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about

I first heard "Trouble" as performed by Elliott Smith in a poor quality live recording lifted from Napster. I only realized it was written by Jon Brion a few years ago when a friend and colleague implored me to listen to JB's solo album, Meaningless, on which his version resides.

Back in the time of Napster, Nick Schmidt and I were just becoming friends and musical partners, and the merits of Elliott Smith were often up for discussion. I heard years later that secret, immersive study of ES was required to keep up with the obsessive quality of teen-me's affection for the man.

In any case, time and distance had made conversations musical or otherwise scarce between us, but this backstory made partnering with Nick for Trouble a great excuse to revive an old friendship.

I hope those who listen enjoy the result.

lyrics

Here's the face of trouble
It's the face I wear
And it may invite you in
But I won't go there

Here's a working model
That generates despair
And this baby cranks it out
And it will take you out
And I won't care

It's the mark of someone
Who's beyond repair
He'll refuse to help himself
Thinking only of himself
And though he isn't by himself
Well, it's your job now

There's a conversation
We're about to have
And it's full of twists and turns
Half truths and vague concerns
From one who never learns
To one who never learns
And I never learn

credits

from Trouble​/​Questions, released November 22, 2018
Alison Niedbalski - piano, organ, synth, lead vox, arrangement
Nick Schmidt - percussion, guitars, bass, bg vox
Jon Brion - composer

Carlos Arredondo & Nick Schmidt - engineers
Carlos Arredondo & Alison Niedbalski - mix
Carlos Arredondo - master

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

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qualia Oakland, California

Qualia is the auditory outfit spearheaded by Alison Niedbalski.
Her devotion to music became apparent early on, spending hours spinning records, playing classical piano, & arguing with other children who "loved" the Beatles but had never heard of Harry Nilsson.
After an affair with academia, she moved West to teach Philosophy and found herself forming a Band. ... more

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