Get all 8 Justin Wiles releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Burning of Los Angeles, Our Children Became Islands, Reticent Alien, The Old Balladeer, Songs From Iowa & Lime, Climbing Up Slides, Tomorrow's New Year, and A New Familiar Place.
1. |
Expecting a Song
04:33
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If you’ve come expecting a song
I will sing a little piece of my heart for you
Little bitty piece of my heart
If you want a settling son
I will paint a pretty picture for both of you
Paint a pretty picture and run
If you’re lost, a vessel left tossed
I will be a little beacon for all of you
Be a little beacon for all
Dead tired on the 409
It’s all I have and all I’ve tried to get
While all I try to ascertain from new terrain
Is quickly cast aside
If you’ve come expecting a song
I will sing a little piece of my heart for you
Little bitty piece of my heart
Dead tired on the 409
It’s all I have and all I’ve tried to get
While all I try to ascertain from new terrain
Is quickly cast aside
From new terrain...
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2. |
Behind the Screen
03:48
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What’s going on inside this house?
The windows are shut, but there’s light creeping out through the cracks
Tempting the shadows and sharp silhouettes
To enact silent movies in which marionettes
Play the parts they have landed with equitable grace
Picking fights with each other for who gets first space on the bill
And if you’ve a will, you can stop and view
For a story unfolds here that relates back to you
In your house, through your window
Your screen where you act out your role
Like you’d give all you have just to take it all back
And drop the whole damn show
What’s going on behind the screen?
The acting’s convincing and the picture looks clean
And the happiest ending is in store, but I’ve seen it before
It’s like a blanket that won’t keep you warm very long
It gets old, full of holes, as the cold carries on
Then the need is far greater to retrieve what has gone
And if you’re a risk taker, follow me ‘round
To the secrets the curtain protects
And once we’ve found them, I hope we can live them
And proudly return to our homes
Lift the window with grace
To show off the face we lost so long ago
And we will take off the mask, that expressionless cast
And drop the whole damn show
And we will drop the whole damn show
And act no more
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3. |
Triple Hotel
04:00
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I heard you had an encore, but nobody cheered
You spent the weekend probing for places to sleep
But you can’t do it here
You pull into the car park on top of Triple Hill
And check into some city asylum
That boasts an affordable bill
For a pretty penny or a beautiful buck
We charge you only what we can see you’re
Determined to give up
So you’re back from the war with a horrible scar
From minding your own damn business
Nothing has changed that you can tell
This town is still dull as hell
But there’s always something happening at the Triple Hotel
And now you’re back in business in your brand new suit
Your necktie’s tight around your wrist
But at least your collar’s loose
You keep sending postcards to your home address
Pictures of a local illusionist, feeding the stray cats
All of the stray cats, all of us stray cats
So you’re losing the trial, though I told you
Said, “Child, a blind man’s an awful witness”
Nobody’s name rings any bells since you crippled your shell
But it’s all familiar faces at the Triple Hotel
Heaven or haven, the difference is unclear
We may be retreating to safety
But always it’s out of fear
So get busy forward or step out of line
If it’s a second chance you’re giving, then I
I need another try
So you’re last in the race, at a leisurely pace
Minding your own damn business
Watching us wave fondly farewell, this town is as sad as hell
But it’s always happy endings at the Triple Hotel
Yes, it’s always happy ending at the Triple Hotel
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4. |
Darker Reflections
03:04
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There’s this person I’m lately creating
He’s of distant relation to me
I’ve been churning his words to darker reflections
Of the pretty patterned verses first conceived
They are lacking in trademark contradictions
They are wrought with metaphors and imagery
But all roses are not red, and violets die too easy
In artificial company
I occasionally feel my chest collapsing
Like my heart can only take a few beats more
And taking extra time to breathe just translates to passion
In the me-you dictionary I abhor
Well, I have always concealed secrets from lovers
And I have always kept a distance, truth be told
But there’s this judgment that exists
Though I’m told it’s nonexistent
It’s an intangible fear my hands still hold
So you bounce off this force field like a magnet
Trying to embrace one that only repels
And I stay covered on this cage by a magazine page
That seems to amuse everybody else
So I’m throwing in the towel and going naked
To a party with the best celebrities
And I’ll say this is me wearing no disguises
I’d appreciate some feedback before you leave
I would like to be falling from that building
I would like all eyes on me until I’m gone
I’ll be humming a lament to accompany my descent
And I would like all you below to sing along
It goes like this...
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5. |
The Elder Sun
03:27
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The elder sun, knighting everyone
The elder sun, the arrival of the final one
Only injured some
The elder sun, dining with his sons
Under an umbrella, lest the sunshine come
And pay due attention
Never on the road
Never coming down
Never downed before
And never coming ‘round here no more
The elder sun, knighting everyone
The elder sun, the arrival of the final one
A comic set to stun
Never on the road
Never coming down
Never downed before
And never coming ‘round here no more
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6. |
Practical Joker
03:24
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Played a joke on a girl last September
Made her open her mind, and once I was safe inside
Took it apart, collapsed her heart
I played a trick on a kid last October
I offered up to him my hand, and exactly as I planned
He got a shock, now that kid’s a wiser man
Broke the trust of my lust last November
Took a photo in jest, as you’ve by now surely guessed
I showed the world an embarrassed girl
Gave some trick gum to all my friends last December
And I don’t call to mind detecting
Any hint of them suspecting foul intent
Oh, to be so innocent
But this is my curse, you see
My King Midas touch, my jinx
I need my best defense over honestly
Well, this is the worst relief
And it never comes easily
I need my best defense, free
From from honesty
So you can call me the practical joker
And you can spot me outside of the castle walls each night
Begging the sky not to fall, in my pool of alcohol
When it’s my time, I hope I die alone
It’s my time soon, I hope I die alone
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7. |
Body Language
06:28
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I was into your smile
You were feeding me beautiful prose
You were timid and shy in five layers of clothes
In return, I offered you an improvised poem
About the prettiest girl I should like to call home
And you lifted your eyes up to me
Said, “Kid, I’m out of your league
Well, you’re wearing the face of a sleepless and happening place
And your five o’clock shadow’s a marketplace
And your eyes are clubs for fleeting love
And your ears only hear what they’re wary of
And your nose looks too cold to touch my cheek
Honey, please keep on dancing
Your head is commanding you in pounding trance beats”
But I will not shift my gaze
For I’ve seen our future days
And I do not deny that my tongue is tied
‘Round what my body is trying to say
Was I reading you wrong?
I felt sure those were lyrics from a love song
You were belting it out in a language so strong
Now my eardrums are damaged, please sing it again
Though it hurts me, I’ll manage to brush the offense
And bring harmonies to your critique
I’ll be hearing your voice for weeks
So you gave me a go
Used the word I prefer over “no”
There’s a glory in “yes”, like a realized hope
But no words did we speak as we tested degree
Well, your arms were a campfire, your fingers a freeze
And you wrapped them ‘round mine like parentheses
Said, “It’s not so important
If after tonight you just leave”
But you are not an afterthought
Nor a dialogue to be forgot
And I do not deny that my tongue is tied
But you’re gradually loosening the knot
No, I do not shift my gaze
For I’ve seen our future days
And I do not deny that my tongue is tied
‘Round what my body is trying to say
No, I do not deny that my tongue is tied
‘Round what my body is trying to say
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8. |
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And so you got your fix at the corner of Iowa & Lime
Drunk on excess time, and other things
You made me swear I’d never tell to anyone at any time
No exceptions
So you were dealt one kiss from a stoplight on east 85
While begging me to revive and help you drive
You said, “We are a team
And right now I need you to stay awake and keep us alive
No objections, no exceptions”
Well, you laugh so forcefully
Just rat-a-tat-tatting like a tommy gun
But I know it’s just nerves and genuine concern
That made you crack that smile
And you’re not really amused, you’re just feeding on denial
So you were taught new tricks at a party on Wimbleton Drive
You played for a few allies and rivals of your bohemian trade
And meals were made for everyone all the time
No exceptions
Then you were dropped off here at the corner of Iowa & Lime
With a pity prize new dime you had earned that night
So we tucked in and discussed how gin
Was worse than this forgotten crime
With no depression, and few objections, but no attention
That’s what good intentions will do to you
Now you’re not so trustworthy
Always tattle tale telling
Like a stubborn child with too much honesty pent up inside
But I’m sure, with rehearsal, that trait can be reversed
We’ll just cut ourselves loose of our minds
And replace the thoughts of our conscience
With some beautiful lies
Beautiful lies
Well, the summer before the end was my first time
And I’ve been trying since then to find out why it’s such a trend
And now I think I already might know
I’m gonna search until I’m sure that I’m right though
If you need a partner in crime, and your mystery is mine
You can return to this corner whenever inclined
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9. |
Everhappy
05:35
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Once I was a victim of boredom
On a hot November morning
Little hand was sneaking to four
And sleep, at that hour, is just a chore
Well I’ve been suffering nightmares, so I don’t blink
Picturing my teeth strewn in the sink
Someday I’ll research what that means
Until then I’ll inspect my drink
But back to that particularly dull dawn
When I couldn’t find a reason to go on
If there was a storm, I was the calm
Assuring you that nothing’s wrong
Seated on a stiff wooden chair
Wishing there was room enough for you there
Terribly sad verse in my head
Whispered in a voice now dead
And I never will forget just how I felt
When I read those concrete words, I promptly melted
Didn’t think I’d smile again
Haven’t let one slip since then
At least not a grin whose roots grew out of joy
They’re just planted there to be in your employ
With arms of endless reach and sharp control
Grows the everhappy boy
I couldn’t stand the heat no more
So I echoed down the gray ground floot
Careful not to wake any neighbors
Still, so as not to arouse their dogs
Toppled out the rear exit door
And into the upraised courtyard
Lit up like a day-for-night scene
Brightest stars I’d ever seen
And just like that, the temptation was lost
To introduce myself to speeding cars
Even at this great height from the beckoning street
I called to mind some things I’d rather meet
But baby, don’t be thinking you are one
For if sufficient light’s in stars, beware the sun
Come around when I finally get to sleep
And keep me everhappy please
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10. |
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Been here before, must have slept on the floor
It all looks so different now
The furniture’s been moved around
I can’t attempt to describe what I dreamt
But I was sedated last night
And now I’m awake, I feel alright
Then just as I come to, images of you mix with the room
Now I’m writing a new tune to howl at the moon
Should never have left, I always forget all the intricacies
The structure escapes me as soon as I leave
I should record everything I adore on any old medium
A little refresher, with a press of my thumb
Then it all comes flooding back, the loveliest attack
See the actor react
And the night receives my song
It whistles it all day long
Covered in green, an equestrienne queen kicks up the hillside mud
But I’ll never touch her, no I won’t spill blood
But if she should bring an equestrian king
I can’t be accountable
For this is a nightmare, that’s all
It will be over soon, and I’ll return to you
And you’ll feel it too
And we will sing our brand new tune
Yeah, we’ll howl it to the moon
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Justin Wiles
Justin Wiles is a singer-songwriter whose compositions are centered around intricate, delicate, melodic guitars and poetic lyrics. His DIY recording style often includes dense musical arrangements and many layered vocals.
Justin Wiles recommends:
Mechanical Bride
by One Hundred Flowers
Really excellent experimental chamber pop, for fans of The Olivia Tremor Control, Circulatory System, New Pornographers. Listening pleasure amplified by simultaneous lyric-reading.
go to album
Collapse The Structure
by The Dark Water Hymnal
Like The National, DWH puts dark ambient twists on folk ballads. My favorites tend to settle into a groove, with layers that ebb and flow, and ultimately swell to crescendo.
go to albumIf you like Justin Wiles, you may also like:
Laughing In My Sleep
by The Cradle
On his latest LP, Paco Cathcart sketches life in Brooklyn in remarkable detail.
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Moses Sumney’s debut full-length is full of moody, soulful songs, with warm, rich textures and tones.
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A female voice that feels out of another century quivers over a folk harp on the 11 tracks that make up this exclusive video album.
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There's a little Mazzy Starr and Beach House in these melancholic yet alluring dreamy folk tunes from LA.
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