I'M TRYING TO BE GOOD TO EVERYONE
by Sean
Please note: MP3s are only kept online for a short time, and if this entry is from more than a couple of weeks ago, the music probably won't be available to download any more.


 

Taken By Trees - "Too Young". Peter Bjorn & John's "Young Folks" is still a song that makes me dance every time I hear it; and because of the joy "Young Folks" engenders, I can't now hear Victoria Bergsman's voice without some part of me unfolding. "Too Young" is far away from PB&J, and not even in line with the sleepy pop of Bergsman's former band, The Concretes. She sings sadly, haltingly, with just the barest of drum snaps. Organ and hum suggests just the earliest, silvering dawn light. And it's a song about growing up, a song where the unsteeled try to steel themselves, a longing for your parents as you once had them. Its second half is recounted entirely without words: stumbling piano, chattering shaker, sensing bones in arms and hope bred deep. It's a compelling mirror to Arcade Fire's coming-of-age anthems: none of their desperation and all of their want.

[buy: US/UK]

Damian Weber - "Rickshaw". I can't quite make out what Damian Weber is saying. His lyrics are like nuts I find in a bowl and put in my mouth without looking at, without knowing what they are, and I feel their brown taste on my tongue, curves and corners, and when I chew & swallow I smell fall leaves burning. He whistles like a man on the road but plays guitar like a man who's stopped travelling. Folk music that's sugar taffy, a giant trout, a single cloud in a cornflower sky.

[MySpace (thanks Tawrin)]

---

If anyone hasn't heard, McSweeney's is in troubling financial straits and everything they sell is on sale. You could buy me pretty much anything they sell, or if you're buying for youself, perhaps you have not yet read my interview with Will Sheff? For all the reasons there are to criticise Dave Eggers' publishing empire, I think that what they do is amazing, amazing, and strongly encourage you to help them out.

Posted by Sean at June 14, 2007 12:26 PM
Comments

What are the reasons to criticize Dave Eggers' publishing empire?

I like that Taken by Trees track a lot.

Posted by tuwa at June 15, 2007 5:08 AM

I'd second that motion to spend lots of money at McSweeney's, even if you're not in the US and have put my money where my mouth is. The postage rates to the UK are not cheap, but the low dollar compensates for that and the subscriptions are on sale, so it should work out cheaper than buying each issue on Amazon, which is what I've been doing up to now. Looking forward to Dean Young's latest collection from them too.

Posted by Dave Belbin at June 15, 2007 9:27 AM

Eggers and co are so amazing....so so so amazing....

Posted by Katharine at June 15, 2007 10:01 AM

taken by trees, pretty good, pretty f'in good for a slow friday

Posted by the constant skeptic at June 15, 2007 4:52 PM

I checked out the believer for the first time earlier today before reading this post but didn't buy anything, but I've gone for 3 back issues now!

Posted by mike at June 15, 2007 6:58 PM

Uh oh, now I feel bad. A couple months ago I got a letter from McSweeney's asking me to relinquish the lifetime subscription I bought for something like $100 back in the late 90s. Fuck that, I thought: I bought low and saw my investment pay off (and I've made some terrible investments!). Didn't realize they were in trouble. I will do the right thing, of course. (I'm one of those people with quibbles, but you're right--the Eggers empire is mostly great.)

Posted by Amy at June 15, 2007 8:50 PM

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about said the gramophone
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"And I shall watch the ferry-boats / and they'll get high on a bluer ocean / against tomorrow's sky / and I will never grow so old again."
about the authors
Sean Michaels is the founder of Said the Gramophone. He is a writer, critic and author of the theremin novel Us Conductors. Follow him on Twitter or reach him by email here. Click here to browse his posts.

Emma Healey writes poems and essays in Toronto. She joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. This is her website and email her here.

Jeff Miller is a Montreal-based writer and zinemaker. He is the author of Ghost Pine: All Stories True and a bunch of other stories. He joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. Say hello on Twitter or email.

Mitz Takahashi is originally from Osaka, Japan who now lives and works as a furniture designer/maker in Montreal. English is not his first language so please forgive his glamour grammar mistakes. He is trying. He joined Said the Gramophone in 2015. Reach him by email here.

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PAST AUTHORS
Dan Beirne wrote regularly for Said the Gramophone from August 2004 to December 2014. He is an actor and writer living in Toronto. Any claim he makes about his life on here is probably untrue. Click here to browse his posts. Email him here.

Jordan Himelfarb wrote for Said the Gramophone from November 2004 to March 2012. He lives in Toronto. He is an opinion editor at the Toronto Star. Click here to browse his posts. Email him here.
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