Easy On Me began as a personal plea to be gentler with myself and grew into a broader message of empathy for the collective heaviness we’re all living through. 2025 was a rough year personally and as I was slowly making my way back to a new normal, I noticed myself getting irritated for still feeling sad and uncertain. I eventually had to admit that my heart had been broken by the unexpected turns of the year. As I sat with that I remembered a quote by Elizabeth Lesser that said, “How ironic that the difficult times we fear might ruin us are the very ones that can break us open and help us blossom into who we were meant to be." That idea helped me allow the feelings of tenderness and vulnerability that had previously made me feel weak. Strength isn’t always about pushing, sometimes it’s giving yourself grace so this song was written as a plea to take it easy on myself. As time passed it became clear that the message was bigger than my own story. We are collectively living in really heartbreaking and harrowing times but we are stronger together. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to soften and take care of ourselves and each other. We have to stay human when life wants to harden us.

filmed on our 2015 camcorder in the badlands outside of Chimayo New Mexico on our way to FAI 2026 the song is "Deep Water Fish" from our upcoming album "Over Again" out May 1st. This song is a reminder that you don't have to see your own light to shine. Song and lyrics by Alicia Best and Robert Jackson Produced by A Different Thread Engineered by Ali Blois and Luke Cawthra Mixed by Luke Cawthra Alicia Best: Vocals, drums, percussion Robert Jackson: Vocals, guitars, harmonica Mike Seal: Double bass Mastered by Steven Kerrisson (Weird Jungle) Published by Glovebox Songs and Kassner associated publishers ©℗ A Different Thread 2025 Video shot and directed by A Different Thread Edited by Robert Jackson Special thanks to David and Susan Website: https://www.adifferentthread.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Cntg... Bandcamp: https://adifferentthread.bandcamp.com Youtube: / @adifferentthread Instagram: / adifferentthread Facebook: / adifferentthread Tiktok: / adifferentthread Lyrics: I feel like Iʼm drowning, thatʼs how I talk about it You canʼt see anything Iʼm drownin' in And you say Iʼm a beacon, itʼs just hard to believe it When I feel like one of those angler fish #folkmusic #americanamusic #folk #altcountry #americana Iʼm afraid when I shine Itʼs just a trick of the light Iʼm no more than a spark Sent to lure you Into the dark Iʼm not like Polaris, steadfast in her brightness I guess Iʼm more like lightning one strike then Iʼm gone I can light up the sky, Iʼm just not always so bright And you canʼt rely on me guiding you home Iʼm afraid when I shine Itʼs just a trick of the light Iʼm no more than a spark Sent to lure you Into the dark I know that itʼs not true, I know Iʼm shining with you But sometimes I still feel like a deepwater fish The phosphorescence is our biggest defence Down here in the darkness of the Mariana trench Iʼm afraid when I shine Itʼs just a trick of the light Iʼm no more than a spark Sent to lure you Into the dark But you tell me you know the dark There are times when you lost your spark And you donʼt have to shine all of the time Itʼs exhausting but youʼre not alone Sometimes lightningʼs all you need to guide you home Oh oh oh oh oh I will guide you home Oh oh oh oh oh guide you home #folkmusic #indiefolk #americana #altcountry #mentalhealth

My new music video, "New Year," premiered at Rainbow Rodeo  last week, and is now up on my YouTube channel!  

"Marian Runk takes a cautiously optimistic approach with her meditative video 'New Year.' The song tumbles off of Runk's tongue like a minuet, an almost stream-of-consciousness account of a small moment that ends up revealing a large impact." 

- Rachel Cholst

 

"Patch of Blue" is Wattle & Daub's fourth album and includes the help of several Chicago area musicians. The tracks are a mixture of a subtle commentary on these times and a sense of hope that might be offered. The album is available for streaming and downloading at all the usual places. Several of the twelve tracks are starting to get some much appreciated airplay. All songs are originals. 1. If I Were a Tree 2. Jimmy Carter Hammer Song 3. Back Too Soon 4. Washington, Illinois 5. Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda 6. Winds of 1933 7. What Do They See? 8. Don’t Pursue a Kangaroo (A Cautionary Tale) 9. To the Field 10. Patch of Blue 11. What Good Is a Prayer? 12. St. Adalbert