Three Thousand Years Longing

"I’ve had a front-row seat to the making of this album that has nestled its way into your hands. I’ve witnessed its conception, the choice of songs, the rehearsals, the studio, even the photo shoot. It’s been a joy to watch the unfolding of a labor of love.

The Shape of Water is a science fiction fairy tale written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, starring Sally Hawkins, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Doug Jones. It’s an odd mishmash of a film – it’s one part romantic drama, one part monster movie, one part spy thriller, and it explores additional themes that range from one character’s closeted homosexuality to another’s love of classic Hollywood musicals – but somehow it all works beautifully. Hawkins plays Elisa, a shy mute woman who works as a cleaner on the night shift at a military research facility in the 1960s.

In March 2020, Tahiti 80 had a plan to start recording their new album in the studio. That plan, of course, along with everything else in the world, got derailed. But the five-piece group was resilient and resourceful. They quickly shifted to a socially distanced plan B that included file swapping and virtual sessions, all refereed by producer Julien Vignon. The result, due for release in March 2022, is the buoyant Here With You, a collection of eleven upbeat songs that unfold like a prescription for a post-pandemic panacea.

Originally hailing from north of Seattle, the singer-songwriter Jillian Speer grew up with music as an integral part of her life from an early age. Ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance classes that started at three years old instilled the work ethic for perfection. At nine years old she began vocal lessons and at ten years old she began training in classical guitar. Writing songs, guitar recitals, dance class, dance competitions, intensive summer arts camps, and performing in local musicals best describes her school years until she turned 16 and got a scholarship to spend one year in India. That year was an experience that would deeply affect her life as well as influence her music.