In this episode, Eugene, Oregon’s “The Stagger and Sway’s” lead singer, Mike Last, shares the story behind their eponymous song “Stagger and Sway.” This song was written on the tail-end of a LONG drive from Chicago to Eugene, Oregon, in a rattle-trap of a box-van. This was the kind of drive where the beginning marked [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Story Behind the Song’
The Story Behind the Song: Steve Carroll’s “Fall”
In this episode, Mentone, CA’s Steve Carroll shares the story behind his song “Fall.” Lately I’ve been in the habit of ending each show with this song. It has a nice flow to it. Poetic and emotional, and resonant, maybe it echos within people a little after I finish, which is a good way to [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Kathryn Ostenberg’s “Who Really Knows”
In this episode, Kathryn Ostenberg, of Hollywood & Colorado, shares the story behind her song “Who Really Knows.” Kathryn will be playing at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on January 30th. Details for this and other upcoming shows are available on her MySpace page. This is definitely the most personal song I’ve written, even [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Tucker Booth’s “Christy Montana”
photo by dave getzschman In this episode, Los Angeles’ Tucker Booth shares the lyrics and story for his song “Christy Montana” off his upcoming album “Bum Rap.” The song ‘Christy Montana’ was originally written as a last minute anniversary gift for the protagonist of the song. I had been in love with Christina aka Christy [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Analog Jetpack’s “Bury Me In My Jetpack”
In this episode, Rob Getzschman, the man behind Analog Jetpack, shares the story behind their song, “Bury Me In My Jetpack.” The band is originally from Washington, DC, and currently based in Los Angeles, and their comic strip and unique aesthetic are Rob’s inspiration as well. “Bury Me In My Jetpack” owes a great debt [...]
The Story Behind the Song (Bonus Edition!): Justin King’s “Sparrows”
In this episode, Eugene, Oregon’s Justin King shares the story behind his song “Sparrows,” which is featured no his latest album, Humilitas Occidit Superbiam. I wrote this tune sitting on a roof in New York. It’s mostly a song about the failure I felt in my relationships and with the band. [Justin King and the [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Fred Van Vactor’s “Leaving Eugene”
In this episode, Portland Oregon’s Fred Van Vactor tells the story behind his song, “Leaving Eugene.” I remember a piece of sage advice from my 7th grade writing teacher who told the class, “write what you know.” I’m completely familiar with the city of Eugene, Oregon. I’ve spent over 25 years bouncing in and out [...]
The Story Behind the Song (Bonus Edition!): Ehren Ebbage’s “Snakes”
In this episode, Seattle’s Ehren Ebbage shares the story behind his song, “Snakes.” Almost all of my songs are written with at least one degree of separation; a real life experience inspires an idea but the names and dates are changed to protect identities, so to speak. Snakes is one of the few that are [...]
The Story Behind the Song: The Dimes’ “Paul Kern Can’t Sleep”
In this episode, Portland, Oregon’s The Dimes share the story behind their song, “Paul Kern Can’t Sleep.” (As told by lead singer, Johnny Clay.) “Paul Kern Can’t Sleep” is the story of a WWI vet who was shot in the head in battle. Doctors were able to save him, but the bullet struck the part [...]
The Story Behind the Song (Bonus Edition!): These United States’ “The Important Thing”
In this episode, These United States, from Washington, DC, and Lexington, KY, share the story behind their song, “The Important Thing.” (As told by lead singer, Jesse Elliott.) This is the most straightforward song I’ve ever written. I couldn’t say exactly what it’s about. A lotta people assume it’s Love. Just as many have asked [...]
The Story Behind the Song: The Comforters’ “Lazy Sundays”
In this episode, Oregon’s “The Comforters” share the story behind their song, “Lazy Sundays.” I would love to be able to say that when the muse strikes, I just have to get out of the way, that I’m merely a conduit for the song to get out. The truth is, I’m more like that annoying [...]
The Story Behind the Song: The Soft Hills’ “Molten Change”
In this episode, Seattle’s “The Soft Hills” share the story behind their song, “Molten Change.” Molten Change consists of two parts: A and B. In part A there are several layers of experience juxtaposed together, happening all in the mind of a man named, Ashely. The story begins with Ashely peering into his psychic landscape [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Spärhusen’s “Apples & Fish”
In this episode, Swedish almost-legends Spärhusen share the story behind their song, “Apples & Fish.” Also featured is a video of the band performing the song live at the premiere of season two of Illeana Douglas’ Ikea-based Web series, Easy to Assemble, which features the music of Spärhusen and celebrities like Justine Bateman! Sparhusen was [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Carney’s “Love Me, Chase Me”
In this episode, Los Angeles-based rockers Carney share the story behind the lyrics to their single “Love Me, Chase Me,” as well as its new music video featuring Evan Rachel Wood… Love Me Chase Me is actually a really special song for us :-) It is the first song that Carney ever co-wrote as a [...]
The Story Behind the Song: Christa Mae’s “Diesel”
In this episode, Singer/Songwriter Christa Mae shares the story behind the lyrics to my favorite of her songs, “Diesel”: I wrote Diesel at a time when I was really disgusted with the way corporations were manipulating people into (becoming) consumers, making the almighty dollar the only contribution we as human individuals can make in this [...]
The Story Behind the Song: John Shipe’s “Yellow House”
In this episode, Singer/Songwriter John Shipe shares the story behind the lyrics to the title track from his recent album, “Yellow House”: I used to live in Yellow House. With a woman 6 feet two inches tall. Only, she wasn’t my wife, she was just a roommate. (My girlfriend at the time was about 5’ [...]