<< homepage / the songs of Refrain Riya is Refrain's protagonist. The film tells the story of a musician learning to find her voice and as such presents Riya's songs in their infancy. For this reason I believe the songs from the movie will forever be unfinished, and eternally open to interpretation. It was this idea that spawned the Refrain Side Project and which also gave Vidya (songwriter) and myself the idea to produce the versions of the songs below. They are not strictly the versions of the songs you will hear in the film. They were re-recorded by Vidya and have added instrumentation provided by the following talented musicians: Matthew Nardozza (Keys); Steve Kanaris (Drums); Rosanna Tomiuk (Additional Vocals). Instrumental tracks written and performed by Tom Simpson. You are welcome to download and share these songs. And if you are a musician and wish to lend your own spin to them, don't hesitate - in fact, check out the Side Project and get in touch! - Tyler UNTIL THE TIDE RETURNS (Click to stream) A song that points to a turn toward the side of hope and strength in Riya's journey but not without some bitter sweetness. LYRICS & CHORDS WALL OF FIRE (Click to stream) In Wall of Fire Riya sings about the deceptively obvious nature of being in an abusive relationship that is yet so hard to live without. LYRICS & CHORDS BLACK PUDDLES (Click to stream) During the film's narrative we see Black Puddles evolve from the seed of an idea jotted down into Riya's songbook in the dead of night into the song that it is. LYRICS & CHORDS WATER (Click to stream) In the film it's the lyrics to Water that Riya posts online which attract the attention of Zeph. Through the water metaphor the song's lyrics speak about Riya's feelings of weakness and submission toward Ash while the song itself serves to bring Riya and Zeph together. LYRICS & CHORDS ZEPH'S SONG (Click to stream) The introduction of Zeph's instrumental music into Riya's bleak world is like an injection of life and beauty and is exemplified in Zeph's Song. OUR REFRAIN (Click to stream) The story behind the unique sound of Our Refrain is based in the film's narrative. Without a guitar or other musical means, Riya uses what she has - her voice and her hands - to produce a musical accompaniment for herself. LYRICS QUIET STORM (Click to stream) Finding strength in the people she has met along her journey is what inspires Riya to write Quiet Storm. LYRICS & CHORDS PROMISE ME NOTHING (Click to stream) An interlude in Riya's life, Promise Me Nothing is the haunting soundtrack to Riya's doubts about ever leaving her abusive partner Ash. LYRICS & CHORDS RIYA'S LAMENT (Click to stream) As the story of Refrain unfolds Zeph's music becomes the backing score to Riya and Ash's daily life. The sweet anguish of their situation is nowhere better expressed than in Riya's Lament. THE VOID (Click to stream) Self-reflective, honest and not without fear, The Void is the song that marks Riya maturity at long last and the glimmer of hope in her future. LYRICS & CHORDS WATER (ALTERNATE INSTRUMENTAL) (Click to stream) An instrumental reprise of Water, a song that marks Riya's first connection with another musician and with herself as a songwriter.

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