Off Duty Boys…And Blues

“We’re standing in the parking lot with the doors wide open mang…” 

And so the adventures begin - be it a corner store expedition or backfield-bleacher truancy. The music from our carry-along-speakers emanates crisply through the Fall air as we talk, laugh, and exchange the stories that make the myths and legends of our common neighborhood experience.

I have no sense of time. You watch the smoke rise and dissipate. We fashion our plans based on light and darkness; and tonight a party shall ensue. There will be beautiful faces, pulsating music, and a sense of belonging. 

It’s a great time to be alive.

Song

Album

The-Record-Over 

“Things In Motion, We’re The Hometown Reps, 

From The Kitchen Table And We Now Progress,

In The Hazy Club And We Up Next,

Live, Direct, And Get These Levels Correct”

Sitting inside a fading picture the gents and I begin our pursuit of “music.” 

This voyage carries a different personal meaning for each of us. However, the times we collectively focus on crafting songs generates enthusiasm on-top-of enthusiasm. We’re chasing an ethos without realizing that we’re still too young to not emulate our heroes. Many artists never grow beyond this phase. 

One night in particular deserves mentioning…

After weeks of trying to get an audition with a local production team (slash weed conglomerate) a time and place are set. We’re a few freeway exits away when the front tire explodes and sparks, from what is becoming a bare axel, begin flying into the windshield. Instead of pulling-over we thug-out the remaining distance by driving to the off-ramp near our destination. We leave the car on the side-of-the-road and run the remaining mile or so in order to get to the Producers “studio” (slash cannabis haven) on time.

I may deceive you, but I wouldn’t lie to you.

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over  

The Gathering Of The Family:

Amazing…Agonizing…Captivating 

A New Life, A Dying Life, Our New Life…

The events that unify us amplify beauty with precision.

With the arrival of new life we can trace our own beginning; we realize the most elegant design is us. 

When death hovers over one of our elders the finite is crystalized; we realize that heaven is the byproduct of our long & meaningful journey.

And when we watch newly weds dancing together for their first time we can imagine the possibilities; love becoming a reality.

The wonder, insight, and even hope that these events carry lifts our collective tide; and we experience this all together - as a family.  

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over

We Here Mang!

The Party Is Popping.

THE GIRLS SHOWED-UP!

Now what?

We weren’t expecting everything to line-up-as-we-wrote-it.

And now that it has…you won’t catch me running…

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over

Tonight We Can Do No Wrong…

We’re going to float through this city of mystery together and see where the wind carries us. 

There is no plan because there is no need for one.

When 6 people meet - half-way serendipity ensures.

The comfort of your presence puts me at ease.

You’re a familiar face, but the future has yet to be scripted. 

And so I know who you are, but neither of us knows what we’re going to be.

And this uncertainty is empowering.

I hope to always remember this night.

Song

Album 

Slight-Record-Over

Continuation 

“Downtown/Connect” by Thaddeus Clark from thaddeus clark on Vimeo.

The day after a perfect night and I’m damn-near-smitten with you.

I want to keep talking to you and I don’t like talking usually.

I want to walk slowly with you and I don’t like walking slowly.

I want to make a song about this one day and hopefully it’s not of the break-up variety.

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over

INTERSTATE 80 MUSIC BABY….

“…return from the future in the burgundy time-machine…”

“…in-motion year round on a full-speed-swing, slowing down only once on the first day of Spring…”

“…in the get-away car stealing time that was ours…”

“Side ways to the next light, side hustle to the next night…”

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over

Where is everyone?

This small town, which is connected to a bigger town, which is connected to a little city, was once center of the universe for us. 

At times quaint…charming occasionally…but home nonetheless - until it isn’t anymore. 

Transitions are happening. 

For the folks that stay - this town remains the perfect sized galaxy.

However, to the restless the “city”-limits are shrinking and either entrapping us or squeezing-us-out.

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over 

“like the last song at the graduating dance”

“And what we might miss more in the post-script,

is the feeling of consummate recognizance…”

Your. Love. Gone. 

“Some of us are staying, but some of us are leaving…”

Our. Last. Dance.

“A sparkling flash that can’t last too long,

After the last song, after the last song…”

Song

Album  

No-Record-Over

“H I - 8” by Thaddeus Clark from thaddeus clark on Vimeo.

A stream of inspired consciousness from the perspective of a child…

“I’m in the dream of a child,

Skipping along the pier with a smile,

Riding inside these waves easily,

The water is tranquil as us I believe,

I’m with imaginary beings who have everything and possess nothing…”

Song

Album

The-Record-Over

How close were we to achieving the Alpha Dream?

It’s hard to say. 

I can fondly recall hearing the elders reliving their musical pursuits aloud in the garage, backyard, or or near a barbeque grill.

They enthusiastically revere the narratives of their collective Wild West moments - when few laws could dictate their direction and everything seems possible. It’s remarkable that I can’t sense any bitterness in their recollections.

Is that an indication of accepting change or defeat? 

It’s hard to say. 

Did they inspire people? Hell yes.

Did their odyssey together form a life-long-bond? Absolutely.

Would they have done anything differently? 

You’ll have to ask them.

Song

Album 

The-Record-Over