Happy Hollows - Way Home

Sometimes the road is too hard to follow
And I'm running away
I'm on my way home

"Way Home" by Happy Hollows has been on my list to share here for a long time and I think it's finally time. Kerri and I are, appropriately on our way home from an awesome little work/love trip to San Francisco, my second home.

We were there for our wonderful friends Nishant and Ganga's wedding. It was such a blast, we danced, met lots of new friends from all over and most importantly shared a lot of love and laughter. We're now on our way home to Austin. We're bringing good California vibes back to Texas y'all. Get ready! In the meantime, enjoy the tunes.

RIYL: Future Islands, Twin River, The Joy Formidable

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The Greeting Committee - Hands Down

Wrapped inside your sheets
Well, I look up to you
Because you look after me
And kiss me till I bleed
I don't want anything
But all of you
I know I swore, I said
I'll never love again
But—man, oh, man—you're my best friend

Baby, you're hands down the best thing about me
And baby, I don't know where I was
But I'm so glad you found me

Baby, you know I love you
More than my words
Know how to show you

Today's Most Important Song is for lovers, or at least the optimistic. Not that I need an excuse to be happy-sappy, but Keith and I are at a good friend's wedding this weekend. Hope everyone listening can grab someone's hand and skip or dance (or imagine doing so, whilst tapping your steering wheel or whatever) to this sweet song, with just the slightest rough edge. Congrats Nishant & Ganga!

RIYL: Honeyblood, HUNNY, FOXTRAX, Finish Ticket

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John K. Samson - Postdoc Blues

So your presentation went terrible.
All wrong dongle, sweat stains and stares.
Leave the TV on with the sound down low, in your underwear.
Don't despair, you'll get it right tomorrow night in Thunder Bay, maybe.
Don't delay, your day is short, you can't afford to wait.

I believe in you and your PowerPoints.
I know why you can't stay away.
Out on Highway One with a rental car and a lot to say.

"Postdoc Blues" is a fun (if a bit melancholy and apropos considering the events of the week) from The Weakerthans' John K. Samson. His new album Winter Wheat dropped a week or so ago and it's nice, soothing and a great way to wind down a fairly crazy week. He's also released a well done and whimsical animated video that's worth a watch.

RIYL: The Weakerthans, mewithoutYou, Bear vs. Shark, R.E.M., Propagandahi

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STRFKR - Open Your Eyes

Lonely eyes and a save me smile standing halfway in the night
'Cross the room in this neon tomb
Let it be the satellite

I wanna take you home, boy
Come with me out in the light
Living as somebody else, boy
Open your eyes
You gotta try, boy
Open your eyes
Who doesn’t need another friend
In these bodies...
We are alone

What could I have changed your mind
Tell me
What good when we’re out of time
Won’t say that I never tried
Will you
Set me free by the river side

STFKR's aim is to be anti-establishment creators of "good pop songs that you can also dance to." They've been more successful than they even intended, and I'd go so far as to say their new album (Being No One, Going No Where released November 4th) is their best yet. Sorry to say, Keith and I missed out on Austin's first SOS Fest this past weekend due to weather concerns (and travel conflicts), and ironically STRFKR, a Portland band (i.e. accustomed to wet days), almost had to miss their set Sunday because of the rain (flood warnings and mud) as well. But they prevailed and I heard it was pretty epic.

@starfucker set @SOSFestTX was literally the best thing that has happened to me in 2016.

— andrea garcia (@andreagarcie) November 7, 2016

RIYL: Neon Indian, Broken Bells, Ghostland Observatory, Miike Snow, Passion Pit

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Saul Williams - Penny For a Thought

Cancel the apocalypse
cartons of the milky way with pictures of a missing planet
last seen in pursuit of an American dream
this fool actually thinks he can drive his hummer on the moon
blasting DMX off the soundtrack of a South Park cartoon
niggas used to buy their families out of slavery
now we buy chains and links, smokes and drinks
they're paying me to record this, even more if you hear it
somebody tell me what you think I should do with the money
yes, friend tell me what you think I should do with the money
exactly how much is it gonna cost to free Mumia?
what's he gonna do with his freedom? talk on the radio?
radio programming is just that - a brainwashin' gleamed of purpose
to be honest, some freedom of speech makes me nervous
and you looking for another martyr in the form of a man
hair like a mane with an outstretched hand
in a roar of hearts, thoughts, reactionary defensiveness and counter
intelligence
what exactly is innocence?
fuck it, I do believe in the existence of police brutality
who do I make checks payable to? (How 'bout I pay it in prayers?)
a young child stares at a glowing screen transfixed by tales of violence
his teenage father tells him that that's life, not that Barney shit
a purple dinosaur that speaks of love, a black man that speaks of blood
which one is keeping it real, son?
who manufactured your steel, son?
hardcore, ancient elements at the earth's core
fuck it, I'mma keep speaking 'til my throats sore
an emcee told a crowd of hundreds to put their hands in the air
an armed robber stepped to a bank and told everyone to put their hands in
the air
a Christian minister gives his benediction while the congregation hold
their hands in the air
love the image of the happy Buddha with his hands in the air
hands up if you're confused, define tomorrow
your belief system ain't louder than my car system
nigga walked down my block with his rotwiler, a subwoofer on a leash
each one teach one
the DJ spins a new philosophy into a barren mind
I can't front on it
my head nods as if to clear the last image from an etch-a-sketch
something like Rakim said- I could quote any emcee, but why should I?
how would it benefit me? karmic repercussions
are your tales of reality worth their sonic laced discussions?
suddenly, the ground shivers and quakes
a newborn startles and wakes
her mother rushes to her bed side to hold her to her breast
milk of sustenance heals and nourishes
from the depths of creation life still flourishes
yet we focus on death and destruction, violence, corruption
my people, let pharaoh go
what have you bought into? how much will it cost to buy you out?
what have you bought into? how much will it cost to buy you out?
what have you bought into? how much will it cost to buy you out?

(spoken)
how much it gonna cost to buy you out of my mind?
penny for a thought, y'all niggas is half steppin' wastin' my time
please, nigga what? you talkin to me?
please baby, baby, baby can I borrow - can i borrow a nickle, a dime, and
that quarter
penny for a thought, penny for a thought
how much will it cost to buy you out of buyin' into a reality that
originally bought you?
dime a dozen, y'all niggas a dime a dozen
penny for a thought, nigga, c'mon, penny for a thought
think fast, think fast, c'mon, time is money

time is money, money is time
so i keep 7 o'clock in the bank and gain interest in the hour of God
I'm saving to buy my freedom, God, grant me wings, I'm too fly not to fly
I soared further past humans without wings so I soar
and fine tickling the feathers of my wings
flying hysterically, over land numerically
I am seven mountains higher than the valley of death

Seven mountains higher than the valley of death
Seven dimensions deeper than dimensions of breath

Well, that happened and I don't really have the energy to say much today. This morning I was thinking about Saul Williams and his words re: Trump. “We get the leaders we deserve...The effect of the bullshit we ingest reflects the bullshit that we’re given the possibility to elect." Watch the whole thing below.

RIYL: Sage Francis, Aesop Rock, EL-P, Mr. Lif

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