I went to see the National on the 29th – and it had to be one of the best concerts I’ve seen til date. Their second opener – Suckers, were amazing and I am now obsessed. Studio versions are good, but can’t compare to how absolutely amazing they sound live. Love lead singer, Quinn Walker’s voice and eccentricity. Delivering vocals, while either strumming a guitar or banging on a drum; I got emotional a few times. They NEED to be seen live. Oct 1- Webster Hall, I am there :)
Few select tracks from their first full length album, Wild Smile
“I hate pressure, I hate responsibility, I always show up late and it takes me so long to leave, but if you’re willing to accept my flaws, save your love for me.”
2 Eyes 2 C (mp3) This song live with the percussion…blew me away
You were afraid to test the water, I was a brave lamb to the slaughter,
You are a child, I am a child…I should have been the one to doubt it, you never gave two shits about it, you are a child, I am a child…
Pretty much sums it up… I feel many people around me are expecting a lot…and sometimes I just want to crawl into a ball and run to the other side of the world… I am only human…I don’t have the answers, I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t know who lies to you and who doesn’t lie to you…or who lies to me? I don’t know where to move to, I don’t know when your project will be finished, I don’t know where we should go to eat, or drink, I don’t know if I believe you ever loved me, I don’t know what I learned the past few years, I don’t know if we can be friends, I don’t know if i want to see you tonight…I don’t know if I am ready…I don’t know what I should be ready for… I just want to be without having to answer to anyone about anything…for a little while. Please. Thanks.
‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
Facebook and other social networks has made cowards of us all. Let’s skip over having to talk about serious topics – such as the livelihood of your relationships and simply select or eliminate from a drop-down menu. If you weren’t sure how someone felt – well just keep checking their status instead of asking them. If you rather not have that discussion – select “single” – and do it quickly before you start to worry about the psychological implications such a simple gesture would cause (God Forbid you feel guilty). All these tools that are supposed to foster communication and help us become social, have instead been a large cause in the lack of emotional growth within some interpersonal relationships. It kind of makes me sick.
Now that my rant is over… I’m in the mood for The Organ – one of my favorite bands that I hardly listen to anymore. First time I got into them was after my first heartbreak – and I noticed recently that any time I am going through something similar – I become nostalgic for their sound. I find I gravitate towards a New Wave/Cure/Morrissey vibe when I seek comfort. They only released one album prior to the break up of their band, which they most likely spoke about in person rather than doing it through social media ;)
okay, okay now that’s enough of that
I’m getting very tired of the fact that
I must be right
That’s why I’m cold and alone again
That’s why I’m all on my own again
That’s why I’m throwing things around my home again
That’s why I’m looking for love…
People usually like to read/write about the negative and I am guilty of this as well.
Truth is – I am happier way more than I am not these days… and a huge part of that is because I have an amazing love. I’m sorry if that makes you sick ;) but it’s true… Things are all starting to come together … and it feels good.
So many times we feel stuck – paralyzed by fear, pressure, comfort even. We let idle minds and idleness in general overtake our thoughts and actions. Afraid to speak up – afraid of making the wrong move, threading too carefully, allowing ourselves to walk on eggshells. Don’t you just want to scream? Dance, cry, sing out? We aren’t meant to sit all day long in our suffocating offices dedicating our lives to a paycheck and daydreaming of a life that seems impossible. It’s not true human instinct. It’s not human nature to tiptoe around what we want, and desire – to ignore primal urges and responses. We have been conditioned to act a certain way, behave properly, mind our business, keep our heads down – get to work, don’t cause trouble for anyone else. Are your personal wants and happiness impeding on those closest to you? Well, then we are taught to hold it in – march on, and hope for the best. Don’t aggravate, or annoy. It’s completely counter-productive - we walk around like bombs waiting to explode. Just MOVE.
Move on from people causing pain. Move on from those with heavy negative energies that don’t appreciate you. Move away from places that you hate. Let go of a past that weighs you down. Move toward the things that will ultimately enrich your life. Be yourself – go after that which makes you happy. Don’t just sit there and dream or talk about it – do it. Move with those that are on the same path as you - that want the same things, that will support and love you. Recognize truth, and people who will be dedicated and loyal – and don’t let them get away. How many times do we have a million excuses ready as to why we can’t have what we truly want? Are they valid – or is it just fear dictating and controlling our lives? Fear which distinguishes the passion inside of us. Fear and idleness – blinding us from the riches that are smacking us right in our face.
A tangled web inside of all the things you want and don’t have – knotted, making it difficult to breathe. That’s not a way to live. Do you want to wake up one day and think back at all the things you truly wanted but were afraid to do? Regretting the wasting away of formative years. Regretting not going after that opportunity, or the love of your life? Ugh. How many things do we just let slip on by without a fight?
You can hold her hand
and show her how you cry
explain to her your weakness so she understands
and then roll over and die
or you can brave decisions
before you crumble up inside
spend your time asking everyone else’s permission
then run away and hide
you can hold her eggs
but your basket has a hole
you can lie between her legs and go looking for..
tell her you’re searching for her soul
or you can wait for ages
watch your compost turn to coal
but time is contagious
everybody’s getting old
“Run your fingers through my soul.
For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel,believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once; just once, understand…”
I’ve been watching your world from afar,
I’ve been trying to be where you are,
And I’ve been secretly falling apart,
unseen…
To me, you’re strange and you’re beautiful,
You’d be so perfect with me but you just can’t see,
You turn every head but you don’t see me.
We all crave to be understood, truly understood. Even better – entering into a relationship with mutual understanding, respect, trust, and empathy. Then, well, you’re golden :)
My grief lies all within, and these external manners of lament are merely shadows to the unseen grief that swells with silence in the tortured soul… – William Shakespeare
Sometimes, it’s best to remain quiet…silent where others would impulsively run their mouth rendering them foolish. Biting your tongue – when it’s easier to say something hurtful or ignorant is, I think, a sign of maturity and growth.
Other times, being silent, whether it be in keeping things inside in order to maintain balance, the peace within a situation/relationship, or to protect guarded feelings, could become extremely harmful to oneself. I have been struggling with this all my life. Not speaking up, burying feelings, thoughts, fears deep inside. I let things eat away and feel pressure, anxiety, frustration, stress. A combination of experiences has led me to deal this way. Worse still are times I try to break free of this pattern only to be met with a negative response -leading me to retreat even further- burying thoughts deeper. I try to avoid conflict at all costs – even if that is at the sacrifice of my own self and sanity. I think I am in the process of growing, and learning, that it’s best to let things out – in pretty much all areas of your life. At times – conflict is necessary in order to resolve issues at hand. With relationships especially – I am leading up to the full realization that if someone truly loves you — it is safe to speak (or it should be), and arguments don’t automatically lead to separation. Love needs to allow both people the feeling of security to enable an open, healthy flow of communication. Otherwise, it could lead to resentment, suspicion, rejection, etc preventing the overall growth of the relationship.
Until I completely reach that level, there is a constant battle within myself as to when to speak up, and when it’s best to keep my mouth shut. I tend to err on the side of caution (well, OK, with some things) I do have to say – it is a refreshing feeling to let go and no longer be afraid to open up. ;) I don’t want to be scared to talk to my lover – that’s… stupid.
I love this song – and even though it’s more of a breakup song – because it has the lines “I can’t speak to you”, I felt it was a good enough excuse to share.
And so I’m reaching out for the one
And so I’ve learned the meaning of the sun
And all this like a message comes
To shift my point of view
I’m watching through my own light
As it tints the shade of you
Hold my wine hold it in
Nobody’s lost but nobody wins
I can’t sleep
I can’t speak to you
“Fools,” said I, “you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you”
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence…
I have no delusions of grandeur, no dreams of becoming famous or well-known. My insomnia keeps me busy--both a curse and a blessing. I express my thoughts best through written form and music. I am completely obsessed with music and welcome you to share in that obsession with me. Enjoy.
No spam and keep any hate letters to a minimum, my heart could only take so much :) All mp3s on this site are shared with the intent to support artists and spread the word. In other words, it's all out of the pure love and passion for the music. If you own the rights to any of the content within and would like it removed, please feel free to contact me at daniwrites[at]gmail.com. If you don't - and like what you hear - buy the albums, see a few shows, tell your friends. Do the right thing ;)
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