About Separation
Separation is a concept album that explores disconnection in relationships; diving into emotional struggles and how they reflect a loss of connection with our deeper, essential selves. From the fiery beginnings of passion to the transcendent acceptance of pain and growth, Separation takes listeners on a multi-genre journey from anger and conflict (Friction, Show Him the Door) to heartbreak and longing (Someone to Hold On, Lonely), then to self-discovery and healing (Sinking In, Just a Little More Sufferin’).
The album begins with a lo-fi organ and acoustic guitar playing a carnival-esque theme that sounds like a dirty record machine in need of serious repair. As the playful theme comes to a close the record machine breaks down and the music comes to a grinding halt.
“Forged in the Fire” arises out of Separation’s broken, uncertain beginnings…
“The Old Souls is a new country band, but ‘Separation,’ the debut album by Petersen and her musical and romantic partner Elliot Killian, is soulful and seasoned work.” – Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Best of all, however, is when Petersen and Killian go full-on country: “Show Him The Door” is a Shania-esque rave-up, and closer “Just A Little More Sufferin’” is a crowd-pleasing bluegrass ditty, complete with fiddle.” – Matt Wild, Milwaukee Record
Forged in the Fire
Lyrics
Verse 1
In a dark crowded room our unsatisfied atoms attract
Can you feel the allure as our bodies are pulled to react
I will walk in circles surrounding, just to gauge if you’ll gravitate
It’s exhilarating to imagine what bond we could make, what bond we could make.
Chorus
Do you thirst with desire
Are you fearless enough to make an approach
Were you forged in the fire
Can you withstand the heat of my throws
Or am I mistaken
If push came to shove would you walk out that door
Will you be shaken or will I be taking you home
I need to know
Verse 2
I can sense your rotation into my radius
So if you are certain there’s something that I must confess
I will read all your thoughts and feelings
Peg you down to column and row
This will be unequal sharing, prepare to lose all control
To lose all control
[Chorus]
Bridge
So you’ve heard all the warnings now
Yet still charged to give up your energy
Don’t confuse my affinity
If you get to close, there’s no going back
[Chorus]
Ending
I need to know, I need to know
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Guitars, Bass, Organ, String Arrangement
Michael James Grassman – Drums
Joni Fuller – Violin, Viola
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt, Matt Smith
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Friction
Lyrics
Verse 1
Look at this conversation would you choose to be me
Look at this conversation you would not want to be
With all of your hesitations you should run and hide
Now I don’t think someone like you deserves to survive
Hey hey
Chorus
Clearly there was whiskey involved in this conversation
There was lipstick involved in your hesitation
And all I do is look up to you
And all you do is breathe
Verse 2
Look at this situation that you’ve found yourself in
Look at this situation you’ve been living in sin
With all of these complications, don’t know where to begin
Now I don’t think I ever want to see you again
[Chorus]
[Instrumental]
[Verse 1]
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Guitars, Bass, Organ
Michael James Grassman – Drums
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Matt Smith, Kevin Arndt
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Show Him the Door
Lyrics
Verse 1
The trouble is you went back too soon, the trouble is he lives in a saloon
And when he plays you hard like I know he’ll do,
When he plays you hard he’s gonna cheat on you
He’s done it once he’ll do it again, there’s other girls that aren’t just friends
He’s making plans thinking it through, and none of them involve you
You gotta lay it down
Chorus
You gotta say his name, call him out, in front of everyone let ‘em know about
All the shit he’s done to you, scream and shout, let ‘em know the truth
Cuz there’s a woman on his mind, it’s not you this time
You gotta lay it on the line, and show him the door
Verse 2
He’ll come crawling back again, apologizing head in his hands
He’ll beg for you on his knees, tears in eyes crying please
Been down this road too many times, why you lettin’ him control your life
This ain’t a thing you need to be in, why you giving him this sin
You gotta lay it down
Chorus
Bridge
He’s not gonna change his ways for you, being alone is better than being with that fool
Breakdown
Better catch him on the back beat, when he’s all drunk and he can’t see.
That your coming for a shake down for staying out and messin’ around
There’s a woman on his mind and it’s not you this time, lay it on the line
Chorus
Ending
He’s the trouble
The trouble ain’t you
You better show him the door
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen, Elliot Killian
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Electric, Acoustic, Slide Guitars; Bass, Precussion, Sound Efx
Quinton Kufahl – Drums
Ernest Brusubardis IV – Fiddle
Dave Adler – Organ
Backing Vocals – Annie Buege, Ally Hart
Group Vocals – Annie Buege, Blair Benes, Tanya Balkunas, Ally Hart, Holly Marie, Katie Mack
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt, Vinny Millevolte
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Someone to Hold On
Lyrics
Verse
Finding love and holding on, came with ease when I was young
Just a simple recipe would do
Got away with silly games, it’s always fun to get your way
But then you’re left with things you can’t undo
And I can’t go back, to who I was cuz
Chorus
I need someone to hold on, I need someone to stay strong
I can’t even find you, cuz you are too far gone
Stuck on the bottom, of some old whiskey bottle
And I can’t even dive in to rescue you
And I need someone to hold onto, I need someone to hold on too
Verse 2
All the things you said we’d do, but then you never followed through
I would have stayed if you could tell the truth
There comes a point of no return and when the lessons are not learned
Then there’s really nothing left to choose
And I can’t go back to who I was cuz
[Chorus]
Bridge
And if I hold my breath, and I if sell my soul
And if steal your heart, I could regain control
But if I break the rules, then I will never know
What true love is, so I must let go
[Chorus]
Ending
And it ain’t you, it ain’t you
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Piano, Organ, Electric & Acoustic Guitars; Bass
Gary Carter – Pedal Steel
Backing Vocals – Kaleigh Warren, Annie Buege, Dave Buege
Drums – Big Fish Audio
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Thieve the Night
Lyrics
Verse 1
It’s time to raise a glass to the city
Let’s take our turn and wrong some rights
It’s not the time to stand looking pretty
Let’s hustle up and thieve the night
Pre-Chorus
And I’m not waiting on the sun to set,
and I’m not waiting for my heart to rest
Yes I am ready to rock yes I am ready to race with
Chorus
I’m fired up ready to raise some, I’m fired up ready to raise some
Raise some hell
I’m fired up ready to raise some, I’m fired up ready to raise some
Raise some hell
Verse 2
It’s time to unravel and be reckless
Let’s push our limits in plain sight
It’s time to indulge in the excess
Let’s satisfy our souls to tonight
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
Well then let’s raise, let’s raise some hell
[Instrumental]
[Pre-Chorus]
And I’m not waiting on the sun to set,
and I’m not waiting for my heart to rest
[Chorus]
Well then let’s raise, let’s raise some hell
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen, Elliot Killian
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Guitars, Bass
Quinton Kufahl – Drums
Dave Adler – Organ
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Lonely
Lyrics
Verse 1
They will have pride will be satisfied
If I fill up my cup, if I fill it all up
They will know truth will uncover their youth
If I walk a straight line and say that I’m fine
Chorus
But I’m lonely I long for something I’ve never known
And it’s all I can think of, it’s all I’ve ever been yearning for
So I waste my time, waste my time, waste my time
Verse 2
Assuming the blame, but achieving no gain
For taking on debts from ignorant bets
Accepting our fate is hard to validate
When the struggles we face aren’t the struggles we’ve made
Chorus
And I’m lonely, I long for something I’ve never known
And it’s all I can think of it’s all I’ve ever been yearning for
So I waste my time, waste my time, waste my time towing that line
I waste my time, waste my time, waste my time, trying to find
Bridge
Am I past the point of no return
where hearts collide and lovers burn oh no
Is there anything to fill the void
of emptiness that sits inside oh no, oh no
Ending
But I’m lonely I long for something I’ve never known
and it’s all I can think of it’s all I’ve ever been yearning for
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Elliot Killian – Piano, Organ, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass, String Arrangement
Michael James Grassman – Drums
Joni Fuller – Violin, Viola, Cello
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Sinking In
Lyrics
Verse 1
Did they tell you you were wrong
Tell you that you don’t belong
Cut you down and bring you to your knees
Do their words pull you apart
Tear you up and break your heart
Cast you out and leave you there to bleed
Cast you out and leave you there to bleed
Chorus
Feel the heart, feel the breath, feel the soul, as it rolls on by
Place your trust and faith in yourself and the world inside
Gravitate to the things you love and leave the rest behind
Not settling now, not settling now, I’m sinking in, sinking in
Verse 2
Are you buried in the words
All the voices that you’ve heard
Do they haunt you and steal your sleep at night
In the lonely midnight hour
Do the villains hide ‘n cower
In the shadows of your psyche that they keep
In the shadows of your psyche that they keep
[Chorus]
Bridge
See the cross you bear, burn it to the ground, you can’t be scared
Your lessons will be learned and you’ll prevail
Out of the gray into the light
Chorus
Feel the heart, feel the breath feel the soul, as it rolls on by
Place your trust and faith in yourself and the world inside
Gravitate to the things you love and leave the rest behind
Not settlin down, not settling down, I’m sinking in, I’m sinking in
Credits
Written by Laura Petersen, Elliot Killian
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Electric, Acoustic, & Slide Guitars; Bass
Dave Adler – Organ
Backing Vocals – Annie Buege, Dave Buege, Ally Hart
Drums – Drums on Demand
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Arndt
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
Just a Little More Sufferin'
Lyrics
Chorus
I don’t think you’re right for me,
Just a little more Sufferin’, then I’ll be’able to let you go
I don’t think you’re right for me,
Just a little more Sufferin’, then I’ll be’able to let you go
Verse1
I don’t know what to make of that one time you brought me joy,
Turned my life upside down, chasin’ your promises all around
And I’m done tryin’ to make something work that wasn’t meant to be,
And I don’t think you’re right for me
[Chorus]
Verse2
Every time I’m about to leave you lure me back in
I can’t leave, but I can’t stay, it starts all over again
And if ask myself am I happy, I usually say no
Then I don’t think you’re right for me
[Chorus]
Verse 3
Chasin’ pleasure, only brings you pain
I thought this was different, but it turned out just the same
I’m done tryin’ to make something work that wasn’t meant to be
And I don’t think you’re right for me
Credits
Written by Elliot Killian
Produced by Elliot Killian
Laura Petersen – Vocals
Elliot Killian – Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Ernest Brusubardis IV – Fiddle, Harmony Vocals
Kevin Rowe – Upright Bass
Harmony Vocals – Annie Buege, Kaleigh Warren
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Vinny Millevolte
Mixed by Kevin Arndt (TreeHouse Studios)
Mastered by Justin Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering)
The Making of Separation
When Laura Petersen, an emotive singer-songwriter who had previously released a solo album with polished Nashville production, met Elliot Killian, a guitar player who had previously toured and released four albums with the power metal band Lords of the Trident, their connection was immediate, both musically and romantically.
Inspired and enthused by each other, and desiring more creative freedom, they embarked on the ambitious project of self-producing their debut album but soon found themselves in for a rude awakening.
Both had experienced major life turning points and losses prior to meeting. Petersen had suffered a challenging divorce, and Killian had left medical school and the securities of being a doctor; both in a deep search for liberation, truth, freedom, and love.
As the duo revisited the songs, largely conceived by Petersen before meeting, the couple found themselves uncomfortably reliving some of the song’s difficult themes as they struggled to strike a balance between their professional musical ambitions and personal relationship—coming to the stark realization that before they’d get to live their dreams they’d have to heal the past they thought they’d left behind.
The making of Separation took seven years of unforeseen growing pains, both in the studio and in their lives, with each area bleeding into the other. Had they not committed to and believed in the project, their exploration of darkness may never have seen the light of day. However, the prospects of seeing it through to completion and sharing the fruits of the journey left the couple with no choice but to peel away the layers of baggage they’d brought to the relationship.
For the listeners, Separation speaks to relationship themes of Separation speaks to relationship themes of conflict, denial, heartbreak, doubt, self-worth, and longing. For the couple who created it, it represents the willingness to explore those themes and come out on the other side; to endure, to take ownership, and to commit to the searing flame of love long enough to be transformed.
Track Listing
- Separation (Intro)
- Forged in the Fire
- Friction
- Show Him the Door
- Someone to Hold On
- Thieve the Night
- Lonely
- Sinking In
- Just a Little More Sufferin’
Credits
Laura Petersen – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Elliot Killian – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Piano, Organ, Bass
Produced by Elliot Killian
Engineered by Elliot Killian, Kevin Ardnt, Matt Smith, Vinny Millevolte
Mixed by Kevin Ardnt of TreeHouse Studios (2-9), Elliot Killian (1)
Mastered by Justin Perkins of Mystery Room Mastering
Backing Vocals – Annie Buege (4,5,8,9), Dave Buege (5,8), Kaleigh Warren (5,9), Ally Hart (4,8), Ernest Brusubardis IV (9)
Drums – Michael James Grassman (2,3,7), Quinton Kufahl (4,6)
Violin/Fiddle – Ernest Brusubardis IV (4,8), Joni Fuller (2,7)
Pedal Steel – Gary Carter (5)
Organ – Dave Adler (4,6,8)
Upright Bass – Kevin Rowe (9)
Group Vocals (4) – Annie Buege, Blair Benes, Tanya Balkunas, Ally Hart, Holly Marie, Katie Mack
