SONG OF THE WEEK

This tune! As mentioned, there's a whole trippy? tessellating video in my head about it. (Could I come up with the word 'tessellating' while recording myself? NO OF COURSE NOT. Alas.)

Streetcars to shoreline is a direct reference to the Twin Cities streetcar line that used to run from Lake Minnetonka to Stillwater, and then was ripped up AND TORCHED by General Motors. (The History Center was the first museum I worked in here in the Cities: I loved the poor streetcar map and weird tokens. I got my voice in a piano, and got to be a docent in the Pulitzer exhibit. I met some amazing people who'd worked at the Museum for decades. Lucky things.) 

I like animals in my lyrics and promo poster art. Whales, ants, and bees are regulars; I think this is my first and only deer.

LYRICS

Never were there sweeter days 

from streetcars to shoreline 

never did we miss behave 

never never mind 

close your eyes and sit, love 

it’s all been done before 

no surprise, admit, love

before we take the floor 

we think there’s something more

Maybe there’s nothing more

the deer appear with eyes so clear

the bees, a chorus line 

the ants will dash from trail to trash 

never never mind 

tonight is sweet and ends complete 

There’s kisses and cheap wine 

there’s sand in shoes and perfect blues 

never never mind

close your eyes and sit, love 

it’s all been done before 

no surprise, admit, love

before we take the floor 

we think there’s something more

Maybe there’s nothing more

the deer appear with eyes so clear

the bees, a chorus line 

the ants will dash from trail to trash 

never never mind 

tonight is sweet and ends complete 

There’s kisses and cheap wine 

there’s sand in shoes and perfect blues 

never never mind

Complicated family dynamics! All of the Greek/Geek references! CRINGE!

I think I've maybe played this tune out twice, as it is so particular and goofy. I like it, AND it's a lot.

Do I love a Greek myth*? I do. They were my preteen jam, and led my brain to years of comic books: it's all the same bones.

*I got to take a wonderful Myth and Fairytale class, summer 1997?, Iowa State University. Since it was the 90s, the professor tried to light incense when we read Siddhartha. And then the student with asthma understandably spoke up.

I wrote my best college paper for this class: it was about the Odyssey, how Penelope is calm, logical, and reasonable, while the men are often compared to animals. STUPID ODYSSEUS! Pride, man. The professor liked it, and I obviously still feel very smart and clever about the whole thing.

LYRICS

I think of Demeter 

when this big Gothic asshole 

ran off with her daughter 

Demeter did she scream 

did she cry 

did she yell at the heavens why

Oh why

A mother’s love never stops 

even when the pomegranate drops

even when the Summer dies 

under decay and flies 

Oh my

the spring will rise

I think of Penelope 

this big giant war machine 

ran off with her partner

Penny did she scream 

did she cry 

did she yell at the planets why

Oh why

You know that love never stops 

around the sirens and cyclops 

even when you have to lie 

under a prying eye

Oh my

the spring will rise

Persephone came home 

Just like Odysseus

Mother maiden crone

And sometimes there’s an idiot 

You don’t have to be 

So mild

Persephone came home 

Just like Odysseus

Mother maiden crone

And sometimes he’s an idiot 

It’s ok to be a little

wild

I think of your grandma 

when this big giant sheriff 

ran off with her father 

your grandma did she scream 

did she cry 

did she yell at her mother 

Oh why 

you know that love never stops even 

Even when the neighbor calls the cops

You know it’s no surprise

It’s the women who are wise

Oh my

the spring will rise

AN IMPERFECT ONE! Oh man. There's a couple flubs, but I'm chocking it up to PROCESS.

Ghost, written in September of 2022, which was honestly a million years ago. It's told from the perspective of a deceased, following their wife and reflecting as much as a ghost can do in a two minute song. It's sweet and a little spooky: I hope you like it!

(Do I like the phrase "Dogs and cats and stars"? Boy howdy...)

LYRICS

Time doesn’t work here 

not the way you think 

I no longer close my eyes

different moments pass

different energies

I’m not really here you realize

I see that you remarried 

I see you going gray

I see you kept the rug 

it’s fine 

I saw my funny funeral

I saw you in that dress

I saw you hit your brother 

In the line

There’s demons, maybe angels 

there’s dogs and cats and stars 

There’s other other ones like me

The ones who choose to stay

No darkness only echoes

Shadows in the flame

And me

Singing out your name

There’s nothing to be scared of

not the way you think 

Despite what the preachers say

I’m not worried but I wonder

Curiosity

What happens when you pass away

Will you seek me out

I think we’ll just collide 

As below

So above

Until then do you see me

That movement in the mirror

That flicker that surprise

That love

There’s demons, maybe angels 

there’s dogs and cats and stars 

There’s other other ones like me

The ones who choose to stay

No darkness only echoes

Shadows in the flame

And me

Singing out your name

I'm supposed to be downstairs making dinner, alas! Here's the tune for 11/14/25! Is that the right way to use the word vaulted? QUESTIONABLE.

I got to be a part of Kingfield INDOOR Porchfest (Kingfield being a very cool neighborhood in Mpls.. If you're looking for your next Halloween hang, Kingfield goes hard.), and learned to NOT do a Porchfest after yelling at children in a darkened theater for an hour. That was a choice.

But so lovely! So much fun! Very very lucky.

Per the video, all info on me can be found at octoberdandy.com.. iwrotethisforyou.com on its way, I promise.

LYRICS

Busy, busy busy 

I can’t tell you what that means 

untouched like an airplane 

between the blues and greens 

and I’m aching aching aching 

for a glimpse of something good 

caught in webs and fishing lines

Bang my head on wood

Oh what a day

Oh vaulted day

Oh what a day

And I’m looking looking looking looking 

Looking through a broken glass

For something that’s no longer mine

Some sort of sweet collapse

I’m comparing sharing scaring 

All my parents and my friends

I’m only saying half my mind

Breaking not to bend

Oh what a day

Oh vaulted day

Oh what a day

Convex skies

Turn me round

I’ve always felt 

Out of place

Take my heart

Turn it down

My certainty my wish for

airspace

You’re a liar I’m a sucker

And we’re caught in the same trap

Of thinking we can all change

There’s room for a relapse 

But I’m falling like a meteor

a satellite pulled down

Will you look to see me burn 

Before I touch the ground 

oh vaulted/what a  day

This vaulted day

This vaulted day

Hellloooooo! Hoping things are good for you and yours.

Sargassum, written in August of 2023, in IRELAND. They really do put the red flag out.

I'll be playing at the Kingfield Indoor Porchfest at 5 p.m. tomorrow/Saturday Nov. 8th in the Meraki building (100 W 46th St, Mpls). The space is so lovely, and I'm so lucky to be there.

LYRICS!

There is a great river 

which whittles down to stream

It starts from on high

and it flows 

pulled over stone and grass,

the gray the gold and green.

It starts from on high 

and it flows.

I once thought you 

so elevated 

but now I know I know I know .

You were high tide

i was infatuated 

now I know I know i know

There is an ocean.

that takes in all the strays. 

We’re battered, 

and we fall apart 

I’ll jump into the surf 

get eaten by the waves 

sargassum

and a broken heart.

I once thought you 

so elevated 

but now I know I know I know .

You were high tide

i was infatuated 

now I know I know i know

I never had to

Learn to swim

i guess that

I’ll just be fine with this

Another home

To Navigate alone

I once thought you 

so elevated 

but now I know I know I know .

You were sea glass/high tide/ moon shine

i was infatuated 

now I know I know i know

I once thought you 

Once twice and forever 

but now I know I know I know .

Raise the red flag

We’re better not together

but now I know I know I know .

Hi friends! Firstly, thank you thank you thank you for coming to the Album Release Party! A goddamn dream. So grateful for you, for Levi Weinhagen, Mark Sweeney, Damian Johnson, and every single human at the Bryant Lake Bowl.

Also, the thing worked?! The video seemed like a good addition (you can find that here!) and also, FORREST WASKO took photos! Oh man!

This is a song called Daddyio (spelled incorrectly), written in December of 2023. Which means it was cold.

As mentioned in the video, words were totally stolen from the complicated Leonard Bernstein, from the beloved masterpiece West Side Story. And was totally written with teens in mind. I've been lucky enough to teach teens for years, now on and off: the kids are, and have always been, alright.

Happy Spooky Season! Here's the lyrics!

You turned off 

you tuned in

you turned out 

the stress 

and the creep

the burn out

you think you’ve got a handle

Then all the plans unravel 

on you

The lie

that we all

learned in school 

rocket pocket. 

Hey boy 

just stay cool 

You think you’re gonna win it

And it only takes a minute

Or two

I’ll never learn to swim 

with that asshole in the gym

just strap me to the side 

another situation 

oh boy an Education based

on unfounded pride watch us

take it all in 

stride 

all the kids 

that you see

in the park 

all the teens 

walking home 

after dark Dm

All the dear hearts and the clones. 

Just searching for a home 

and space 

take it slow 

Daddio

know yourself 

make it sharp 

make it fast 

here’s to wealth

Of Friends, who understand 

just may ‘cause they can

retrace 

That look upon

your face

Hi friends! This tune was written in March of 2024. March is not a big cicada vibes time, but these summers have been extra buzzy.

Love a cicada. Love a cicada shell. All the weirdness therein. Hats off to Colleen for cicada love.

This song was inspired by an awesome, brilliant human talking about their two boyfriends, and a little part of my brain going, "That's too many boyfriends."

No shade to the polyamorous (in fact, all flowers to the healthy polyamorous. You dreams.); it truly was, "oh my goodness, that's so much work." Which truly says more about me than anyone else.

The lyrics!

The aging punks 

the babies cry 

that’s too many boyfriends 

for only one soul

library books, 

and broken knees. 

That’s too many voices

so little control.

It’s too many feelings

too many words 

all at the volume too

loud to be heard 

the whales, they know it 

the wolves in the trees, they know it, 

watch your step,

and let yourself 

emerge.

The midnight air 

in summertime

waiting for rain maybe at dawn 

taxi seats 

and window screens 

booming Bass, 

While hiding a yawn. 

It’s too much joy

it’s too little time 

all at a pace too

quick to define.

The whales, they know it 

the wolves in the trees, they know it, 

Take your place

and let yourself 

emerge .

You can wait

Take up space

It’s always there for you

You can wait 

Cicada pace

always there for you

the whales, they know it 

the wolves in the trees, they know it, 

This skin, outgrow it

Reach for the sun, you know it

Take your place

and let yourself emerge

Take your place

and let yourself emerge .

I talk talk about this, but THE MOST BAD ASS PART OF THE WIZARD OF OZ. Great image, good job team.

The lyrics! This is honestly such a fun tune to sing.

Surrender Dorothy

your friends are here

the path is gone. 

It’s OK 

A wonderland 

an old man’s plans

You've come so far 

Now stay 

the locals cringe in fear

Of punishment severe 

their ribbons in your hair. 

SurrenderDorothy 

homes never been 

the safest place 

for us. 

The house can 

blow away

And what remains

we’d never make a fuss

The neighbors howl in fear

It’s never been so clear

Green ribbons in your hair

Witches tricks 

Poppy sleeps

This is it I misunderstood the dream

An Emerald City

The riches and 

The privilege to hide

You’re more than worthy

the bravest skip with 

strangers by their side

There’s nothing more to fear

life’s the souvenir 

Green ribbons in your hair

Life’s the souvenir

It’s never been so clear

Green ribbons in your hair

Hi! A goddamn break up song. Relationships are hard, friends.

The actual lyrics! Do I worry that Phoebe Bridges notices every time I say arsonist? Phoebe's watching this, isn't she? Sigh.

I drew a boundary 

you threw a rock 

quibbling over details 

Smeared in sidewalk chalk 

I doubled down

I should have learned 

it’s always been your move but

it’s never your turn 

the pattern’s so simple 

and I’m so tired 

rage against the cage 

of what feels hardwired 

this decoupling 

do the means match the end 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend

You think it’s funny

I guess I don’t agree

Keep looking for those fault lines

And they always land on me

I state my case

I should have learned

I guess you’re just an arsonist and

anything can burn

Jump another fence 

and I’m so tired 

What’s another story

when you’re calling me a liar

this decoupling 

Will it ever end 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

I’ve got the car on Tuesday

I’ll pick you up at Four

I’ve got the car on Tuesday

I’ll pick you up at Four

Just like your parents

What did you expect

Nothing’s ever perfect

We give just what we get

Yes I still love you

I should have learned

You took my love for granted

It just wasn’t your concern

Don’t step on a crack  

and I’m so tired 

Hopscotch and hand grenades

Another house on fire

this decoupling 

I don’t think you’ll ever  bend

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

Write another letter to your

ex boyfriend 

Hi! A short little summer song, written in the winter doldrums of 2024.

The actual lyrics! Do I think "Shake weight" every time I sing it? Truly, yes.

Five towns to a borough 

eight boroughs to a city, 

arteries and thorough fares 

intersecting veins 

15 ways to meet you there 

20 minutes each 

rush-hour on slow days 

crosswalks over lanes 

I’d walk, if there was a route 

I’d walk a million miles 

there’s dog shit under plastic

There’s miracles above us 

there’s traffic cones forgotten shoes 

this weight I’ll never shake 

there’s playgrounds tied with broken chains, 

skinny clowns and acorn tops. 

yard sale signs and car alarms. 

This never ending ache 

I’d walk if there was a route 

I’d walk a million miles 

It’s not 

courtesy I’m looking for a whoa a whoa a whoa whoa whoa

How dare your skin be soft How dare you

be so pretty 

How dare you live so far away from me

I see your house I’m almost there

Ring the bell it’s just me

Tell all your lies I’ll never care 

You’ll see 

It’s not 

courtesy I’m looking for a whoa a whoa a whoa whoa whoa

What would it all mean to you? 

Would you be so happy?

Would you notice my sunburn, 

my quiet in the noise 

would you smile and take me in 

would you maybe kiss me? 

Would you take my hand and swear 

I’m not like other boys 

I’d walk if there was a route 

I’d walk a million miles