sunday songs

I've been posting a solo song each Sunday over on our Instagram page, and plan to continue. Head over to the IGTV page is you feel like following along:

https://www.instagram.com/therutabega/channel/

I Don't Believe In Crocodiles

Recorded January/February 2021 for PRF Thundersnow '21. Featuring Fern, Basil, and Ivy. 
XO 

PRF Thundersnow 2021

Hi! If you are lonely/ bored/ looking for new musics to love, PRF Virtual Thundersnow is this very weekend! We've got a new recording/video thing that will premier Saturday evening (in the 7pm CST hour). More info HERE and now please feast your eyes on this lovely artwork from Christopher Williams aka Plastic Flame.

emily | imbolc

Hi! If you know us personally (or have been at a 3 pc rutabega show), you likely know that we are all #blessed to spin on this planet with Emily. Em is not a very public person, but she gave me the ok to yap about her new album so here I go before she changes her mind 😮

Having amassed a bundle of songs she recorded for Weekly Beats, Emily has been stepping back to see if any of them gravitate towards each other (much like Kenichi Kanazawa manipulating sand on a steel tabletop, see Fig.1a). Turns out, they do!

Here is imbolc, released 2/1/21: https://emily.bandcamp.com/album/imbolc  

I could blather on and on, but I will just say - Emily has a true gift of turning what she is experiencing or processing into sound. I know I'm biased, but I am consistently amazed at the recordings/feelings she captures (using an outdated version of garageb*nd and the built-in laptop mic no less). Mostly I am grateful to encounter this alchemy.
 
This album is a journey, but it is worth taking - especially in headphones. If you want a 2 minute entry point, may I recommend "lost in the fog." 

Ok, climbing off my soapbox. See you on the other side. XO

Walk On Ahead

We recorded this live-ish version of Walk On Ahead late December 2020 for the PRF Rock-IN NYE celebration. 

 

Joshua captured his parts in Mishawaka, IN and Garth captured his parts in Kalamazoo, MI and then made everything sound "good". Not quite sure how Ryan Gosling got involved, but here we are. 

 

Video edited by our dear friend, Bradley Bergstrand. Check out Bradley's wonderful band Coed Pageant: https://coedpageant.bandcamp.com/

Here's to brighter days. XO

Christmas Fell to Pieces

Christmas Fell to Pieces, recorded from a distance at the last minute for Jon Solomon's 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show. We love Jon and we love you. XO

the rutabega · christmas fell to piece

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Fountains of Joshua Wayne

Fountains of Joshua Wayne is a 4 song solo EP I recorded in honor of Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, That Thing You Do, etc) who passed away on April 1, 2020 from complications related to COVID-19. It consists of 3 Fountains of Wayne covers as well as an original song, Poughkeepsie, that was inspired by Adam's music and life (based on my admittedly limited knowledge gleaned from interviews and podcasts).   

I'm not sure exactly why Adam's death hit me so hard, but I think at the time it made the pandemic seem that much more real and sinister to know it could take out a relatively young songwriter who was so full of life. 

I heard the first Fountains of Wayne album at the right time and instantly connected to the almost deliriously catchy melodies and lyrics that didn't take themselves too seriously. Thankfully none of these songs were as goofy as their later hit single which shall not be named. 

I have fond memories of driving around belting out Leave the Biker and Survival Car with my kiddos when they were younger. When I messaged them that I was working on this tribute, Sage responded with "Fountains of Joshua Wayne" and it was too perfect not to use. 

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these recordings. I put a lot into them and the process really helped me through these strange months of quarantine. I'll be donating a percentage of proceeds to the Sweet Relief Covid-19 Fund which provides assistance to musicians and music workers affected by the Coronavirus. 

Thank you for listening and for your time. If you would like to keep up with my solo adventures, please click FOLLOW on my Bandcamp page. And if you would like to purchase the EP, today is a great day to do it as it is Bandcamp Friday and this gracious company is waiving all their (perfectly reasonable) fees. 

 Love and hugs, 

 Joshua Wayne Hensley