I always had a romantic view of life. Relationships were no exception. I can understand sometime it's hard being in the mood for dreaming of stars and dove, but if I get to choose I stand for being in a harmless comic rather than a gloomy cynical reality. Part of the "Impossible Love Songs" project, guess that this "Peynet Lovers" it's all about that, rushed by the will of introducing my old Casio PT-82 to listeners and friends.
"Peynet Lovers 15 years old dreams spent on Peynet Lovers Art school and beer where meant for Peynet Lovers Sweeping the floor from drawings Peynet Lovers Chocolate boxes gone for
Make more money to stay in Paris Rendevus, sitting on benches while a long hair dude right from the bandstand playing sweet sweet tunes enliving his violin
We're not supposed to rush It's not like it's a trap When did we start to fight?
We can't go on living just pretending it's so peachy
We're not Peynet Lovers Too many heartbreaks killed Peynet Lovers Can't get an answer stright from Peynet Lovers Papercut passions now burn Peynet Lovers Look at us running from
Love and poems Live touring worldwide Dolls and scarves Valence to Hiroshima Craftsman said Long live the bride we look like newly-weds praying in prada dresses
It's almost Valentine My mood it's cold and far Don't feel like I could smile Sometime I might lose my charm and I don't wanna live like we are
Peynet Lovers Holding eachothers like sweet Peynet Lovers Whimsy and shiny just like Peynet Lovers Welcome to real world my Peynet Lovers We're going crazy for
"Calling a track The Smiths & The Cure marks them out as an indie band but calling them indie seems like an insult. If you place them in a box this band'll blow the sides off. They are so much more than indie. They're the coolest kids on the block and the strangest in the neighbourhood.It's the time that the tide turned it's time you turned to Tiny Tide."
I don't know this bloke, but this review really made my day knocking me out. Thanks to "The Devil" and the one and only Marilyn Roxie and her Vulpiano Records.
February has always been a crucial period for me. It was February when I realized I had to start a new life, it was February when I was left alone, it was February when I wondered from pub to clubs asking my friends what could have been a real cool name for an album. The answer was quite clear, after I began to work on it’s first track.
“February” - the song - brought me a lot of luck. I had no idea I was about to form a band when I wrote it. It was just a reflection on some dark feelings I lived and some sort of tribute to Hideaki Kanno’s movie “Love & Pop”. Then the chorus came, and I wondered about Tomoko Kawase killing her fictional character Tommy February6 to resurrect as a new character as Tommy Heavenly6. February was not such a bad name for an album after all. In a month Tiny Tide were formed, and I guess that it’s mostly due to that first demo.
Why “Febrero” then? As Tiny Tide began to record the first songs we had a lot of connection with Latin American stuff and Spanish contacts. We were really close to Belanova Fanclub, we even covered their song “Niño”, even broadcasted on the National Mexican Radio, we had the pleasure to get in contact with a team of indie girls called “Grupies Totales” (see the track “Total Groupie”) from Valencia, and we featured the Spanish compilation “Pop Nation” for Bon Vivant Records.
It was a newexperience to start thinking about my songs as something played by a band in front of an audience and not only by this boy in a room for some other insane youngster with somekind of devide stuck in his hears. We started to play together, tear apart, meet new bands and friends during collaborations and live show.
So, what is Febrero after all? An alternative score on a niche Japanese movie? An album on winter? A tribute to David Bowie and The Beatles? A Via Crucis on the denial and acquiescence of my bleeding heart? Just a reflection on those days indie scene? Don’t really know. This album goes for those four years that binded our paths to a unique unforgettable tracks.
THE TRACKS
FEBRERO - This song reflects the opening sequences of Hideaki Kanno’s movie “Love & Pop”. A girl is pondering on the last moments of her empty life before drowning in a swimming pool. The song is also a tribute to the Japanese singer Tomoko Kawase.
TINY TRAINS - Second song inspired by “Love & Pop”. I have always been fashinated by trains, as I find them very adventurous and relaxing, Trains symbolize new adventures and unpredictable connections to new people. The song started with Porlock suggesting to make a song in a Pizzicato 5 style, but I guess it changed over time. I also wanted to experiment a bit trying to write a canon(Don't know what you mean here). The choirs are deeply influenced by Wayne Coyne.
THE PSYCHOPATH AT THE CLUB - This song is a collage of bands' name and songs, being my futile attempt to try and get into the so called “indie scene” in 2006. It’s cleatly a nod to Fanfarlo's “The Kids At The Club”, but you can see a lot of retro-influences in here as well. First demo was recorded with Fabio Benni from Le Man Avec Les Lunettes. He was also the one suggesting the song should have sounded like a “Scary Monster” track by David Bowie. That’s why I needed the help from Andrè Brorsson from Stars in Coma.
GIRLS FROM RONTA - This song was intentionally written to be a hit, and it was fun to see how voices soon spread in my town refering to “a boy who had made a track that really rocks”. Ronta is a very small town close to another tiny town nearby my tiny little city. The most common comment from girls from my place is: “Are there even Girls in Ronta?”. I put Beach Boys, Ash, Primal Scream, Blur in a superblender and came out with yet another mock on the local indie scene, where girls are trying to catch up with fashion in a not so cosmopolitan town.
A SONG FOR EMI - Definetly a tribute to Elliott Smith. Manuel always said this is the song he wants to play his children to put them to sleep. The song stars as a consolation to a girl, but in the end it’s all about four lads from Liverpool who changed our lives with their songs.
GINGER GENIE - Clearly a mock on a quite famous song from Mr. David Bowie. It all started with a sequence of notes in a Nancy Sinatra style. Porlock brought new life to our first version with a totally unespected synth solo on my little Alesis Micron.
KITTY JESUS - Writing an album called “FEBERERO” was not in my mind when I wrote this song, neither playing in a band. Still it was my first attempt not to write something personal but trying to catch people's attention with typical indie/twee scene motives such as cats, hand claps, two open chords along with la la la la choirs. The song was clearly influenced by McCartney and a show called “Andy Milonakis”. Oh, yeah! There were an olympionic marathone crossing my town that year.
SILVER STAR - The first version of this song was called “SILVIA”. 11 years has passed. It is still a nice little tune. I turned the song in some kind of cowboy anthem on the braveness of finding the strength to carry on where there's no one else but ourselves.
SCRAMBLED EGGS - First “Yesterday”’s title. It’s no secret at all. I wrote this song a little bit later, in 1993. At least it was always winter! A sunny day. I went to visit my mother in her shop, and I was blown away by the unespected presence of a girl I suddently felt in love with. Like snow melting in the sun, this feeling lasted only a day, but it was enough for me to write a song. The first title of the song was “3 Minutes Sun”. I added some lyrics and the psychadelic coda for a new version to finally have André Brorsson totally reinvent the arrangement in a day, only to find the song destroyed along with his old hard disk. Lucky for me he sent it to me before it was lost in the digital grayeyard!
MASK ME MASK ME MASK ME - In Italy we’ve got a strange celebration called “Carnevale”. It’s basically our Halloween, and it was inevitable to have a song about people masking themselves for parties on an album called “Febrero”. The song was deeply influenced by a band from Bristol called “Santa Dog”.
We had the honour to share a little Italian tour with them, and we got to know some very special human beings. Guess there’s a little bit of Morrissey’s distress and life bugs here as well, as the tune talks about a very popular celebrity unable to lead a normal life among other people outside his home. He feels sad and alone, so he prays to this girl to change his life, and to hide his persona under a new identity in order to get some fun and meet people in obscure parties. It’s a song about dreaming of redemption in desperate times, I suppose. Aren’t we all dreamers after all? Last line goes out to a band called Ramones.
TOTAL GROUPIE - This song was made as a tribute to the Spanish indie team of “Grupies Totales”. It’s all about the ‘70s and a movie called “Almost Famous”. Although there’s a specific line that goes to Cisco from “Tiger! Tiger”, trying to catch him while directin all the members of “I’m From Barcelona” on the top of a chair. Andrea Lucchi from “Stones of Venice” brought new life to the song thanks to his typical guitar arpeggio and a catchy upbeat drum.
LOVER / LOSER - This is the last song I wrote for Febrero. The song started with the intention of trying to involve Fabio Benni in a duo pretending to be Paul McCartney and David Bowie on a song that never meant to be. I never got an answer from Fabio, so I just carried on the song by myself trying not too hard to get to schizoid. At first the song was meant to be about Abraham Lincoln (born February the 12th) and his homonymous jazz player, but the dichotomic idea of Lover Vs Loser came to my mind and the tune was completely changed. The song is done almost by myself, except from Anthony Rochster providing a marvellous Hammond Organ.
BEACHVOLLEY FIELDS FOREVER - One sunday morning I woke up, sharing the bed with a real cute lady. I sneaked to my keyboard and I started to play this song. “What’s that?”, she said half asleep. “It just came to my mind, its’ something from Lenny Kravitz”. I said that because I woke up after having dreamt about hearing Lenny at the Radio. The rest of the melody came to my mind after few days, but the track remained without lyrics for nearly 7 years. Never recorded. Only in my head. The name for the title came to my mind during a winter walk by the sea, complaining to myself on how beach volley fields were given more and more space from the beach every year. In time the song became some sort of Strawberry Fields 2.0. Take it away.
VALENTINE DISCO NIGHT - One day me and my ex-girlfriend went out from a restaurant on a Valentine Night, when I received a strange call from a friend: “Marco is dead”. We were quite scared at first, since a friend of ours died not so long ago in a car crash. It turned out to be Marco Pantani. This song is about him too, but in the end you will find many Valentine experiences I had summed up into one relieving and reveling chant. I tried to ignore the elephant in the room for the whole February, but in the end here it is. Still hurt, shaking, down on the ground, waiting for a new March to bring the sun back.
"My wicked heart". A perfect future love song by Marina & The Diamond archie enemy Diana Vickers. I know it's such a wreck being indie and even mentioning that artis, but you have to admit that the production behind this song, video and artist is really cutting edge and ahead of the times (especially for the tempo changes and the whole cut-up synths and drums stuff). And what the hell... Diana is really cool! What the hell if she even unconsciously mocked Red Hot Chilly Peppers! I didn't even notice that before reading the comments on her Youtube channe.
Though this was a really good point to try to make a cover of the song, that's why I decided to have myself a try and record a "My Wicked Heart" cover trying to use only a drum, bass, no more than two guitars and some random synths solo. I used this set up to record another song written during the weekend, trying to blend politic, gossip and the "impossible love songs" theme that seemed to be the theme of our next collection of songs (politic and love together in a love song? I live in Italy, leave it to me!),
The song that came out is called "Rubi Et Orbi", trying to imagine which kind of love song Roy Orbison cwould have written to Anthony Kiedis if involved in the Berlusconi affair instead of Emilio.
Hope they won't put me in the same hospital of Wayne Coyne and Walter Bishop. Enjoy.
"Hey good evening look at me got a problem can't you see it was half a week ago when they kicked me far from home
Is it legal? I don't know guess I lost her fake passport she took everything I had threw my heart and kept the rest
Won't you pardon me lady I couldn't help but see you've been pooled the wool over on beady eyes asleep It's so hard to be weaky tryin' getting through the week when it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Rubi and Orbi a little world gone waste Rubi and Orbi how to communicate I don't believe your easy cheats You're acting good but they're so cheap O-oooh Rubi and Orbi As filth as they can be
Can I tell you what to do? Share my stupid point of view? Better take care of your youth I could break your legs, it's true
So shut up and have some sex You can call him after that In the morning he'll be gone So tonight is all we've got
Won't you pardon me baby I couldn't help but cry You've been talking for hours and never cracked a smile It's so hard to be pretty when we don't have the time to wait Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Rubi and Orbi a little world gone waste Rubi and Orbi how to communicate I don't believe your easy cheats You're acting good but they're so cheap O-oooh Rubi and Orbi As filth as they can be
May our holy prayers fix all their troubles and misfits it's a never-virgin beat blessing blessing unconfessed sins
Won't you pardon me baby I couldn't help but cry You've been talking for hours and never cracked a smile It's so hard to be pretty when we don't have the time to wait Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Rubi and Orbi a little world gone waste Rubi and Orbi how to communicate I don't believe your easy cheats You're acting good but they're so cheap O-oooh Rubi and Orbi As filth as they can be I know She's walking back to me I'm sure she's walking back to me just turn around and see she's walking back to me"
This are the first words from the last call of Ryoji Kaji to Misato Katsuragi, NERV Operation Director in Hideaki Kanno anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not exactly an happy ever after one, but a very intense fictional relationship that moved a lot of otaku more than ten years ago. And since Rimauli from Annemarie keeps on asking me for more imaginary lovesongs -and I'm already risking to be arrested for bigamy - I looked back into the past for memories that really made my days.
Guess I drove a little too far into Pink Floyd Road in the end. Hope I won't get lots!
"Katsuragi, it's me... I guess I'll cause you troubles when you're listening to this Forgive what I did Do tell our common friend I'm sorry for this twist
And dealing with troubles since that's what you'll got I want to give another task to you I could not carry on Take care of all the old plants I planted on my own
I would be glad if you'd decide to water what I've grown You know where they belong....
There's more I want to say I guess you'll have to be more than a brave girl after that The truth now is with you Just carry on, don't esitate, whatever blocks the way
And dealing with feelings I can't hold my heart I'd dare to share another night with you But soon I'll fall apart Take care of all the moments We grew in better days
If I ever see you again I'll say the words that I couldn't say eight years ago Goodbye"
And here's another one from the songs that are waiting in a little box of my room to come out but I felt the urgence to write. It's called "Jesus Green", and it's dedicated to my friends in Albion. I tried to picture the perfect lazy summer day in a distant peaceful country. See ya there in 2011.
"Have you ever heard 'bout Jesus Green Quite a miracle for you to see Not a soul around just skies and green While the summer slow things endlessly the swimming pool was laying calm and still the perfect place to have a walk in peace In Jesus Green
See Victoria from the common land Always dreamy with a book at hand Hope that William won't get too upset gonna wake her up one of these days River came to rest and Jesus locked the gates wouldn't be a shame to lose that graceful day in Jesus Green"
Cara Emilia Pond. This is a strange period of my time-space line continuum. It's just like I'm stuffed with things to do in my agenda, but since I've got some free time all I cared was to write down and record some songs really knocking hard at the doors of my heart. Most of them are impossible love songs, and this one goes to you, and all the Doctor Who tv show addicted. It's called "Come Along Pond". Jonny Lee Hart from Leed did a great job with his guitar. It was fun!
"Your smile so fine the perfect place to ride and drive to your green eyesyou set my mind on fire
drowning dreams into my rhymes your long red hairs are just wires connecting my desire and I get to know much more 'bout my new love I guess I'm fond on so come along Pond
Still lost in time and space The very day you came A crack into my life Has thorn my heart apart
5 minutes seem too long when it's you I rely on to cure my erratic state I want you home to talk about my new love I guess I'm fond on so come along Pond
Still lost in time and space The very day you came A crack into my life Has thorn my heart apart 5 minutes seem too long And I'm wondering...
Are you gonna be and be, and see the one from that kissogram do tell her all
about my new love I guess I need you so come along Pond"
I guess it's no secret. At least... not now anymore! Some months have passed since I felt in love with Marina from Marina & The Diamonds by the word. I mean: she's like Regina Spector turning Lady Ga Ga to an unsuspected clever side, a unique pop genius and... ok, she's terribly cute! That's why I had a song called "A Diamond for Marina" in my brain for months. Winter vacation was kind enough to bring me some time to record it and share it with you.
PS:"Some references to Elvis too. Both of them ;)"
"They say it last forever Not like all the other things You're heart is a gemstone could break into my dreams just like burning stars your eyes are made of carbon and I can't pretend to handle your superlative walk
I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy A bible for a ritual I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try My pretty ballerina I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina, Yo!
Maybe in Hollywood in a sparkling little place Elvis meets Marylin Stealing cherry anc champaigne A taste of happiness I want to prove myself that there's a chance to take your hand in mine, your whole life too
I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy A bible for a ritual I ga ga ga ga ga ga I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try My pretty ballerina I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina, Yo!
I felt in love... In love with Marina A brunette girl She just don't care my name is...
I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy I've gotta buy A bible for a ritual I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try I've gotta try My pretty ballerina I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die I wanna die A Diamond for Marina, Yo!"
This song came to life with the only intent on forcing Fabio Benni from Le Man Avec Les Lunettes to starr in a duo having the two of us pretending to be Paul McCarteny and David Bowie in a song that never were. Just imagine the potential of such a unbelievable improbable combo, and the fun in writing and singing the song. I wrote and finished the song, Fabio didn't find the time to work on the song, and I found myself singin' the two parts.
"Road to Fairies" is such a great and loved song, but nothing really changed that much from the EP version and its sounds were a bit too distant from the indie-rock of the last works, so I decided that "Lover / Loser" would have repleaced it on the new album "Febrero".
When I started to write the song the tune was simply called "Abe", a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, born February the 2nd. Then things started to morph and the first draft became just a simple sketch before the main song, a sort of little feature indeed. An opening number in a very McCartian style.
This was the first version of the lyrics:
"Abe, be ace you California Rambler guess it's not to late to hit L.A. Dixieland it's coming into fashion on a street parade across the States
Cross the greatest crisis on your civil walk to preserve our union we divide'em all Guessed we failed on loving often absent friends We were seeking power to enlight our fate
'CAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST LUXURY GUESS WE'RE BOTH SMARTER THAN THAT
Oh my! WE'RE MOVING UTTERLY ON YOUNG AMERICAN TRACKS
'CAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST THUGGERY GUESS IT'S MORE CRUEL THAN THAT
We Crashed cought in a robbery Caught by a valuable friend
'CAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST LUXURY....
it's your chance my dear fellowmen no goverment plan will stop our defence
Live and learn stand up like a man we're gonna go far to fullfill our race"
Then I was hit by the "Lover / Loser" stuff. Isn't it strange out a single letter can change the whole meaning of a word? I started to work on that new version that came to be the one you'll hear on Febrerto. Here's the lyrcs:
"Abe, be ace you California Rambler guess it's not to late, to take your chance and hit L.A. Di-xieland it's coming into fashion on a street parade dear fellowmen we'll take the States
Lover or loser you got to decide to take it or leave her apart from your life
hate her or call her should not be a crime save her or kill her and hide for a while
sex-obsessed do you feel forlorn hustling on your friends When you're showing such a mess
Are you tired of all those dead-ends in the book of love When things do starts in uppercase it's so clear to understand
that Lover or loser it's you to decide to love her or leave her apart from your heart
hate her or call her cannnot be a crime save her or kill her and hide for a while
They'll come on strong and quickly starts to crawl... I don't wanna know where were you not at all THere's no control on flaws and jelous thoughts It's equality whatever should go wrong
Troubles are a risky part of life No one should give up without a try Can't deny that something's going wrong and the only way to win is to hold on Please call"
