Lo-Fi series #4 "Only you can cool my desire"

Hey little girl is your daddy home
Did he go and leave you all alone
I got a bad desire
I'm on fire

Tell me now baby is he good to you
Can he do to you the things that I do
I can take you higher
I'm on fire

Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
Edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
Through the middle of my soul

At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
And a freight train running through the
Middle of my head
Only you can cool my desire
I'm on fire

Lower me down, pin me in, secure the grounds.

Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
The stars at night turned deep to dust

Melt me down into big black armor
Leave no trace of grace just in your honor
Lower me down to culprit south
Make 'em wash a space in town

For the lead and the dregs of my bed
I've been sleeping
Lower me down, pin me in
Secure the grounds for the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
Two fists of solid rock
With brains that could explain
Any feeling

Lower me down, pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the lead and the dregs of my bed
I've been sleeping for the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or water fall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
The stars at night turned deep to dust

Is this thing on?

Best part of The job maybe. Enjoying a good test pressing. 

Stand up straight at the foot of your love, i lift my shirt up.

Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I lift my shirt up
Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I lift my shirt up

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I'll never marry but Ohio don't remember me

I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a blood buzz
Yes I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I'm on a blood buzz
God I am
I'm on a blood buzz

Lay my head on the hood of your car
I'll take it too far
Lay my head on the hood of your car
I'll take it too far

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I'll never marry but Ohio don't remember me

I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a blood buzz
Yes I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I'm on a blood buzz
God I am
I'm on a blood buzz

Night moves in a strip club.

Bars en Trans / Rennes

See the Sky about to Rain (Neil Young Cover)

                      

See the sky about to rain,

broken clouds and rain.

Locomotive, pull the train,

whistle blowing

through my brain.

Signals curling on an open plain,

rolling down the track again.

See the sky about to rain.

Some are bound for happiness,

some are bound to glory

Some are bound to live with less,

who can tell your story?

See the sky about to rain,

broken clouds and rain.

Locomotive, pull the train,

whistle blowin'

through my brain.

Signals curlin' on an open plain,

rollin' down the track again.

See the sky about to rain.

I was down in Dixie Land,

played a silver fiddle

Played it loud and then the man

broke it down the middle.

See the sky about to rain.

                          

I often dream of you showing up late when the night is Wide open

Tour Van Music #34 You were right when you said we're still running against the wind

 

You were wrong when you said
Everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, you were wrong when you said
Everything's gonna be alright

You were right when you said all that glitters isn't gold
You were right when you said all we are is dust in the wind
You were right when you said we're all just bricks in the wall
And when you said manic depression's a frustrated mess

You were wrong when you said
Everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, you were wrong when you said
Everything's gonna be alright

You were right when you said you can't always get what you want
You were right when you said it's a hard rain's gonna fall
You were right when you said we're still running against the wind
Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone

You were right when you said this is the end

Do you ever think about it?
Do you ever think about it?
Do you ever think about it?
Do you ever think about it?

Why do i always end up being the strange strange boy?

Why do i always end up being the strange strange boy?

I'm being carried away upon a love-love wave.

Oh is your troubled mind at peace inside the crash?

Tour Van Music #33 "Go to sleep, everything is all right"

I close my eyes, then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you

In dreams I walk with you
In dreams I talk to you
In dreams you're mine all of the time
We're together in dreams, in dreams

But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it, I can't help it, if I cry
I remember that you said goodbye

It's too bad that all these things
Can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams

Perfect setlist spot

Tour Van Music #33 There is so much left to do

We belong in the rock world
There is so much left to do
If we die in obscurity, oh well
At least we raised some hell

Take me back, back to the shack
Back to the strat with the lightning strap
Kick in the door, more hardcore
Rockin out like it's '94
Let's turn up the radio
Let's turn off those stupid singing shows
I know where we need to go:
Back to the shack

Let me go, let me go, let me go

Living like a tramp in black & white

Tour Van Music #32 "Can we get a little closer, why don't we get any closer".

                                   Damn you've never been so far, and i'm always on the run

I go out on a party, and look for a little fun, but i find a darkened corner.

At my door the leaves are falling
A cold wild wind has come
Sweethearts walk by together
And I still miss someone

I go out on a party
And look for a little fun
But I find a darkened corner
because I still miss someone

Oh, no I never got over those blues eyes
I see them every where
I miss those arms that held me
When all the love was there

I wonder if she's sorry
For leavin' what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere
And I still miss someone

Bands, those funny little plans.

Sometimes you get that old lost feeling

It's been a long time girl, and i was hoping you could take me for a ride.

New album trailer:

Lost in translation.

As we keep edging closer to the new record, it made me think about this old email i received from Steve Albini, his mastering notes from the previous record 'Off The Map'.
Careful. Geek alert at its absolute peak. Or if you don't understand half the technical stuff he's talking about, just like me, it will maybe make you laugh.

Book selection

For this year's road trips 

I never thought about i love, when i thought about home.

Second cover of the Lo-Fi Series.
Bloodbuzz Ohio, The National, from the album High Violet 2010.

Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I lift my shirt up
Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I lift my shirt up
I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I'll never marry but Ohio don't remember me
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know
I'm on a blood buzz
Yes I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I'm on a blood buzz
God I am
I'm on a blood buzz
Lay my head on the hood of your car
I'll take it too far
Lay my head on the hood of your car
I'll take it too far
I'm on a blood buzz
Yes I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I'm on a blood buzz
God I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I'll never marry but Ohio don't remember me
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know
I'm on a blood buzz
Yes I am
I'm on a blood buzz
I'm on a blood buzz
God I am
I'm on a blood buzz

Daydreaming

                                      

Tour Van Music #30 I'd take the past and make it straight

                                                                         

   

Some things I'd change but it's too late
I'd take the past and make it straight
Even though it's complicated
We've got time to start again

“We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us".

For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered.

 But for those of us who can’t readily accept the God formula, the big answers don’t remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God.

We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state and our educational system.
We are here to drink beer.
We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.
We are here to read these words from all these wise men and women who will tell us that we are here for different reasons and the same reason.

          Good old Charles never gets old

Tour Van Music #29 "One night with you".

One night with you

is what i'm now praying for

the things that we two could plan

would make my dreams come true.

I want to touch what i can't.

These wild eyes from a certain angle they are driving me mad

They get me to a permanent state of walking on fire.

Tour Van Music #28 Some strange religion

This life might eventually just be the end of me, will I still be with you
Get in next to me, just keep driving
Cause of you I been alive
And this Buick's a Century, '73 like you
Some strange religion
The Buick's a Century, '73 like you
Some strange religion

I wanna be just like a king take my picture by the pool

I wanna live a life like that
I wanna be just like a king
Take my picture by the pool
Cause I'm the next big thing!

Beverly Hills - That's where I want to be! (Gimme Gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills...
Beverly Hills - Rolling like a celebrity! (Gimme Gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills...


The truth is...I don't stand a chance
Its something that you're born into...
And I just don't belong...

No I don't - I'm just a no class, beat down fool
And I will always be that way
I might as well enjoy my life
And watch the stars play

10 Years after

Next January, it will be10 years since the recording of the first H-Burns album 'songs from the electric sky'
We're working on some special event for the occasion.
New album should be out somewhere around that period as well.
2015 should be a good musical year.

En Janvier celà fera dix ans depuis l'enregistrement du premier album.
Nous travaillons à la mise en place d'un évènement spécial pour feter ça.
Le nouvel album devrait sortir à ce moment là, à peu de choses près; 2015 s'annonce comme une année musicale chargée.

Tour Van Music #27 Let me kiss you just for old times sake

                         

Hello darlin' nice to see ya
it's been a long time
you're just as lovely as you used to be
What's that darlin' how am I doin?
I'm doin' alright except I can't sleep I cry all night 'till dawn
What I'm tryin' to say is I love you and I miss you and I'm so sorry that I did you wrong
Look up darlin' let me kiss you
just for old times sake
let me hold you in my arms one more time
Goodbye darlin' I gotta go now
gotta try to find a way to keep these memories of a love so warm and true
and if you should ever find it in your heart to forgive me
come back darlin' I'll be waitin' for you

I get the words, i feel the sounds, but i don't get the meaning of this all

Here's a track from the 3 songs E.P we did for Record Store Day, limited vinyl 300 copies with the wonderful Bertrand Belin & Jonathan Morali.
Song is called "Oh it's on again"

Stop taking pictures or i'll kick your ass

Tour Van Music #26 "Words you will not forget soon"

Flowers on her birthday always

Words you will not repeat twice

Take her to the movies Friday

Just to see Paul Newman’s eyes

And if she loves you, you will know it

By the way she tells you to go to hell

With a voice that sounds like violence

And a poker face she could never sell

So give her your time and give her your daydreams

Give her your sorrow and give her your sleep

Give her your heart right there in the doorway

 And everything your mom told you to keep

Pull the curtains crack the windows

Invite the sun and wind to stay

Leave her lavender on her pillows

To linger after you’ve gone away

And if she needs you, you will know it

By the frog in her throat on the telephone

Postcards on the refrigerator

Lover when are you coming home?

So give her the address to the hallways

Leading to all the magnificent rooms

And flowers on her birthday always

Words you will not forget soon

Words she will not forget soon

Suffering jukebox in a happy Town

The Roost bar and cocktails, Los angeles

Tour Van Music #25 Have you ever been to that place

Have you ever seen the face
You know the one I'm talking about
Have you ever been to that place
You know the one I'm not supposed to say

Holding on for something
Have you ever held on

All I have and all I know Is this dream of you Which keeps me living on

Big Sur California

Everything I touch seems to disappear
Everywhere I turn you are always here
I'll run this race until my earthly death
I'll defend this place with my dying breath

From a cheerless room in a curtained gloom
I saw a star from heaven fall
I turned and looked again but it was gone
All I have and all I know
Is this dream of you
Which keeps me living on

(Bob Dylan in This dream of you)

Tour Van Music 24 "Is it just a boyish fantasy"

And I wonder if she thinks of me
Is it just a boyish fantasy
Speak dear lady wont you speak
Can't you tell you make me meek
So in silence once more we pass
Another night I walk on glass
And I dream that she thinks of me
Passing on the stairs

Tour Van Music #23 "Give me the roses while i live"

Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away
Roses adorn their narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

Kind words are useless when folks lie
Cold in a narrow bed
Don't wait till death to speak kind words
Now should the words be said

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

I won't stay in L.A and die inside my car

Funny enough, when Troy Von B came over at the studio to sing, he told us that this Chokebore album was recorded in the very same studio, before it was owned by Rob Schnapf!

Studio day 18: CIAO L.A

New album is mixed. Drained but happy. I think we have a new record

Studio Days 16&17 "Some nights like this i want your dark side, big time, baby"

More than half of the record is now mixed. Yesterday night after a 12 hours mix session i went to the Echo club on Sunset, and ran into the girl who happened to be the actress who played the secretary in Twin Peaks. How cool is that. Before that we had Troy Von Balthazar as a guest at the studio to sing on this song called Wolves. My new house in Silverlake is orange. How cool is that

Troy

Orange home away

Studio days 14/15 "some giant fucking pizza"

Mixing days. Nous sommes maintenant en plein mixage de l'album. 3 chansons mixées 

Studio day 13 "you should leave it behind it's ok"

 Harmonising 

Cool machine 

Words

Producer

Studio day 12 "'Til there's a ghost in every town"

Solo time for me today, recording tunes on Elliott Smith' favorite guitar, On which he recorded most of his acoustic songs . An old Gibson J50. Special. 

Studio day 11 "We'll be mixing on monday"

Eagle rock boulevard, in front of the studio on Rob's pick up. Only 3 and a half songs left to tape before mixing.

Studio Days 8 to 10: " This is some hot dream man"

My point of view while singing

Baywatch

Geek alert on

Studio space

I'm living out here on the beach

Went to the radio interview

ended up alone at the microphone

Studio days #6&7 "Don't judge a book by its cover"

Eaten by a giant swordfish at Wendy's market

Studio dog hates the Echo machine

Beauties

Changing the tape racks on the Mellotron

Studio Day #5 Surfer Kings

Nous avons eu aujourd'hui la visite du superbe A.A Bondy, qui sera invité sur deux titres du prochain album.
Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas,  je ne saurais que trop vous conseiller son album "Believers" sorti en 2011, et produit par Rob Schnapf dans le studio ou nous nous trouvons.

Today we had the visit of the superb A.A Bondy, who'll be a guest on two tracks of the new album.
For those of you who don't know him, i can never recommand enough his last album "Believers" who was produced by Rob Schnapf in the very studio we're making the record in.

Studio Day #4 "just a radio buzzing"

Aujourd'hui nous enregistrons la chanson Radio Buzzing. Une chanson qui parle de laisser sa ville d'origine derrière pour aller se perdre dans les méandres d'une trop grande ville.
Un thème fort joyeux, qui contraste violemment avec la coolitude et le soleil qui règne sur Los Angeles ces jours-ci.

Today we track the song called Radio Buzzing. Song's about leaving your hometown behind for a bigger town, full of hopes but ending up lost and bitter. Pretty joyful isn'it? Theme is pretty much in contrast with the cool California sun.

Studio Days # 2 & 3 "Is France haunted?"

Meet the album producer, Rob Schnapf and his assistant Chris playing a little Kansas tune for us

Elliott Smith' friendly ghost is haunting the studio and the avenues

 Rob & Elliott

Geek alert on: Having fun with an Epiphone Sorrento from the 60's plugged in a Leslie cabin

  Francky & Pépé con el medio litro

                                                                 

4463 Sunset Boulevard

Studio Day #1 "IT SMELLS LIKE WEED AND NACHOS"

Studio Jour 1: Kingsize Soundlabs Studios sur Eagle Rock Boulevard avec Rob Schnapf et son assistant Chris.
 Une chanson presque dans la boite. Le studio est cosy, sonne superbement, et le parc d'instruments ferait tomber plus d'un geek dans les pommes.

Studio day 1: Kingsize Soundlabs Studios on Eagle Rock Boulevard with Rob Schnapf and his assistant Chris. We nearly have one song taped. Studio is really cosy and sounds great. The choice of gear would drive any geek crazy.

Choosing the vocal microphones

 Rob Schnapf getting the chords on the tune "Holding Back"

 Mellotron and Moog Voyager

Next to the studio

Rewriting stuff