…where now, Mom and Dad. Where now for the new kids, my brother and me…
Family Car started as a song called Army Brats. It was a story about a military family. “Where now. Army brats,” it began. I rewrote it when I thought that this was just another song about a subject matter I had no experience with, when I could better match the music with just a little tenderness. And so, I wrote this song about me and my brother in the back of the family car, which was also not my experience but drew upon authentic feelings on family life
…we’re driving away in the family car…
It’s really a song about being a kid and how the world shapes you into who you are. And how it’s quite possible that the most profound thoughts that you will have in your life will come during this formative stage of life.
…Just searching for some peace of mind, kickin’ a crab apple down the line…
One of my fav lines on the album.
Kind of reminds me a song that you could find off The Kinks’ Lola album. I think I was also aiming for something Andy Shauf might do.
After attempting to record this song a few times myself, I asked my pal Adam Fancy if he would capture it for me. We recorded the drums and a few instrumental tracks together, if my memory is reliable. Lead vocals were recorded with Ronok, and Meaghan’s amazing backing vocals were recorded at Ocean Floor. Me and Charles drove up to Newport on a beautiful summer day to record the pedal steel with Jesse Griffith. It is that kind of record.
lyrics
Where now, Mom and Dad
Where now for the new kids, my brother and me
We’ve been on the move since he was five
Buckle him in
Making sure he’s fine
Heat of the sun always magnified
On the road in the family car
Next stop could be anywhere
New friends are sure getting old to me
A few clicks and we’re out of sight
Chain of command keeping me in line
And with every new town
Mom and Dad still fight
We’re back in the family car
And we’re about to take another ride
We’re driving away in the family car
Losing my way
Where am I now?
Where now, Mom and Dad
Open road is always calling to me
I’m just looking for some peace of mine
Kickin’ a crab apple down the line
And all of the signs you recognize
Whenever it rains, it pours
And I’m about to get another life
We’re driving away in the family car
Losing my way
Where am I now?
And we’re about to take another ride
We’re driving away in the family car
Losing my way
Where am I now?
And I’m about to get another life
credits
from The Monster,
released December 8, 2023
Song written by Jeff Gay.
Drums: Jeff Gay. Drums recorded at LM Halifax by Adam Fancy (thank you, L&M Halifax).
Pedal steel guitar: Jesse Griffith recorded by Charles Austin.
Everything else (guitars, bass, keys, lead vox, etc.): Jeff Gay. Backing vocals: Meaghan Dalton, recorded at Ocean Floor. Additional recording by Jeff Gay and Charles Austin at Ocean Floor Recording. Lead vocal recorded with Ronok Sarkar at his home in Halifax.
Mixed by Jeff Gay and Charles Austin w/ Ronok Sarkar.
Mastered by Francisco Lopes.
TOSSING RECORDS is filled with beans and joy to announce the newest Jeff Gay album, THE MONSTER. Coming to you: Dec 8, 2023.
First single from the Monster: Moonflower, Dec 1. In addition to Jgay and Dirtmouth titles, TOSSING RECORDS will release the entire Jeff Gay catalogue on Bandcamp, so make sure you follow for digital transfers of dusty DATs and demos/unreleased tracks...more
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