arih sk

The album Hold It Together explores how the everyday adds up to a lifetime, and how we try to keep ourselves and our families whole, all while managing the complexities that come our way. Every day, and over time we get pulled in many directions: family, friends, jobs, projects, new things, and old things. There are also things we try to hold on to; all the useless but meaningful stuff that piles up. There’s always too much to do and not enough time. No matter what you do, the day always ends, and what’s really important is the people you’re with; that’s how we’re held together.

Loss is a central theme in the album: Nearer was written for my dad, Loose Thread was written for my very good friend, Jordan Rutledge, and Lawnchairs was written for my friend and mentor, Thom Lepp.

Miss You Like I Should is a song about forgetting and remembering. There’s a special kind of sadness when you’ve lost someone and enough time has passed that the pain is no longer a daily presence. Those moments of forgetting are a temporary relief, but there also comes a feeling of guilt, and you might find yourself asking why you don’t miss them like you should?

The last song on the album, Let’s Let Time, is about giving in to the flow and letting go because we’re always changing and nothing can last forever.

About the artist: Arih SK is a mostly happy guy writing mostly sad songs about loss, nostalgia, family, and relationships. He spends his workday designing and inspecting bridges. After dinner, he’s at home with his family, likely sitting on the couch with his guitar, thinking about a new song.

Recorded and Mixed by Amanda Parker at The Shop in St. Catharines.
Mastering by Siegfried Meier at Beach Road Mastering.
Album artwork by Amber Lee Williams.
Released 2023 by Orange Couch Records.