This is a new song I’ve been performing on this tour. I recorded it in Chaz and Marsha’s house entrance way in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lyrics:

Tide rolls in and washes up

with white foam that we’re coming to.

A path of light, it floats on top

and leads up towards a knowing moon.

Flashlights highlight holy sand -

the endless line of sediment,

a landscape silted from a land

that ended and began again.

Light pokes out, it’s time to rise

with beams collated on the waves.

The hours of daylight follow dawn.

Let the weight of sorrow wash away.

We’ll congregate here, holding hands

to sing and weep and dance a while.

On this mourning, sun shines forth,

while the rain comes pouring down.

This is an improvised manipulation of the locked groove on the first side of the Ashveville 7”. Manipulated live using a voltage-controlled filter and a loop pedal.

Length is nine minutes.

It was recorded on February 21, 2011 in my bedroom in Chicago, IL.

If you listen on laptop speakers, you will miss the last third of the song, because the majority of the frequencies are too low for little speakers.

Water. Live recording from acoustic performance at Summer Camp. Chicago, IL. February 16, 2011. Track one of four. Previously released on Things You Pick Up Along The Way.

[currently untitled] Live recording from acoustic performance at Summer Camp. Chicago, IL. February 16, 2011. Track two of four. Previously unreleased.

Lyrics:

 Vow to yourself that,
“I will not fall for face-first views.”
You and I aren’t so different, you
who wants to get through
this permanent stage
scathed, but smiling.
We will make something striving
to make it through

the field that we made between our minds
back when we believed that rules were real
and life was kind, but now
when we put our ears up to the ground

there’s a hum. But it’s not for you or me
or someone. It’s not some kind son
who is looking out for you.

Promise yourself that,
“I will not follow base-less pursuits.”
You and I are born into
the mouth of another:
a permanent stage, scaled and writhing.
It’s our duty to find wings
to make it through.

And however you may proceed,
I hope that you look ahead
before you plant your feet,
before you sow the seed
of the stories that were written
at you and me.
Whichever you choose to need.
Whichever that you believe.
I know that you know that you
may always move your feet.

Under the sunset
whatever feigned truth that you believe
may make sense in the sunset
and may even make sense to me.
I’ve found out for myself that
I can’t wage truth on belief,
because to confront the riddle
with no answer
will only lead you deeper
into the lions den
with no escape, but anger,
and anger is no end.

Tests set by ourselves aren’t
all that we must pass.
To find hares in the spring clouds
is all that we can ask.

[rap]. Live recording from acoustic performance at Summer Camp. Chicago, IL. February 16, 2011. Track three of four. Previously unreleased.

Perseverance. Live recording from acoustic performance at Summer Camp. Chicago, IL. February 16, 2011. Track four of four. Previously unreleased.

Lyrics:

With eyes that beat in protest
of the exhaling cold,
I will walk through many winters just to find my own.
And to find my own, I’ll be patient.
And to forge my own, I won’t wait.

Don’t look down,
there’s no failure
find the other door
and let it in.

When the evening grows the darkest,
I will find my light.
I will change my mind
and see things clearly.
I will skip the fight
and find my way.
I’ll let go of spite (blind)
anticipation.
I’ll take hold of what
is in my hands.

Don’t let it in:
hesitation.
There’s one end to this
in many ends.

WHPK #4

“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by Youknowwho

Lovely impromptu duet with Josh Oberman.

Song starts about 1:30 into the track. Your choice.

Recorded at WHPK, University of Chicago for Pure Hype Radio. October 8, 2010.