“Bonus Track!”
Date of post: 3 February 2024
Here’s a version of my song “Are you feeling it” by my band “PeaSoup”.
The song was recorded and mixed by Henry at Summerhill during summer 2023 and mastered by Henry and Toshi in September 2023.
I’m now here on my song number 10! It’s been an amazing journey creating these 10 songs! I’ve had such an amazing time and in the process a new band “PeaSoup” was formed in 2022 after the Festival of Childhood.
Song 10:
Date of post: 27 September 2023
“Sunshine or Rain”
Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill School.
Written to celebrate 100 Years of Summerhill School as Song 10.
This song is very fitting as the finale to my “10 songs inspired by Summerhill” as the song has been performed and recorded by the band “PeaSoup” as (I am the vocalist and guitarest) all members in the band are closely linked to Summerhill.
This song was inspired by my time spent as a child at Summerhill school and life beyond. The song reflexs on the past as child growing up at Summerhill and how as children we were open to changes and made those changes & how as adults we need to continue to make changes to make a better world for us and future generations. When we were young we use to play no matter “Sunshine or Rain”. As adults we need to look to make changes to better our world no matter “Sunshine or Rain”!
The song was recorded at Summerhill music studios and recorded, mixed and mastered by Henry Readhead.
I would like to thank Henry & Summerhill for making this wonderful recording of my song possible!
You can find a link at the bottom of the page to more “PeaSoup” original songs.
Song 9:
Date of Post: 6th November 2022
“Till That Day”
Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill School.
Written to celebrate 100 Years of Summerhill School as Song 9.
Since starting this project my life has burst back into life musically in a big way which I’m ever so thankful for. There are always some personal challenges in life but its always music that has held me pull myself together and given me the confidence to move forward.
My relationship with music started at Summerhill and hence in away every song that I write has a connection to Summerhill. For this reason this song will be released as song 9 to as part of my project to celebrate 100 years of Summerhill school.
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Song 8:
Date of Post: 21st July 2022
“Friends Reunited”
Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill School.
Written to celebrate 100 Years of Summerhill School as Song 8.
This is the follow up song to “These Moments” which was all about leaving and parting from ones good friends. This song “Friends Reunited” is as the title suggests about getting back together again and the joy of meeting ones dear friends again.
This song too has been 11 years in the making (just like “These Moments”). I first started parts of this song after the Summerhill reunion in 2011 when I was inspired to write on the experiences of the joy of been reunited with friends.
Song 7:
Date of Post: 5th July 2022
“These Moments”
Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill School.
Written to celebrate 100 Years of Summerhill School as Song 7.
This song is about the the emotions we experience when leaving those who are close to us.
At Summerhill this feeling is at its highest during the last EOT party and then again when it time to part at the end of term before leaving summerhill school as a pupils.
Its a time of sadness but one that is filled with optimism. These moments when we reflect on our time together and when we say our farewell’s to start a new chapter in ones life.
Chorus of the song goes:
“Cry I will, Smile I will, with a hug we shared these moments together, Cry I will, Smile I will, with a wave we shared these moments together”
When its time to move on to the next chapter in our lives it can be difficult. However the sense of belonging and love will make us strong and will make us cry but also make us smile knowing that we’ll meet again.
This song has been 11 years in the making. I first started parts of this song after the Summerhill reunion in 2011 when I was inspired to write on the experiences of the last EOT (end of term).
Song 6:
Date of Post: 31st May 2022
“Are you feeling it”
At Summerhill I discovered music, one of the most powerful method of expression.
The contents of the song is not directly connected with Summerhill, however it is everyday that I use music to express my thoughts and feelings and without it I wonder what I would be as a person.
For this reason I feel that it is only right that this song is released as my Song 6 to celebrate 100 Years of Summerhill School.
Song 5:
Date of Post: 6th Mar 2022
“Respect now”
This song was written in the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2020 during the first lock down in the UK. At the time it wasn’t written with intentions of influences from my time at Summerhill school. However upon listening to the song again recently, I found that the subject of respect for others and to oneself is deeply rooted in my experiences at Summerhill.
For this reason I’ve decided to put the song out as my song number 5 of “10 songs inspired by Summerhill”.
This song “Respect now” captures some of the difficult times I’ve had as an adult living in our society and the want and need to spread respect & love, whilst standing strong of one’s own values & beliefs.
I think we all have moments like these during our lives.
With all the hurt and tragedy we face in this world today surely love and true respect for one another is the only thing that will unite us and bring happiness to us all.
Song 4:
Date of Post: 22th Feb 2022
“Moonlight my sunshine”
Here’s my 4th song to celebrate 100 years of Summerhill.
When I first came to the UK many years ago I came alone I was 8. I remember many nights feeling home-sick and crying myself to sleep. I took comfort in spending time in the company of the moon that lit up the night, keeping those difficult nights bright.
“Moonlight was like sunshine at night & often got me through the night”
Song 3:
Date of Post: 26th Nov 2021
“Tell me why”
Here’s my 3rd song to celebrate 100 years of Summerhill.
As a teenager I had many moments were I felt like “why?” (I think we all do) to many different things that were happening in life and some of these feelings I could not explain. Its normal to question “why” when we’re young and this song for me represents those feelings them feeling of “why?”
Song 2:
Date of Post: 1st May 2021
“Please Come Home”
My second song is an old song that I recorded when I was at Summerhill.
It was 1988, me and my friend Susumu were both 15 & loving music when Susumu found a way of over dubbing recordings on his 1980’s Sony Cassette player by ping ponging the tracks (bouncing). We went straight to the school theatre (where the school drum kit was) and started recording.
(Susumu’s Sony was something similar to this one)
This was our first recording and it was amazing! I can still remember the excitement of recording this song.
I wanted to share this piece since this really is the start of my musical journey & it all started with this song at Summerhill.
The recording is noisy & the sound quality isn’t good, however it really captures our energy, enthusiasm & youth of when we were 15 discovering the beauty of recording & simply loving everything about it.
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Song 1:
Date of Post: 3rd April 2021
If Only… (Part 1 & 2)
My first song out of 10. Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill.
I discovered my love of music at Summerhill at the age of 13 and started playing guitar. Since then music has been at the centre of my life.
This is the first properly produced song I’ve created in 20 years or so.
Love everything Summerhill and “if only” there were more places like Summerhill…
*Interview on Altgenerations.com on If Only.*
https://altgenerations.com/2021/05/23/warabe-tatekoji-if-only-music-spotlight/
Check this out!
Will Readhead (Red Five Forge) has used ‘If Only…’ in his latest YouTube video “From Billet To Blade part 2”
Also check out “From Billet To Blade part 1”. Watching both video to see how Will creates his amazing knives!
Other songs of mine can be found here:
Listen to “PeaSoup’s HOT5” which includes “Sunshine or Rain”
“If Only… (Part 1 & 2)
My first song out of 10. Inspired by life experiences at Summerhill.
I started discovered music at Summerhill and since music has been at the center of my life. First properly produced song I’ve created in 20 years or so.
Love everything Summerhill and “if only” where were move places like it.
Listen to If Only… (Part 1 & 2) by Warabe T on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/bo8LV
Liked the first one, If Only. Sultry, but fun with a deep groove and nice details and odd flourishes.
Look forward to more in this series. Good idea 🐒
“Please Come Home”
My second song is an old song that I recorded when I was at Summerhill.
It was 1988, me and my friend Susumu were both 15 & loving music when Susumu found a way of over dubbing recordings on his 1980’s Sony Cassette boombox player. We went straight to the school theatre (where the school drum kit was) and started recording.
This was our first recording and it was amazing! I can still remember the excitement of recording.
I wanted to share this piece since this really is the start of my musical journey & it all started with this song at Summerhill.
The recording is noisy & quality isn’t good, however it really captures our energy, enthusiasm & youth of when we were 15 discovering the beauty of recording & simply loving everything about it.
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
https://soundcloud.com/warabe-t/please-come-home
Keep on rocking, Warabe T 😉
I taught you science a long while ago (or more like you taught yourself – I was just present in the room) and I still remember your legendary first pub gig somewhere in downtown Leiston…
That Telecaster looks bad-ass! It’s in good hands 🙂
Wow, Jim!
Thank you for your lovely comments! I remember the great lessons I use to have with you. I also remember your fiddle playing too! Thank you for reminding me of my first ever public gig. That would of been in the White House with Boom’s band. Such amazing times!
Watch this space there’s going to be more songs coming!
It’s so good to hear from you!
Warabe
Glad you liked the lessons – it was kind of improv 😉 Yes that was quite some debut gig – it was indeed the Boom Band- you had a radio mic on the guitar, so in the middle of a solo you casually wandered off out the front door into the street, then around through the beer garden and back in through the back door, without missing a beat. I think that was a defining moment in musical history – never seen anyone else do that before or since 😉 The guys at the bar were amazed and were trying to buy you a beer, but you very politely said “um… no… thank-you very much, but actually I don’t drink”, and just kept right on playing. Very cool! 🙂
loved your music ever since the first time i heard it….