Your Heart Breaks - Free Saturday (“FL&R”)

      Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find legally downloadable music that we recommend. Our plan is to post at least one Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) song each Saturday.

    We enjoy singles that march through a person’s life. And we’ve marveled at and dedicated a post to the number of songs in which the lyrical start to life is the age of 17 (if interested, the 17-specific post is CLICK HERE). “Somewhere in Between” by Your Heart Breaks fits into both.

     Your Heart Breaks describes itself as “a queer band based in Seattle, Washington.” The band was originally founded Clyde Petersen. The song “Somewhere in Between” is a single from the album “Drone Butch Blues,” a concept album based on the writings of historic and contemporary GLBTQI authors. According to the album’s credits, The Drone Butch Blues band includes:

  Karl Blau (K Records, Laura Veirs, Earth)

  Kyle Field (Little Wings)

  Kelley Deal (The Breeders, R. Ring)

  Kimya Dawson (Moldy Peaches, Juno)

  Dylan Carlson (Earth)

  Lori Goldston (Nirvana, Earth)

  Adrienne Davies (Earth)

  Wynne Greenwood (Tracy & the Plastics)

  Jordan Smith(Jordan O'Jordan)

  Zach Burba (iji, Dear Nora)

  Jacob Jaffe (Younger Shoulder)

  Jonas Haskins (Earth, Low Hums)

     The KEXP site for the free download of “Somewhere in Between” is:

https://kexp.org/podcasts/song-of-the-day/2019/6/28/your-heart-breaks-somewhere-between/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourheartbreaksseattle/

Website: https://www.yourheartbreaks.com/

Lyrics of “Somewhere in Between” by Your Heart Breaks

By the time you read this you’ll be 17

Smoking stolen cigarettes, writing bad poetry

Crushed out on a classmate who’s kind of a stoner

But you think she’s real cool and you wish you could know her.

By the time you read this you’ll be 22

Have your heart broken, a couple shitty tattoos.

High School will feel like a bad memory,

Now you’re washing the dishes at a place down on Holly.

[Chorus – with backing vocals chanting “Somewhere in between”]

Somewhere in-between the stacks of book and papers,

Found a place to call your own and a reason to stay there

With a record collection, a single ray of light

You sleep through it every day, live only for the night.

Somewhere in-between the stacks of book and papers,

Found a place to call your own and a reason to stay there

With a record collection, a single ray of light

You sleep through it every day, live only for the night.

By the time you read this you’ll be 30-something

You’ll be out of the restaurants but you’ll still be hustling.

Free time will feel like a dream you have

About a time and a place you will never get back.

By the time you read this you’ll be nearly 40,

Have a real good laugh about a dog eared copy

Of Lesbian Poetry, the Anthology, from 1981

Sent like a time machine.

[Chorus – with backing vocals chanting “Somewhere in between”]

Somewhere in-between the stacks of book and papers,

Found a place to call your own and a reason to stay there

With a record collection, a single ray of light

You sleep through it every day, live only for the night.

Somewhere in-between the stacks of book and papers,

Found a place to call your own and a reason to stay there

With a record collection, a single ray of light

You sleep through it every day, live only for the night.

Elise Trouw Mashup of Foo Fighter with Bobby Caldwell

     We steer clear of biblical references and mashups – still, this post has both. The New Testament includes the Parable of the Talents in which three servants were entrusted with “talents.” A talent was a valuable amount, so even the servant who was allotted a single talent had a considerable sum. Two servants developed their talents and were rewarded. The third servant merely sat on (buried) the talent and, while his talent was still available, it was made clear that the talent was "wasted."

     Watching Elise Trouw’s video in which she performs a looped mashup of songs from Foo Fighters and Bobby Caldwell, it is undeniable that she was born with talents that most people do not possess. But it is equally clear that Trouw has not merely been sitting on her talents. Instead, she has put in the work to develop those talents. She is 20 years old and yet plays multiple instruments. In the mashup, she sequentially plays guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, keyboards again, and drums again. Arguably more impressive, she adds vocals that are both powerful and soothing.

     Elise Trouw now resides in San Diego. According to her Facebook bio:

  I was born in Southern California to a South African father and a mother from New York in the very last year of the millennium. Raised on The Carpenters, Green Day, and 80s New Wave, I always looked forward to rides in my mom’s car where she played her “ mixtapes", whether it was on a compilation CD or an ancient iPod. Inspiration struck when my six-year-old self first heard the haunting piano melody in “My Immortal” by Evanescence. I distinctly remember a five hour plane ride that consisted of that one song blasting repeatedly into my ears. So I begged my parents for piano lessons, and after they finally relented, they were then begging me to not practice at five in the morning every day.

     Mashup of “Everlong” by Foo Fighters & “What You Won’t Do for Love” by Bobby Caldwell by Elise Trouw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisetrouwmusic/

Website: https://www.elisetrouw.com/

“Run Wild” by John Errol – A Song Feature

     “Run Wild” is a journey through textures. It’s common in many cities to hear its residents claim that if you prefer different weather, stick around because things will soon change. The musical counterpart easily applies to “Run Wild.” The single from John Errol begins with a straightforward perspective of the person’s past, with support from a free-floating guitar and a metronome. In contrast, toward the end the song the soothing melodic chorus is accompanied by instruments having the force of Experimental Psychedelic Rock (lyrical historical perspective is supplanted by instrumental "histrionics"). In between, there is a grim spoken-word chant. Yet, "Run Wild" maintains a flow through its many changes.

     John Errol is based in the Los Angeles area. When referring to “Run Wild,” he explains:

  “At its core, it's a reflexive look into the creative process & a personal search for freedom within it. I wrote it last summer when I parted ways [with my management. It was like I had become an accumulation of promises & predictions and felt very imbalanced. This song / EP at large was my attempt at taking the pressure of and finding joy in making work again.”

     “Run Wild” by John Errol

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnerrolmusic/

Lyrics of “Run Wild” by John Errol

Running wild in an August light

I stared into the sun

I saw a vision that was never mine

I thought, “What have I done?”

Started out so simple with

… a piano my granddad gave

He always wanted me to play a song when I was little

But now he says my tune has changed

Now he says my tune has changed

But I can't stop running

And I can't stop running

When they’re keeping time

And now I can't stop running

Never gonna stop running

If I'm trying to fly

Run wild, wild

Run wild, wild

Just run wild, wild

Got tangled up in all the city lights

Too high to make a sound

I never knew that I could read the signs

Look up, but don't look down

And I hear a voice that's whispering my name

And I hear the siren echoing in my lane

It's getting closer and closer and closer and closer

Oh and I can't stop running

And I can't stop running

When they're keeping time

And now I can't stop running

Never going to stop running

If I'm trying to fly

Run wild, wild

Run wild, wild

Run wild, wild

A vulture, he looms

He waits until you've gone too far

Then he eats your flesh

And he keeps your heart locked in cylinders of skull

[Repeating]

Oh and I can't stop running

And I can't stop running

When they’re keeping time

And now I can't stop running

Never going to stop running

If I'm trying to fly

Run wild, wild

Run wild, wild

Run wild, wild

Run wild

Run wild

Run wild

Run wild

“Wolves (They Howl No More)" by Daniel Cane – A Song Feature

     Lyrically, “Wolves” is a comparison of the past to the present. “I used to be a king, I’d used to talk the talk…. I used to be the leader of a pack of wolves.” But now the wolves howl no more. The song passionately professes remorse for the past.

      Daniel Cane is a Dutch vocalist/songwriter from Enschede/Nijmegen. The music credits Daniel Cane & The Rebellion, with the Facebook page identifying Rico Neeter (vocals, guitar) and Chris Moorman (harmonica, percussion, backing vocals) as members.

     “Wolves (They Howl No More)" by Daniel Cane

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielCaneTheRebellion

“Follow The River” by Josh Tobias – A Song Review

     “Follow The River” is a fusion of diverse, quieted elements – shoegaze guitar, tribal percussion, and choired chorus. Lyrically, the song reflects a realistic view of the journey a fledgling relationship must take before finally reaching "the ocean.”

     Josh Tobias identifies himself as an Indie artist, writer, producer from New York City. He is currently based in Brooklyn.   

“Follow The River” by Josh Tobias

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshTobiasMusic

Website: http://joshtobiasmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Follow The River” by Josh Tobias

We can't see around the path

But we both know this road could end

But when you hold my hand, know I don’t need to wonder

Just listen close, this water rolls like thunder

Follow the river

Just follow the river

Close then driving in the way

I promise you that I will change

You held my hand, told me not to worry

This love is strong, surrender to the fury

Follow the river

Just follow the river

Follow the river

Just follow the river

Follow the river

Just follow the river

It's like bottled up lining when I feel your skin

I just wanna go out, go out and jump right in

But we gotta be patient to get to the ocean

But this is where we begin

Just follow the river

Just follow the river

Follow the river

Follow the river

Just follow the river

Follow the river

Just follow the river

“Uncertainly Deranged” by Bayonne - A Song Feature

     The energy of the percussion is infectious, but the listener is allowed a respite during a piano-driven soundscape bridge that begins shortly before the two-minute mark. “Uncertainly Deranged” is well-suited for a day when your favorite caffeinated drink does not match your needs.

      Bayonne is the performance name of Roger Sellers from Spring, Texas. “Uncertainly Deranged” is a track from his self-produced album “Drastic Measures.” Bayonne cites Phil Collins as an early influence. That influence is apparent 20 seconds into “Uncertainly Deranged,” when brief power drumming touches Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.”

     “Uncertainly Deranged” by Bayonne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bayonne

Website: https://www.bayonnemusic.com/

Lyrics of “Uncertainly Deranged” by Bayonne

You never really saw it coming

Everything you've said

Everything you're saying right now

And it's hard to believe but you know it's nothing

Never fell awake

Never had a sketch somehow

Wasting all your times and changing all your mindsets

Everyone can see

And in the end you're feeling something

Even when you make a mess of me

I guess I've not explained

Uncertainly deranged

See straight through me

I know what you're doing

I don't need to cut my head off

But I couldn't find you

You never cease to find another

Can't afford to lose

The tendency you choose to bring

Within your strength you'll blow the cover

Then again it keeps me listening

I guess I've not explained

Uncertainly deranged

See straight through me

I know what you're doing

I don't need to cut my head off

But I couldn't find you

[Repeat]

Night Cap - Free Saturday (“FL&R”)

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of their releases.  The end of an offer may be based on the expiration of a set period of time or on a limited number of downloads.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads.

     Night Cap is from Austin, Texas. The members of the Rock band are Ryan King (vocals, guitar), Jake Bomgaars (vocals, guitar), Alex Alfonso (bass), Adrian Ayala (keys), and Deryk Camazine (drums).

“Cheap Thrills” by Night Cap

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightcapatx

Website: https://www.nightcapatx.com/

“Falling Backwards” by Possible Oceans – A Song Feature

     “Falling Backwards” contrasts the depth and heaviness of the vocals against the higher frequency, almost delicate guitars that are best appreciated around the two-minute mark of the single from Possible Oceans. Similarly, the song contrasts often disheartening lyrical content with a melody that is energizing.

     The lyrics are not gloomy throughout “Falling Backwards.” While the song explains “I was trying not to fall off the edge of the earth,” it finishes with the declaration “Right now, I know exactly where I am.”

     Possible Oceans is a Los Angeles Indie Rock band. The members are Trevor O'Neill (vocals, guitar), Daniel Berkman (vocals, guitar), Josh Nyback (bass), and Brian Henspeter (drums).

     “Falling Backwards” by Possible Oceans

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/possibleoceans

Website: http://possibleoceans.com/

Pasted below is the description the backstory of “Falling Backwards.”

     Late last year, singer/guitarist Trevor O’Neill of Possible Oceans found himself alone in a high rise hotel room overlooking Mexico City with only his makeshift mobile recording studio to keep him company. There to promote the group’s last release, the Phase Change EP, a melody had popped into O’Neill’s head to fit the words jotted down earlier in an Uber on the way to a radio performance. By the time the sun came up the next day the first demo for the new single “Falling Backwards” was done.

  “After six days alone in a city where everyone speaks a different language and you don’t know anyone, you can really get in your head. Mexico City is one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever been and I love it, but these solo trips are challenging for me. It’s a powerful experience to be cut off from your routines like that. Having so much time alone with my thoughts really made me reflect on my patterns and habits, especially my tendency to let circumstances dictate my mood, which has often led me to depression. This song is about recognizing your demons, calling them (and yourself) out, and being kind of reborn in the process.”

     “Deceiver” by Possible Oceans

The Fragility of Being Young

     This post features three songs that explore the fluidity of being young.

     The Tame and the Wild is an Indie Folk band that is driven by vocalist/songwriter duo Seja Katharina Rockel and Flëpp Wenger. They are based in Luxembourg. In concert the band expands to Seja Katharina Rockel (vocals, guitars), Flëpp Wenger (bass, backings)

Maurizio DiStasi (guitars, backings), Alain Kremer (guitars), Tom Goedert (keys, backings), and Pete Mertens (drums).

      “We´re Still Alive” by The Tame and the Wild

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetameandthewild/

Website: http://www.thetameandthewild.com/

     Isabelle Stillman is a singer-songwriter living in Denver. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. "Kid" is a single off Isabelle's Stillman's first album "Middle Sister," out July 12, 2019.

     “Kid” by Isabelle Stillman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabellestillmanmusic

Website: https://www.isabellestillman.com/

Lyrics of “Kid” by Isabelle Stillman

Hey kid, where you going with that toy?

Dirty hands, ripped corduroys

Knees are bloody, hair’s a mess, but your face is full of joy

Hey kid, what you think of this big world?

All the songs you’ve never heard

You’re already singing like you’ve always known the words

You're fragile and unbreakable all at the same time

We can tell already you won’t need us on this climb

But don’t you know the world is wide,

And it ain’t full of all nice guys

People gonna want something you ain’t willing to give

I could go on and on

Telling you ‘bout all the wrong

Talking about everything I wish I never did

But you don’t need no grown-up words or tips

You were never just a kid

Hey kid, where you going in those jeans?

Trying the cheerleading team

Running on color-coded notes and the fresh smell of gasoline

Hey kid, where’d ya learn to talk like that?

Fancy words and clever facts

How’d you get sure of who you are you ain’t scared to yell back?

You're fragile and unbreakable all at the same time

We just watch and learn as you make your way on this climb

You’re learning that this world is wide

And it ain’t full of all nice guys

People gonna want something you ain’t willing to give

I could go on and on

Telling you ‘bout all the wrong

Talking about everything I wish I never did

But you don’t need no grown-up words or tips

You were never just a kid

Hey kid, where you going down that street?

Big city, baby cheeks

How’d ya learn out to get the groceries, sweep the floor, and clean your sheets?

Hey kid, where you going with that brain?

Setting every room aflame

A heart that takes no shit, sure ain’t playing any games

You're fragile and unbreakable and beautiful and kind

We just stand in awe as you make your way on this climb

'Cause now you know the world is wide

And it ain’t full of all nice guys

People try to get something you ain’t willing to give

You could go on and on

Telling me ‘bout all the wrong

Talking about everything you’ve seen and thought and did

And you know I need your grown-up words and tips

You were never just a kid

Hey kid, where you going without me?

Standing on your own two feet?
A soldier and a storm and a sun I can’t believe

     Dardi Shades is from Camden, Australia. The band members are Stewart Patterson (vocals, guitar), Kabir Bhalla (bass), Mark Lundy (rhythm guitar, keys), Logan Pentleton (lead guitar), and Mikey Watson (drums). Patterson talked about the meaning behind their recent single:

  “’Yeah You're Young (but not going to be forever)’ is generally a sentiment of encouragement for the listener to take chances in their immediate situation as nothing worth doing comes easy. I wanted to juxtapose the song sonically between specific influences such as The Kooks, Libertines and the Killers. I wanted raw, scratchy lead lines and tight rhythm sections that transform into a big-production, stadium rock styled chorus. Finishing with a rather personal and self-reflective "in-the-room" vibe for the song to finish on; and I really think we achieved what we set out to do with the help of Adrian Breakspear”.

 “Yeah You’re Young” by Dardi Shades

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedardishades/