Sand Flood Fall - Andy Brook with Tiina Kolehmainen and Sharon Crawford
"Sand Flood Fall" is a song about survival and escape.
It weaves together two moments from my life: childhood bullying, where music became my refuge, and years later, facing three gunmen at work — when I retreated back into that same protective bubble. The chorus is a mantra, a chant, a shield.
This track marks the first time I’ve brought together two incredible singers I’ve worked with before — Tiina Kolehmainen (vocals and harmonies) and Sharon Crawford (operatic improvisation in the instrumental break). With Alex Bonanno (bass), Paolo Conte (drums), and Tristán White’s AI imagery, the song became something bigger than I had first imagined.
SAND FLOOD FALL (words and music by Andy Brook)
I hear echoes from the past - this doesn’t feel like déjà vu
There are three encroaching shadows and its time that I withdrew
Cold steel against my neck and here I am once more
but in my mind there’s sand beneath my feet and pebbles on the shore
I found my peace in the eye of a raging storm
A broken child’s defences, now they keep this adult warm
And as the room spins around the gun, I should be seeing red
But I retreat into my happy place with music in my head
Sand Flood Fall - three words that built a wall
Sand Flood Fall - my shelter through it all
As a child I used to run, I used to hide
When I was caught my self-defence was more important than my pride
Steel toe against the shin I never felt that pain
Imagining a spring day when the sunshine chased the rain
I found my peace in the eye of a raging storm
A broken child’s defences, now they keep this adult warm
And as the room spins around the boot, I should be seeing red
But I retreat into my happy place with music in my head
Sand Flood Fall - three words that built a wall
Sand Flood Fall - my shelter through it all
Sand Flood Fall - they won’t tear me apart
Sand Flood Fall - I’ve got a shield around my heart
I believe that when I least expect, this trauma will recede
That I will thrive, though I remind myself that nothing’s guaranteed
As the echoes lose their hold on me and the shadows fade to grey
The evening tide will wash away the footprints of that day
I found my peace in the eye of a raging storm
A broken child’s defences, now they keep this adult warm
And as the room stops spinning, there’s no gun against my head
I’m back inside my happy place with music in my head
Sand Flood Fall - three words that built a wall
Sand Flood Fall - my shelter through it all
Sand Flood Fall - they won’t tear me apart
Sand Flood Fall - I’ve got a shield around my heart