There is a new photography book detailing the touring and creative lives of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, captured by multi-talented band guitarist Neal Casal. It’s called A View Of Other Windows and I don’t have it yet, so can’t speak to the quality beyond what I’ve seen of Neal to know that he has a knack for capturing small moments, which I love.
I was, however, taken by the little b-side song “Memory Lane” used to soundtrack the trailer for the book. It was released on the special UK/Ireland versions of Cardinology, and perhaps selected here because of its line about “pictures taken by someone else…”
The rarely-resting Ryan Adams announced today that he was bringing his PAX AM (Pax Americana) label back to life, to release digital singles of his music one at a time. The label last spit out some fine 7″s in 2004, and will return tomorrow with a single of “Lost and Found” (originally on 2006’s Sad Dracula/Fasterpiece sessions) and a new song “Go Ahead And Rain” as the b-side. Lost And Found (Sad Dracula demo version) – Ryan Adams
You can buy the cleaned-up version and new song for $1.49 on his site.
Ryan issued the following statement regarding the debut of the Pax Am label:
Thanks for making Pax Am the number one Ryan Adams merch site online. We would hunt anyone else down though.
Did you have a rad summer? Good. If you said no, never worry, Pax Am is here. We are gonna fill your fall and winter up with vinyl, digital singles, and t shirts you don’t need.
Stay tuned for videos, free tracks, and our digi-singles. Subscribers get first dibs on rare vinyl.
Remember, purchasing the buck 49 singles is a way to keep FOGGY TV on the air, but it is not necessary to view the weekly content.
This is my label and my internet disco dream.
Make it real you jerks.
Worship me.
He’s also going to have an exhibit later this month at the Morrison Hotel Gallery’s Bowery space, debuting “a new collection of his original paintings and mixed media collages.” He’s also going to be the gallery’s first artist in residence. The man doesn’t sleep.
The superb Belfast-meets-alt-country blend of Minnesota’s Romantica comes to Denver tonight at the Soiled Dove. After seeing them at SXSW, I highly recommend this impassioned show.
Here is an extra-gorgeous rendition of “The Dark,” by request, a few nights ago in Salt Lake City.
ROMANTICA TOUR DATES
May 21 – The Soiled Dove w/ Carrie Rodriguez, Denver, CO
May 22 – KTAO Solar Center w/ Carrie Rodriguez, Taos, NM
May 25 – North Music & Arts Festival, Kenosha, WI
Jun 6 – Olde Town Creamery, Maple Lake, MN
Jul 17 – RiverSong Folk Music Festival, Hutchinson, MN
Aug 8 – MN Zoo w/ Alejandro Escovedo, Apple Valley, MN
Last week, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals stopped by the Austin, Texas studio of KUT Public Radio and performed two songs off Cardinology: a gorgeous slow piano version of “Fix It,” one of my favorite tracks on the new album, and the sweet sorrow of “Go Easy.”
In between songs Ryan discusses the Cardinals shimmering in the sunlight of purity, and how anyone who sees his ex-ex-girlfriend should run.
But in terms of viscerally potent performances, I can’t stop watching the way he sings the line at 2:23 – “Look what I did to you, look what you did to me — FIX IT!” (two days later on Letterman). If only wishing that much could make it so.
Finally — according to his marvelously random blog, work is underway on songwriting for the follow-up to Cardinology (shocker!). He writes:
i have been working on sketches for our next record. The paperback dictionary you see here, and the (if you squint) book next to it, are old-school. I have used that little dictionary when song-writing since my first solo album and strangely pack it without thinking from time to time. when i do new songs come round.
the book next to it has all the new songs in it. i found it at the chelsea street markets recently. it’s falling apart some but i don’t mind. so am i.
My friend Tom, who is awesome, went on a scavenger hunt and dug up some live versions of new Ryan Adams & The Cardinals songs that are showing up on the tracklist for Cardinology (due out October 28 on Lost Highway). I’ve added to it, let’s have a listen! Shocking, it’s a little jammy.
In early 2001, Ryan Adams was riding high on the critical acclaim of his debut solo album Heartbreaker (Sept 2000), while simultaneously letting off some punk steam through the recording of the excellent Pink Hearts sessions (starting in December of that year).
The set that he played at South by Southwest that year was heavy on Pink Hearts selections, some of my favorite unreleased songs by him. In my book, the 1-2-3 punch in this set of “Candy Doll,” “Gimme A Sign” and “Mega-Superior Gold” would be one that I’d pay good cash to see again. I love those songs.
Travel notes from D.C.: Saw Raconteurs last night at the 930 Club; more on that super-loud awesomeness later. And hey, you know what’s really nice? Waking up East-Coast early in a hotel room and crawling a few inches from the bed over into one of these things. Yeah. That’s what I’m talkin about.
A song in the news indeed — a music magazine to be exact. Take a listen to a snippet of the new Ryan Adams song that he contributed to the Esopus Magazine Spring 2008 sampler CD. My first thought was “wow he is trying to stick a lot of words in here,” followed by an immediate, “meh.” After that came some vague frustration directed towards a possible lack of trying. But I could just be having a bad day. Your thoughts?
While I am enjoying some of the warm California sun, it feels like a good time to share my favorite Ryan Adams bootleg ever. There is a pristine, immediate, warm quality to the sound that makes you feel like you are inches from Ryan. The talented, haunting Gillian Welch comes out for some songs, and there is a wonderful variety of rare songs for the setlist. In between his endearing banter, Ryan brings out unreleased gems, early versions of songs I love, and several terrific covers.
…and THAT, folks, is one of my favorite live shows ever recorded. I have listened to it more times than I can count. It feels like a whiskey, warming the insides.
I like this concept immensely. Back in 2006, Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer did a series of ace live semi-acoustic shows, and at the show on November 26th at London’s Union Chapel they performed Ryan Adams’ arrangement of their song “Wonderwall.” So, so cool to hear them taking on his haunting interpretation, even down to that winding countermelody that Ryan weaves into it.
Name: Heather Browne Location: Colorado, originally by way of California
"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel." —Hunter S. Thompson
“These chords are old but we shake hands / 'cause I believe that they're the good guys.”
—Josh Ritter, "Good Man"
"I am fuel, you are friends / we got the means to make amends."
—Pearl Jam, "Leash"
Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. If you represent an artist or a label and would prefer that I remove a link to an mp3, please email me at browneheather@gmail.com
Submissions
Got something I should hear? Email me at browneheather@gmail.com. Digital's usually best, but music submissions can also be sent to: Fuel/Friends, PO Box 64011, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-4011.
Name: Heather Browne
