Billed as an 'ode to nerddom and embracing who you are,' "Dark Soul" is a folk-driven single from Sackville-based Steve Haley. Proudly playing up his Newfoundland roots, Haley describes himself as a story-songwriter currently living and working within an incredible collective of musicians and artists in New Brunswick. What I love most about this song is how it seems to speak for the kind of introspective and slightly reclusive artist that lives in all of us, embracing the love-hate relationship so many of us have with imagination itself.

I don’t really know what I do it for
Searching for pieces of forgotten lore
Cryptic messages leaving me wondering

Especially in this new age of AI-engendered content, I like that this song makes a strong case for the human element, that serves as both the spark and the nurturing force: great art can never be divorced from the pain and suffering that went into creating it. Music is the retribution, the balancing force, the result of a struggle to create order from chaos. No struggle, no art.

Steve Haley has never felt entirely comfortable sharing songs about his personal life: these are reflections on mortality, anxiety, religion, and the mundanity of domestic living. "Dark Soul" is the lead single from his new album "Secret Knock," and offers a satisfying glimpse into the active mind of a lifelong creative who loves his children, his community, and the endless bounty of musical endeavor.

Lit so many fires without going outdoors
Drank from many flasks without collapsing down on all fours
In isolation but with many friends
Faceless companions help me in the end
Victory dancing, alone in my basement

Visit Steve Haley on Instagram.