During November 2022, Birmingham based singer and songwriter Ed Geater jetted off to the other side of the world with his music publishing team, Anara Publishing, for a song writing camp at the prestigious Karma Studios in Thailand. Little did Ed know; his life was about to change forever.
Having spent most of his 20s caring for his dad who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia at just 60 years old, much of Ed’s formative years were filled with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. With no peers the same age who could fully understand and share the bleak details of daily life caring for a parent who was slowly fading away, Ed used his music as an outlet for his emotions. Often openly discussing his mental health struggles through powerful lyricism, Ed has always strived to craft authentic and relatable music, garnering a loyal fanbase through his willingness to directly tackle difficult subject matter.
As his dad began to further deteriorate and his mental capacity declined, Ed and his family searched for fleeting moments of joy. Whether it be a brief exchange of gibberish words, a conversation only they could understand; Ed clung onto the brief flashes of communication to escape facing the painful reality that the person he knew and loved was slowly falling further away.
After suffering for over 10 years, Ed’s dad sadly passed away during 2020. Overcome with extreme relief that he was finally out of pain, Ed plunged himself headfirst into a positive mindset and set out to try and help others who had gone through a similar experience. Unable to sit in his grief, the weight of the last decade became heavier, and the all-consuming realisation Ed had robbed himself of being able to grieve spiralled his mental health into darkness.
Trying to push back against the current and swim towards the surface, Ed knew he wanted to write about his experience and use his music as an outlet for everything he had bottled up. Not yet able to find the words, Ed’s trip to Thailand ignited the spark that later became You’re Still Here.
After a deep and meaningful conversation around anxiety and mental health on a bus journey with Jack Garratt, Ed met Andy Tubman, a musician and music therapist who works closely with dementia patients. Embraced by his peers and navigating the niggling noise of imposter syndrome, an unplanned afternoon studio session led to the discussion of how Ed had always wanted to write a song detailing his experience with his dad. Honoured to be a part of the process, Jack and Andy effortlessly held space for Ed as he talked through stories of his dad and how he tried to traverse the complicated and everchanging challenges caring for him presented.
Both a song writing and therapy session, as Ed untangled the recent trauma and put pen to paper; Jack modified the basic chord progression to enhance the expressiveness of the delicate piano line, perfectly matching the emotion of the song from the off. Struggling to hold back the tears on the first take, the second vocal recording seamlessly captured the raw and honest feelings Ed had been swimming in for so long, leaving the room stunned into silence.
Encapsulating the fragility of life through his delicate vocals and heart wrenching lyrics, You’re Still Here is Ed’s journey of navigating grief, finding peace, and learning to live with a heavier heart. Finally ready to share his story with the world and close the chapter on the most difficult period of his life, Ed will be officially releasing the track during Dementia Action Week 2024 to help raise more awareness and provide support to others who have been affected by dementia.
A celebration of life, a point of closure and a song for anyone who has faced similar struggles, You’re Still Here will be officially released on May 17th on all digital platforms.
Jem Girl at the Piano 