If I were to make a mix tape (or CD-R, as would be the case these days) for all of you out there, the track listing might include the following:
1. The Animators, “Girl #3″
Alex and Devon are two of the most creative pop songwriters I’ve heard in a long time. Who knew that a song with weird computer-game noises and a B-movie actress as its subject could be so poignant?
there’s a light in her eyes/that’s still waiting to be televised/is it so far from a starlet to a star
2. Noe Venable, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Whatever world it is that exists in Noe’s head, I want to live there. It seems like a dangerous place, but at least interestingly so.
’cause one day I am going to bloom/patient and proud/with fish in my mouth/and eyes in my wings/what kind of creature shall I be
3. Brother Henry, “The Last Plateau”
One of David’s pet phrases is “sneaky pop”: the kind of music that doesn’t sound at all like a Top 40 hit, but lures you in all the same.
shadows are shuffling behind the shades/Lord stay near this time/there’s folks in there I haven’t seen in an age/Lord don’t make this mine
4. Odessa Chen, “Small Birds”
Her voice makes landscapes, not radio singles. I would try to write lyrics like hers, but that would be like chasing falling leaves. Better to let them land.
sleep, sleep…don’t make another sound/winter flashes on the fields like home movies/sleep, sleep…bright in the sky you are/small birds thrown towards the naked moon like stones
5. Justin King, “Taps”
Justin reminds me that you don’t have to be a dead composer to write music that speaks without words. His guitar playing makes me want to go back to piano lessons.
6. Kyler, “Something So Beautiful”
Generally songs with a great voice, full production and hooks galore are a guilty pleasure for me, but no such shame is necessary with Kyler. It’s simply good music, with something to say.
a single grain, a water stain/memories that time cannot erase/a tone of voice, a crashing noise/the stinging of hands upon your face
7. Brenda Weiler, “Medicine”
The entire album Cold Weather is captivating in a creepy lonely sort of way. This song is like the ghost of a country ballad, if pedal steel guitars could die and come back to haunt you.
and I feel this medicine go through my veins/swimming around like it’s fun/and I have to pretend that I can play/and what’s done is done
8. Brian Webb, “That’s Where I’ll Be”
Brian has a way of writing about faith that fascinates me. Are gospel tunes allowed to be this twisted?
I don’t want to be a proud man/I want to give you everything I’ve got/I’m afraid my heart needs your loving/whether I imagine you or not
The best part is, I’ve actually met and/or played with all of these people. I have such a nice life.