Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke to Tornoto songwriter, Lavender Child about her recent single ‘Happy Illusions’.

“‘Happy Illusions’ was inspired from a weekend at an outdoor music festival. The environment alone was stunning; lush forests with enchanting art installations throughout the trails. The unsettling ambivalence of the place came from the juxtaposition between the people and the peaceful surroundings. My head spun from the irony both in relationships to nature and each other. I heard so many people say that they loved one another, which conceptually was beautiful, but realistically had me questioning the authenticity of the community.

I sat down with Toronto director Dylan Mitro who understood the song completely and came to me with the video conceptualized, ‘Happy Illusions’ is a song about the experience of love and the human connection to nature and whether that connection can be genuine when under the influence.

‘Happy Illusions’ comes from my upcoming album Reflections which revolves around those moments of self reflection where you ask yourself, how am I contributing to this world? How are my actions influencing the environment and the people around me?”

‘Happy Illusions’ Lyrics

Forest green, its presence weak

Masked by the waves of foreign sounds

Praised by the children with wilted flower crowns

We live the happiest illusions

Beats dropping like the acid on their tongues

Smiles only come with their words in a slur

Love is romanticized when bodies are a blur

We live the happiest illusions

Branches extend, like human hands

The children crack their bones

On the way to their transient thrones

We live the happiest illusions

Do we really feel love for one another

Do we really feel love for earth mother

Do you really show your love ?

Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke to Norwich’s Lightscape about their recent single ‘By Design’.

“‘By Design’ relates to trying to change someone and attempting to understand their behaviour. In the end you realise that’s just how they are and that to pursue more could cause further damage. All five of us chipped in making the track what it is. But It started like most of our songs with Sam, Will and Ben bouncing ideas around a computer.

The second verse riff and the chorus were two completely separate ideas that came together to give the song some legs, the rest of the tune being natural progression from there.

Its actually got recorded more than once and then we decided to restructure it with a synthier intro to help ease the intensity along more. I also remember being blown away by the vocal takes for the chorus.”

By Design LYRICS

Don't ever wonder why you've never had much luck,

you've taken leave of your senses, you seem to clutch,

to this idea this illusion, convincing yourself you'll be fine this time.

Once you put out the fire, but now you fan the flames,

and as you search the ashes, a heart remains

a heart that's clouded your judgement, fighting with all of the warning signs.

 I’ve been here before, I can feel your presence all around me,

It scares me that I thought, we left this all behind

So here’s another chance, for you to pull the strings,

an opportunity to get back underneath her skin,

while you've had time to work on your disguise, I'm not buying it, you cant blame me

Call it coincidence, i call it by design,

as I'm witnessing the sudden turning of the tide,

So don't you sell me your reasons, don't sell me your lies, I'm stuck with the memories, I get the feeling that

I’ve been here before, I can feel your presence all around me,

It scares me that I thought, we left this all behind.

The only thing I know, is I won’t waste my time on you pretending,

Testing my resolve, and doubting my own mind.

It scares me that I thought, it scares me that I thought, it scares me that I thought we left this all behind

I’ve been here before, I can feel your presence all around me,

It scares me that I thought, we left this all behind.

The only thing I know, is I won’t waste my time on you pretending,

Testing my resolve, and doubting my own mind.