Welcome!

In 2016, Ian Turner and I began work on a new collection of my songs. We cut basic tracks for 16 tunes. We completed 9 of them in 2017, and I released that collection as “Hey Day,” (available on Bandcamp, Spotify and all the other major streaming platforms). In late 2019, while I was living in Brazil and Ian was in Brooklyn, we began working remotely on the other 7 songs from those initial sessions. In May 2020, we completed them. This collection, titled “A Lamp in Your Heart” is the result. Each song on this album represents a different period of my songwriting life, and each reflects the ghosts of songs that were written, sung and forgotten along the way. I have written and recorded several albums' worth of songs since some of the ones here were written. And yet, I can say confidently that this collection represents the peak of my recorded work thus far. I am amazed anew at the power of the creative process.

'Spectre' was written before I even graduated from college in 2005. Since then, I have lived at least three lives: been married, divorced, had a full and thriving career as a performer in New York City, traveled the world, re-married, become a father, lost my father...and this song still rings true.

'Time, an Arrow Bent' was written on a beach in Mexico in 2012. At the time, I thought the last verse was about me, but since my father's death (from suicide), I've begun to see that it might be about him ("what befell this child/that he bruises so?") I am repeatedly grateful for the quantum nature of the artistic experience.

In 2013 I had the pleasure of teaching drums to the son of Diana Krall and Elvis Costello. Both parents were very warm and friendly, and one night, Mr. Costello took me as his guest to a variety show at Town Hall, which featured, among others, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. I have been a huge fan of Gillian's music for many years, but this was the first time I heard David take the lead. He sang 'I Hear Them All' and I was transfixed. I thought it was a Dylan tune -- it felt well-traveled, and I was sure it was older than David. Of course, it turned out to be his (co-written with Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor). I am over and over again moved by the power of this tune.

'Super Collider' was a 2014 attempt to rekindle a dying love affair, written at the entrance to New York's Central Park on a borrowed ukulele.

'Searchlights' was born of a late-night solo set in a Flatbush, Brooklyn bar in early 2016, and is dedicated to the holy muse, my longest-running darling.

'What Poison Would I Resist?' is another dedication to the transcendent power of divine love, particularly in Her destructive and renewing form. I wrote 'Poison' on my knees in front of my desk in my small Brooklyn apartment in 2013, just after returning from a month of solo travel in Japan.

Finally, 'My Lover's Here' is yet again an ode to the Divine Lover, written sitting beside the ruin of a several-hundred-year-old water mill in the middle of a nature preserve outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in early 2015.

I bow my head and give thanks for the presence of the myriad magical musicians who supported the creation of this album. First and foremost, Mr. Ian Hafiz Turner (aka Rubycon), without whom these songs would still only exist as iPhone demos. He went above and beyond as a producer, engineer, instrumentalist and thorough collaborator across the whole record. The fact that he remains one of my closest friends 17 years after we met is one of the bright spots of my life, and I look forward to many more years of friendship and collaboration.

Eric Lane delivered glorious electric piano and synthesizer parts on many songs, including 'Time,' 'Super Collider,' 'What Poison' and 'My Lover's Here.' He also took the lead in producing 'Spectre.' He took the existing basic track, removed everything except the vocal, and built the song from the ground up. Working hand-in-hand with Lautaro Burgos (percussion) and Rubycon, a here-to-fore unknown sonic landscape emerged, in the midst of which sits a story of the unshakable sorrow of loss.

Alisha Neverson lends her glorious voice to 'Super Collider,' 'What Poison' and 'My Lover's Here.' We were nearly finished with the tracks, but something important was missing. We called Alisha, and she brought exactly what was needed. Powerful, clear, sensitive, full of grace and attitude, I thrill when I hear her sing.

J. Hoard shows up on this record (as he did on "Hey Day") and delivers crushing vocals on 'Super Collider.' He and Alisha are a dream-team of vocalists, and their contribution to this song helped create the stellar explosion suggested by the title.

'Searchlights' features a very special guest, my pal and songwriting hero Billy Jonas. His albums "Life So Far" and "Get Real" sit right at the top of my musical Mt. Olympus. One of his songs ('God is In') says "live in love and that's enough," which is the source of my line "my teacher told me 'live in love and that's enough' brother" -- which he ("my teacher") then harmonized with me on this song!!! What a gift from life.

I'm blessed to be a part of a very musical family, and many members contributed their time and talent to “A Lamp in Your Heart” as well. On 'Time,' the voices of my astounding wife Josefina Moreau Schiller and my sister-in-law Dora Moreau Stroeter play the part of the ghosts at sea in a thunderstorm. I recorded their parts in a small bathroom in their grandma's house in Brazil, and they managed to capture the wide expanse of a dark oceanic night.

Continuing with the family appearances, my mom, Clair Oaks (a frequent and beloved collaborator) is my duet partner on 'I Hear Them All.' Joining her on the chorus is my mother-in-law Gisela Moreau and cousin-in-law Celeste Antunes, and my dear friends, the ever-incredible Gaura Vani and Visvambar Sheth (aka The Juggernauts) and Ian Turner. If you listen closely, you will indeed hear them all.

Daniel Meron drew fire and life from Ian's little spinet piano, and you can warm yourself to his playing on 'Time,' 'I Hear Them All,' Searchlights' and 'What Poison.'

Bennett Miller plays bass. Really well. It is always a pleasure to tune in to the low end on 'Time,' 'What Poison' and 'My Lover's Here' and let it hold steady as the tunes unfold.

Maria Caribé created the beautiful cover. This was my first time working with her, and I’m so glad she was involved. Now, the album is good to look at and listen to.

I am donating 100% of all money I receive in sales for this and all my other releases on Bandcamp. I am committed to the creation of a world characterized by dignity in life and death for all beings. The intense disparity between that vision and our current reality compels me to direct my energy and resources toward uplifting the dignity of those who are oppressed. At this time, I am bringing attention to the following two groups:

1) Folk Arts Rajasthan/The Merasi: The Merasi are a people of Northwestern Rajasthan, India who have been master musicians for 40 generations and counting. They have also been oppressed incredibly, as they are part of the formerly-known-as Untouchable caste. I have spent time with them in their home in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and also when they have been on tour in the US. I count several of their number personal friends, and I am pleased to be supporting them through my music at this time.
@folkartsraj on Instagram

2) The Yawanawa tribe, who live in the Amazon, in Acre, western Brazil. Along with many Indigenous populations, they are at tremendous risk at all times. This risk is amplified in the age of Covid-19. They have taken measures for their own safety, and are accepting donations which are being used to fortify and strengthen themselves, now and for the future. As they are stewards of the forest, their strength, health and vitality has a direct impact on the health of the planet and ALL her inhabitants. I have had the privilege and honor of spending time with them in one of their villages in the forest, as well as meeting members of the tribe for ceremonies in Europe over the last few years. @campanhacura on Instagram

It is an honor to support these dear people.

PLEASE ENJOY THIS MUSIC

Elijah Tucker
July 2, 2020
São Roque, Brazil