Natural Light

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

Owen Ashworth went on to form Advance Base and start Orindal Records in Chicago. He’s a hero of mine. He makes art music and champions so many fringe artists, giving them a home to release their music. It’s something I wish I could do with indie film and indie filmmakers. Like me, he was a Bay Area kid for awhile, so I can imagine where he collected keyboards, bought records and learned to play music. This first incarnation showcased so many great songs that it’s hard to pick just one. So I feel several choosing me already.

Today’s track is often covered, but I prefer Owen’s original — just the piano, drum kit and a little bass. It’s so simple and short. Lovely and sad. So much subtext. Another melancholy story song which he’s known for and this one has teeth.

The “I guess he’d be 15” just kills me.

I can imagine this guy finding the happy photograph, the one thing he has left from what was a doomed relationship. But in the blink of a shutter — outside, on his lap — it sure looks like everything’s alright. ❤️

I got some news on you from a friend
You're in Charlotte again
Teaching Spanish at high school

He said you're going by Joy
You cut your hair like a boy
& you don't talk to your old friends

I found a picture from before the fight
We're in natural light
& you're sitting on my lap like everything's alright

I've walked around with you on my mind
The names we used at the time
You know I've changed myself since then

I've thought on things that we said
What if we'd had the kid
I guess he'd be 15

I found a picture from before the fight
We're in natural light
& you're sitting on my lap like everything's alright