https://kirstenwenlock.bandcamp.com/
1964
23 Feb1964
- Where Did Our Love Go
- First number one hit for the Supremes
- First 1964 song I covered in 2014
- Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland
- More 64′ songs coming very soon
NEW 63′ SONG
20 Dechttps://kirstenwenlock.bandcamp.com/album/1963
It has been a productive year for sure. My band Elk and Boar released something out of nothing, in June, produced by Elijah Thomson (Everest). We’re really proud of the record and thankful to all who participated and continue to support us.
Mom’s know, sometimes after laboring and then delivering something with a heart in it, postpartum blues can ensue. To fight them off I embarked on a 13 year project. This 2013, I recorded songs from the year 1963 and have been posting them on bandcamp. In just a few weeks I’ll start recording songs from 1964. I plan to keep covering songs popular 50 years ago till I reach my birth year.
Being 70
17 DecAbout a month ago I met a man in line at Goodwill Outlet (my very favorite place) who made a significant impression on me. We were talking about age. He asked me how old I was and I told him 37. He thought I was younger which for some reason made me blush, his manner of speech was so sweetly forthcoming. I’m in the middle of my projected lifespan and it is wonderful and strange. Noticed recently I’ve an aging neck and I saw today some new lines under my right eye and I realize my skin is getting tired. Strands of hair are silvering. My youth is helplessly slipping. There is no preserving it. I am forced to find the romance in maturation.
The handsome fellow in line next to me asks “How old do you think I am?” I shrug. “I’m 70.” he said.
“Really!” I say. “You don’t look 70. But tell me. What is 70 like?”
“It’s awful.” He said. “So lonely. Friends die or move in with family. People forget you. No one cares about you when you’re old. I’ll tell you. I have stories. I have done it all. Drank, chased women, smoked dope, stole (but never from a person), only been in jail once which is pretty good when you grew up in the hood. Oh I could tell you stories. I will give you my number. Don’t give me yours but this is my number. You could call me anytime. 4 in the morning. That’s another thing about being old, you don’t sleep.”
I haven’t called him. But when I sat down to the piano after meeting such an honest fellow, this melody came to me and soon after that, some time sensitive lyrics. Here’s a holiday song, inspired by Billy Ray. You can download it for free here.
all alone
all alone
all we learn on our own
how to use what we know on a dime
in the house no one calls
phone is tethered to a wall
I will throw a record on for old times
in my heart there’s a place
you have come before
how come you don’t come anymore?
this room gets so cold
and I’m scared sometimes
but I’ll be fine
I hold a thought of you in place
and when the earth turns its face
colors ache across an icy sky
bittersweet my old friend
it’s the holidays again
suits me like an outgrown lullaby
though we fit together
love I do know better
then to call another living thing mine
we’re not long here staying
only truth is we’re changing
we’ll decide to erode or shine
clouds’ll drift away
nothing stays the same
like seeing for first time
a baby’s cry
turns to a grown man’s smile
leaves to lose and find his way
in the end in the end
all our homeless wandering
reveals the grandeur of a heart’s floor plan
now is when it begins to get good if we can
hold each moment like a lovers hand
it’ll slip away nothing stays the same
the grape lets go of the vine
winter snow makes the water fall
the fruit becomes new wine
all alone all alone
all we learn on our own
what is left after a long hard cry
where are you my old friend
it’s the holidays again
suits me like an outgrown lullaby
1963
31 JulIn April I recorded a cover of the song (Love is Like a) Heat Wave. A few days later, Uncle Kenny pointed out that Heat Wave was released in 1963 – 50 years ago. Upon this realization, I determined to continue recording songs from 1963 in 2013. In 2014, I’ll begin posting songs popular in 1964; 2015, songs from 65′ and so on until I reach my birth year (1976). It’s an ambitious 13 project and I have been promised a parade if I succeed. Of course I love the idea of a parade being thrown in my honor on my 50th birthday, so you can expect I’ll hold up my end of the bargain.
1963 was a pivotal year in music and history; and is a great stem point for this project. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Little Stevie Wonder put out first releases in this year; Martin Luther King gave his “I Have A Dream”speech and JFK was assassinated. I have several 1963 songs up on bandcamp now. You can download them for free or, if you have the means-purchasing is loving : ) .
You’re invited to come with me on this adventure. I will happily consider recording your favorite 50 year old song.
XOXO,
Kirsten
ELK AND BOAR CD RELEASE!
11 MarJustin Mayfield introduced Travis and I at the end of 2009… it is perfect that he has offered to host our CD RELEASE PARTY THIS SATURDAY- Elk and Boar is after all- actually his fault.
These past few months have been eventful! We’ve been given the opportunity to play at a fancy unsanctioned SXSW party March 15th- next Tuesday! This trip to Austin inspired us to record more songs and complete our cd with the very brilliant Luke Stevens!
We have been blessed at every turn and we still can’t believe how it’s all come together in such a short amount of time with such limited resources. We are exceedingly thankful for the contributions of family and friends who’ve made it possible to print up cd’s and get to Austin. We hope- with cd sales- to raise enough money to eat while we’re there too! We are so excited to share this collection of songs! Hope you can attend!
JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF SPECIAL GUESTS, MUSIC MAKING,
CD RELEASING, DANCING AND CELEBRATING!!
NO DOOR CHARGE!!
Saturday, March 12 · 8:00pm – 1:00am
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Location |
Justin Mayfield’s Warehouse
1120 Court E (use google maps) Look for a big red garage door!
Tacoma, WA
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room to start
18 FebElk and Boar will be completing a full length CD titled room to start just in time for SXSW. We are busy recording with the very brilliant Luke Stevens in the Cottage Studio conveniently located in my backyard. To celebrate I made this video for room to start. Dee gave me gold… hundreds of amazing pictures to work with and Travis contributed lots of creative ideas and then delivered a truly powerful performance. Thanks to Elizabeth Greeleaf and Jenaya Crane for help with wardrobe and Deeds and Petunia for the hair decor. We had so much fun. Hope you enjoy!
new song
11 FebIt has been awhile since I’ve recorded something in my attic and it’s a good thing for me to do… even if it’s not all I want it to be. This song has been haunting me for some months and I was afraid I wouldn’t finish it… then important words came and the fear left! Here it is, all young and born.
look at us
we are the family of God
all of us
none of us
in these uncomfortable clothes
are here cause we chose
some of us
black sheep and shepherd-less
wounded and suffering alone
all of us faith in our fingernails
better for love we’ve known
look at us
finally falling apart
keep me out
from May to May
I’m stretched out like linen,
like salt water taffy days
I’m owning up
I won’t forget that the end is a place I can start
you’re playing dead
well I’ll make amends
with your pretend ghost in my heart
look at us
we the family of God
broken up, saving face
you don’t come to dinner
I know that I scare you away
it isn’t right
as it is in heaven
there’s room for us all in the choir
there you are
well I’ll be around
weighing down the wires
look at us
we are the family of God
Elk and Boar
2 FebElk and Boar has a new blog site and lots of cool things upcoming up. Click the link and come visit!