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thatwasthen Storymaker Live at The Dragonfly
On August 22nd, 2010, thatwasthen and Gypsy Saddletramps rocked out at The Dragonfly in Hollywood. Here is a clip from our newest song entitled “Storymaker”.
STORYMAKER
Hammer to the cellular
I have heard your call
Answering the questions
Beckoning come one, come all.
Smashing through the anagrams
Tired of this mix
Disappointed Miss Disjointed
with her bag of tricks.
I BET YOU USED TO PLAY WITH DOLLS
A storymaker like Samuel Clemens
Weave a tale for me
I’ve choked my hope down
I’ll turn it around
Warning to the sandbox girl:
Be careful with your toys.
Because, you see, you’ll inevitably
be replacing them with boys.
I BET YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH DOLLS
A storymaker like Samuel Clemens
Weave a tale for me
I’ve choked my hope down
I’ll turn it around
Off to sail the sea,
Down that Mississippi.
I’ve choked my hope down
I’ll turn it around
Warning to the sandbox girl,
I won’t be your doll.
thatwasthen
Today is my 28th birthday. When I turned 20 I started writing in a journal to jot down feelings, ideas, poetry. I believe had I not started writing in the journal, I would have never started thatwasthen. And now, 8 years later, I feel as though the best way for me to describe to you what thatwasthen really means is to show you what was on my mind back then.
At The Age Of 20
Ok so, a little trouble sleeping. Well not really. I can’t seem to tear myself away from the computer. I keep looking up people I know, or my hometown, trying to find my old friends’ thoughts. From what I’ve found, I don’t think my journal will add up. I was gonna be so literal about everything but now I am thinking I should just share the thoughts I would normally never share. THAT’S what makes a good journal. (Now I’m getting all meta-journalistic).
I rolled down the windows today, driving up to Los Angeles. The air was cool, not like most days in California. Living near the beach, the temperature immediately reminded me of when I used to stroll along the beach on summer nights, trying to create instances that I’d hope to remember forever. Kisses, conversations, just the overwhelming feeling of the beauty of the night, propelling you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. I’ve still got many memories. But now, about to hit 20, I find myself realizing that those days are gone. This is not meant to put down the people who are experiencing those days now, I am not some hoity-toity supremist who thinks that since they graduated high school that they’ve gained entrance into the 3rd circle of heaven, but I’ll miss those days of carelessness and triviality. I’m getting ready to support myself and take a plunge into the “dangerous and scary” world. And it’s exciting and absolutely fear-provoking.
Anyhoo, sometimes I wonder what it’d be like to kinda go back and re-live the moments you didn’t get to experience back then. WithOUT having to pay the consequences of course. I mean what would it have been like if I’d centered my life around being popular? Or doing drugs? Or having unprotected sex? Or choosing a violent life or playing sports? Where would my life be? I mean there were many times when I wanted to throw that egg at that kid’s house, or kiss that girl when I knew I shouldn’t have. Or give in to the temptations of cheating or lying. I was a pretty straight kid in high school, I didn’t fuck around. But I can’t seem to shake the feeling that it would’ve been fun to do some of those things. It’s that feeling that you get, those butterflies that flap in the wind of danger and apprehensiveness. The feeling of immortality you have when you’re 12 and you know nothing will go wrong. It’s got to be great. It WAS great.
(thatwasthen)
I love you all so much.
from my personal journal.
i’ve spent twelve long months
moving in the other direction
you could not have been clearer, but
i was never good at following instructions
i am a pioneer
the thoughts that trek my mind
they do not know of fear
like the blind leading the blind
how will anyone know
if I neglect to show
the world you turn?
i will promise you now
next season is the reason
for my existence
-
when push comes to shove
it’s you, i’m thinking of
because you last.
the present from my past
the writing on my cast
—–
I was listening to one of my favorite bands, Travis and their beautiful song Walking Down The Hill and I felt inspired to share my personal poetry with you, with aspirations to one day see my music be as poignant and poetic as this song is.
The Rocks and the Sand
ROCKS & SAND
It’s high time
I find my mind
Lies above the clouds
Abound with proud ability
You’re endorsing me
Quite forcibly
To walk among my generations past
At last, I’ve passed
The test that’s thrust upon me
Well that’s what keeps me moving on
It’s there, until it’s gone
So if it’s not too late
I can’t wait, to take the rake
And smooth the rocks and sand
I’m gonna smooth the rocks and sand
Inside my garden
Amanda planned to stand before the scales of God
And with a forced, accepting nod
A metal rod came slashing through her veins
So, instead of taking reins
Or beating ass and taking names
She jumped the track and cut some slack
Pulled the pin and blew an exit out the back
Well that’s what keeps me moving on
It’s there, until it’s gone
So if it’s not too late
I can’t wait, to take the rake
And smooth the rocks and sand
I’m gonna smooth the rocks and sand
Inside my garden
Whoa no
I can feel it go
Lowest of my lows
I can take it slow
Well that’s what keeps me moving on
It’s there, until it’s gone
So if it’s not too late
I can’t wait, to take the rake
And smooth the rocks and sand
I’m gonna smooth the rocks and sand
Inside my garden
are we swimming in a shark tank?
most recently i’ve come to the discovery that the internet… myspace and facebook and other social sites, has reached a new age. I’ve so often felt drawn to what the interwebs have to offer, but, for the first time in my life, i’m starting to feel lost in it all.
i ‘ve been told all my life, that i must push for greatness in order to be great. the conviction i bring to my daily life is maybe sometimes unfounded, but it is real in that way that faith is real. so, my identity is very much related to that “go! go! go!” lifestyle. thatwasthen may not have much to show for their greatness other than a handful of rockin’ shows and a great first ep. but does having a rushed, low-rate, unoriginal music video, a banner with a logo written in briar and a flash-animated website make our content any better?
when i see myspace, i see a tank filled with desperate and hungry sharks. i see a slough of people and bands that might not ever make it. why? because of content. and yet, still feeling lost in it all, i can say that i do not fear the future for thatwasthen. in fact, i welcome it. you see, i can feel it in my bones when i play with my brothers in music, that we have a future. a very long, bright future. have you ever been to a show? have you ever had that feeling?
if you’re saying yes, then i implore you… make our music your music. listen very hard to what we’re trying to say. watch very carefully what we are trying to do. when you get it, point it out to someone else and see if they get it. Once they do… well… then we’re on our way, aren’t we?
