The dinner plates are left out
And popcorn on a string
The deer will come down from the hills to eat it
We all want the same thing
There’s givers and takers
And Mennonites and Shakers
And a thousand harmonizing fire alerts
There’s me in my crater
And I invite any stranger
To come on in and recline in the dirt
Snakes are hissing
But I’m not listening
The band shell is empty and unguarded
With the fog of language lifted
And the garden beds all laid
He comes down from the hill to sing his songs again
We all have to get paid
I saw Jerry Garcia in the backseat of a Kia
In the five floor parking structure at The Grove
The world is not yet ending
but the start and end are blending
And the water’s boiling over on the stove
Sirens are whistling
I’m not listening
The band shell is empty and unguarded
Asleep at the piano, and continuing the hunt
I was employed by forces beyond my grasp,
I was employee of the month
But they didn’t have to be so rude, and throw it in my face
When I was listening for your whistle note
Down in the contrabass
Did you stay up late inventing the state
And studying harmony?
Did you get your fill of the Sunset Grill
And driving west on Sunset to the sea?
It must be getting lonely in the hippie war on sports
When every land co-op in town has built a tennis court
But I’ll just go on listening and waiting for a sign
And if your sign is long burnt out
Well, better yours than mine
Did you fill the sink with ballpoint ink
And take your private vow?
Did you curse the raging LinnDrum syndrome
That washed you up where you are now?
Those who disown pleasure are patient-er than rocks
They’re set to inherit the earth and they never check the clock
But be careful if they offer a bite of what they eat
There is no butter, salt, or spice in the pilgrim’s recipe
Did you put some grease on your press release
And address it to The Times?
Did you shake your fist at the poisonous mist
That rolled you out of LA in your prime?
(It’s prime time)
(Yes…)
Lift the apple by the stem
The only part you saw back then
You had to eat it to see more
The stem is part of and not part of the core
Melt the wax off of the wire
See me sick and sad and tired
Hold the glass up to the light
Hear the birds sing deep into the night
I wanna melt like cashew cheese
That is to say, only partially
I’m coming out of a deep deep freeze, so excuse me
The river runs with flat champagne
Not a single novel thought in the brain
My Citizen Kane, my Kid Charlemagne, it eludes me
No one can confirm the vacancy of my reverie
No one will be there to snitch on me to eternity
It’s a self-regulated industry of ascendancy
An angel whispers, a devil shouts
God just smiles and burns down your house
Don’t forget the deal you made
When you hit zero that means all your debts are paid
They wanna come and take me away
If I don’t make it out of here today
Put me on the playlist at the vegan cafe, it’s alright.
The river runs with mixed-up paint
The sound of singing becomes faint
In the body’s chorus of complaints, it’s alright
No one can confirm the vacancy of my reverie
No one will be there to snitch on me to eternity
It’s a self-regulated industry of ascendancy
Music, sweet music
It keeps me looking behind
Music, beautiful music
It becomes the handsome cop in my mind
And the rule that is lit by seductive glow
Is always the rule that is running the show
Prepare ye the way of the lord, baby
Be careful, don't fall on your sword
Maybe just put it away
Music, what music?
All I hear is the drone
Music, terrifying music
My mind is open but my speakers are blown
And the random rule points the way to be free
But it doesn't resolve and I can't find the key
Prepare ye the way of the lord, baby
Be careful don't fall on your sword
Maybe just put it away
about
4 songs written & recorded in the corner of a former Pilates studio in South Pasadena CA, 2020-2021.
Formed from fragments, dreams, jokes, and a lil bit of ancient Hebrew prophecy, these were the strange little critters that managed to sneak thru during a long period of writer’s block.
Jonny Kosmo - lead vocals on “The Band Shell” and backing vocals on “Pilgrim’s Recipe”
Zach Burba - lead vocals on “Pilgrim’s Recipe”
Marina Allen - lead vocals on “Reverie” and “Music”
Backing vocals on "Pilgrim's Recipe" and "Music" by Allyson Pierce
Only one musical guest and that is the legendary Logan Hone playing the soprano sax on the choruses of “Reverie”
Album art by the ultimate riddler Miles Wintner
Mastered by Angel Marcloid at Angel Hair Audio
Read along with the lyrics while listening for the full Riddle Rock experience
Experimental label Hallow Ground challenges 16 artists to create pieces around the concept of epiphany on this transcendent compilation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 8, 2022
Grim motor-psycho music that goes from growling Steppenwolf jams to delightfully strange jazz/krautrock diversions. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 24, 2020
Proceeds from this powerful, haunting new track from Elvis Perkins & Sam Cohen will benefit Emergent Fund, powered by RPM. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 9, 2017