Song Review: “there was something here once” - Thomas Parrish & Faith Zapata
Indie singer-songwriters Thomas Parrish and Faith Zapata have released their first musical collaboration: there was something here once. The single dropped on Spotify in the early hours of May 3rd, and already has over 1,700 plays from their loyal fans.
We were lucky enough to speak to Thomas Parrish about this new release, so go ahead and read his Artist Interview first to learn more about Thomas and Faith’s songwriting process.
Though Thomas and Faith are both up-and-coming artists, they are no strangers to releasing music. Thomas Parrish has 9 singles on his Spotify, with over 3,300 listeners tuning into his music each month. We’re sure that number will increase this year as Thomas releases his best music yet, and you can find his current releases on the playlist below:
Since Faith Zapata’s debut album, songs for the moon, released in 2019, she has also released many singles such as the fan-favourite, wallet picture song. Her EP, what I have to say, is one of our favourites here at VoiceNoted, so we’d recommend you give it a listen if you like her newest track:
The pair announced their collaboration, there was something here once, on April 24th:
If you have 3 minutes and 25 seconds to spare before reading this, go and check it out on Spotify:
Song Review:
there was something here once opens with a gorgeous, soft guitar melody. Thomas then sings: "I couldn't remember what called me to this place / Was it rusty, worn out windows or the sun that gave me faith?"
The chorus comes in quickly, summarising the emotional core of the song: "There was something here once / I'll hold on tight like I'm still a kid / You were my shelter, but a house is not a home if it can't be lived in."
This is Thomas’ favourite part of the track, and clearly for good reason. It introduces the themes of childhood innocence and harbour, reminding us of House Song by Searows.
Faith comes in on the second verse, singing "I've tried forgetting the look on your face. I think part of me wants to keep it in my pocket just in case." In the song, she plays the part of the lost love, looking back like a mirror does. Though, she can’t forget as long as she holds onto the memories of them.
This follows into our favourite line of the song: "I'll keep making excuses for the love that you misplaced.” It’s just so hauntingly relatable, showing how one side of this story had to grapple with being mistreated by a person who they were once in love with.
During the second chorus, the beat comes in and the pair sing together. Their voices mix beautifully with faultless harmonies, but the coolest part of the song is the bridge.
Much like Bon Iver and Taylor Swift’s Exile, there was something here once uses a call and response:
Thomas sings "How long will I try to hold on?” and Faith replies, "You let me wait here for you too long"…
…"Is this the place that I'll never leave?" / "So many things that you never let me believe".
Their voices then overlap on the verse as they sing over each other with an emotive reverb, reminding listeners that the love between them has faded since they fell apart.
In his Artist Interview with VoiceNoted, Thomas explained that the song is “about a relationship and how there was love somewhere once”, but now that person has moved away.
Though, the beauty of it is that there are multiple interpretations. We interpreted there was something here once as a story of the metaphorical loss of a childhood home through losing a person you once loved. Where once was a place where you felt safe, there’s now a blurring memory. You're left in the shadow of a lost love trying desperately to hold on to how they made you feel, even if you know there's no home to return to. It belongs to someone else now, and your lover has moved on.
The theme of reminiscence in there was something here once is like that of Taylor Swift’s Tis the Damn Season, a song which is also about a return to an old home and a lover from the past.
Ultimately, this song encapsulates everything there is to love about indie music: it’s emotionally authentic and filled with visual story-telling. And, if there’s one thing Thomas and Faith can do, it’s write a beautiful break-up ballad.
Though there’s been no mention of a second collaboration - who knows? They could always work together again one day. As for now, they are definitely a duo to look out for.
