I was lucky enough to visit Russia in early 2020, just before the world fell to bits. Everyone we met was friendly and curious and, unsurprisingly, just a bunch of absolutely ordinary humans trying to live their lives in a corrupt system. I have so much respect for the Russians who are openly protesting against Putin right now, knowing the potential consequences. And sympathy for the many more who are protesting in their hearts, but can't risk harm coming to those they love. And sympathy, of course, for their brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are now suddenly fighting for their lives because some fuckwit dictator is in the mood for a power play.
I don't think music makes any difference in the big picture; it only has power on a small scale. So what do you do? If you don't make a gesture, you feel powerless. If you do, it feels futile and stupid.
My phone still has an audio recording I made on our last day in Russia - just me walking in the snow near Zabaykalsk station as we waited for the train to have its undercarriage changed for the crossing into China. Over the road some crazy-brave construction workers were, as far as I could tell, attempting to demolish a half-wrecked multi-storey building while standing on top of it. I hadn't been planning to do a song tonight, but I set the file looping and just recorded a few rough things over it. Didn't have the stomach for anything too dark or real, so it's just a simple, shabby salute to the weary everyday humans who always bear the brunt of it all. Sounds a bit like a school band practising, which feels right.
i said i'd drive my uncle to the doctor, please remind me
i'm sorry, dear, it's definitely your turn to change the baby
come on, man, you'll freeze if you just lie there in the gutter
landlord says i'm out of here if i don't pay by tuesday
we're going to pull this building down even if it kills me
@oldlostjohn Mar 2022
A heartfelt and moving piece of music. Maybe the liner notes playing some part in that. Sonically inventive.
@owl Mar 2022
Love hearing the electric guitar from you. This works so well with the crunching snow footsteps keeping time, the swelling brass and the floaty vocals
@eas3637 Mar 2022
Strangely moving and love the continuation of the snow walking throughout the track.
@audrey Feb 2022
Your liner notes brought tears to my eyes. It's just so wrong when the wrong people gain great power and ruin everybody's life. I feel deeply for all Ukrainians but, like you, I also feel for the Russian people right now who are being arrested in droves for simply demonstrating. This song you wrote is very moving and reminds us of the day-to-day life cares that should be our only concern, in a better world. I'm extremely moved by this song, and don't know how else to say it.
@feb21sundari Feb 2022
I like these steps in the snow, especially as a loop. They give the whole thing such an infinity. Actually, people should learn from their mistakes and therefore avoid wars, but those who force this are not the cannon fodder. This song touches me and I totally agree with your liner notes.
@miltz Feb 2022
The small scale matters too. Good stuff.
@tinear Feb 2022
Possibly it's the brass but something about this has the sort of anthemic feel of Elbow in one of their epic moods.
@warriorchild Feb 2022
This is so amazing. I love the build at the end. The story behind it is so timely too.