Lyric Excerpt from "Our Song" by Anna Carey
FRESH & STRAIGHTFORWARD:
Check out a snippet from Anna Carey's latest novel, Our Riff.
Laura once nurtured big aspirations, but she tossed them aside — grown-ups usually do. Chasing her music passion as a career would have been downright crazy. Yet, after hearing one of Tadhg's tunes on the radio, she begins to question her decision.
Once upon a time, Laura and Tadhg formed a band together. They used to be quite something. Now he's a star, traveling the world with hits, making Laura feel mediocre and reminding her of opportunities she missed. Then an email lands, potentially changing everything...
Prologue: 2017
This is my aspiration.
Not right away, mind you, I think, glancing around the function room at my mom's retirement bash, engulfed by the cacophony of laughter and cheers. But later on. Someday. I envision myself in thirty years, laughing and drinking champagne with my hubby and kiddos, friends, and family, basking in my cherished career, a life well-lived filled with joyous moments, and exciting journeys ahead.
Dave, my fiancé (still feels weird saying that), is currently extolling my virtues to my extended family, while I catch up with various aunts, uncles, and cousins.
"You know Laura used to be in a band with Dave?' he boasts proudly.
"Really? I didn't know that!" One of my aunts queries, raising an eyebrow at me.
"Oh, it's an old story, happened back in college," I reply casually.
My mom chimes in, "I vaguely remember her talking about it at the time, Mary."
I roll my eyes at Dave and flash a smile, which he returns.
"And she didn't keep at it?" my Uncle Gerry inquires, interested.
"No, we disbanded after college." I take a sip of wine. "The band wasn't able to stay together."
"Before my time," Dave laments, feigning sadness. He notices my mother’s empty wine glass and quickly tops it up.
"Thank you, David," she responds gratefully. She turns to me, "I always thought you'd find another band, Laura. You were so gung-ho about music."
Unfortunately, those days of my mom telling me to "focus on studying, Laura" are long gone.
I retort, "To be fair, Mam, at the time, you were overjoyed that I was more focused on my first 'proper' job than dabbling with the guitar."
"Speaking of proper jobs," my dad interjects, eager to steer clear of those old arguments, "Laura's ad agency got bought by Zenith, on of the big consultancy companies!"
"It's not my agency," I argue. "I just work there. And I might not even receive a promotion."
My mother dismisses my concerns. "You know that funny television ad about ethical pensions?" she asks, referring to the animated commercial that's become ubiquitous on airwaves. "The one Laura and her friend Aoife won an award for."
My aunt nods in recognition, as do the other family members. "Well, Laura wrote that!" my mom boasts, prompting praise and admiration from the table.
"You're doing quite well for yourself, Laura," my aunt comments.
"Yeah, thanks, I'm getting by," I say, trying not to come off as arrogant. "But shouldn't the food have been served by now?"
Gerry changes the subject, "But you never considered pursuing music professionally?"
"Hell no," I reply, half-jokingly.
Dave chuckles, "Being in a college band is like playing five-a-side football — you do it for fun, but you know you're never going to play for Real Madrid."
I bristle at his comment, even though I know he's right.
"Laura's bandmate has actually made a pretty good career out of it," Annie, my younger sister, interjects, catching everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" Dave asks, puzzled.
"She was in a band with Tadhg Hennessy," Annie reveals. My stomach sinks as I realize the cat is out of the bag.
"Oh, come on!" my dad blurts, shaking his head in denial.
"Yeah, Laura was," Annie insists. "Tell them, Laura."
Crude redaction in original source
I reluctantly admit, "It's true. But it wasn't a big deal."
My mom gasps, "No, that's impossible!"
"Yeah, it's true," I confirm. "But it wasn't a big deal."
End of Prologue
The novel Our Riff is published by Hachette Books Ireland.
Forget Time Travelers' Wife, Our Riff is a wistful, emotive tale focused on Laura, a woman grappling with her past and the dreams she deserted. As young adults, Laura and Tadhg collaborated on music, but their friendship crumbled when they were 21. Sixteen years later, Tadhg has ascended to stardom, while Laura, now an older woman, has recently been laid off from her job in advertising. When Tadhg unexpectedly reconnects, he enlists Laura's help with an unfinished song they created during college[6][1][3].
The narrative weaves between Laura's present conflicted emotions and her past, rekindling her passion for music and illuminating her journey from an aspiring musician to a woman who sacrificed her dreams. Our Riff is a powerful exploration of reclaimed dreams, damaged relationships, and the enduring healing power of music and first love.
Laura's life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself drawn back to her passion for music, as she reminisces about her past with Tadhg, their shared dream of a career in fashion-and-beauty, and the books they used to read together.
As she navigates through her current lifestyle, Laura begins to question her decision to put her music career on hold, and wonders if she might have a second chance to fulfill her aspirations, especially now that entertainment has taken an interest in Tadhg's life and music.
