Skate Punk

by Kyla Tilley

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about

A fun upbeat commentary on toxic masculinity as seen through the eyes of a fish.

I was working with a songwriting prompt that was simply a list of words. I knew enough to recognize that all the words had to do with skateboarding, but not enough to feel confident writing a song about it. I do however, live on an island, and we have skate, the fish, off our shores. Skates have spikes along their spines like a punk has spikes on their clothes, and they are tough, but very graceful creatures.

While reading about their mating practices I very quickly found myself writing from the point of view of a lady skate who is sick and tired of all the posturing and bullying that goes on every year in the skate mating grounds. She finds herself wishing for a mate who makes the most of their underwater environment, riding the rip tide and doing mad tricks on the ocean waves.

The recording is simple and straightforward. Nylon string guitar, light bass, just a touch of backing vocals, and some electric guitar to mimic the undulations of the skate.

lyrics

I crawled out of my mermaid's purse
In these very same grounds some time ago
I return year after year
To keep the cycle rolling

Every year it is the same
Old conventions holding
The ocean is a wild frontier
Where strength holds highest value

There is more to life than that!

Give me a mate who rides the rip tide
Doing mad tricks on the ocean waves
Undulating
Give me a gentle
Graceful
Free sailing
Skate punk

Familiar faces come and go
Flashing their credentials
Whose survived another year
Whose the most insufferable

Posturing on full display
Beaten muscles flexing
Studs rally, duke it out to prove who's
Master of the nursery

I could not care less who wins!

Give me a mate who rides the rip tide
Doing mad tricks on the ocean waves
Undulating
Give me a gentle
Graceful
Free sailing
Skate punk

Someone who hangs
On the edge
Sees the beauty
Not the danger

Someone who lives
To the full
Doesn't worry about
What's expected

Give me a mate who rides the rip tide
Doing mad tricks on the ocean waves
Undulating
Give me a gentle
Graceful
Free sailing
Skate punk

credits

released March 15, 2024
Written, Performed, and Produced by Kyla Tilley (SOCAN)
(classical and electric guitars, bass guitar, all vocals)
Mixed and Mastered by Julian Squires
Cover art and graphic design by Julian Squires

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about

Kyla Tilley Newfoundland and Labrador

Kyla Tilley plays guitar, wears high heels, and writes sometimes sad, often funny, occasionally disconcerting, story-telling songs which rarely rhyme.

shows

May 16

Spirit Music Bar

St. John's, NL
Jun 13

Spirit Music Bar

St. John's, NL
Aug 3

Bruce Spicer Park, Canning

Centreville, NS
Aug 8

Hew & Draw

Corner Brook, NL
Nov 28

Hew & Draw

Corner Brook, NL

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