Written and recorded in June 2014.
This was one of the first pieces I composed for the album that turned out to be Nail, my first album (
isotherme.bandcamp.com/album/nail). I decided not to use it for that album because, ultimately, I wanted a little variety, and I had already decided to include a number of songs with a similar vibe. Looking back, maybe I should have found a place for it on Nail.
I don’t consider myself particularly religious and devoted to a specific faith, but having been raised Catholic, I do find myself attracted to bits and bobs of religious mysticism. I like the slightly spooky aspects of religion, like saints, statues, miracles, and other incidental unexplainables, mostly as metaphors or symbols. This fascination pops up in a number of my compositions: Nail 3, Genuflection and Angels in Black and White, to name a few.
A “pocket saint” is meant to represent a talisman of sorts. Really, it’s not much different than a rabbit’s foot or a lucky penny that can be carried in one’s pocket to provide strength or maybe even an awareness of humility.