The unique month-by-month, track-by track 10th Anniversary Reissue of our own IRENE PEÑA's debut album Nothing To Do With You continues with one of the record's most affecting and poignant songs. “You're My Medicine”, the third track and single in the series, arrives April 19 and can be found at
bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com now. Dedicated at the time to the passing of Irene's father, the song sees re-release on the anniversary of his 2017 passing and stands as a loving tribute, with Peña's tender vocal all the more resonant for the time gone by, and a lovely guitar break from album producer STEVE REFLING mirroring her melody over a stately groove recalling the best, most tuneful alternative rock of its time (or any other).
As Irene herself tells it, she is and always will be “Daddy’s little girl”. This song was written at a time when both daddy and daughter were going through separate medical treatments and (and sometimes similar) diagnoses. “I was living with my mom and dad for a time and was lucky enough to have them around to watch over me when I was dealing with somewhat unexplainable symptoms. Roles were crisscrossed for a while. Dad was also ill, and I remember us coming home from separate doctor’s appointments with more questions than answers and I was so frustrated – for all of us. I remember, though, how strong we all had to be, through all of the confusion.”
“I’ve decided to reissue this song on the anniversary of the date of my father’s passing in celebration of his life.” Irene uses her father’s surname as her “stage-name” and insists on keeping the tilde when possible. “He’s always here with me at the times when I feel strongest.” You can hear every bit of that in the tune's chorus:
Now they tell me there is no cure
And there may be no meaning
But I know I'm not wrong and I know I'm not crazy
You're my medicine
Continue following the celebration and ten years of story-sharing with this monthly retrospective reissuing of Nothing To Do With You.
released January 1, 2016