Katie would like to extend her thanks to: It has become customary to thank just about everyone you have ever known when it comes to this part of an album, but I don't want to do that, because it becomes a little too insincere, and I want the people who I am thanking here to know that I really really do mean it from the bottom of my heart. That's not to say that I do not have many people who I am thankful for and would love to thank, but you all know who you are. At this point I want to thank three people.
First of all, I want to thank Julia. You are a person who I never really appreciated up until recently. Last year, when I had health problems, you were a rock by my side, and never left me no matter what. I know at the time that I discarded you, but you have been immensely patient, and came back into my life recently. Who knew that an album sleeve would be the first time that I say this to you; but I love you Julia. It means the world to me that you came back after all I did, and I hope we can spend a long time together.
Secondly, my thanks go out to Nadia. We didn't know each other at the time I released my debut, but in recent times we have become close, thanks to your relationship with a man who has always been there for me, and you have become perhaps my closest friend in a very short time. You bring something that I've always needed to the table, and that is the ability to make me laugh and smile. When we talk, I always have great fun, and I know I am a bit of a pervert, but I do enjoy our little bouts of flirting haha. But yeah, you are a wonderful person who has always made me smile, and I have no doubt that that has contributed to how happy I feel these days. You are also someone I feel I can turn to, and talk to about anything and everything. That is perhaps one of the most important things to have in life, so I can't thank you enough, and I love you...Secret Lover
And finally, Ryan. Of course it has to be Ryan. The only person who has, without question, been behind me, and had my back since the very start. I think you were probably the first person ever to give me confidence in my own talents. I mean, you seriously have no idea what it did to my confidence to have Ryan Ross Hernandez of all people call me talented. It was the lift I needed to really give me belief in myself, and without doubt the reason why I was able to go on and get to the level I am at today. And then there were the bad times of course. You never doubted me, and you were always vocal in your support, looking out for me, defending me and generally making sure that I was okay. You truly did take me under your wing, and it is something that I will never ever forget. I know we joke and call each other big bro and little sis, but I do genuinely see you as my big brother, and I will always look up to you, and turn to you for support, so to you Ryan, I can also truly say; I love you.

Thank you to you all as my fans. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, I love you.

Track description

Open Hearts, Closed Minds and Panic Attacks begins with something which is brave, bold, challenging and innovative. Far from being an upbeat opener that attempts to grab the attention of a listener, Katie Coyle looks to intrigue and invite the listener in, through challenging them with an opening track which is almost exclusively spoken word, through the mode of poetry. Throughout the track, their is an ever-so-slightly eerie presence, personified by the fact that there is almost no musical accompaniment from start to finish. This very different and novel approach to an album opening, although sounding unassuming, is powerful, gripping and enticing, welcoming a listener and drawing them in to listening to the rest of the album.

The track begins with a slight tapping noise, very faint and quiet in the distance, which gradually gets louder, becoming apparent after a while that we are listening to the sound of rain bouncing off a pane of glass. For the first 30 or so seconds of the album, the sound of the raindrops connecting with the window grows gradually louder and faster as the rain gets heavier. Eventually, the sounds of the glass being softly beaten are not discernible, and all that can be heard is the sound of heavy rainfall hissing away in the background.

After a few more seconds, the rain fades completely, and a shard intake of breath is heard, sounding echoing and distant. A slow exhalation follows the inward breath, and then a voice starts to speak, slowly, quietly, softly, as it works its way through the verses of a very moving and heartfelt poetry. There is no backing track, no music, and Katie's voice reverberates slightly, as if she is talking in an empty space, largely alone. Her soft London accent captures the words perfectly, lending an honesty and charm to every word of the poem.

After the poem finishes, Katie whispers "thank you", before there are another few seconds of silence. Gradually, the sound of a piano can be heard drifting in from the background, getting slowly louder and more confident in sound as it comes to the forefront of the spookily beautiful and emotive track. For the last thirty seconds of the song, there are no more words, as the sad, slow, and gentle piano piece dominates before slowly fading back out again.

Katie's comments

I don't want to sound overly pretentious when I talk about this track, because it does mean a heck of a lot to me, and it was one of the most emotional for me to write. I have never found myself before sitting crying as I jotted down my emotions when I was trying to write what were originally song lyrics. Even when I was at the depths which led to some of the really sad tracks on my debut, I never got quite as emotional as I did here. A lot of the ink on that little notepad page was smudged by the time I got to the bottom, but I think in my own mind, that even adds more to the track, even if I am the only one who ever sees it.

The reason I chose to start with a track which is just spoken word is simple. It was a decision which eventually made itself really. I wrote the track, like I say, as a song first and foremost, and I often write lyrics before fitting the music to them here. However, when it came to writing the lyrics for this track, I just could not fit anything to them. For a while I was worried that I wouldn't be able to use them if I couldn't write the music that I felt had to accompany it, but in the end it worked out.

I wanted to start the album with something different. It's something a lot of people say, but I really want to stand out from the crowd with this album. My debut showed people what Katie Coyle can do, but I really want this to be the record that defines who and what I am, both as a girl, and as a musician. For that reason, I want it to be memorable, and in order for that to be achieved, I need to be doing something which is a risk. No one ever got anywhere in life by playing safe, and so I wanted to put something at the start which proved a challenge to my listeners. It's really supposed to grab your attention and try to retain it. It is intended to spark your interest, and make you want to listen to the rest of the album.

I am aware that the done thing is to make your first song catchy and memorable so that people want to come back again and again, but I am hoping that this track can achieve the same effect, while being different to the opening of any album ever. It is stripped back, it feels exposed, and that really helps with the whole idea of an "open heart". I also hope that this serves as a good introduction to the album, and that it comes across how very diverse I am trying to be by pushing the boat out and bringing you guys all different kinds of sounds.

The theme of this song is openness and honesty. I was trying to convey the idea of a new start, wiping the slate clean. We have had the sad Katie, the lonely and suicidal Katie, and then on my EP I talked about shouldering responsibility and taking the blame. This very emotional poem is all about opening up and saying, "this is me, I am here, and I am a person with emotions. I won't hide them or shirk away any more." it plays with the idea of exposure, but also the trust of people around me, and how I believe now that no matter what, I have the ability to show the strength to keep moving forward.

And finally, this is the first time you can hear me play piano on a full track. I wanted to keep the piano part simple and emotional. I could have made it more technical and faster and stuff, but I feel the gentle pace really works well, both with the eerie sound, and the notion of exposure. Please enjoy the first track from my album; this is Open Hearts.

Lyrics

I closed it away for such a while,
My beating core locked far below,
Your heart was darkened, bitter smile,
I embraced you not with sun, but snow.

I don't want to be the last one to show,
To bare my hand and walk alone,
I won't be the girl without a glow,
You held me with a love that shone,
Please don't think my heart's still closed,
The lock is gone, I'm yours, exposed.

Are you still there right by my door,
Don't kick me when I hit the floor,
I need your hand should I start to fall,
Sometimes I'll want you more than all.

Like the thump of a drum beneath my breast,
I always tried to hide my heart,
A key kept far from a vulnerable chest,
I opened but you played your part.

For so long dark thoughts lurked inside,
For such a while I had to hide,
Some may fall, while others rise,
I made my choice, your love my prize.

I don't want to be the last one to show,
To bare my hand and walk alone,
I won't be the girl without a glow,
You held me with a love that shone,
Please don't think my heart's still closed,
The lock is gone, I'm yours, exposed.

Are you still there right by my door,
Don't kick me when I hit the floor,
I need your hand should I start to fall,
Sometimes I'll want you more than all.

When life was hard I chose to run,
I answered wrong to fight or flight,
My words were spat out like a gun,
So paralysed by clouded sight.

Your love was never meant to fade,
You held it strong, and now you made,
Me smile once more, please hold me close,
My love ignited by you most.

And here we stand now strong and proud,
The padlock's gone and chains unbound,
Your tears fell when I hid in shrouds,
I lost you once, and now I'm found.

My heart is open, all barriers gone,
Defensive blades no longer drawn,
I want to give you all I know,
Just promise me that you'll never go

I want to give you all I know,
Just promise me that you'll never go.

Thank you.

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