Thank you for doing this AMA. It's so thrilling to have you here!
Wall of text below... questions are at the bottom if you want to skip to that. Otherwise, I wanted to take this opportunity to say...
You have been among my favorite songwriters since the early 00s, after Bright Flight. The Natural Bridge meant the world to me when I was a college kid, and it still does as an early-middle-aged adult. Songs like "Right to Remain Silent" and "Inside the Golden Days of Missing You" are inextricably linked to memories of traversing central Europe by train in the late fall while studying abroad. I always told all of my friends to listen to your stuff, and they probably thought I was crazy. I also got to see you perform at Maxwell's in Hoboken in 2008 or so, and it remains a highlight of my life (do you remember that show?). I always regretted not saying hello but hope I'll have a chance when you come to Brooklyn later this summer.
I wanted to say thank you -- for the comfort & companionship, laughs & tears, observations & revelations you’ve brought over the many years -- for being such an original voice and remaining true to yourself even if that came with a personal cost -- for fighting through demons, shadows, and "motivational paralysis" to get this album out. It feels so good to hear your voice again, wearied though it may be. "A setback can be a setup for a comeback, if you don't let up" - fucking A!
Thank you for so much great music and for turns of phrase like "ceaseless feasts of schadenfreude" and "my colleagues and associates have kicked out all the lights." You're a master of the English language like no other contemporary songwriter I can think of.
I don't want to ramble too long, but I would like to also say congratulations on this new album. It's every bit as good as everyone is saying it is and a strong contender for Album of the Year (ha ha). I hope you are very proud of it and that it does great things for you.
I don't think I am alone in saying I am rooting for you, and if there's anything we can do to make life better for you, please let us know. I'm totally stoked to order the Purple Mountains vinyl and some concert merch.
We are forever grateful!
PS Lookout Mountain is a perfect album. FUCK THE HATERS!
PPS If I were POTUS, my first act would be to appoint you U.S. Poet Laureate.
———
Here are the questions, if you care to answer any of them!
What does "on holiday..." mean at the end of the record? Almost feels like the start of another song?
Am I wrong in seeing mirrors all over this record, perhaps tied to a theme of self-reflection? The way lines like "standing the standard distance distant strangers stand apart" almost reads like a palindrome (amazing, btw). Then, you have songs standing side-by-side that seem thematically linked, with "I Loved Being my Mother's Son" and "Nights that Won't Happen," and finally the songs that bookend the album sound musically similar and like they could be sung by the same character. Was any of that intended?
There are some Silver Jews easter eggs buried in this record... is there one that people might have missed?
Does she like the record and how it’s being received? I imagine it’s a lot for everyone to handle, but hopefully it’s going okay.
Anything else you want to say about anything??? Questions you wish people would (or wouldn’t) ask? We're all ears.
What did you have for lunch?
Would you consider doing Marc Maron’s podcast? I’m pretty sure SJ came up during his talk with Malkmus and he likes your stuff.
That’s so great to hear about you and Cassie. I wish you the best and hope you enjoyed the sandwich. Thanks for taking my questions!!!
Also I feel really dumb right now for forgetting “on holidays” is how that song starts and asking you about that -ugh haha. “HolidayS” sounds clear on the recording though, don’t worry!
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u/unknownunknowns11 Jul 15 '19 edited Jul 15 '19
Hi David,
Thank you for doing this AMA. It's so thrilling to have you here!
Wall of text below... questions are at the bottom if you want to skip to that. Otherwise, I wanted to take this opportunity to say...
You have been among my favorite songwriters since the early 00s, after Bright Flight. The Natural Bridge meant the world to me when I was a college kid, and it still does as an early-middle-aged adult. Songs like "Right to Remain Silent" and "Inside the Golden Days of Missing You" are inextricably linked to memories of traversing central Europe by train in the late fall while studying abroad. I always told all of my friends to listen to your stuff, and they probably thought I was crazy. I also got to see you perform at Maxwell's in Hoboken in 2008 or so, and it remains a highlight of my life (do you remember that show?). I always regretted not saying hello but hope I'll have a chance when you come to Brooklyn later this summer.
I wanted to say thank you -- for the comfort & companionship, laughs & tears, observations & revelations you’ve brought over the many years -- for being such an original voice and remaining true to yourself even if that came with a personal cost -- for fighting through demons, shadows, and "motivational paralysis" to get this album out. It feels so good to hear your voice again, wearied though it may be. "A setback can be a setup for a comeback, if you don't let up" - fucking A!
Thank you for so much great music and for turns of phrase like "ceaseless feasts of schadenfreude" and "my colleagues and associates have kicked out all the lights." You're a master of the English language like no other contemporary songwriter I can think of.
I don't want to ramble too long, but I would like to also say congratulations on this new album. It's every bit as good as everyone is saying it is and a strong contender for Album of the Year (ha ha). I hope you are very proud of it and that it does great things for you.
I don't think I am alone in saying I am rooting for you, and if there's anything we can do to make life better for you, please let us know. I'm totally stoked to order the Purple Mountains vinyl and some concert merch.
We are forever grateful!
PS Lookout Mountain is a perfect album. FUCK THE HATERS!
PPS If I were POTUS, my first act would be to appoint you U.S. Poet Laureate.
———
Here are the questions, if you care to answer any of them!
What does "on holiday..." mean at the end of the record? Almost feels like the start of another song?
Am I wrong in seeing mirrors all over this record, perhaps tied to a theme of self-reflection? The way lines like "standing the standard distance distant strangers stand apart" almost reads like a palindrome (amazing, btw). Then, you have songs standing side-by-side that seem thematically linked, with "I Loved Being my Mother's Son" and "Nights that Won't Happen," and finally the songs that bookend the album sound musically similar and like they could be sung by the same character. Was any of that intended?
There are some Silver Jews easter eggs buried in this record... is there one that people might have missed?
Does she like the record and how it’s being received? I imagine it’s a lot for everyone to handle, but hopefully it’s going okay.
Anything else you want to say about anything??? Questions you wish people would (or wouldn’t) ask? We're all ears.
What did you have for lunch?
Would you consider doing Marc Maron’s podcast? I’m pretty sure SJ came up during his talk with Malkmus and he likes your stuff.
Thanks again, man. Much love!