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about
In December of 1998 Linda Viens' brother Carter Price was arrested for armed robbery in Stamford, CT. A long-time heroin addict, Carter had used a toy gun wrapped in a bandanna to rob a convenience store. In January of the following year he was sentenced to 11 years in state prison, and left his wife Debbie, his 3 year old son Jesse, and 3 month old daughter Blake for prison. He served the full 11 years and was released in 2010, and lived in CT for another five years while on parole. During his time in prison Linda drove from Boston monthly to visit him at the Cheshire Correctional Institution in Cheshire, CT. During those visits, and over the course of 11 years Linda witnessed the devastation of Carter’s separation from his young family and witnessed firsthand the damage and pain caused by long term, and in some cases, unjust incarceration.
Same Stars was written from Carter’s point of view; from a sister’s vantage point of empathy and sorrow in identification with his daily suffering, shame, regret and grief. In the end of the song, as in the end of the story, Carter is released into the world a free man who has paid his debt to society, and who must find his family again and begin the long journey of reconciliation and healing.
“Songs filled with muscle and melody!” _Boston Groupie News
“‘Same Stars’ is a heart-and-soul touching story, a longing ballad, a bittersweet siblings love-inspired reverie with Linda Viens‘s moving voice sending shivers down your spine. Stirring.” _Turn Up The Volume
“Music connects us and we connect to it. There are certain times when music becomes a part of us, this is the case with ‘Same Stars’ the song by Boston’s Girl with a Hawk. When I first heard it, it took hold of my heart. I immediately listened to it again, while reading both Linda Viens’ inspiration behind it and her lyrics with increasingly ‘blurred vision.’ It was at that point, Same Stars became one with my soul. I could relate to it on a personal level having battled the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction and have been clean and sober now for over three decades. The flickering of light from those same stars in the darkness become a guiding light to peace and reconciliation. More than a song to me, it’s become an anthem of hope. Hope through the turbulent times and seemingly insurmountable odds we may face in our lives. A reminder to “never give up the day before a miracle happens. When I reach the end of my days, those who truly know me, know of three songs that I want played in my memory. I think my list just got longer.” _“Boris” Boden, The Secret Weapon on Woody Radio
lyrics
Same Stars
My boy, my life
My tears, my wife
My girl, my heart
My mistake, my part
Don’t know, I can’t see
Every day’s, the same to me
Dreamin’ of, family love
Tuck you in, snuggle up
Ooohh snuggle up
It’s what I’m dreamin’ of
Ooohh snuggle up
It’s all I’m thinkin’ of
Wakin’ up, lookin’ round
At other men, sleeping sound
I face the day, coffee breaks
through the bars, call the guard
Bad blood, stupid fights
I’ll reign it in, got to survive
Time to kill, it takes all my will
To make it thru, another night
But you see the same stars as me
And someday your daddy will be free
And we’ll ride through the night,
And everything will be alright, you’ll see, you’ll see
My hope, but, her despair
She’s giving up, it’s beyond repair
Where to go, and who to be
When that door, opens up for me
My pain, my past
My peace, my path
I wanna feel the sun, upon my face
I wanna touch the grass, full of grace
Ooohh snuggle up
It’s what I’m dreamin’ of
Ooohh snuggle up
It’s all I’m thinkin’ of
Ooohh snuggle up
It’s what I’m dreamin’ of….
credits
released January 27, 2023
Song written by Linda S. Viens
Performed by Girl with a Hawk
Produced by Richard Lamphear and Linda Viens
Engineers: Richard Lamphear, Tamora Gooding
Mastered by Pete Weiss, Jade Cow Music Services
Performed by:
Linda Viens: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Richard Lamphear: Guitar, Backing vocals
Daniel Coughlin: Guitars, Backing vocals
Lee Harrington: Bass, Backing Vocals
Nancy Delaney: Drums
Original Artwork: Adam Sherman
Video directed and produced by Joan Hathaway
Singer/songwriter Linda Viens' band of Boston rock legends -- gorgeously emotive indie rock with Americana, garage, and punk roots. Band members include Richard Lamphear, Daniel Coughlin, Nancy Delaney, and Lee Harrington.
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