Ames

Tracker

Still feeling nostalgic for those early Santa Barbara years today and thought of my friend John and his second band TRACKER. One of the more versatile, creative artists I’ve had the pleasure of knowing is John Morgan Askew — who hit his early stride in the 90’s when he started the Portland label FILMguerrero. Over the years, he’s been a sort of MVP, shepherding other artists, recording them, playing multiple instruments, jumping into side projects. Producing, mixing and releasing records. Scoring movies (like mine) and television.

Listening to AMES this morning was so invigorating and refreshing. The album holds up so well and is meticulously put together in the studio on reel to reel — with great sounds and atmosphere and catchy riffs and little samples.

I love everything about this little two minute title track and am surprised I never licensed it from him for a film. Something in me probably felt it was off limits because it only belongs on THIS record, the TRACKER debut. I love these guitars and melody — that pedal steel and those big crashing drums and those little phone call snippets.