“When I was a kid, I was a listener. Music was something coming out of a radio or off a record, something that made me feel these things I couldn’t explain. It was magical to me, and I thought it was something you had to be ordained with. I was writing poetry, and working on some bits of songs here and there, and I just knew I wanted to try to make somebody feel the way I was feeling when I listened.”
through brightly colored visuals of jamaican sunsets that dance to the sounds of reggae and bongo drums mixing with southern acoustic guitar, the touch of piano keys and east coast r&b, citizen cope comes in and out of conscious blending, immersing and escaping inside of music. his latest album, “every waking moment” was just released this week, sharing an introspection of himself in the barest way possible and an honesty that emits such an amazing energy of his own life story that you can’t help but listen.
brother lee
my first introduction to cope was from the song let the drummer kick. a few years ago, my friend had shared a story of losing someone special to heroin that secretly all went behind it. i can still remember his facial expressions, all the words describing the last day he saw him, the ways of listening to the song and the feeling that it meant absolutely everything. like a repeat of a familiar pattern, i havent seen my own friend in a long time. he struggles day to day with his own addiction and now its strange, whenever i think of citizen cope, i think of him.
… c.o.p.e …
1. to contend or strive,
especially on even terms or with success
2. to contend with difficulties
and act to overcome them
tonight i’m off to citizen’s show at the hammerstein ballroom in newyorkcity. in more ways than one, it feels like theres a strong reason to be there. if yr not familiar with his music, please listen to this performance from last year to get aquainted.. its been making me smile in humble anticipation all day.
citizen cope // live // 9.20.05
iron horse music hall, northhampton ma
Intro
If There’s Love
Salvation
Hurricane Waters
Fame
Bullet and A Target
Nite Becomes Day
Mistaken I.D.
Penitentiary
D’Artagnan’s Theme
My Way Home
Son’s Gonna Rise
Sideways
Pablo Picasso
Is This Love That I’m Feeling? (Bob Marley)
200,000 (In Counterfeit 50 Dollar Bills)
Every Waking Moment
poster art by scrojo.
If you like a mix of wurlitzer in psychedelic indie rock, you probably know Rogue Wave and their drummer Pat. Well time to spread the words, donate, or attend their San Francisco concert, they are doing a benefit because Pat needs a second liver transplant. (boo to insurance company)
