Beth Wood began her musical journey in Lubbock, a high plains Texas town with a uniquely rich musical heritage that includes Buddy Holly, Natalie and Lloyd Maines, Mac Davis, and Joe Ely to name a few. When she wasn’t dodging tornados and dust storms, Beth was studying classical piano, violin, harp, and voice and contemplating the greatness of her Dad’s Willie Nelson records.
With grandiose dreams of becoming a musician, a baker, or a cowgirl, Beth left west Texas to study voice and piano at Brevard College in North Carolina. A detour from her classical studies led her to Austin, where she picked up a degree in literature and a guitar. Beth began writing her own songs and quickly discovered a feeling of musical freedom that she has been hooked on ever since. Fifteen years, thousands of shows, nine albums, three cars, and numerous awards later, Beth has never looked back. Beth’s exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and engaging, energetic stage presence have been winning over audiences from coast to coast.
“The Weather Inside,” Beth’s eighth studio release, is a case study in contrast. A coming-of-age statement record from a veteran artist, Beth’s latest work embraces strength and tenderness, the polished and the well-worn, the broken and the hopeful heart. Produced by Billy Crockett at Blue Rock Studio in Wimberley, TX, “The Weather Inside” delves deep into Beth’s creative reserves and delivers a strong collection of songs and performances to remember.
Beth and her husband and their sweet dog Marble now live in beautiful Eugene, Oregon. Beth is settling in to the Northwest music scene, where she has been featured on OPB’s “Artbeat” tv show, Ninkasi’s Northwest Music sampler, and the Sisters Folk Festival and Song Academy.
lyrics
I am in immediate danger of living with a stranger
And the strange part is that stranger is me
I’ve waited up for her at night, I can’t get her in my sites
She comes in, tiptoes around mysteriously
Just when I think she’s disappeared
She comes in and switches all the gears
She’ll say something brave like she’s got no fear
She’s got no doubt, got no insecurity
I’m still searching for the better part of me
Did you ever open up your mouth and something brilliant came right out
And you looked around to see where it was coming from
That’s the better part of you right then and there - I think you two make quite a pair
We should all get together sometime and try to have some fun
Just when you think you’ve disappeared
You come in switching all the gears
You’ll say something brave like you’ve got no fear
You’ve got no doubt, and you always know just what to do
You’re still searching for the better part of you
Hey, maybe our best selves could run away together
They could go off to paradise and stay forever
Meanwhile back at home, we’ll go on being ordinary birds
of an ordinary feather
So if you love who you think I could be, I suggest a different strategy
Because that one will only leave you unsatisfied
We’re all just doing the best we can to do unto our fellow man
But mostly we just try and brace ourselves for the ride
The birds of paradise disappear
They’ll come back around this way next year
Until then, I guess we’ll sit right here
Holding hands and laughing at the mystery
Thinking ‘bout the better part of you and me
A curated compilation of the best music from the hit podcast Crimetown, featuring original Music from Edwin, Bienart, and Jon Ivans. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 27, 2017
