today I learned that “a thousand miles” may be about Glenn Howerton or Lee Pace
My friends Dave & Gabe recently showed me this Vice documentary on the making of Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles and it is incredible. Do yourself a favor and at least watch Ron Fair, the producer’s bit at 12:07. CHORUS 3 WE GOTTA PAY IT OFF!!!Â
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
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The story behind my relationship with this song is probably not all that interesting… but discovering it was a real cathartic experience for me. I first heard this song when I went to see The Caretaker perform live at the Lincoln Center and I think he performed a chopped up version of it… I knew I recognized the melody from somewhere, but I was too timid to pull out my phone and Shazam it mid-show. Weeks go by, I’m still thinking about what that damn song was… I surf through The Caretaker’s discography. Nothing! I start sending voice memos to my musically inclined friends, humming how the melody went… nothing! Was I making up the existence of this song? Was I going insane? I saw Jon Rafman’s amazing short “Punctured Sky” where this exact thing happens to his protagonist (obsessing over a video game that he thought existed but no one could help him find it)... it had my number written all over it. I gave up and moved on with my life. But then, about a week or so ago, I was listening to Helena Deland’s new album while doing the dishes and I heard it again… a familiar melody… briefly interpolated on the song “Drawbridge.” But what was it?! No comments on YouTube helped get to the bottom of this musical mystery.  I sent it around frantically to all my friends. Ari Balouzian, who does the scores for my films, is a massive Midnight Cowboy fan and was able to identify it after a bit of trial and error. He sent me the Santo & Johnny cover (amazing in its own right)... and finally, after searching around on YouTube… I found it! A haunting piece of music, and the recording itself sounds so… brittle… that it almost adds an extra oomph to the aural sensation of bliss when you listen to it.
Jun 12, 2024
I finally figured out how to play this on guitar instead of piano as it's constructed here (it's in a different tuning -- drop C, CGCFAD which is also what Nirvana's "On a Plain" is in)
I think it's Faces' greatest song, from among many candidates -- Rod Stewart basically isn't on it, he's barely on this album TBH -- it was written and sung by Ronnie Lane.
You might read this if you want a deep dive/interpretation: https://oneweekoneband.tumblr.com/post/3776097665/faces-glad-and-sorry-when-they-reconvened-to
“Can you show me a dream/Can you show me one that’s better than mine/Can you stand it in the cold light of day/Neither can I.”
This is the bit that really gets me, everytime. "Even when we try our best to share each other’s dreams, bare our souls, give up our inmost thoughts, even when we intend to stand shoulder to shoulder and face the world, building something new together—there’s always a point at which it falls apart, and despair creeps in, and it’s all gone past recovery... It’s that cold, hard recognition as the morning dawns and all my stupid fantasies of achievement, of desire, of love, scurry away into the shadows. Another one gone, how many more left to live?"
Songwriting is magical and this one has "it."
May 2, 2025
Malkmus is a master of the cheeky lyric but my favourite is from Stereo when him and Nastanovich sign the following:
Malkmus:”What about the voice of Geddy Lee
How did it get so high?
I wonder if he speaks like and ordinary guy?”
Nastanovich:”I know him and he does!”
Malkmus:“And you’re my fact-checking cuz”
Nastanovich:”Aww”
It’s very sweet and fun.
Mar 8, 2025
Top Recs from @Leona
extend the life of your clothes by covering holes or stains with embroidery floss and yarn while giving them new cool zombie flair! you don’t even have to be neat, the more imperfect the weave the more organic the result. the best mended garments are almost fungal, covered in sick multi-colored lichen.
Feb 8, 2025
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it’s not bed rotting to rest when you’re tired, run-down, or sick.
I can feel where capitalist dogma has seeped into me every time I feel doubt or shame for how much time I’ve spent in bed or doing very little, or the fear that I’ll never be motivated to do anything again. it’s not true! inevitably after only 3 days of solid rest I naturally crave activity, projects, organization, work, and not as penance.
rec for rest: screen time of any kind is not the rest I’m talking about… we’re talking rest as a monotask.
Feb 9, 2025
my fridge? a gallery.
tripping in the street? physical comedy workshop.
eating chips and salsa and guac? that tortilla is a brush, my guy, and your mouth is the easel.
May 15, 2025