American Pancake
Donker- Rabble LIVE performance (Bucket List Project)
updated
Kramies songs on this album were shaped and elevated by so many talented artists like Jason Lytle of Grandaddy (produced and played), Jerry Becker of Train (produced and played), Patrick Carney of The Black Keys (produced and played), Tyler Ramsey formally of Band of Horses (played), Jim Bogios of Counting Crows (played), Todd Tobias - Guided by Voices (produced), David Goodheim (played), Allison Lorenzen (played) andJohn Panza (played).
I mention that I was formulating a written review of the album and while that is in the works (yeah I am the guy who seems to be late on everything lately), here is a link to the Hotel in L.A. review:
americanpancake.com/2022/07/kramies-and-beautiful-opaque-bleakness.html
American Pancake has been a passion of mine since 2009. Our Mission: To write about the artists not covered by the Pitchfork medias of the world. If you want to donate to the cause I would really appreciate it (REALLY) and you can do so here:
gofund.me/55021056
Thanks so very much,
Cheers Robb
** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project since 2009 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much!
gofundme.com/f/keep-american-pancake-music-blog-alive-amp-well?
The Imaginary Life and Death of Stephen EM.
words and music by Robb Donker Curtius
I will slit your wrists
If you will slit mine
A canopy of fruit
poison in the wine
safe from all imaginary
rocks that are painted
with the blood of aliens
I'm waiting for my date to arrive
waiting to see the dress
to see the light
carrying the doves
that will fly away
away
Feral falling rage
into my fingertips
lock me in my cage
until I settle down
fetish coddled missionaries
thought they'd teach
a thing or two
about God
I'm
waiting for my date to arrive
waiting to see the dress
to see the light
carrying the doves
that will fly away
that will fly away
(musical interlude)
I'm
waiting for my date to arrive
waiting to see that dress
to see the light
carrying the doves
that will fly away
I'm
waiting for my date to arrive
waiting to see that dress
to see the light
carrying the doves
that will fly away
that will fly away
I will slit your wrists
If you will slit mine
A canopy of fruit
poison in the wine
safe from all imaginary
rocks that are painted
with the blood of aliens
isn't that fun
isn't that fun
** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project since 2009 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much!
gofundme.com/f/keep-american-pancake-music-blog-alive-amp-well?
"can't stand to see- you addicted and happy"
lo fi recording-
Plastic Afterlife (addicted and happy) written and performed by ellogoods
Crazy thought
that I could change you
wasted pain
a jeweled jet
you burned me
snuffed out a cigarette
Put your faith in kings and glory
crush the bugs with worn out shoes
you think you don't love me
you can't see the sky is blue
Stay
away from me
can't stand to see
you addicted and happy
Wait... I'll wait at the edge
of the sun
until you come back to me
Keep your fashion
keep you politics
laser lights and golden lipstick
the fireworks explode
but I can still hear you cry
saw them spinning on the video
cracked and jaded Plastic Warhols
behind the velvet rope
in a plastic afterlife
Stay
away from me
can't stand to see
you addicted and happy
I'll wait... I'll wait at the edge
of the sun
until you come back to me
I'll overthrow the despots and the sychophants
I'll calm your fever until you come around
come around
Stay
away from me
can't stand to see
you addicted and happy
I'll wait... I'll wait at the edge
of the sun
until you come back to me
Stay
away from me
can't to see
you addicted and happy
you addicted and happy
you addicted and happy I
I hooked up with them via ZOOM and we chatted about Stuff-- hope you check it out but, most importantly, I hope you check out their music-- see LINKS below-
Original Review: americanpancake.com/2020/09/stray-owls-psyche-blendo-rock-of-jet.html
Stray Owl LINKS
strayowls.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/strayowls
instagram.com/strayowls
twitter.com/StrayOwls
Please check out my review and hear the track here:
americanpancake.com/2020/08/evil-astronaut-are-from-gothenburg.html
Cheers Robb
americanpancake.com
Follow us on: facebook.com/americanpancake
instagram.com/americanrobb
twitter.com/AmericanRobb
HELP DONATE to keep our Mission Alive with our Go Fund Me gf.me/u/yp5ich
EVIL ASTRONAUT:
facebook.com/evilastronaut
soundcloud.com/evilastronaut
Cheers Robb
americanpancake.com
Follow us on: facebook.com/americanpancake
instagram.com/americanrobb
twitter.com/AmericanRobb
HELP DONATE to keep our Mission Alive with our Go Fund Me gf.me/u/yp5ich
FOR CURATORS AND LABELS
Make music discovery fun again
If you love to discover music but feel overwhelmed by the number of submissions you receive, SubmitHub is probably the right tool for you. We let you choose your genres, release-date preferences, song formats, and a whole lot more.
Submissions are neatly organized, with plenty of supporting information accompanying each one so that you can make informed decisions about what you want to feature, and what might not work.
SUBMITHUB LINKS:
submithub.com
instagram.com/submithub
twitter.com/submit_hub
I had the pleasure of meeting them via Zoom and talking a bit about their aesthetic, what informs them and how they have been making music during the pandemic.
TV FACE are sTeVe (vocals/guitar), Brigit (bass/vocals) and Neil (drums) and they have been together for just over a year. Their next EP "Work Hard, Have Fun" dropping August
-Robb Donker Curtius
** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project since 2009 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much!
gofundme.com/f/keep-american-pancake-music-blog-alive-amp-well?
SEE: The last review of She Gets Old on American Pancake:
americanpancake.com/2020/07/tv-face-and-post-punk-caustic-manic-she.html
AND
americanpancake.com/2020/04/tv-face-chunky-in-your-face-post.html
TV FACE LINKS
facebook.com/tvfaceband
tvface.bandcamp.com/album/work-hard-have-fun-ep
instagram.com/tvfaceband/?hl=en
americanpancake.com/2020/07/vanessa-van-ness-and-dark-heavy-folk.html
On this interview I find out about Van Ness's absolute attention to detail in framing her songs with interesting back stories. Her background in traveling to destinations as a relief responder, moving rubble in the Nepal earthquake, her involvement in the television industry, her love of Lucy Lawless or rather Zena, the Warrior Princess as a Lesbian icon and more. I found her to be a free and giving spirit and look forward as her music career expands.
My apologies to Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde fame as I pronounce her name as something in between Janet and Johnette (hey, this is live streaming folks).
Cheers
Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
LINKS TO THE ARTIST: Vanessa Van Ness
spotify
soundcloud
bandcamp
Vanessa Van Ness is a Brooklyn-based guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer from Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Before pursuing music she worked in film & television, and would often volunteer as a disaster responder between film shoots. This led her on various disaster relief projects in Ecuador, Nepal, and the American Midwest.
"The work days were typically 12 hours and involved a lot of physical labor," said Van Ness. "Playing music and writing songs was a form of decompression."
Van Ness' debut single, True True Shot, released September 20, 2019, reached #12 on the Hype Machine popular charts, and was written while she was living in Nepal as a disaster responder after the 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
"I didn't have anything to play on in Nepal, so I ended up buying an electric guitar from a teenage boy off of the Nepali equivalent of Craigslist," she told Australia's 4ZZZ. "It was called a Givson GS 1000. When I took it back to the village, some of the local guys who played music laughed at me. I later learned it was considered the worst electric guitar in Nepal and India."
Beginning as a bedroom guitarist inspired by 1950s guitar heroes Bo Diddley, Link Wray, and Howlin Wolf, Van Ness began writing songs at an early age. She was encouraged to sing and release music by friends Ry X and Phil Danyew (Elephant Castle, Foster the People), and began adding vocal elements to her songs while learning audio production on a budget DAW.
Despite having a voice called 'inimitable' by Tonspion, Van Ness says she never considered herself a vocalist until recently. "I was always scared to sing, because I'm not a trained singer. A lot of musicians can sing and hit all the right notes, so the best chance I have is to be myself. I try to focus mostly on my delivery and intention. If I can sing a word in a more interesting or emotive way, then I do it."
Van Ness' second release, 'The Muscle (Song for Kate)', a dreamy LGBTQ indie rock lullaby with lush ambience written for her girlfriend, is slated for release on July 31, 2020.
READ FULL REVIEW HERE:
americanpancake.com/2020/08/lawn-sharpen-social-commentary-and-punk.html
Excerpt:
Jane Ryan is the second single from New Orleans based post punk band Lawn's new record "Johnny" due to drop September 4, 2020 on Community Records and Muscle Beach Records. The track barrels out of the gate at a break neck pace riding on bass and drums and pretty mild vox on top of the savage bass line. The second verse stirred something in me:
"Manilla lies and I deceive her
Bring from the ash a wide receiver
And how that diamond turns to coal
I'll be defined with what I owe"
And then on the chorus, those mild vox transformed into more like wails with ever so strident angular guitar stabs jabbing away.
"So please!
Don't!
Take!
That!
That’s!
My shoe!
Rack!"
AND it hit me, this song is about the first lady of the Philippines (and shoes), Imelda Marcos who, along with her husband 'raped and pillaged' the Filipino people by illegally siphoning off billions of dollars into the U.S. and overseas Swedish bank accounts. Her fake name for those Swedish accounts was "Jane Ryan" and for her husband, Ferdinand Marcos (President of the Philipines), "John Lewis". Most of the pillaging took place between 1965 and 1985, with both of them were indicted in the 90's.
- Robb Donker Curtius
Follow Lawn:
lawnband.wixsite.com/mysite
frontlawn.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Dk3G...
Lyrics:
I left my shoes
Wayward, untied, and neat
Became the falsehood idol
Dyed within
Into the search for nothing bought
My lazy eyes glued to the stove
Manilla lies and I deceive her
Bring from the ash a wide receiver
And how that diamond turns to coal
I'll be defined with what I owe
So please
Don't
Take
That
That’s
My shoe
Rack
Demanding needs that in silks
From every aspect, nice and painted neat
Into the search for nothing bought
My crazy eyes glued to the stove
And if my children dare to dare me
I'll ransom out great adversaries
And I'll be safe in safer homes
With all the gold my loved one grows
So please
Don't
Take
That
That’s
My shoe
Rack
Respect the place you’re coming from
Respect the place you’re coming from
Jane Ryan’s sleek, she doesn’t know
Respect the place you’re coming from
Jane Ryan thinks I know
I want to glide through that white trash dreaming
Take from the inside, baby hold on tight
Into the search for nothing bought
My hazy eyes glued to the stove
And when their arms fall right and steady
Immersing shores in commissary
And karaoke turns to blood
We’d still be dying to come home
Respect the place you’re coming from
Respect the place you’re coming from
Jane Ryan’s sleek, she doesn’t know
Respect the place you’re coming from
Jane Ryan thinks I know
Respect the place you’re coming from
Respect the place you’re coming from
Jane Ryan’s sleek, she doesn’t know
Respect the place you’re coming from
ME:
Website: americanpancake.com
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Twitter: twitter.com/AmericanRobb
Pinterest: pinterest.com/americanpancake/boards
The video was shot home style at the home I am currently staying at and pretty much staying put except to go out and get essentials and walk the dog.
Here is the OP ED :
americanpancake.com/2020/03/opinion-covid-19-will-be-stopped-but-in.html?fbclid=IwAR1mm8unPGO7qyUagKmqV5oOKbxOgUjumPIlq6InnEgSBhcgCBYH9jg_rMU
lyrics:
we can cry
we can dream
in our quarantine
we can laugh
we can scream
in our quarantine
little creatures
little creatures
we can hold them
little creatures
little creatures
don't have to eat them
we are blessed
we are serene
in our quarantine
I'll watch you
and you'll watch me
in our quarantine
all the people
all the people
they're our neighbors
they're our saviors
our saviors
(musical bridge)
we can cry
we can dream
in our quarantine
we can laugh
we can scream
in our quarantine
little creatures
little creatures
we can hold them
little creatures
little creatures
don't have to eat them
we are we
we are we
in our quarantine
we can laugh
we can scream
in our quarantine
we can fly
we can believe
in our quarantine
we can cry
we can dream
in our quarantine
we can cry
we can cry
we can dream
we can dream
in our quarantine
all we need
all we need is love
all we need
all we need is love
credits
Video release date April 16, 2020
written and composed, arranged by Robb Donker Curtius
license
all rights reserved
Donker Bandcamp : donker1.bandcamp.com
So, yes, I was not for the impeachment proceedings in the first place because it was a huge wast of time and money but ironically, Trumps vindictive reaction to the impeachment hearing is in an of itself a larger more substantial reason to impeach him. By retaliating against key witnesses who testified at the hearings by firing them, the United States visa vie Trump's administration looks like a Banana republic.
President Trump without cause or explanation, other than a vague tweet, fired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland as well as Vindman's brother, Lt. Col Yevgeny Vindman (apparently for merely being the brother of the A. Vindman??).
This now called "Friday night massacre" makes Nixon ordering hush money to witnesses look like small potatoes. Those witnesses were complying to subpoenas by giving in their eyes and hearts truthful testimony about what they viewed as Presidential misconduct and in so doing should of been protected. If they are given the ax for such testimony that retaliation, in my mind, easily rises to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor. Does Trump want to be impeached. It certainly seems so.
So this situation has impacted a recent songwriting session. The song in embryo is called "Orange Sky"-
The words can be interpreted different ways but are couched in poetic speech. Patreon subscribers are privy to a special PDF I have created deciphering the lyrics.
Be strong-
Cheers
American Robb from American Pancake
The AP Patreon Page: patreon.com/americanpancake
We would love your support.
Check out the Patreon page here:
patreon.com/americanpancake
Yeah!!
Cheers Robb
The absolutely beautiful mini-film shot for Tim Baker's equally stunning The Eighteenth Hole fits the somber orchestral folk song like an old worn glove. As directed by Adrian Vieni and Amos Le Blanc and shot in Baler's native Newfoundland, it is an exercise in nuanced film making utilizing moments of people's lives in an intimate and tactile way. Whether using light, focal depths, slow motion and long close ups, you get a sense of nostalgia and fond life changing remembrances. The color palette is rich and you can sense, feel and smell those textures within each shot. Interestingly, the piece is shot in a seemingly Academy aperture (1.37:1) and the box like frame (like that of 35 mm film) adds to the sense of nostalgia and, even though it is not shot in a Polaroid-esque way, I thought of the times I have rifled through old Polaroids in old shoe boxes tucked away like secret memories.
As folk singer songwriter, Baker possesses a cinematic tension here and it is no wonder that his song gave birth to these images. His voice and sense of melody moves beyond conventional folk, within his aesthetic there is the broad sweeping sense of older Americana musical theater too blended in such a special way. It is such a rich and timeless piece of music that will, undoubtedly, inspire other artists and I imagine grace a full film some time in the future.
As Baker offers, the mini film (it feels wrong to call this a mere music video) was created independently without his input which is new for him:
"It was the first video I’ve ever been a part of where I was almost completely hands off with the production. My manager Jase reached out to Amos, who we’ve been a fan of for quite some time and shared a series of scenes that I’d dreamt up. It was decided that he would fly to Newfoundland with his producer, cinematographer and crew and use pretty much the entire budget just slowly shooting as many beautiful, sad, interesting scenes as they could in a week. I never saw anything until the first assembly about a month later. I love it so much. It’s very fitting but open, nostalgic but new and I hope you like it."
Yes we like it. We love it so much.
-
Robb Donker
See the original AP Blog Post here: americanpancake.com/2019/12/the-absolutely-beautiful-mini-film-shot.html
Tim Baker's Facebook: facebook.com/heytimbaker
American Pancake Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
Please support Indie Music- WE NEED HELP- hope you consider visiting our Go Fund Me Page Here: gofundme.com/f/keep-american-pancake-music-blog-alive-amp-well
Original blog post here: americanpancake.com/2020/01/moleslopes-jazz-post-rock-blendo.html
Moleslope Website: http://www.moleslope.com
Moleslope Bandcamp: (SLOPE album) moleslopemusic.bandcamp.com/album/slope
Moleslope Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/3Foj2fdZHsNKU9SBxv75rJ?si=Aoe0-
CLOTe6xEWYfwGS86w
SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC-
www.americanpancake.com
Original American Pancake Post: americanpancake.com/2020/01/the-pulp-fiction-horror-punk-sound-of.html
The Tissues- Rear Window Official Video: youtube.com/watch?v=iOmTv3ELB7w&feature=emb_logo
The Tissues NEW LP- "Blue Film" - thetissues.bandcamp.com/album/blue-film
Mokotow:
Running On All Fours (Official Video) : youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=kIJD2G-hrJI&feature=emb_logo
Bandcamp: mokotow.bandcamp.com
Domino album Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/2VaV45giJtj9A31hyBQoL4open.spotify.com/album/2VaV45giJtj9A31hyBQoL4
Butchers of Sky Valley: bosv.bandcamp.com
AND check us (American Pancake) out / like us on Facebook:
facebook.com/americanpancake
instagram.com/americanrobb
Today's Song of the Day is "Weird Tales" by Corcega.
You can find the written review here: americanpancake.com/2020/01/corcega-spins-tall-lush-tales-on.html
Corcega Bandcamp: corcegaoficial.bandcamp.com
Corcega Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5rFsPhU0BIEY3fFWVRjbVd
Corcega Facebook: facebook.com/corcegaoficial
Available on Bandcamp-
donker1.bandcamp.com/track/seventh-sign
written and performed by Robb Donker (Curtius)
Lyrics:
I'm faking my mind
of the seventh sign
it means everything
your hands are so cold
on my face it makes
me fall twice as hard
and fast
we jump out of Aeroplanes
and pretend to die
and then we come back to life
Love, love, love
Love, love, love in stereo
Our clothes are so wet
the future is set
in ice that's melting
the smoke in our eyes
you wear a disguise
as no one's no one
Love, love, love
Love, love, love in stereo
oooh, whooo, whooooo , whooooo
Love, love, love
Love, love, love in stereo
Love, love, love
Love, love, love in stereo
in stereo
in stereo
You can catch the original American Pancake review here: americanpancake.com/2019/11/mushs-divergent-proto-punkery-on-eat.html
Check out American Pancake Podcast: mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
Check out the amazing Tuckshop Community Radio
Facebook: facebook.com/TuckshopCommunityRadio
Mixcloud: mixcloud.com/tuckshop/stream
Exploding Head Sessions: facebook.com/ExplodingHeadSessions
Here is the original track review: americanpancake.com/2019/11/uks-deva-st-johns-fully-possessed.html
Check out Deva St. John's track here: soundcloud.com/devastjohn/the-information-age
Please check out SongMight here- read the About Us and FAQ sections: songmightsub.blogspot.com
IF YOU are an artist or band and YOU want to be featured on LIVE LISTEN please hit us over at www.americanpancake.com
—-PLEASE REMEMBER THERE ARE NO bad songs really, you just have to find that audience and / or blogger who gets you. We don't have any rules on what constitutes a song that we post about. It just has to engage us and hopefully surprise us and at best be a song that breaks new musical ground and touches us in deep emotional ways. We will reluctantly pass on this one as we are currently looking for different sounds. thanks for sharing your art
Not long ago, an artist who I rejected thought that my rejection statement was inspirational and he thanked me. I never looked at those words as a point of inspiration but realizing that your art may not be accepted by everyone is key and realizing that if you desire to have an audience for your art, you just have to find them and cultivate that relationship. All art is subjective afterall.
It is hard to be heard when you are a singer-songwriter, a person who crafts a bit of their soul into a piece of music. Myself, as part of the blogging community, am referred to as a "gate keeper" and while the aforementioned artist who praised my rejection statement got something positive from our interaction there are others who pointedly have told me (after I referred to their song as sounding a "bit too familiar" and "not offering enough surprises") that I am "asking a lot" or "asking too much" of them. Maybe they are partially right but in order to write passionately about art, about new songs presented to me I do have to feel something first. Still, I do lament how hard it is for artists to have their songs exposed to the world. I am also a song-writer and have gone through the arduous task of submitting my songs to countless blogs, even spending a great deal of money via submission platforms, and not obtaining one approval but, instead, only rejections.
I share these feelings in a way to explain how SongMight came to be.
SongMight is a no judgment zone. It also is not a place to have your song reviewed. It is simply a place to show off you song, information that you provide and a picture of you or your band that says something about who you are as an artist. It is a place to have an attractive display of what you do, what you create that you can share with others instead of a typical Soundcloud or Bandcamp link or EPK. It is a way to have your music on a blog without playing the game, without engaging with the "gatekeepers" and without spending countless hours waiting or wondering if your song will be listened to, judged, accepted or rejected.
4 Million Songs on Spotify have Never Been Streamed
SongMight is a simple model to let artists show their work and maybe get their song streamed on Spotify or other platforms by directing people to see those streaming links. Another part of SongMight will be the SongMight Playlists that will pull selections of songs from our pages and include them.
SongMight is the flip side of American Pancake. AP is my personal taste in music. SongMight is open to all kinds of music, at least anyone who wants to be here and be part of the SongMight Community. SongMight will also serve as a repository of songs that may flow into American Pancake. There will naturally be songs on SongMight that attract my ears and eventually end up on AP.
SongMight offers a lot of heart for a tiny fee.
In order to have a post of a song (and any mention of the album it is on or anything else) on SongMight I do require a small fee. Only $2.75 per submission. This fee will supplement my income and hopefully, eventually allow me to make music and music blogging such a big part of my life that it becomes my day job. That would be a dream fulfilled. The nominal fee also filters out those kinds of submissions that come from having no fee. AS humorous as it might be to have a track consist of a hip hop beat and farting noises for 3 minutes, it is not what SongMight is all about.
It is easy to have you and your song attractively displayed on SongMight. Simply email us a press pic, bio and or song info, a viable song link (EPK type stuff) and your payment of $2.75 via PayPal to:
songmightsub@gmail.com
All this and shot on a cell phone.... as the "good" camera was out of service but I still hope you enjoy and tell me what you think.
Cheers Robb
americanpancake.com
instagram.com/americanrobb
mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake
the evolution of this song has been odd- it used to be a more straight and simple love song and at one point was tentatively called "Body Slam"-
Revisiting Sophia Coppola's sort of dark, terribly sad, but a bit twisted coming of age story "The Virgin Suicides" which really messed with my head when it first came out which I think was in 1999 or 2000. For some reason I imagine that Ari Aster might just call that movie as an inspirational one or maybe even a favorite. Anyway as I try to grow as a song writer I am playing with different styles and aesthetics. This particular song does not necessarily fit my current style but for some reason I come back to it from time to time and decided to just share it here.
Mysterie (Girls of Grace) Demo
written by Robb Donker
tender hands touch winter faces
the mannered gents posing for the special ones
kalaidescope of colors don't mean a thing
when you're gray
summer's been wasted
tins of lust tasted
right of spring chased away
And Gang of Four are calling
as the Girls of Grace are falling
in love.. hush hush
in love... hush hush
hidden treasure buried in your heart
suffering twisted like a tangle root of a tree
summer been wasted
tins of lust tasted
rights of spring chased away
And Gang of Four are calling
as the Girls of Grace are falling
in love.. hush hush
in love... (hush hush)
cheers Robb
www.americanpancake.com
donker1.bandcamp.com
instagram.com/americanrobb
mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake
I was feeling worn down and pretty sick having caught what is going around and while I was going to wrap myself up in a blanket and stay in bed something compelled me to come down and compose a bit. The resulting song which I would love to share with you all is something in between an improvisation and inspiration. The term burn the boats and the philosophy of it all has been on my mind since a big change is coming up for me but the other words flowed out quickly as did the chord construction. The older I become I cherish every second of life I have and while I will go though emotionally tough patches getting my music up and out to the masses quickly is becoming more important to me.
So it will not be perfect but in a way it may just be how it is meant to be. I hope you enjoy and feel free to tell me what you think. I would love that.
Lyrics below.
FYI- I am working hard on American Pancake as well as Spotify Playlists and on the new site Pizzandfries. I have finally realized that I need to put out my music fully. I am starting to believe in my words and music a bit more although I struggle with self doubt each and every day.
"Burn The Boats"
by Donker
words and music by Robb Donker Curtius
homeless and tired
close to death
lying on your lap
found the birds
locked in the attic
lost the will to fly
burn the boats
burn the boats
burn the boats
burn the boats
they say absence
makes the heart grow fonder
but that is so much
bullshit
the wait, the weight
of it
makes you suffocate
burn the boats
burn the boats
burn the boats
burn the boats
if they come for you
I will kill them quick
I will crush their bones
toss them in the sea
burn the boats, burn the boats
burn the boats, burn the boats
burn the boats, burn the boats
we will have to stay
burn the boats, burn the boats
donker1.bandcamp.com
http://www.americanpancake.com
instagram.com/americanrobb
I am so amped to see Velvet Buzzsaw and revel in it's commentary, horror and excesses so because I like to do a lot of improv writing I had to try my hand at playing and composing over the trailer. It was a challenge doing this on acoustic guitar and while I see some changes that I would like to make-- that is against my rules (LOL). The rule is to do it and live with the results.
In the end what I wrote might feel more like a rock
Hope you enjoy--
cheers
Robb
http://www.americanpancake.com
facebook.com/americanpancake
facebook.com/americanpancake
or listen to the 110 Favorite songs (audio from this vlog post) podcast here: mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake/american-pancake-110-favorite-songs-of-2018-audio-from-vlog
Hope you check us out on Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
I also hope that you share this list as well as the Youtube vid or podcast and (most of all) I hope you support artists that you enjoy as well as local artists in your neck of the woods. Also a special thanks to all the artists / bands (you know who you are) who have reached out to me via email or Instagram with words of encouragement and appreciation. The list is in NO particular order of importance.
Links to corresponding songs below--
Enjoy!
-
http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/american-pancakes-110-favorite-songs-of.html
Robb Donker
This song is called "Graves" and eventually I would love to incorporate a drummer and a cellist as a stripped down but interesting 3 piece or maybe do all band like. As always tell me what you think.
Graves:
Rain washed away your make up
revealing the darkest blue
bruises in the rearview
that won't heal
drag on your cigarette
lungs full of pain
digging graves after midnight
watching the smoke drift away
and it cuts like a knife
and it shines like a diamond
and the hell you had to pay
it never goes away
and the sacred faded glimpse
of a killer killed in the night
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
Love rusts in ruins
flesh becomes words in ink
smeared in the crimson
dancing in bleach down the sink
cross fed the demon
hillsides of flowing green
too strong to be broken
hiding in someone else's dreams
and it cuts like a knife
and it shines like a diamond
and the hell you had to pay
it never goes away
and the sacred faded glimpse
of a killer killed in the night
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
(musical bridge)
Rain washed away your make up
revealing the deepest blue
bruises in the rearview
that won't heal
drag on your cigarette
lungs full of pain
digging graves after midnight
watching the smoke drift away
and it cuts like a knife
and it shines like a diamond
and the hell you had to pay
it never goes away
and the sacred faded glimpse
of a killer killed in the night
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
sweet dreams
words and music by Robb Donker Curtius
http://www.americanpancake.com
facebook.com/americanpancake
instagram.com/americanrobb
donker1.bandcamp.com
This is a new song called Darkest Sea-
you fell into the darkest sea
it was me
and I let you drown
sinking down
to the ocean floor
ice cold attention whore
that was me
another night of
come on come on's
sad empty lives
with the audio on
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade away
and why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade away
silence hurts
when you're all alone
no ring tone
in the middle of the night
wear it all
like a crown of thorns
burned and worn
into the ground
another night
of come on come on's
sad empty lives
with the audio on
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
away
and why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade away
(musical break)
another night
of come on come on's
sad empty lives
with the audio on
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
away
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
why can't we fade
away
you fell into the darkest sea
it was me
and I let you drown
words and music by Robb Donker Curtius
offer my eyes... offer my skin... wake from this thing ...this thing I'm in
you bit my lip... just to taste my blood... to know that this is real
the stutter and the stop... and everything goes blank... the static and the beep
the cadence of your heart... it feels out of time... your voice cracks... in two
you bit my lip... just to taste my blood... to know that this is real
the stutter and the stop... and everything goes blank... the static and the beep
everything feels wrong x 3...
it's wrong
everything feels wrong x 2
The orange foam is wrapped around a mic to try to isolate it just to the acoustic because I had a delay on the amp. I think it worked to some degree but not sure if the Zoom picked it up. I really need to get a box and proper mics for live recording so it will be a multiple mic recording. That is my goal to set up the room properly for these sessions. I will get there.
Thanks for listening and feedback is always appreciated.
donker1.bandcamp.com
American Pancake post: http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/04/and-then-we-lived-forever-vessels-off.html
And Then We Lived Forever- album: andthenwelivedforever.bandcamp.com/releases
Luke De-Sciscio: lukedesciscio.bandcamp.com
Gaz Evan: youlive.bandcamp.com
Charlie Pollard: wallfloweruk.bandcamp.com
Luke- stop animation film: http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/04/luke-de-sciscios-stop-motion-short-film.html
http://www.americanpancake.com
facebook.com/americanpancake
7 from Heaven
written by Robb Donker Curtius
Are you 7 from heaven
your walls are translucent
eyes gleamed like jewels
touching my favorite scars
kisses like dressing faltering
Are you the bottom of the pool
school of fishes covered your body
of lies and intentions to few to mention
to many
I wanted more
I needed warmth
inside... inside
are you the one who will save me
just like an angel in blue jeans
killing the TV painting on walls
waxing obscure obscene in charcoal
are you the hand to hold
the bottle to empty
pink rusty pennies
that looked like stars in the sky
in the sky
I wanted more
I wanted warmth
inside you
are you 7 from heaven
your walls were translucent
your eyes gleamed like jewels
touching my favorite scars
kisses like dressing
faltering glimpses
faltering glimpses
I wanted more
I wanted more
I wanted warmth
inside you
donker1.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/Donkermusic
glamglare.com/music/2018/01/27/song-pick-donker-and-counting
http://www.americanpancake.com
Of course, I do not own the images but am an absolute John Wick freak and this song just seems to fit this scene in some beautifully strange ways.
Released on New Years Eve 2017-
Available on Bandcamp: donker1.bandcamp.com/album/age-of-dinosaurs
Premeired on the American Pancake Podcast stream here:
mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake/age-of-dinosaurs-happy-new-year-2017-reflections-podcast-talk-and-music-music-and-talk
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
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AGE OF DINOSAURS
TRACKS:
1. Bare
2. And Counting
3. Nuvo
4. Thin Ice
5. Break Light
6. Baby Mission
7. Age of Dinosaurs
8. Safe
9. Polaroid (Broken Halos)
10. Needle Down
All songs written by Robb Donker Curtius
http://www.americanpancake.com/2017/11/improvisational-songwriting-dipping.html
Excerpt: As a songwriter I routinely utilize improvisational sessions to sort of jumpstart the creative process. This always involves sequestering myself away in my basement where I record. I have a busy schedule which for me kind of helps stimulate the ideas that eventually become the fodder for my music. I personally thrive on the urgency of having to create within a fixed time. For me that time is usually late at night during the work week and the fact that I do not have the luxury to write or play for hours and hours seems to distill my creativity into a kind of furious compression of feelings and thoughts. I am someone who needs a reason to do something and oftentimes I will force myself and maybe trick myself into just being able to write a minute of music so I can post an improv on Instagram. This forces my creative hand and usually some piece of music do happen and more times than not results in full fledged songs.
The world is totally insane right now. Being a dreamer is maybe the only way to survive. My debut Album "Dying Star" under the Donker moniker came out on Bandcamp June 28th.
What started out as my weird campfire songs grew into full fledged productions. Chris Magallon (drums) from the LA band The Pocket Rockets lent his superb skills on 2 tracks and my former band mate Matt Donaldson lent his guitar work on 3 tracks all from 2.200 miles away and elevated the songs they worked on. I am so grateful to them and opening their emails felt like Christmas every time.
The track Always Is- is a deeply personal survival song, Shadow Box Butterfly is about transitioning and acceptance, High is rooted in spousal abuse and Dying Star is broken physical bonds of love and losing your identity.
I am hoping you will take a listen and let me know what you think.
See Bandcamp and Soundcloud, a link to more info on myself and the the Dying Star project (including brief comments on some of the tracks, BIO and photos) as well as a link to the official video for "Always Is" - "Dying Star" and a lyric video for "Captain Fantastic".
Cheers- !!
Robb
donker1.bandcamp.com
soundcloud.com/user-43149594/sets/dying-star
http://www.americanpancake.com/p/donker-journey-in-progress-during-goal.html
youtube.com/watch?v=u9d3IYEgufQ
youtube.com/watch?v=cVA1KvUI7yE
youtube.com/watch?v=VxMqRIc88Ys
"Loud Underneath" is off their Ignite The Rest album
I also hope you might check out my original material which I feel waaaay more comfortable performing. Just release a new single called FOND (B-side Plastic Fantastic) and those two songs also appear as bonus tracks on my debut album (as Donker) on Bandcamp. Thanks sweet people.
The Debut "Dying Star" Album was released on June 28th- 2017. This track is available via my Donker Bandcamp Page: https://donker1.bandcamp.com/album/dy...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanpanc...
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/AmericanPanc...
"A dream of mine is to have one of my songs in a surf movie. Certain specific memories of surfing certain waves is the closest thing to absolute bliss I have ever felt. In bygone days I had a Plastic Fantastic surboard and rode it for years and years. I let it get pretty beaten up. It had pressure dings and wax shoved in the chips and cracks in the glass. It had discoloration from taking in water and eventually I left it in a dumpster in Hawaii. My gift to someone, I left the nose clearly visible sticking out so I hope someone took it and enjoyed it for a while longer." - Donker
The Debut "Dying Star" Album was released on June 28th- 2017. This track is available via my Donker Bandcamp Page: https://donker1.bandcamp.com/album/dy...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanpanc...
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/AmericanPanc...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake
this song nearly wrote itself- the words flowed instantaneously after I found the chords during an improv song writing session. I wanted very much to capture just one iota of T-Rex and I hope I did in some small way. Dedicated to all those who are finding their true self in a sometimes uncaring world. Be strong, be an inspiration and be yourself. - Robb
lyrics
razorblades and silver sine waves
painted nails and glitter shoe lace
straight jacket escape
walking on the wire
dancing on the marquee
just like Marilyn
She's a boy, a girl, a girl, a boy
seven years she knows just what she knows
and she just hates to stay at home
cuz her mama don't treat her right
and her daddy don't kiss her good night
she just wants to be a butterfly
and fly away
cellophane halo with Christmas lights
shadow box with pictures and some drugs
slicing through the night to find the people
who'll love her for who she is
and who she'll become
She's a boy, a girl, a girl, a boy
seven years she knows just what she knows
and she just hates to stay at home
cuz her mama don't treat her right
and her daddy don't kiss her good night
she just wants to be a butterfly
and fly away
razorblades and silver sine waves
painted nails and glitter shoe lace
straight jacket escape
walking on the wire
dancing on the marquee
just like Marilyn
She's a boy, a girl, a girl, a boy
seven years she knows just what she knows
and she just hates to stay at home
cuz her mama don't treat her right
and her daddy don't kiss her good night
she just wants to be a butterfly
and fly away
credits
from Dying Star, released June 28, 2017
words and music by Robb Donker. Special thanks to Chris Magallon of the Pocket Rockets for lending his superb drum skills. Special thanks to Matt Donaldson for rocking it on lead guitar, electric rhythm and bass guitar.
The Debut "Dying Star" Album was released on June 28th- 2017. This track is available via my Donker Bandcamp Page: https://donker1.bandcamp.com/album/dy...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanpanc...
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/AmericanPanc...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
Facebook: facebook.com/americanpancake
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: mixcloud.com/AmericanPancake
NOTE: I do not own the trippy reflections .
Computer generated segments created by Hans Curtius
The song is very personal and is about perseverance and keeping one's own identity intact when your world is collapsing around you. The video is haphazard and avant garde and improvisational shaped by the imagery and science fiction aesthetic of Sergei Lukyanenko, Fritz Lang and Terry Gilliam.
The Debut "Dying Star" Album was released on June 28th- 2017. This track is available via my Donker Bandcamp Page: https://donker1.bandcamp.com/album/dy...
Donker is the Musical Project of American Pancake: http://www.americanpancake.com
LYRICS:
She can't break the spell
carries it on her back
when her world collapsed
she holds it in her hands
and it was like it always is
like it always is
and it is like it always was
and it was like it always is
like it always is
She fights and fights
balls up her tiny hands
she cries at night
it keeps her sane
and it was like it always is
like it always is
and she was like she always is
like she always is
She can't break the spell
carries it on her back
when her world collapsed
she held it in her hands
and she was like she always is
like she always is
and she was like she always is
like she always is
The song in it's distilled essence is about resilience. I wrote it about someone navigating hard times and while it feels very melancholy, it reveals someone who feels pain deeply but doesn't discard it but instead changes it into something else.
My main 'thing' is being a indie music writer since 2009 at American Pancake. Still going on as of this update in 2024! Would love for you to check it out. If you like it and want to support the blog, you can do so here at the site's go fund me: gofundme.com/f/keep-american-pancake-music-blog-alive-amp-well?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
Any amount is GREATLY appreciated. Be real, be safe and always do the right thing.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanpanc...
Instagram: instagram.com/americanrobb
Podcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/AmericanPanc...
americanpancake.com
AMAZING Nasa Public Domain Footage Utilize in the making of this video: youtube.com/watch?v=6tmbeLTHC_0&t=1490s


