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Can You Feel It

by Alice Ava

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drpottsiv
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drpottsiv As others have said, I stumbled onto this artist by chance, in the Bandcamp feed. But I really enjoyed the track Blue and Silver and decided give the album a listen. I'm so glad I did! I really enjoy this music, it's like a pleasant companion. Favorite track: Lost Boy.
jeremyh1993
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jeremyh1993 I took a chance on this album after knowing nothing about the artist and I'm glad I did!
It's rich instrumentally, and the lyrics are full of bits of humor and pathos. Alice's voice and music are also unusual and interesting in a great way.
I think this album deserves a lot more attention! Favorite track: Dad the Robin.
jamie_williams2109
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jamie_williams2109 A hidden jewel that I stumbled on purely by chance, and thank goodness I did! 'Can You Feel It' has an intimate, pleasingly lo-fi vibe as it weaves between melodically-rich piano and left-field pop. There are many stunning moments to be found here, like the seamless switch from original minor-key chord progression to the major-key final coda in 'The Blue and the Silver'. Highly recommended. Favorite track: Powder in the Air.
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  • Digital album + one-of-a-kind hand-drawn cover (ink on paper) and illustrated lyric book. Taipei Limited Series. One of each available: 1. Fish Shopping (yellow) 2. Guava Stand (teal) - SOLD 3. Beef Noodle Soup (red) - SOLD. Please send a note indicating which one you'd like to buy, thank you! Shipping to US & Canada only.

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1.
// Lyrics from “With That Moon Language” from Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices of the East and West copyright 2002 by Daniel Ladinsky, and used with his permission. // With that Moon Language Admit something: Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me.” Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops. Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect. Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye that is always saying, with that sweet moon language, what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?
2.
There’s this funny trick or call it a test Maybe you’ve seen it, it’s hard to forget A hollow mask spins around And when it’s time for the other side No matter what you do No matter how hard you try You just can’t see it right you just can’t see it right You just can’t see it right Unless you’ve lost your mind You just can’t see it right All those great men who loved their parchment Some were great men some good at dressing-up All those great men also loved their wigs They kept them powdered to cover the scent It was the fashion It was what everyone did Except the few guys Who wore their own hair Now we wear our own hair We wear our own hair But there’s powder in the air So much powder in the air There’s powder in the air There’s powder in the air So much powder in the air Why’s there still powder in the air The Wild West, nice concept Cowboys and their friends Great day for a big run Grab your things, grab your flags At high noon, make the mad dash Stab the dirt hard, do it for the kids We didn’t loot this We didn’t loot this Somebody else did So can we keep it? / We're gonna keep it There’s powder in the air There’s powder in the air There's powder in the air So much powder in the air Additional notes: Verse 2 inspired by this Jeffrey A. Larson's answer to the q "What was the Founding Fathers' real hair like?" on Quora: https://www.quora.com/What-was-the-Founding-Fathers-real-hair-like
3.
Somebody took my body, I can’t find my body I’ll spend my whole life just trying to get it back somebody took my body, I can’t feel my body this is so much more than just a thorn in my side I was always your baby, you were supposed to save me when we danced by the water, you were blinded by the silver I was always your baby, you were supposed to save me where was your head, where was your head, where was your heart cash reward for safe return, up late at night for safe return cash reward for safe return you’ll find me in the water between the blue and the silver I’ve been waiting for you out here, I’ve been waiting for you out here you'll find me in the water between the blue and the silver I’m still waiting for you, I'm still waiting for you you'll find me in the water between the blue and the silver I’ve been shimmering out here, I’ve been shimmering out here you'll find me in the water between the blue and the silver I’m still waiting for you, I'm still waiting for you
4.
The Hunted 05:55
Nothing left to cover yourself They cut off your words, they taught you good All that you had wanted is gone now, abandoned Pick it up, quiet and gather yourself It’s hard to tell how many miles The sunset, dust and gravel Your letters can’t help you now The hunted, hunted, haunted, hunted Decked in all that colorful rope Your feet are hard, you’re far from home The gravel gives off diamonds The metal sound follows you now Bet you never thought you’d be like this Bet you never imagined but you’d be the entertainment The hunted The hunted The hunted The haunted - - - - Notes: Inspired by Paul Bowles' short story "A Distant Episode"
5.
Wilder 05:20
If I can’t sleep it’s because of you If I can’t think clearly it’s because of you My head is spinning, the room is spinning My heart is beating fast for you Because of you If I’ve been acting crazy it’s because of you Can’t get anything done lately because of you I feel like dancing with you, I can’t stop dreaming when I’m with you My heart is beating for you, fast for you Because of you Does the moon seem brighter because of you Do the flowers seem wilder because of you I can’t keep time with you, I can’t keep time when I’m with you My heart is beating for you, fast for you My heart is beating fast My heart is beating fast for you Because of you My heart is beating fast My heart is beating fast for you
6.
File under violence under violence under violence under Violence under violence under pavement under violence File under violence under defense under violence File under violence For the kids, for the kids Follow all the headlights, all the headlines to the noise Follow from the porchlight to the streetlight to the noise Dream of an island of an island of an island Dream of a meadow where the children play with lions Gather a parish, follow the water, follow the treeline Light up the harbor For the kids, for the kids I’m dreaming of an island File under violence under violence under violence File under careless under crisis under violence File under damages under violence under all of it File under violence For the kids, for the kids Follow all the cameras, all the flashlights to the noise Follow all the moonlight, blue and red lights to the noise Fight all the hardened, all the hoarders and the frightened Fight all the silent, all the wicked and the ruined Fight for the lovers, the heroes, the warriors Fight for the dreamers, fight for the kids I’m dreaming of an island Dream of an island Dream of a meadow Gather a parish Light up the harbor Light up the island Light up the meadow Gather the parish Light up the harbor
7.
In 2012, I came to live with you and mom in Taiwan in a little town called Grey Mountain. Had no idea you lived right at the top of a faculty dorm overlooking the school track. Every day we followed all the young people, down stairs and ramps to the dining hall on campus. We grabbed our trays, piled up our plates – for two or three dollars we got whatever we wanted. Sometimes we’d eat there, sometimes bring it back up. The days were too warm and it rained a lot. I watched soap operas and subtitles and stared out at the misty mountains. I was frustrated and curious, didn’t you guys want anything more? It was a strange time, pretty chaotic. Why’d I leave LA just before my birthday? You took me out to a brand new restaurant by the side of the road, you could feel the highway. We ordered beers and mom prayed for us. The food was alright, we got whatever we wanted. Over dinner you told me I talk too much, you thought I should know, thanks now I know. I got up and moved to the city. It got cold and it rained a lot. Thought I would spend time with grandma. We’d cook and joke all day, I’d bring her secrets back to California. But the years had changed her a lot, so we sat around and ate guava and chatted with the tv on. There is this one day I’ll never forget, Christmas Day back in Grey Mountain. All the seniors at the center wearing santa hats. Mom looked pretty, you looked handsome. There was this lady all dressed in a gown, modern haircut, high tech headset. She sang out of of tune and for way too long. Nobody liked it and at the end she made a girl deliver her flowers. Then you went up there in your red sweater vest, you looked like a robin. You said this was your favorite song and tried your best to keep your arms right by your side. You did good till the final verse. Then there was nothing you could do, something else was moving you. Your arms came up, your arms came up, your hands made circles, your arms came up. Your hands made circles, your arms came up, you closed your eyes, held out your palms. It was beautiful! It was Ave Maria! It was everything that you were meant to be. Your voice rang out, it sailed across the people and I swear your feet were nearly off the ground. When you finished, you sat back down, the ladies in front gave their congratulations. You looked happy and mom looked proud and I felt calm for the first time in a long while.
8.
Summer Color 03:43
Do you remember all the times we had Can you remember for us Do you remember the first time that we met I don’t recall there being magic Do you remember all the things you told me How much of it you really meant Do you remember saying this could be forever By forever did you mean the end of summer I remember singing to your kid Things were different then I remember the way we used to dance I’d lay my head against you and listen Do you remember that day the clouds were so wild We had to stop the car Do you remember how it rained all night And when we woke it smelled like soil And we ran outside, we ran outside
9.
Lost Boy 05:51
I never left you but the room got crowded after your mama died you didn’t mean to but it was just your ghost and me hanging out for a while never met you feels like I never met you at all I'm not mad at you I’m just so so so tired I’ve been told by people who know when loves comes apart you gotta get up again you gotta keep on trying you'll figure it out I’d never let you suffer by yourself walk through the fire by yourself why didn't you let me help you all you had to do was let me in I would have carried the weight for you I couldn’t catch you you were falling so fast I couldn’t break the fall I was looking right at you couldn’t tell if you were coming in or going out how can something so magical suddenly fall apart how’s a girl supposed to know what to do with a broken heart gotta get up again gotta keep on trying it's gonna take time you get tired of crying last night I dreamed you took me to the edge you said darling this is where I’ve been and I'm sorry I have nothing left to give I held you in my arms, we sat like that for hours watching the stars go by my lost boy my lost boy go on and take your time my lost boy my lost boy you’ll always be a part of me you’ll always be a part of me you'll always be my lost boy
10.
Hey there, little one, you and I don’t share blood, but I have known your mom for a long time. I have seen her cry through sorrows of the deepest kind and shake and laugh to tears just as often. Everyone knows from the way she plays song, she’s force of nature. I always knew from the way she talked she wasn’t afraid of much. Hey there, little one, life can be so sweet, I hope that you discover Hey there, little one, I don’t have to tell you, you will come to all this on your own The year I met your mom an early snow buried all the cars and took down the heavy branches of old, big trees around the neighborhood that hadn’t thrown off their leaves yet. I was in love with a boy with gold-rimmed glasses, whose best friend was living with your mother nearby. One night they just showed up asking for a broom and I marched with them through the ivy and darkness. We drank tea among your mother’s things while she was out of town, we swept the checkered floors and talked into the night. Hey there, little one, life can be so sweet, I hope that you discover. Hey there, little one, I don’t have to tell you, you will come to all this on your own. Things went up then down then down with the boys but your mom and I stayed friends. Years went by, then she writes why don’t you come to NY, we should try and write some songs. I slept on the couch and every day we played music like we were kids again. 18-inch snow turned to people in lawn chairs at the edge of the park. I went home and you started casting spells to help your mother find your father. On the phone one day she mentions she thinks she’s found the One. Hey there, little one, life can be so sweet, I hope that you discover. Hey there, little one, I don’t have to tell you, you will come to all this on your own. Now you are fast asleep both arms up by your head and your mom has had a chance catch her breath. In a few days I’ll be headed home again. We organize and she tells me about the night you were born. She says nothing prepares you for the pain or what comes after. Nothing prepares you for the pain or what comes after. Hey there, little one, life can be so sweet, I hope that you discover. Hey there, little one, I don’t have to tell you, you will come to all this on your own.

about

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ABOUT
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Alice Ava was born in Cleveland, raised by Taiwanese immigrants, started classical piano at five and took up the drums in her twenties. She made her way to sunshine and LA in 2002 and cut her teeth drumming in Fascinoma, helmed by her sister, Alanna Lin, before forming lo-fi art rock duo, Eagle and Talon with Kim Talon (Kino Kimino). Praised as "wonderfully underproduced" (LA Times) and "positively entrancing" (LA Weekly), the duo’s sound earned frequent comparisons to Sleater-Kinney, the Breeders and other nineties K Records/Kill Rock Star era groups.

When the band split up in 2011, Alice moved to Brooklyn to collaborate and co-habitate with violinist/composer and longtime friend, Michi Wiancko. Under the moniker, Alice and Michi, they wrote and recorded Strange Bloom over the course of six months. The Scotland Herald hailed the songs as “chamber pop at its most glorious”; Radio France called it "a rich, intelligent and innovative album…composed with a special intimacy.” In recent years, Alice renewed her drumming vows with LA psych-rock outfit Bodies of Water whose low pressure overtures helped trick her into being a musician again.

Alice Ava will release her debut album Can You Feel It on June 3, 2021. The songs are lullabies, protests and gifts for friends. Made over the course of several years, Can You Feel It was mostly recorded at home, on piano, keyboard and laptop, in and around Los Angeles, as well as Gill, MA, and Mexico City. It's a record of someone figuring out their own voice and making sense of the world and its contradictions through song.

With additional contributions by musical friends & family: Joe Tomino and Danny Frankel on drums (recorded by Pete Min at Lucy's Meat Market), Loryn Napala on kora, Michi Wiancko on violin, David Metcalf (Bodies of Water) on guitar and Joe Tepperman on bass.

credits

released June 3, 2021

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ALBUM CREDITS
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Written and produced by Alice Lin except track 1*.

Recorded mostly at home, on piano, keyboard and laptop, in and around Los Angeles, as well as Gill, MA and Mexico City. All drums (and piano/kora on track 1) recorded by Pete Min at Lucy’s Meat Market in Los Angeles, CA.

*Lyrics from the poem “With That Moon Language” from Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices of the East and West copyright 2002 by Daniel Ladinsky, and used with his permission.

*****

Thank you to the amazing friends/musicians who added their gifts to this record!

+ Music:
Danny Frankel - drums (1, 7-8, 10)
David Metcalf - guitar (2, 3)
Joe Tepperman - bass (2)
Joe Tomino - drums (2-6, 9)
Loryn Napala - kora (1)
Michi Wiancko - violin (8, 9)


+ Mixing:
Pete Min at Lucy’s Meat Market (1 & 3)
Matt Lynch at Mysterious Mammal (2, 4, 5)
Steve Kaye at SunKing Studios (6, 9)
Alice Lin (7, 8)
Ethan Walter (10)
in Los Angeles, CA.

+ Mastering:
Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering in Portland, OR.

Album art by Alice Lin with photography by Kim Talon.

Special thank you to Alanna, Alisha, Alex, Amanda, Amber, Arie, Aria, Ben, Berg, BIL, Buddy, Carly, Cornell, David, Daphne, Francis, Harley, Inara, Kim, Loryn, Michi, Mr. Bezdek, Mrs. Clawson, Mrs. Richardson, Marouan, Mike, Olivia, Pete, Sam, Virginia, and Mom and Dad. For your ears, roofs, guidance, inspiration, friendship, and support. Lots of love, Alice

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Alice Ava Richmond, California

Alice Ava is the solo project of Alice Lin. She is half of experimental rock duo Eagle and Talon and chamber pop project Alice and Michi. She also sometimes plays drums with Bodies of Water.

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