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We Were Trying to Make It Out

by Jeremy Neale

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1.
You wanna call the shots But every level you unlock Leads to more and more and more of the same It started out for kicks but now it’s 7 years And a multitude of tears you held back. We were building a dream, Now it’s over. And most every night, you don’t wanna but you gotta It’s just another thing to do, when everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. ’Til there’s nothing left of you. Everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. Replaced by two. It’s never I forgot, Cos I can’t let it go. I write my demons down on a list. And I had told myself “Just one more heavy block” Look at all the time we’ve lost to the conveyer belt. We were building a dream, Now it’s over. And most every night, you don’t wanna but you gotta It’s just another thing to do, when everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. ’Til there’s nothing left of you. Everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. There’s things I’d like to do but everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. Til there’s nothing left of you. Everything I do is replaced by two, yeah. Replaced by two, yeah.
2.
What’s the use? It’s probably over. Time has passed you by without notice. I’ve seen the news and paid for the adverts, and my resent’s not meant for you. I don’t like confrontation or yelling fights, I’d rather composure. Don’t liken my contempt to ambition, It’s time I spent my days with you. Raise the roof if you’re diggin’ the sound. Tried and true, I can’t shake it, it’s just so loud. Of all the times you could do this, why hurt me now? Tried and true, hope you’re diggin’ the sound. Oh my life, it’s stuck in a loop where I kick a vice, Only to fall back worse every time. And I can’t defend it cos all I do is kill the mood. Raise the roof if you’re diggin’ the sound Tried and true, I can’t shake it, it’s just so loud. Of all the times you could do this, why hurt me now? Tried and true, hope you’re diggin the sound.
3.
I kinda thought that I was more the stoic type. Not great to live a lie but nice to live with hope. Yeah I hope. And just this morning I thanked god I felt alive And yeah I can’t deny that I’m not living right. But I cope. But I’ve been thinking about the past and I can’t let go. And nobody knows. That I’m always tearing myself down for something I did long ago. And you’re always kind when I need time, But I’m never kind to myself. You’re looking for the strength to carry. I’ve been looking for the same all of my life. You’re looking for the strength to carry, This is the light when you are afraid of the dark. You’re looking for someone to cling to And I’m trying my best all of the time. Keep holding my head underwater, This is the night when I take control of my life.
4.
Hold Me Up 04:03
Tell me what you’re really thinking, I’m a moocher, bad romancer? Feelin’ like I hardly know ya, It’s so brutal. Are you trying to phase me out? I’m a living zombie sometimes But I go to work and I think of you If I don’t face it no one’s gonna For my failings, I’m responsible, man. Still I’m never getting what I want Cos life and love is pretty tough And you can tell your friends I’m junk But just this once I wish that you would Hold me up, baby. You know I need someone to hold me up. I ruminate on sad obsessions Do I do enough with the time I’m given? There’s no way of ever knowing. Self destruction is a complicated mess. And you know why I keep this front. Cos life and love is pretty tough. And you can tell your friends I’m junk But just this once I wish that you would hold me up.
5.
I clean myself up, I think I look nice. But I’ve been ravaged by all the hard times This is the deep end and you’re my friend tonight. What will you do to me, to make it alright? Another week down, so what’s another one? Always another one. But then a month’s down, and then a year’s gone. So what’s another one? And if I seem a little desperate, it’s only cos I know our days are numbered. Distant lights, rain on the windshield, I drove all night because our days are numbered. And if you think there’s nothing out there, then nothing’s really gonna change your mind so. I’m in love with my potential and what’s yet to be found. You didn’t notice, I watched the water rise. All that could have been will haunt you, If you give it time. Another week down, so what’s another one? Always another one. But then a month’s down, and then a year’s gone. So what’s another one? And if I seem a little desperate, it’s only cos I know our days are numbered. Distant lights, rain on the windshield, I drove all night because our days are numbered. And if you think there’s nothing out there, then nothing’s really gonna change your mind so. I’m in love with my potential and what’s yet to be found. Climb the wall, seal the real deal I’m kinda freakin’ out, I should control myself.
6.
It’s synthesised, I hate the city and you’re the first to know. But don’t worry, I won’t do anything drastic or new. Pay it back in time with interest, We’re all gamblers, right? In a hurry. Yeah. To lose our time. I’m ashamed I do. A sleepless night, These thieves they steal our lives. I hope you stay… But you don’t have to. It’s only wise to take your own advice, I empathise with those who are trying to make it out. So mind what you do if it’s hurting you. And be kind when all that you dreamed has deserted you. Give me time. It’s never worth the time invested but how was I to know? Til’ you told me, that I’ve lost my spark And I know it’s true. A sleepless night, These thieves they steal our lives. I hope you stay… But you don’t have to. It’s only wise to take your own advice, I empathise with those who are trying to make it out. So mind what you do if it’s hurting you. And be kind when all that you dreamed has deserted you. We were trying to make it out. So mind what you do if it’s hurting you. And be kind when all that you dreamed has deserted you. There’s a time when all you’ve been through catches up with you. So be kind when all that you dreamed as deserted you. Give me time.
7.
That’s just how it is, a long dark night, until you find someone that’s right. I need you here, though most of the time I’m a mess, I know. A singer at a halftime show. I’m in too deep, well, probably. And I can’t sleep, these lists haunting me. For the ways and means to build a new life without modern cons. It’s not easy watching your life roll on. But I still want you around me, so I won’t ever run from you. The way that you found me, means I’m forever tied to you. And I’ve got all I need, well, probably. But that won’t stop the criticising. Forgive me please, when I get distracted by making gold And all my vices take control. But I still want you around me, so I won’t ever run from you. The way that you found me, means I’m forever tied to you. The light that surrounds you, means I won’t ever tire of you. The way that you found me, means I’m forever tied to you. I kept daydreaming like I’d cross the finish line And all the sacrifice, I’d leave it all behind, I suppose. But I’ve been thinking about my life for a long, long time. And I still can’t get it right. And I’m always tearing myself down, for something I said long ago. And you’re always kind when I need time. But I’m never kind to myself. You’re looking for the strength to carry. I’ve been looking for the same all of my life. You’re looking for the strength to carry, This is the light when you are afraid of the dark. You’re looking for someone to cling to And I’m trying my best all of the time. Keep holding my head underwater, This is the night when I take control of my life.
8.
Time 03:22
You can sleep away most days and you won’t see what you’re losin’. It’s so hard to reconcile that it’s mostly of my choosin’. I’ve got so much sorrow. Why? I never wronged anyone. …At least not in the last few years. Livin’ wild a day at a time is fine. But when you see where you’re at in the scheme of your life, It’s crushing. And so sad. Cos time’s moving too fast and I can’t get any of it back. In any moment alone I think too much about it all. It’s so cruel, you figure it out just in time for the ending. We’ve only got the cards we’re dealt and not all hearts can be mended. I had plans for tomorrow. Why do I confide in anyone? Livin’ wild a day at a time, I was fine But now I see where I’m at in the scheme of my life and it’s crushing. And so sad. Cos time’s moving too fast and I can’t get any of it back. In every moment alone, I think too much about it all. Oh time’s moving too fast and I can’t get any of it back.

about

Since his 2017 debut album release, Neale took out the 2018 Queensland Music Award for Song of The Year for single Dancin’ & Romancin’, signed a global publishing deal with GAGA International / Rough Trade, received extensive play across US college radio and was the recipient of the Grant McLennan Fellowship.

As part of this fellowship Neale spent three months in New York City during 2018, attending a songwriting masterclass at NYU, collaborating with local writers and as it turns out, most importantly, resetting his life.

Many years stuck in a cycle of ever-changing work, relentless side-hustling and various degrees of financial ruin had taken a toll and the opportunity to escape the pressure cooker for a brief period of time helped immensely to cure the burnout.

The distance from home enabled a birds-eye view of what was and wasn’t working and enabled him to figure out what exactly he wanted from music and how the desire to create music could fit into a life worth living. Upon his return home to Brisbane, Australia, armed with new purpose and an openness to collaboration, he set to work on recording his sophomore record We Were Trying to Make It Out.

Sonically, We Were Trying to Make It Out contains Neale’s penchant for melodic hooks, delivered coherently and directly without compromise or pastiche. This is the Jeremy Neale sound - the result of years of searching and refining - honest, fully realised and immediate. Guitar pop underpinned by classic songwriting is potentially the recipe for finding oneself outside the current musical climate but is also the hallmark of creating something truly timeless.

On We Were Trying to Make It Out Neale explains the album title as the justification for the brutality you’ll put yourself through in an attempt to escape your demons.“There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make in order to create music if you’re not major label backed or independently wealthy and every mistake you make has direct consequences for your everyday quality of life."

We Were Trying to Make It Out is a record written across two cities and two years. Early Jeremy Neale recordings might have read as a tribute to those who came before him, but here on his second record - he has found his sound and his voice.

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released February 28, 2020

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