The Way It Is

You Chose Heads

Michael — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:59:51 +0000

Sometimes new songs come to me in parts. They can take two days to complete or two years depending on my Muse. Lately, in order to free myself from the burden of waiting, I’ve been recording songs as soon as they come to me, complete or not. I’ve rather enjoyed the results. Like this week’s song, I view these little gems as short, sweet sonic appetizers (that may or may not ever be finished).

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Michael — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:38:40 +0000

I don’t think anything needs to be said about this track, aside from the fact that it was my favorite Smiths’ song for 10 straight years.

Sand

Michael — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:06:04 +0000

I know, I know… these posts are supposed to be songs from my current project, The Way It Is, but I’ve had a number of recent requests for this recording from my old band with DW Burnam, The New Death Show. It’s a cover of Lee Hazelwood’s old 60’s duet with Nancy Sinatra, although ours is more directly influenced by a version I heard from Einsturzen Neubauten.

Ours is pretty dramatic and raw, but I wouldn’t change anything about it. DW and I were playing as a duo for the first time and we were having a lot of fun experimenting. We recorded this on my old analog 4-track in the laundry room of his parent’s house…

Somewhere Up North

Michael — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:04:06 +0000

This is another track I sold on ebay during my short stint as a superhero*. Again, the lyrics might be a little mysterious to those of you who were not the highest bidder, but perhaps you’re the type who enjoys mystery… I adore the keyboard solo in the middle. It’s especially laughable since I really can’t play keyboards…

*http://youtube.com/watch?v=VInBsdxPQYU

The One I Love

Michael — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:53:04 +0000

Yes, that’s right. I dare to cover REM. What can I say? I was young and stupid… I can’t even remember how long ago I recorded this, but unlike many other old recordings I’m embarrassed to listen to now, this one seems to stand up to time.

Sing Seven Up

Michael — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:48:28 +0000

I wasn’t going to post this song, I’m trying to keep a few secret until the new CD comes out… but I’ll be on the West Coast this weekend playing a show and attending DW’s wedding and I just couldn’t think of a better song for the occasion… or to entice you Seattle folks into coming out to see me perform at Dearborn on Woodland Saturday night…

Timber

Michael — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:31:13 +0000

This can best be described as a cover of a song from my old band The New Death Show. The arrangement came to me one day while messing about on guitar and I just went with it, recording each part as it came to me. If you’re familiar with the original version you’ll recognize how vastly different it is from Death Show’s. And actually, now that I think about it, it’s vastly different from everything I’m doing right now…

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Michael — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:00:22 +0000

The first time I heard this song was on The New Show in 1981. Cyndi Lauper performed it live and I thought she was weird because she only had on one shoe. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for this song and knew if I ever covered it I’d make it sad.

Klondike Kate

Michael — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:43:31 +0000

This song was written last year during the blizzardy height of winter here in Chicago. It snows so much here I almost hate it now. Do not try to bicycle in snow. Believe me.

Marooned

Michael — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:58:54 +0000

It sounds stupid and very complicated to explain, but there was a time when I’d dress up as a superhero and play music around Seattle. I had the ridiculous idea to sell personalized songs on ebay to the highest bidder and this is one of them. I sold four in all, not counting a refund I issued one person involving her not filling out the required questionnaire…