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Room To Grow

by Carmen Nickerson

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1.
Emily 03:32
EMILY – NICKERSON/PORTER LIKE A CARNIVAL RIDE IN THE RAIN SHE’S TECHNICOLOR IN A SKY OF GRAY SHE’S GOT A MILLION WORDS THAT SHE CAN’T QUITE SAY OH EMILY CAN YOU COME OUT TODAY SHE STAMMERS & STUTTERS & DANCES & CRIES LIKE A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING OF JAGGED LINES I WANNA HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY OH EMILY CAN YOU COME OUT TO PLAY THERE’S A GALAXY IN HER EYES LIKE CONFETTI FLYING THROUGH THE SKY EVERYONE WANTS HER TO CHANGE BUT I DON’T SHE’S DREAMING OF THE BREEZE SHE’S FLYING ON THE TRAPEZE SEE THE FACES DOWN BELOW IN THE TENT LIGHT GLOW THE SMELL OF THE HAY, THE CARAMEL CORN THE GLITTER AND GOLD OF THE SIDE SHOW HER DRESS IS TORN AND HER FEET ARE BARE I LOVE HER CAUSE SHE DOESN’T CARE THERE’S A GALAXY IN HER EYES LIKE CONFETTI FLYING THROUGH THE SKIES EVERYONE WANTS HER TO CHANGE BUT I DON’T LIKE A CARNIVAL RIDE IN THE RAIN SHE’S TECHNICOLOR IN A SKY OF GRAY
2.
Room To Grow 03:28
ROOM TO GROW - Carmen Nickerson We had a pony named Chico from Jimmy Boom Boom And raised six growing kids in two bedrooms No heat in the winter no air in July. Baseball cards and mom's apple pie I used to be so jealous of those city kids with friends right next door through picket fences It took a little time for me to realize There ain't no greener grass nor any bluer skies Cause we had room to grow and a cow to show at the Mitchell County Fair We had room to grow We had room dontcha know Big skies, black earth and fresh air The crops are in and it looks like snow Mamma I don’t wanna go But the north star is climbing high I gotta see what lies beyond the rise Honey, call your father in from the chicken shed Set the table, pour the milk and say amen We hope you know we truly tried our best Now you’re the last one to kick out from the nest And you need room to grow Your own grass to grow You need room to make mistakes Sometimes it’s hard to know which way to go But follow your heart for goodness sakes Rainstorms from miles away Time to put up the hay Sit up in the mow and watch the storm pass by These city lights that block the stars hold no charm for me now Give me roses in a mason jar And love that wants to stay Give me room to grow Give me room to show All the love a heart can give Give me room to grow We need room and we’ll know How to love well and how to forgive We had a pony named Chico from Jimmy Boom Boom And raised six growing kids in two bedrooms
3.
WRECKING BALL ALWAYS SEEMS I’M ONE STEP FROM BREAKING DOWN GOTTA STOP LIVING MY LIFE LIKE IT’S THROUGH I CAN SEE THE SUNLIGHT, BUT I’M STUCK IN THE CLOUDS A THOUSAND JOURNEYS AND STILL I CAN’T SHAKE OFF THIS SHROUD WHY MUST EVERYTHING GET INSIDE AND ROLL ME OVER LIKE A WRECKING BALL I’M PARALYZED BY THIS CHATTER IN MY HEAD THERE’S A SMALL WINDOW OPEN LORD HELP ME CRAWL THROUGH IF I DON’T MAKE IT THIS TIME I MIGHT BE THROUGH I FEEL LIKE I’VE GIVEN UP EVERY OTHER CHOICE PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR HAND WHILE I SILL HAVE A VOICE WHY MUST EVERYTHING GET INSIDE AND ROLL ME OVER LIKE A WRECKING BALL I’M PARALYZED BY THIS CHATTER IN MY HEAD I OVER ANALYZE EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE AND I’M STARTING TO FEEL SO SMALL FEELS LIKE THE SNOW IS FALLING DOWN ON ME AND YOU ARE THE WARMTH I CAN NOT REACH YOU SOAK INTO MY EVERY PORE YET I’LL WATCH YOU FADE INTO THE MIST TIME HAS A WAY OF HEALING SEASONS WE’VE LIVED WHEN WILL I FINALLY LET SOMEONE IN OH IT’S A NEW SEASON THIS IS OUR STORY AND IT’S OURS TO CHANGE WE CAN CHANGE THE END
4.
SPIRITUAL PLAYBOY YOU'VE BEEN SAVING ALL YOUR PENNIES YOU'VE BEEN SHOPPING AROUND YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A GOOD, GOOD DEAL AND YOU THINK YOU'VE FOUND SOMEONE SHINY AND NEW TO THROW YOURSELF INTO YOU GO LOOKING FOR THOSE KIND, SWEET GIRLS WHO'VE HAD SOME TROUBLES OF THEIR OWN YOU WALK THE BEACH WITH A CROSS OF GOLD AND SIT IN AN ASHRAM AND OHM BUT SOMEDAY YOU'LL BE OLD AND YOUR CHARMS WILL NO LONGER HOLD JUST A SPIRITUAL PLAYBOY PLAYING BY YOUR OWN RULES YOU THINK YOU'RE ENLIGHTENED BUT YOU'RE REALLY JUST CRUEL TEAR HER DOWN JUST TO BUILD HER UP MAKE HER BELIEVE SHE NEEDS YOUR EMBRACE YOU TRIED IT ON ME AND I ALMOST FELL THANK GOD IT WAS ONLY A PHASE YOU LIKE TO USE FANCY WORDS LIKE TANTRA, MANTRA, BRHAMA A DAMAGED BOY WITH A PRETTY FACE DID YOU FORGET THAT ONE CALLED KARMA YOU THINK YOU'RE SOME KIND OF OSHO BUT KALI WILL SWALLOW YOU WHOLE CHORUS ANANDA, PRIYA, AVIDYA
5.
IN COMPARISON SPENT OUR SUMMERS SWIMMING ON CLEAR LAKE JUST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE MUSIC DIED GRANDMA GAVE US LESSONS ON HER OLD PIANO & ON AN APPALOOSA NAMED BEN WE ALL LEARNED TO RIDE EVERYTHING PALES IN COMPARISON TO A FULL MOON RISING OVER AN EMPTY FIELD CLOUDS LIKE MOUNTAINS ON THE FAR HORIZON PRAYING FOR GOOD WEATHER TO BRING IN THE YIELD WE HAD FENCE ROWS FULL OF MILKWEED MONARCHS WOULD STOP ON THEIR WAY TO MEXICO MAMMA BAKED FRESH BREAD, AND WE PICKED SWEET CORN I HAD NO IDEA THAT WE MIGHT BE CONSIDERED POOR CHORUS THE WOMAN I AM WILL ALWAYS BE RIDING FOR THAT SUNSET IN MY MIND I’LL GET THERE SOMEDAY IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME IF I KNEW THEN, WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD’VE HELD MUCH TIGHTER TO THE REINS I’M STILL HOLDING ON TO WHERE I’M FROM LILACS IN OUR HAIR FILLED THE CHURCH THAT MAY WHEN DADDY GAVE SISTER AWAY A POLKA BAND IN THE SCHOOL GYMNASIUM DREAMING WHEN WOULD IT BE MY DAY EVERYTHING PALES IN COMPARISON TO RIDING A RED HORSE UNDER A HARVEST MOON EVERYONE TELLS YOU, BUT YOU NEVER BELIEVE THEM TIL YOU REALIZE YOU GREW UP TOO SOON
6.
I’LL NEVER FORGET I FORGIVE YOU FOR ALL THE LIES YOU TOLD I FORGIVE YOU, SO I WON’T EVER GET OLD I FORGIVE YOU, FOR HOW YOU BURNED DOWN OUR HOUSE I FORGIVE YOU, FOR ALL YOU FORGOT ABOUT I FORGIVE, BUT I’LL NEVER FORGET I FORGIVE YOU, FOR YOU WHAT YOU COULDN’T SAY I FORGIVE YOU, FOR HOW SHE LEAD YOU ASTRAY I FORGIVE YOU, FOR TREATING LOVE THAT WAY LIVING WITHOUT YOU GETS BETTER EVERY DAY I FORGIVE, OH YOU KNOW WHAT, I’LL NEVER FORGET I REMEMBER HOW YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE ALL THE CHANGES I WAS GOING THROUGH ALL THE WHILE YOU WERE LYING CRYING LITTLE BOY TEARS IF IT BIT YOU IN THE ASS YOU WOULDN’T HAVE KNOWN THE TRUTH TO HER SUGAR IN YOUR BOWL I WAS YOUR VINAIGRETTE AND I’LL NEVER FORGET INSTRUMENTAL I FORGIVE YOU, FOR WHAT YOU COULDN’T SAY I FORGIVE YOU, FOR HOW SHE LEAD YOU ASTRAY I FORGIVE YOU, FOR TREATING LOVE THAT WAY LIVING WITHOUT YOU GETS BETTER EVERY DAY I FORGIVE, BUT YOU CAN BET, I’LL NEVER FORGET I FORGIVE, BUT I’LL NEVER FORGET OH, I FORGIVE, I, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I NEVER FORGET
7.
Wild World 04:26
8.
Ascension 05:23
ASCENSION There's a little girl kneeling in the evening light praying to her father in the sky what do I have to do to raise above this dirt why do we have to die And the wind moves the curtains And it's been such a dry July When will we rise above our nation When will we float up to the stars When will we dance with the angels start seeing with our hearts Ascension Why do I cover my heart when I sleep Why can't I find any lasting peace Starry nights and dewy grass barefoot dreams that didn't last Still waiting for my savior to come Still the moon shines through my window tells me after night I'll find the sun When will I rise above this nation When will I float up to the stars When will I dance with the angels start seeing with my hearts Ascension Rise above the noise and din we are more than our suffering Made of flesh and born to roam But like the wild dove we’ll find our home When will we rise above our nations When will we float up to the stars When will we dance with the angels start seeing with our hearts Ascension

about

Carmen Nickerson’s true Americana heartland story begins on her family’s small farm in north central Iowa near Saint Ansgar, where she helped work the land with her parents and five older siblings. There was music all around: in church, barber-shop quartets, at school, and within her family’s evenings of gathered song and rich harmonies The images and stories of her songs flow naturally from the truth of this life, with all its attendant pressures and expectations.

Her first full length solo album, “Room to Grow,” she co-produced with Willy Porter, and the studio band includes her long-time collaborators and bandmates Kostia Efimov on keys, John Wheeler on bass, and John Calarco on drums. Other distinguished musicians Dave Adler, Mai Bloomfield, and Stas Venglevski make notable contributions. This collection crosses a wide frontier musically from blues, jazz, alternative rock, to bluegrass and country-inflected songs.

The richness of Carmen’s songwriting leaves listeners empowered and inspired. The song “Emily” celebrates a beautiful savant-like character, while “Spiritual Playboy“ takes a poke at the charlatans posing as gurus these days. The title track is a joyful, bluegrass-like romp through her early farming days, and “Never Forget“ speaks to her strength in the face of betrayal. The entire “Room to Grow“ project serves as an extraordinary introduction to Carmen‘s artistry. A captivating presence onstage, this seasoned powerhouse quickly draws her audiences into the spell of the music played, and this album is a beautiful concoction of that same magic.

credits

released November 13, 2023

Produced by Willy Porter & Carmen Nickerson
Additional production by Kevin Arndt
Recorded & mixed by Kevin Arndt; The Exchange Recording Complex, Milwaukee, WI
Additional recording by John Wheeler & Lev Feriants
Mastered by Justin Perkins; Mystery Room Mastering, Madison, WI
Executive producer: Monica Mansfield

Cover photo & art: Dale Newsted
Art Director & graphic design: Anjl Rodee, Lucky Dime Productions
Additional Photos: Konstantin Efimov, Giselle Oliva

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Carmen Nickerson Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Carmen Nickerson's story begins on her family’s small farm in Saint Ansgar, IA. She weaves profound truths and empowering messages into her music. Collaborating with renowned artists Willy Porter, Kostia Efimov & more, her work transcends boundaries. Through her highly anticipated solo album, "Room to Grow," Carmen's songwriting prowess and authentic artistry are set to captivate audiences. ... more

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