this episode's liner notes by: Lou Caldarola, City Council
About I Dreamt the Train
Once again, Andy Ewen (our local Fireman) has provided another window into his inner workings with this track. Always an amazing source for curious and intriguing lyrical content, this one came directly from a dream he once had. There was a train, and then he ran out of black paint. Simple, right? Then there's the bizarre imagery of his rant over the end section.... Here's how Andy described it, in rather intricate detail as only he can do:
"Well, the source of the rant had something to do with a fish whose upper 'canine' teeth were sliced horizontally (i.e., medium-ways) to form cups - one full of brown liquid, one full of clear liquid conferring power and protection, respectively. Coming out as spewage, the words and images got twisted and garbled...in a good way I think, though perhaps even more perverse depending on how one hears it."
Any of you dare to try figuring out the meaning to this one with those little "Understanding Dreams" books? ;-)
The Music
This song was the result of another City Council noodle fest during some early writing sessions for The Singles - Season 3. In our writing process, the Commissioner always records whatever nonsense is going on at the time, then later the tapes are reviewed so interesting ideas or bits can be isolated and expanded upon. Such was the case here: After hearing Andy's rather interesting lyrics and guitar riff from said jam session, we set out to arrange the rest of what would become I Dreamt the Train. Conrad and I decided our rhythm section parts should be distinctive, but solid and on the simpler side in order to leave room for Andy and Aya. So, I thought I'd combine a train beat with a "Purdy shuffle" feel, and the result was the subtle but "itchy" drum track that ended up on the tune. Oh...and for the record, keeping that snare pattern for the whole song proved a lot trickier than i figured it would be!
lyrics
Well
I dreamt the train
Yeah
I dreamt the train
Yeah
I dreamt the train
And then I ran out of black paint
And the name of the train was Maneater
I went around to the other side
I could see the train was a shelf
Full of poster paint and portraits
Of a woman I had known in a former self
Said
I dreamt the train
Yeah
I dreamt the train
Yeah
I dreamt the train
And then I ran out of black paint
And the name of the train was Maneater
[...take me take me to the station pack it up canine sliced medium ways canine sliced medium ways forms a cut full of teeth full of clear liquid full of protection clear liquid full of protection power protection power protection power protection power protection I dreamt the train I dreamt the train I dreamt the train and then I ran out of black paint the name of the train was not leviathan...]
credits
from The Singles - Season 3,
track released July 6, 2010
Citizens
cover art: Out of Silence by Skinny Gaviar
Conrad St. Clair: bass, keys, programming
Mike Stehr: keys
Lou Caldarola: drum kit
Andy Ewen: guitar, vocals
Aya Peard: vocals
There's really no explaining Kicksville, but fear not! All the music is FREE, so have at it. Then, go visit www.kicksville.com and see what we're all about. Or, visit www.youtube.com/kicksvillevideo and give your eyeballs a treat. Enjoy!
Viva Pablo Santiago is a live electronica duo: Craig Santiago on drums and Pablo Ben Surman on keys, electronics, winds & vocals. Pablo is also a key part of Kicksville's live show, so check 'em out. Kicksville
Helge Krabye is a composer who never fails to create new and deeply interesting textures, utilizing electronics, ethnic percussion, and anything else lying about his studio. Very cool stuff. Really. Kicksville
M.Nomized is a brilliant French musician/composer/artist. He's been working with experimental electronic music since the 70s, so he's got a little experience under his belt.... ;-) Kicksville
An esoteric and eerie live performance from multi-instrumentalist J.P. Shilo conjures up haunting images with a multitude of dark tones. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 8, 2021