Craig Finn, frontman of the critically acclaimed group The Hold Steady, has confirmed the release of a limited 7″ single, ‘Honolulu Blues’, which is backed by new B-side “Rented Room”, at the end of the month. You can stream the single here:
Craig Finn – Honolulu Blues by Vagrant Records
He has also posted lyrics to the release at his Tumblr here http://steadycraig.tumblr.com/:Honolulu Blues Lyrics
A man darkened our doorway. He said he’s here to share the good news. He had a smile straight from the movies. But when I looked down at his shoes. There were holes and they showed his toes. The right was left. The black was brown. And later on in the garage I couldn’t find my chainsaw. In the distance I heard trees just falling down.
I was underneath the city. I was riding around on trains. Fell asleep before Nassau Ave. And I ended up in Maine. There were big tall trees and rocky coastline. And the waves came in so wild. But for all the natural beauty there were still so many kids that were asking me for something that could help them to get high.
We’re all good. We’re all bad. We’re euphoric and we’re sad. We roll the rock away and check the tomb. We’re awake and we’re aware that we’re confused and cold and scared. And the cross reminds us that He died for me and you. Woke up in the ocean with the Honolulu Blues.
Joan Didion and Graham Greene. Said roughly the same thing. You bring your Jesus to the jungle. Try to teach people to sing All the hymns that you love because you learned them as a kid and they make perfect sense to you. There’s a point in time when thousands die. And you’ve got to maybe think that maybe Jesus isn’t getting through.
We’re freezing in the forest. There’s no wood to heat the house. We took axes to the furniture. We pulled the floorboards out. There’s animals scratching at the door. And they know we’re gonna die. There were big tall trees and rocky coastline. And the waves came in so wild.
We’re all wild. We’re all free. We’re all back from Tennessee. With the souvenirs to prove that we were there. We’re flying around in planes. We’re riding around in trains. Searching out those panoramic views. Woke up in the ocean with the Honolulu Blues.
We’re all good. We’re all bad. We’re euphoric and we’re sad. We roll the rock away and check the tomb. We’re awake and we’re alarmed at the scars scratched in your arm. The cross reminds us that He died for me and you. Woke up in Oahu with the Honolulu Blues.This will be a taster for the January 23rd release of his debut solo album, ‘Clear Heart Full Eyes,’ on Full-Time Hobby Records.
Earlier this year, Finn challenged himself to write a new song every day in his Brooklyn apartment. “I had written a bunch of songs that were outside of the norm for The Hold Steady, a little quieter and perhaps more narrative,” says Finn. “I wanted to gain some experience and insight into the process of making a record by working with new people.”
Finn travelled to Austin, Texas in July, removing himself from all familiar surroundings, to record the album with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead). Of the album’s title, Finn says, ”It’s a juxtaposed reference to ‘Friday Night Lights,’ a TV show that excited and moved me and also happened in Texas. Further, ‘Clear Heart’ signifies honesty and transparency, and ‘Full Eyes’ suggests experience.” Finn’s solo album features a variety of guests, including members of White Denim, Phosphorescent, The Heartless Bastards and Centro-matic. 2012 tour dates will be announced soon.
‘Clear Heart Full Eyes’ Tracklist:
1) Apollo Bay
2) When No One’s Watching
3) No Future
4) New Friend Jesus
5) Jackson
6) Terrified Eyes
7) Western Pier
8) Honolulu Blues
9) Rented Room
10) Balcony
11) Not Much Left Of Us
