Not On Label (Michael Slyne Self-released) / USA / 2024
RECORDED IN THE WINTER MONTHS OF 2023 AND IT FEELS AS COLD AS IT WAS. FROZEN NOTES AND MELODIES LIKE WATER TRICKLING THROUGH RIGID ICE FORMATIONS. JOHNNY HAD A DREAM YOU CAN HEAR , IT IS THE MOST HOPEFUL THING ON THE WHOLE RECORD. THE FIELD RECORDINGS WERE ALL CAPTURED HERE IN THE TOWN I LIVE. NEW LONDON. A BURNT OUT CITY BY THE SEA THAT HAS BEEN UP AND COMING FOR 50 YEARS AND NEVER MAKES IT. I LIKE IT THAT WAY. IT KEEPS THE POLICE OFF OUR BACKS AND STRANGE ONES IN THE STREETS. THE RECORDINGS FROM THE STREETS WERE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY COLLECTION. I THOUGHT THEY WERE TOO FUCKED UP TO PUT ON A RECORD. THEN I PUT THEM ALL ON. ARE OTHER PEOPLES STORIES OR EXPERIENCES BEAUTIFUL OR TRAGIC? IM NOT SURE, BUT THEY ARE WORTH HEARING. THIS RECORD IF FOR ALL THOSE LOST ONES. THIS RECORD IS FOR MY CITY. ITS NOT A SOFT TOWN. THERE IS NO SOFT PLACE. IT WILL EAT YOU UP. IT WILL LEAVE YOU ON THE STREET. BUSTED. .... ITS NOT ALL LIKE THAT THO. THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE BURSTING WITH LOVE. AND HOPE. CREATIVES, POETS , MUSIC MAKERS. MOTHERS . FATHERS. BROTHERS AND SISTERS. CHILDREN WITH THAT WILD SPARK. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE I KEEP AROUND. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP MY COMMUNITY. WE WALK TOGEHTER THROUGH THIS DIRTY BURNT OUT CITY AND WERE PROUD OF IT.