thank you.

There is a line in that song that implies that I have dance moves, and that's complete fiction.

But when you write songs, you're allowed to do that, I think.

All right, so as I mentioned- or as George mentioned, I used to be in a band called The Brilliant Mistakes.

We still exist online.

We haven't played in a long, long time.

We may come back someday.

We never actually broke up.

But I am a solo artist now, and, you know, in the last few years I haven't been performing too much.

So, this is really fun for me to get out in front of people and play these songs.

So, appreciate you listening to 'em.

Mostly, I sit in my basement and play to my cat Ramona and she purrs when I play.

So, if you wanna purr between songs, I'll feel right at home.

(laughing) But you gotta purr pretty loudly though.

This song is actually called "Mama Cat," but it's not about a cat.

(laughing) So, just to get that out there.

(gentle piano music) ♪ And if you feel the way I do ♪ Let's get started right away ♪ And I been holding out for the likes of you ♪ ♪ And I been waiting for this day ♪ ♪ It's not guaranteed ♪ I don't wanna be the one to fail you ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know it's not enough for me ♪ ♪ To just back down from what my heart keeps saying ♪ ♪ When you're made of everything I need ♪ ♪ So, let Mama Cat know ♪ She's the only thing I've ever wanted ♪ ♪ She's the only thing for me ♪ When I was young ♪ Chased a few crazy dreams along the way ♪ ♪ I got so twisted all around ♪ Now I've come back to stay ♪ So, let Mama Cat know ♪ She's the only thing I've ever wanted ♪ ♪ She's the only thing for me ♪ Know I'm not the only one to ever feel this way ♪ ♪ I believe this very moment just belongs to you and me ♪ ♪ And the world stops on a dime ♪ ♪ And our eyes finally meet ♪ And the oceans that lie between us ♪ ♪ Turn to dust under our feet ♪ How could I ever feel so alive ♪ (gentle piano music) ♪ And if you feel the way I do ♪ But the fear how it all can go to stray ♪ ♪ Just give me time to prove to you ♪ ♪ The past has nothing left to say ♪ ♪ It's not guaranteed ♪ I don't wanna be the one to fail you ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know it's not enough for me ♪ ♪ To just back down from what my heart keeps saying ♪ ♪ When you're made of everything I need ♪ ♪ So, let Mama Cat know ♪ She's the only thing I've ever wanted ♪ ♪ She's the only thing for me ♪ She's the only thing ♪ Only thing for me (gentle piano music) When I made "Something on My Sleeve," it was around 2018, I think the album didn't actually come out till 2019.

So, in normal musical life, that seems a long time ago, but for me, it doesn't because I never actually got an opportunity to play these songs.

By the time I was gonna put a band together and go play out, the pandemic happened, and I just sort of stayed down in my basement writing my songs and playing to my black cat, Ramona, who purrs when I play.

And that's my audience of one for the last few years.

But in the meantime, I started getting a sort of a streaming audience, partly because I share a name with a very famous Alan Walker who's a 23-year-old Norwegian who's a DJ.

He's I think the 110th most streamed musician in the world.

So, a lot of people discovered me because they found me instead of him when they were looking for him.

So, it's sort of a blessing and a curse 'cause I get millions of streams now, but if you try and find my website, it's almost impossible.

But just being able to get all the streams and getting some income from the streams just made me think, "There are people out there that are listening, and I might as well do it again."

So, I got back together with my producer Lincoln and brought some amazing musicians together, and we are just in the process of starting to mix.

And I know a lot of musicians, I know a lot of full-time session guys who it really hurt their careers and their lives.

For me, in a way, it didn't have too much effect because I wasn't really playing live.

I wasn't in a band, I wasn't out there touring, or playing clubs and sort of, you know, beating that drum, if you will.

In a way, I sort of became one of those people who records, who writes at home and records and puts the music out there.

And like I said, just at the time, I thought I was gonna get around to playing live, and that happened.

So, this time, now that we're doing this album, I'm sort of thinking, "Well, by the time this album comes out, I will put a band together or I have put a band together already, and I will go out and do some shows," select shows, I think.

You know, I'm sort of always in search of those mythical places where people go to hear live music and actually listen to them, listen to the songs instead of talk over them.

So, got a show, I think my first band show in a couple weeks up in Easthampton, Massachusetts, with some really incredible musicians.

So, looking forward to that.

When I first wrote that one, I sort of thought it would be a good song for Lionel Richie to sing.

I don't know why.

I wasn't sure if that was a good thing then, but now I think it would be a great thing.

It's funny how your mind changes about stuff like that.

And of course, if he wanted to sing that song, I wouldn't say no.

This is called "The Morning After."

This is another one from the new album.

(passionate piano music) ♪ What happened on the morning after ♪ ♪ From the day that we were born ♪ ♪ We heard the distant ring of laughter ♪ ♪ So, we resolve to brave that storm ♪ ♪ Just let the wind you, protect you from the fray ♪ ♪ Dark clouds form high above you if I can't have my way ♪ ♪ I guess I didn't have a clue ♪ Something in my mind told me what to do ♪ ♪ We all picture roses ♪ I guess it must be good for us now ♪ ♪ I know you never meant forever ♪ ♪ Seeds are sown for season-long ♪ ♪ Those hearts that only word could sever ♪ ♪ It's a lonely place where we belong ♪ ♪ Just let the wind surround you ♪ ♪ Protect you from the frame ♪ Dark clouds form high above you if I can't have my way ♪ ♪ I guess we didn't wait our turn ♪ ♪ We had everything, but we never learned ♪ ♪ We all picture roses ♪ I guess it must be good for us now ♪ ♪ My heart is open wide ♪ But you gotta do what you can ♪ ♪ You might wanna cut that line ♪ ♪ Before it's out of your hands ♪ (passionate piano music) ♪ Just let the wind surround you ♪ ♪ Protect you from the frame ♪ Dark clouds form high above you if I can't have my way ♪ ♪ I guess we didn't have a clue ♪ ♪ Something in my mind told me what to do ♪ ♪ We all picture roses ♪ I guess it must be good for us now ♪ (passionate piano music) (audience applauds) Thank you.

I totally messed that end up.

You know, that's the nice thing about playing in a band is when you make a mistake, nobody notices.

When you're alone, it's a whole different thing.

This next one requires a little bit of introduction.

It's called "Under the Table," and it's a song about a moment, an exact moment between two people, and they happen to be sitting together, and things maybe are going well, but we're not quite sure.

And in this day and age, this song has sort of taken on a little bit of a different meaning, maybe a double entendre.

But it was really meant to be about this very innocent moment.

And yet I wrote it in a very eerie minor key.

So, who knows what I was thinking at the time.

It's called "Under the Table."

♪ I've got news for you ♪ If you really wanna know, I feel it too ♪ ♪ I'm shaking like a leaf ♪ Wondering what my next move should be ♪ ♪ Slide my hand under the table ♪ ♪ To rest on your thigh ♪ And if you would reply ♪ Completely not push me aside ♪ When you can't blame me for trying ♪ ♪ Trying ♪ Your eyes say, "Do you dare" ♪ Wonder how my hand could wind up there ♪ ♪ Slip closer to the truth ♪ Devil, if you will, give me some proof ♪ ♪ I slide my hand under the table ♪ ♪ And pray to the skies ♪ You might comply ♪ Discretely not push me aside ♪ When you can't blame me for trying ♪ ♪ Trying ♪ Don't let me push you ♪ Into something you don't wanna do ♪ ♪ We don't have all the time in the world ♪ ♪ So, baby ♪ I think I don't wanna let this moment ♪ ♪ Fall by the wayside ♪ I've got no time to think ♪ I can only act upon instinct ♪ My feelings are sincere ♪ So, I move to make my conscious clear ♪ ♪ Slide my hand under the table ♪ ♪ And look in your eyes ♪ For the slightest reply ♪ That tells me you won't put up a fight ♪ ♪ And you won't blame me for trying ♪ ♪ Trying ♪ Trying (slow tense piano music) (bluesy piano music) (bluesy piano music continues) (romantic piano music) This is called "Undeniable."

(romantic piano music) ♪ It's undeniable ♪ I have to say ♪ I can't pass more time without you ♪ ♪ Or watch it slip away ♪ I have no room to move in ♪ 'Cause when it move, it just proves ♪ ♪ The undeniable truth ♪ That's undeniably you (romantic piano music) ♪ It's inconceivable ♪ It's plain to see ♪ I never knew what hit me ♪ It happened instantly ♪ There's no neat place to put what ♪ ♪ Sets you apart ♪ It just proves ♪ The inconceivable truth ♪ It's undeniably you ♪ That makes me warm to the idea ♪ ♪ Of something true ♪ Something so completely clear ♪ ♪ A stumbling fool ♪ Could never undo (romantic piano music) ♪ It's undeniable ♪ You know, it's true ♪ I've looked for answers ♪ I haven't found a clue ♪ I won't pretend to miss you ♪ It's all I do ♪ It just proves ♪ The undeniable truth ♪ The undeniable truth ♪ It's undeniably you (romantic piano music) So, I work for the biggest trade book publisher in the world, Penguin Random House, and I've done that for most of my life.

Maybe when I was younger, publishing, like, allowed me the energy and the time you know, to be in a band, you know, that played on weekends or took time and did small mini tours and that kind of thing.

But get a little older, it really gets harder to juggle those things, especially as other things in life play a part too as we can all attest as we grow older.

I sort of feel like I'm almost getting, like, a second wind to go out there again and do some stuff.

But, you know, with maybe limited expectations and just trying to find the right spots and play the right gigs and build the right audiences and just get out there and do it the way I want to do it.

It just feels like I have the songs, I want people to hear them.

I should be out there playing live, you know?

I'd be very happy just staying in the basement playing to my cat.

(laughing) It's a lot easier.

It's a lot less stressful.

Get a bunch of songs, and I'm very good at compartmentalizing things.

Like, I get a bunch of songs, I wanna record them.

I go in studio and just think about that, and once that's done I go back into that basement and start creating again.

So, I think as you get older, it's hard to find that time and to get into that mindset of creating, and I think there's a challenge to that.

When you're younger, I think things just flow out of you.

And, like I said, life takes over and makes it little more difficult to be creative whenever you want to be.

You have to make time and make space for that.

I think once the record comes out, go out and play and, you know, see how that goes, and then I'll be back at it.

I mean, I'll always wanna write and I'll always wanna be down there and, you know, working on songs 'cause that's the thing I love most, I think, that and recording.

You know, the great Burt Bacharach who died this year is a big influence of mine.

Like Burt, I have a proclivity towards the major seventh chord.

That's a little nerdy music joke, if a joke.

But yeah, that's my, again, not a conscious attempt to write a Bacharach-like song, but maybe the closest I'll ever get to the great songwriter.

Speaking of great artists, we lost Tina Turner today.

So, maybe it's apt that I'm losing my voice just a little bit in honor of one of our greatest American artist, Tina Turner.

So, this next one is called "A Town Called Misery."

(eccentric piano music) ♪ I see you turning from the last chance you'll ever know ♪ ♪ Some will hold onto the past ♪ But most of us expect to see it turn and to go ♪ ♪ Some will tell you that you best beware ♪ ♪ And some think that you will prepare ♪ ♪ And everyone gonna send you off packing ♪ ♪ With capital S-O-R-R-Y ♪ There's nothing left for you in this town ♪ ♪ There's nothing for you here ♪ Even the words carried down ♪ Through the breeze ♪ And there's a note on the door ♪ ♪ That's telling you to leave the key ♪ ♪ Under the ashtray there ♪ Take the next bus out of this town called misery ♪ (eccentric piano music) ♪ I never took you for a last-gasp kind of girl ♪ ♪ Devil's knocking on your door, and you refuse you him ♪ ♪ You fit better in this uptown world ♪ ♪ The paint is chipping from these gray walls ♪ ♪ But they still echo with the boys' catcalls ♪ ♪ The best decision that you ever made ♪ ♪ Was getting out capital D-O-D-G-E ♪ ♪ There's nothing left for you in this place ♪ ♪ There's nothing for you here ♪ Even the words are carried down ♪ ♪ Through the breeze ♪ And there's a voice in your head ♪ ♪ That's telling you to flee the scene ♪ ♪ Before the news comes out ♪ Take the next bus out of this town called misery ♪ (eccentric piano music) ♪ It's hard to say, but it's not easy watching you walk away ♪ ♪ I used to wanna try and make you see it clearly ♪ ♪ We all know it's a matter of days ♪ ♪ The sidewalk crumbles as the footstep sounds ♪ ♪ My favorite memory of this old ghost town ♪ ♪ And I, for one, am I'm gonna send you off packing ♪ ♪ With I T-O-L-D Y-O-U so ♪ There's nothing left for you in this town ♪ ♪ There's nothing for you here ♪ Even the words are carried down ♪ ♪ Through the trees ♪ And there's a note on the door ♪ ♪ That's telling you to leave the key ♪ ♪ Under the ashtray there ♪ Take the next bus out of this town called misery ♪ ♪ Misery ♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ Misery ♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ Misery (audience applauds) Thank you.

In a way, that's a nostalgic song 'cause you used to be able to run away from the place you came from, but now with the internet you can't run away.

So, it's tough for the young people.

There's nowhere to go anymore.

It's all on record.

On that note- sorry, I'm having a little mic trouble, this next one, this is an old Brilliant Mistake song about my first trip to New Orleans.

(light piano music) ♪ And I wanted you from the moment ♪ ♪ That I first saw you that night ♪ ♪ On Bourbon Street in F&M's and in that morning light ♪ ♪ To Kermit Ruffins' swinging band, we headed to the floor ♪ ♪ And I held you there at the Funky Butt for a moment ♪ ♪ Nothing more ♪ To me, it seemed so obvious, I don't need to explain ♪ ♪ I would give you any part of me ♪ ♪ That stirred you up the same ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ That stirred you up the same ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ That stirred you up ♪ And I felt your eyes in the Blacksmith ♪ ♪ As you told me things you liked ♪ ♪ And I couldn't help but wonder ♪ ♪ If it was you or just the night ♪ ♪ When you touched me on the arm ♪ ♪ Or smiled at some small remark ♪ ♪ I pretended I couldn't see the ring on your finger ♪ ♪ In the dark ♪ To me, it seemed so obvious that it was just too right ♪ ♪ If it wasn't just New Orleans ♪ ♪ Then please, bury me tonight ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ Please bury me tonight ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ Please bury me tonight (light piano music) ♪ And I thought that I met you maybe in some other life ♪ ♪ Even though I don't believe a soul ascends after you die ♪ ♪ After three drinks ♪ I was certain that the fates had played their hand ♪ ♪ After four, I thought I loved you ♪ ♪ After five, I could not stand ♪ ♪ To me, it seemed so obvious ♪ Even through these half-shut eyes ♪ ♪ I would have spent the night with you ♪ ♪ If the timing had been right ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ If the timing had been right ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ If the timing had been right ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ If the timing had been right ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, whoa ♪ If the timing had been right (audience applauds) Thank you.

All right, I think this is probably gonna be my last one, definitely.

Again, this is the first song on "Something up My Sleeve," and it's called "The Underworld."

(hopeful piano music) ♪ I'm done with the dirty dealings of the underworld ♪ ♪ Giving my number to the world before it's too late ♪ ♪ Never had nothing ♪ Never know what suffer means ♪ 'Cause you got the handle on my world ♪ ♪ Gonna learn to say it ♪ Isn't it easier to step outside ♪ ♪ Speak the things that are on your mind ♪ ♪ What makes it so hard ♪ There's really nothing to it after all ♪ ♪ So, wipe that look from off your face ♪ ♪ Before it becomes permanent ♪ Now, pick a card ♪ I might have something up my sleeve ♪ ♪ There's nothing tricky in this life ♪ ♪ Unless you get up and leave ♪ Unless you get up and leave me ♪ ♪ My mind is running, running from what I'll never know ♪ ♪ My heart is pushing for a world with you and me in it ♪ ♪ I'm done with the dirty dealings of the underworld ♪ ♪ I'm taking my number and the girl ♪ ♪ And I'm going away ♪ Isn't it easier to step outside ♪ ♪ Speak the things that are on your mind ♪ (hopeful piano music) (hopeful piano music continues) ♪ What makes it so hard ♪ There's really nothing to it after all ♪ ♪ So, wipe that look from off your face ♪ ♪ Before it becomes permanent ♪ Now, pick a card ♪ I might have something up my sleeve ♪ ♪ There's nothing tricky in this life ♪ ♪ There's nothing tricky in this life ♪ ♪ Unless you get up and leave me ♪ ♪ I'm done with the dirty ♪ Giving my number to the world ♪ ♪ I never had nothing ♪ 'Cause you got the handle on my world ♪ ♪ Gonna learn to say it (hopeful piano music) (audience applauds) Cheers.

Thank you so much.