Good morning. I had a crazy dream last night about my friend Dallas. He died almost two years ago now, but his presence was so large in my own life there is a tear in my fabric from his absence. I miss him terribly and I am constantly thinking of our mutual loved ones and how everyone is coping with his removal from our physical day-to-day. His presence is so specific and it’s like I am having to try to grow larger to meet him now that he’s gone. It’s ok, it’s all a part of growing with and through grief. I think working on a new record is making me miss him harder though. I’m here for it. Hi, Dallas.
If the suffering does anything to my art, it is to make me double down on just how beautiful the world is and how much I fucking love it. It is a fierce love too, isn't it, Neko? All of this is worth standing up for in a way just succumbing to misery does not. Some days are better than others, of course, and I have my share of despairing hours. But goddammit, we're here, and what a gift. I choose to do my best not to squander it.
I had been in KC-K working in a fiberglass plant for a week and a half, drove towards home in the gusty winds with snow swirling and making mesmerizing rivers in the roads. Got about 20 mins from home and had to back track- roads were flooded north of Conway. Spent Saturday doing laundry, repacking and snuggling with my cat-(my sister checks on him while I'm away). Left again Sunday to hit the gulf in Mississippi- a paper plant this time. Fought high winds and all sorts of weather- finally made it down by Gulfport for a beautiful day of 65! Next day dropped to high of 20. Finished the job yesterday and rode the ice patches up to Vicksburg before calling it a night. I'll make it home tonight to do it all over again. Next is a power plant out in Oklahoma then a refinery in Texas. I feel so removed, just putting one foot in front of the other. When did life become this? I feel as though I've completely disassociated. The only time I feel halfway satisfied/comfortable is listening to music while driving. I used to dream, but now I just chase sleep. I miss the summers of my adolescence bareback on my paint horse just lazing around telling him stories- he was the truest friend a young girl could have.
Sorry I got a bit carried away- that was quite cathartic.
death. what a wallop it can pack. i'm so sorry about your friend dallas, whose death seemed sudden and unexpected. our bassist odie lost his son in november to suicide and there are no words that can reach that depth of sorrow. so we just cry and hug a lot. maybe that's your M.O. too. thank you for sharing so much with us. i too don't care for this assumption that artist need drama or bad things to happen to us in order to write, as if actual torture is necessary. it IS torture opening medical bills and tax statements, but even that won't work in a song unless it just appears alongside some other crazy metaphor for life or death. your truck is adorable. i did want to mention we have a mutual friend in lauren fogel, who has saved my life at least two times. thanks again for sharing your life and work with us. it's inspiring. love, joe
I love that Dallas Good visited you during a blizzard. It makes me think of "Another Season Again" and his love of winter.
I wanted to tell you that I've been finding a lot of comfort in listening to "Star Witness" these days. Somehow it captures the dawning horror and loneliness of realizing that justice isn't on the horizon and the tragedy is continuing unabated. So thank you for that 🩵
Back around the turn of the century, I randomly grabbed a double-disc comp called “Down to The Promised Land” from a certain former Chicago imprint. I was a punk and Mekons were all over this.
But so were the Sadies. And some other woman and her Boyfriends.
The direction of my musical adventure had changed forever. Thanks so much to you all for enriching our lives.
I just posted a note the other day about missing Dallas Good. I’ve been listening to Sadie a ton since then. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing him personally, but their live shows were among the best musical experiences of my life, and going back to their records always make me feel better. Sadie forever, Dallas forever.
I'm hanging in there, Neko. I struggle in winter. And in times of war. But I'm finding joy and comfort where I can—like going to see Dream Sequence with Michael and Jacinta last weekend, and laughing out loud in the theater. <3
My Mom died last Monday and my wife and I had to get back to my hometown through the terrible weather here in Kansas. It was worth it to be with my Dad and sister and nephew. The snow calmed but the temperature dropped under zero the whole time we were handling arrangements. Then we had to drive back home in another snow storm. It was awful, but I did appreciate the fact that the terrible weather matched my feelings of grief. I know this year will be hard, but knowing things like you putting out a new album this year will make things a little easier. Sorry about your friend. ❤️
We trekked for my fathers funeral years ago. There’s a pattern of reverence in the effort to go and stand together, honoring the ones we love who’ve gone ahead. My condolences. Strength to all of you.
While the world is a mess and falling apart, your animals seem to bring you much joy. Mine do for me. I just love when all three of them are on the bed together. It kind of cracks me up. They each have their own spot, and, I still find it bizarre that I have living fluffy creatures living in my house roaming around freely.
I can’t imagine living without winter. My out put in my studio always peaks during winter and i sometimes wonder what about it makes the art making receptors in my brain light up. I was thinking about how in winter all sensory stimulation is turned way down. And with the only focus being to stay warm and nourished I naturally gravitate to making art. Summers are for gathering inspiration. Winters are for threading that gathered inspiration in music, art, storytelling, etc.
I feel you on the war and the general horrors that exist and the awful trope that artists make art out of sadness. Artists make the art that is needed. Art/music is both a mirror and a portal. But all artists dream of something better. And we can’t find that with out art. And we can’t touch that easily if we are all reeling from grief and despair. I feel like all my artist friends and community are collectively holding each-other up right now.
Looking at these comments, it’s wonderful to see Neko’s impact on us all. Nathan Velasquez, in a comment above, observed how Neko can “fire a belly like no other.” How true! Look at us, reaching into our word hordes for the very finest we can muster for each other.
It’s all because for all of her range, our friend Neko really only knows how to sing one note. It’s the only note she has ever sung -- it’s the note in which we can all recognize the truest parts of ourselves. A note of perfect reflection.
I am so grateful to Neko for showing me myself in the many ways she moves in the world. I’ve felt friendship in the loneliest moments. I’ve felt moved to action, that belly of fire, because of her words and voice. We all know this feeling.
If the suffering does anything to my art, it is to make me double down on just how beautiful the world is and how much I fucking love it. It is a fierce love too, isn't it, Neko? All of this is worth standing up for in a way just succumbing to misery does not. Some days are better than others, of course, and I have my share of despairing hours. But goddammit, we're here, and what a gift. I choose to do my best not to squander it.
I had been in KC-K working in a fiberglass plant for a week and a half, drove towards home in the gusty winds with snow swirling and making mesmerizing rivers in the roads. Got about 20 mins from home and had to back track- roads were flooded north of Conway. Spent Saturday doing laundry, repacking and snuggling with my cat-(my sister checks on him while I'm away). Left again Sunday to hit the gulf in Mississippi- a paper plant this time. Fought high winds and all sorts of weather- finally made it down by Gulfport for a beautiful day of 65! Next day dropped to high of 20. Finished the job yesterday and rode the ice patches up to Vicksburg before calling it a night. I'll make it home tonight to do it all over again. Next is a power plant out in Oklahoma then a refinery in Texas. I feel so removed, just putting one foot in front of the other. When did life become this? I feel as though I've completely disassociated. The only time I feel halfway satisfied/comfortable is listening to music while driving. I used to dream, but now I just chase sleep. I miss the summers of my adolescence bareback on my paint horse just lazing around telling him stories- he was the truest friend a young girl could have.
Sorry I got a bit carried away- that was quite cathartic.
You have poetry in your words and your soul.
death. what a wallop it can pack. i'm so sorry about your friend dallas, whose death seemed sudden and unexpected. our bassist odie lost his son in november to suicide and there are no words that can reach that depth of sorrow. so we just cry and hug a lot. maybe that's your M.O. too. thank you for sharing so much with us. i too don't care for this assumption that artist need drama or bad things to happen to us in order to write, as if actual torture is necessary. it IS torture opening medical bills and tax statements, but even that won't work in a song unless it just appears alongside some other crazy metaphor for life or death. your truck is adorable. i did want to mention we have a mutual friend in lauren fogel, who has saved my life at least two times. thanks again for sharing your life and work with us. it's inspiring. love, joe
I love you. I miss our Dallas too. Glad he came for a visit. Can’t wait to hear the music. xo
My cat Genevieve sleeps on top of me every night from October through April. I wish I could hibernate. Alas.
I love to dream about departed friends and family. In those dreams I usually say, "I thought you died. I am so glad it's not true."
Thank you for this. It’s definitely hard times, and it’s nice to know other people are grappling with everything as well
I love that Dallas Good visited you during a blizzard. It makes me think of "Another Season Again" and his love of winter.
I wanted to tell you that I've been finding a lot of comfort in listening to "Star Witness" these days. Somehow it captures the dawning horror and loneliness of realizing that justice isn't on the horizon and the tragedy is continuing unabated. So thank you for that 🩵
Back around the turn of the century, I randomly grabbed a double-disc comp called “Down to The Promised Land” from a certain former Chicago imprint. I was a punk and Mekons were all over this.
But so were the Sadies. And some other woman and her Boyfriends.
The direction of my musical adventure had changed forever. Thanks so much to you all for enriching our lives.
Rest easy, Dallas.
Thanks, Neko. ✌️❤️
I just posted a note the other day about missing Dallas Good. I’ve been listening to Sadie a ton since then. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing him personally, but their live shows were among the best musical experiences of my life, and going back to their records always make me feel better. Sadie forever, Dallas forever.
I'm hanging in there, Neko. I struggle in winter. And in times of war. But I'm finding joy and comfort where I can—like going to see Dream Sequence with Michael and Jacinta last weekend, and laughing out loud in the theater. <3
My Mom died last Monday and my wife and I had to get back to my hometown through the terrible weather here in Kansas. It was worth it to be with my Dad and sister and nephew. The snow calmed but the temperature dropped under zero the whole time we were handling arrangements. Then we had to drive back home in another snow storm. It was awful, but I did appreciate the fact that the terrible weather matched my feelings of grief. I know this year will be hard, but knowing things like you putting out a new album this year will make things a little easier. Sorry about your friend. ❤️
We trekked for my fathers funeral years ago. There’s a pattern of reverence in the effort to go and stand together, honoring the ones we love who’ve gone ahead. My condolences. Strength to all of you.
I hadn't really thought about how comforting nasty weather can be when you are in the shit.
While the world is a mess and falling apart, your animals seem to bring you much joy. Mine do for me. I just love when all three of them are on the bed together. It kind of cracks me up. They each have their own spot, and, I still find it bizarre that I have living fluffy creatures living in my house roaming around freely.
I can’t imagine living without winter. My out put in my studio always peaks during winter and i sometimes wonder what about it makes the art making receptors in my brain light up. I was thinking about how in winter all sensory stimulation is turned way down. And with the only focus being to stay warm and nourished I naturally gravitate to making art. Summers are for gathering inspiration. Winters are for threading that gathered inspiration in music, art, storytelling, etc.
I feel you on the war and the general horrors that exist and the awful trope that artists make art out of sadness. Artists make the art that is needed. Art/music is both a mirror and a portal. But all artists dream of something better. And we can’t find that with out art. And we can’t touch that easily if we are all reeling from grief and despair. I feel like all my artist friends and community are collectively holding each-other up right now.
Looking at these comments, it’s wonderful to see Neko’s impact on us all. Nathan Velasquez, in a comment above, observed how Neko can “fire a belly like no other.” How true! Look at us, reaching into our word hordes for the very finest we can muster for each other.
It’s all because for all of her range, our friend Neko really only knows how to sing one note. It’s the only note she has ever sung -- it’s the note in which we can all recognize the truest parts of ourselves. A note of perfect reflection.
I am so grateful to Neko for showing me myself in the many ways she moves in the world. I’ve felt friendship in the loneliest moments. I’ve felt moved to action, that belly of fire, because of her words and voice. We all know this feeling.
Thank you, Neko!
For what it's worth, you can fire a belly like no other.
"Suffering is NOT our wheelhouse".. Shout it from the rooftops! I am so grateful to you, Neko Case!