released September 29, 2023

Track credits:
1. Fern Circle – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen.
2. Sharp Diamond – Written and produced by Miriam Piilonen. The frame for this piece was created between 2006-2009 and was originally titled “Sustain/Stain.” It was first performed by Lucia Stavros (harp), Anne Gregory (flute), Dave Flaherty (vibraphone), and Marty Wirt (auxiliary percussion). A recording of the first performance is layered into this updated electronic version of the piece, retitled “Sharp Diamond.”
3. Diva Like U – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen and DJ Ben Court.
4. Fire Truck – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen.
5. Deeper Than I’ve – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen.
6. Paisley Smoke – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen and Brennan Bocks.
7. (I Like Seeing) Tough Guys Cry – Written, produced, and performed by Miriam Piilonen and DJ Ben Court.

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Sharp Diamond is a seven-track album created as an expression of personal transformation under pressure. Beginning with quieter tracks that evoke calmness and a hope-filled journey from Piilonen's hometown of Blacksburg, VA in the Appalachian mountains (“Fern Circle” and “Sharp Diamond”), the album then moves to a pair of dance tracks (“Diva Like U”; “Fire Truck”) that evoke the atmospheres of East Coast contra dance, House music and dance, and Chicago Footwork. Two sensual songs suggest a finding of personal voice through the process of connecting, or failing to connect, with others (“Deeper Than I’ve”; “Paisley Smoke”). The finale track—“(I Like Seeing) Tough Guys Cry”—is a tongue-in-cheek joke about the pleasure of seeing a tough guy cry, which becomes a revelation about being the tough guy oneself. Ultimately the message of the album conveys a longing to be strong, sharp, and shiny, while also recognizing that it is good to be none of those things—it is good to be vulnerable.

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With thanks to my music teachers: Bill Ray, Diana Love, Robert Wall, Lee Hyla, Loosh, T-Rell, Charles, Jron, Maya, Lyle Davidson, David Rakowski, John Mallia, Phil Louer, Mark Butler, Jasper Conner, Pledge Drive, Eyes of Glass, Creation Global, Bobby G, Grandpa Kermit, Mummu, Eli, everyone in band at school, the Blacksburg Community Band, all the thespians, everyone at the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center, Farn House, Murial, Miss Kathy, Miss Willis, Mrs. O, Mimi & Kyllikki, Chloe & Apollo, Charlie, bugs, trees, rain, and my parents Ellen & Leo Piilonen, plus a lot more