New album, new single

'Planting by the Signs' out June 20th

Well, it’s time to officially stop doing the “tease that something is about to happen” stuff. STUFF has happened. My new album Planting by the Signs is officially announced, as well as a single drop.

This marks the official end of the Teeth Marks era, the longest album cycle in the history of mankind.

I know for industry standards I took my time with this release, I didn’t rush any part of the process, even though I felt the pressure to do so at times. I had to really evaluate what I wanted for myself with this music stuff, and my heart landed on telling stories in the way I’ve been taught to. Which is to tell them at my own slow pace, in my own voice, and to wind them up and down as many paths as they were meant to. I am really excited to finally be able to talk about how this album came to be and what it means to me.

I will further explain the album’s title throughout future entries, but primarily I would think of it as a key of sorts. Each song on this album has elements of the ancient concept of “Planting by the Signs.” Some folks know it as moon planting, and some folks may have come across it in things like the Farmer’s Almanac or from elders. You don’t have to worry, I haven’t written a dissertation in the form of an album about gardening or astrological concepts, but sometimes you have to keep an old story going so that others can see their place in it next to yours.

Pre-Order: Planting by the Signs

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A few thoughts about my single, “Fire Sign.”

I was about to lay down for the night when the melody to “Fire Sign” popped into my head. I was so exhausted from the day, that I knew I couldn’t chase it before bed. I did however record myself humming some version of what would later be the song. The next morning I returned to the voice note and started chopping away. This song feels like both a departure and an adventure for me. I don’t know if it’s folk, pop, or whatever. It felt fun, and that’s what kept me intrigued. When it further revealed itself to me, I understood the song as some sort of a mantra for myself. That mantra is ever evolving it feels, but early on I felt like the song was coming out as a reminder that the only person capable of putting out my fire for life was myself. In a way, I believe this song helped me put to words some truths I believe about myself, about how I want to go about living, and pulled me back to my essence when I needed it most.

When I was growing up, my family had a lot of sayings, which I guess could be thought of as family colloquialisms. A couple of one-liners I learned from my Uncle Walt: If you act like a son of a bitch, I’ll call you a son of a bitch. Another one of my favorites was that the sun don’t shine on the same dog’s ass everyday. That was Uncle Walt’s way of saying, you’d get your day in the sun, soon enough. Feel free to quote Uncle Walt anytime you’d like, they are both useful quotes I have found.

I hate to leave good company,

SG

Photo by Ryan Hartley

“Fire Sign”

Well I’m just trying to build a good life
Nailing down shingles in the right sign
No curling in the daylight
Like the old folks said they could

Some try to make me out a liar
But I’m a dreamer with no answers
Oh who’s been living like the sun don’t shine
On the same dog’s ass everyday

Oh and who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out

Living like a fire sign
I was born a seeker
Living like a fire sign
An old story keeper

They’re killing time when I’m sewing gold
Shape shifting through the night of life’s turnrows
Yeah I’ve been living like the sun don't shine
On the same dog’s ass everyday

Oh and who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out

Living like a fire sign
Yeah I was born a seeker
Living like a fire sign
An old story keeper

Oh and who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out
Who’ll put the fire out