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Because at the start, before you have everything, you have to start making stuff. And it’s such an exciting thing to be able to explore, and humans are naturally able to do that.
Nothing could be the light you left on, to show you’ve really been somewhere.
For, for our love. For, for our life.
Why didn’t I do this, why couldn’t I see it? Talk of it, I know I can’t feel shit.
Watching myself barely breathing, forget I go where they goin’, not knowin’, I showin, I’m throwin’ it out.
This longing to feed, this heartache to need you.
I’m wanting to change, I’m wanting to heal everything.
This moment explored, lying on the bathroom floor.
It’s wanting to change, not knowing how to heal anything.
Look for you, where will I find.
Come around and take all I got
For, for our love. See it clear as now.
Watching myself barely breathing, forget I go where they goin’, not knowin’, I showin, I’m throwin’ it out.
Communion, we got so far, standing beneath the stars.
I’m wanting to change, I’m wanting to heal everything.
Why you such a good girl, good girl, good girl?
Why you such a good girl?
Why didn’t I do this, why couldn’t I see it? Talk of it, I know I can’t feel shit.
Fuck it, I go where they’re going.
Why didn’t I do this, why couldn’t I see it? Talk of it, I know I can’t feel shit.
Fuck it, I go where they’re going.
Why didn’t I do this, why couldn’t I see it? Talk of it, I know I can’t feel shit.
Fuck it, I go where they’re going.
Why didn’t I do this, why couldn’t I see it? Talk of it, I know I can’t feel shit.
Fuck it, I go where they’re going.
The digital thing is strange. Everybody engages with it and I find it addictive.
I think if you’re finding anything addictive, it’s primarily negative.
It’s the fear of the unknowing, the world slipping away.
It’s the tidal wave of anger, we swim through everyday
Detritus on the small screen becomes the everyday
It’s the cost of living
It’s the death toll of my coffee, the end to start the day
It’s the final breath of anguish, rendered in 4K
And if I give myself to progress, can I live with what remains
It’s the cost of living, the debt we have to pay
All of my friends are 1s and 0s
Love in binary
Keep up this pure appearance
Obscure entirely
And at night we all share our sin
Nothing else to do
And the blue light shines on my skin
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
Earth died streaming
Earth died streaming
Earth died streaming
All of my friends are 1s and 0s
Love in binary
Keep up this pure appearance
Obscure entirely
And at night we all share our sin
Nothing else to do
And the blue light shines on my skin
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
As I lay dreaming of you
Earth died streaming
Call me a coward
Call me if you want to feel better
Call me your plaything
Calming
It’s passion
Unrequited
It’s settled and it’s wild
Garner applause
Garner approval
Play to your strengths
Play to the funeral
Call it a process
Call me if you want my approval
Call me your family
Calming
Offer me peace
Pray to the altar
It’s your congregation
Let yourself falter
I’m playing a role
A hero of coincidence
Frightened by your innocence
In the event of an emerging thought
Break the glass and don’t get cut
Impulse is the enemy
Pulsing through you like melody
Let us return to normal
In ways only we know how to
Hurtle fast, right towards the mantle
Make it last, make yourself frantic
Replacing one with another
Let it grow, even though we both know the other
There’s no space for your thunder
There’s no space, no space, no space
Replacing one with another
Let it grow, even though we both know the other
There’s no space for your thunder
There’s no space, no space, no space
Replacing one with another
Let it grow, even though we both know the other
There’s no space for your thunder
There’s no space to grow
Garner applause
Garner approval
Play to your strengths
Play to the funeral
It’s passion
Unrequited
It’s settled and it’s wild
I used to have this idea that I could go and live in a lighthouse on an island and be perfectly content.
This past year has made me realise that I could actually do that, I just couldn’t do it on my own.
I feel like I’m living underwater
My life has such depth, but it’s so hard to breath
Like the driftwood in the ocean, things are breaking apart
Wish a break would take me
To the shore,
I’ve been there before
I know this is water
But I wish it were pure
I wish it were pure
I know what I know
But I wish I were sure
I’m watching the ships
As they sail close to the rocks
I’m safe in my lighthouse
Never moored, wrecked nor docked
I never take any risks for myself
I’ve got to look out for everyone else
I’ve been trying to be a beacon
But the problem with this lighthouse
Is that I’m still all at sea
Away from the shore
Can we ever be sure
I know this is water
But I wish it were pure
Pure and open
All I’m hoping
Is for something to change
Underwater
Anti-matter
It all sounds the same
I really don’t know
Pure and somnolent
Like an exuqouy
Everything we know in an instant
I can see the romance in most situations, even if they’re shit. Especially if they’re shit.
Except maybe doing taxes!
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
No xanax, no valiums, just bitter pills
I had no training wheels for this
Way past the days of record deals
I had no training wheels, this has nothing to do with my mic skills
Who got the plug, I don’t even talk about the guy who deals
Trapped by the web
Feeling so fly, so you be the spider
Arachnophobia, scariest thing since voodoo and obio
Who got the plug, Who got the plug
This turn up is a turn off
Lights are off but you’re steady claiming that you’re late af
But it’s all crap - why you lying?
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
Tied to the key that it hurts
Like a bullet from a gun it burns,
But I’m Curtis Jackson, I survived by the lessons I’ve learned
Wanted revenge but the lord is my shepherd
And I shall not want no part in the vengeance
Repentance I’m seeking, the blessings
I come from the patience of saints
Don’t want to run from no pain
So I hug her real tight and I squeeze
It is what it is
I’m tired, admired and inspired
Vampires
Long hours, long hours, long hours
I long for ours
Not exactly tribe mentality, so I’m not too sure bout these Q tips
Get out my ears, didn’t doctor’s tell you it’s not safe
No thanks
I’m tired of this wasteman
I’m tired of the fakeness
Gotta eat twice, that’s why the call it a lean
We can be so mean
That’s why I save my peace, before it gets dark
Cos I was lost in the grid like Michelle Williams
Never mind, I see Destiny’s Child
I’m a Child of destiny
I’m-a get to it regardless
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
Tell me everything, I want to know what’s on your mind
If I should fall through, at least it wouldn’t be from lack of trying
Where lies your pride, your state of mind
Show me your energy, if I’m on your side
Where lies your pride, your state of mind
Show me your energy, if I’m on your side
Turn on the lights
Who’s that inside
Let it go
Where lies your pride
Let it go
My feet are steadily on the ground
I’m killing it
I sit and screw my life up
Well yeah, I’ll swim in it
Don’t wanna be keeping you, no
That’s life, go live in it
That’s life, go live in it
That’s life, go live in it
That’s life, go live in it
Oh God, how I hoped
It was all a joke
And the room would dissolve right there and then
And we’d wake up soon
Under a new moon
And recall the tales of that silly nightmare
But with wetted eyes,
The world told no lies
And you told me what you wished you’d done with him
To record this song, I might be wrong
But in these tales he lives on
Lord, can I raise the dead
With some sacrament
For the sake of my bleary dazed lover
If you’re into it
Won’t you let me know
For the sake of my bleary-eyed wonder
Lord, can I raise the dead
With some sacrament
For the sake of my bleary dazed lover
If you’re into it
Will you let me know
For the sake of my bleary-eyed wonder
Oh God, how I hoped
It was all a joke
And the room would dissolve right there and then
And we’d wake up soon
In a pink lagoon
And recall the tales of that silly nightmare
And recall the tales of that silly nightmare
And recall the tales of that silly nightmare
On the drive down, the sky is so amazing
It’s so big - it just goes on
Two armloads of cardboard, clothes pegs and tape
Young prince, of the blanket tent
No monster, or foul beast
Would ever dare
Would ever dare
Try your best not to be scared
There’s evil you’ve inherited
By the hillside, by the sea
Use a fruit peel path, to make your way back
By the hillside, by the sea
Use a fruit peel path, to find your way back
Try your best not to be scared
There’s evil you’ve inherited
Make a fruit peel path, find your way back
By electric candlelight
From under the windowsill
Perched upon your heels
I’ll hold the peel
I will protect you
As far as I can go
As far as I know
Always be manly
Always be good
I know you will
I know you will
Try to make your way back
Pure, like the new born sky
A trail, thin but beautiful
We’re so used to these massive, corporate multi-national religions
That we forget that every small tribe around the world has their own spiritual beliefs
And most of them are around interconnectedness and reverence of nature
Always looking down the wishing well
It was never such an easy sell
If only you could see yourself
Started sleeping by the telephone
You could call me just to say hello
I know we got a way to go
The line is always open for you
Is my love so safe, behind your collar bone
I might be lucky, I don’t wanna be lucky alone
Is my love so safe, behind your collar bone
I might be lucky, I don’t wanna be lucky alone
Everybody at the cherry house
Happy Halloween Baby
Give you something new to sing about
Paint your black tiles navy
Find a big big city
You won’t need nobody
Tell yourself that story
Tell yourself you’re sorry
Is my love so safe, behind your collar bone
I might be lucky, I don’t wanna be lucky alone
Is my love so safe, behind your collar bone
I might be lucky, I don’t wanna be lucky alone
Started sleeping by the telephone
You could call me just to say hello
I know we got a way to go
The line is always open for you
Is my love so safe, behind your collar bone
I might be lucky, I don’t wanna be lucky alone
David’s in the marble
Put your hand in mine
We’ll carve the truth in our cells
And find our place in time
I am far from selfless
I have a certain shine
The love I give to you is yours
The love that comes from me is mine
Fables for the feeble
Getting lost in flight
Trust that we are able
To remain in light
Icarus in motion
Commit yourself to flight
Find ourselves in action
Working for the light
Building our own scaffold
Closer to the sun
Many hands can make it sing
And many make it run
Fables for the feeble
Getting lost in flight
Trust that we are able
To remain in light
Fables for the feeble
Getting lost in flight
Trust that we are able
To remain in light
Trust in me
Trust in me
And all the others
There is a goodness in everybody
Hallelujah
about
Red Blood Cells & Righteousness is the new project from The Line. It’s a 10 track collaborative record with a focus on the importance of community and communal values. The intention of the record was for the creative process to reflect the themes and content. As a result each song was a collaboration between Brian and some of his favourite Irish musicians, friends and most erstwhile collaborators. This includes Godknows, Loah, Sorcha Richardson, Dan Fox (Gilla Band), Sarah Corcoran (Pillow Queens), Caoi de Barra (Wyvern Lingo) and a range of others.
The title for the album came from Julian Gough’s novel ‘Connect’. Throughout the book the writer discusses the idea that human beings are like blood cells - moving autonomously through a much larger ecosystem, serving a much larger power without ever realising that’s what they are doing. Reading this book and thinking about the ‘system of systems’ led Brian down a path of discovery that involved researching the likes of David Foster Wallace’s essays on postmodernism, James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis, the panentheistic philosophy of GWF Hegel and Kae Tempest’s albums and ideas.
This research process led to a large-scale sound art piece called White Blood Cells, which discusses the importance of global supply chains and the lack of respect shown towards them by the average Westerner. It also led Brian to the ideas behind Red Blood Cells and Righteousness. Namely that community, connection and collaboration are the most important things that we have in this life, and that ‘the myth of the individual’ and the pursuit of personal gain and adulation has caused us to forget this.
The sonic landscape of the album is pretty varied, as each track came from a collaborative writing session. As a result, there are a multitude of reference points and influences. However, the influence of dream-pop acts such Beach House and Cocteau Twins, as well as noisier acts like My Bloody Valentine and Skunk Anansie is felt throughout. The songwriting continually pays homage to greats of contemporary alternative songwriting, including the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Frank Ocean, Phoebe Bridgers, Villagers and Big Thief.
This is an album built on personal relationships and communication, dedicated to playing a small but significant role as a part of a world so much bigger than any of us are willing to admit. After all, maybe we’re all just blood cells, swimming through the veins of the earth, serving a much higher function.
The album will be released on Wednesday the 1st of November and there will be a small Irish tour to launch the record, including a show in Dublin’s Unitarian Church on November 25th, which will feature performances from a number of the collaborators on the album. There will also be an exhibition of the aforementioned sister piece (White Blood Cells) happening in Dublin over the course of the month.
credits
released November 1, 2023
All songs co-written and produced by Brian Dillon
All songs mixed by Ciarán Toohey and Brian Dillon
Additional production on all tracks by Ciarán Toohey
All songs mastered by Francesco Fabris at Glasshouse Studios, Reykjavík
Tracks 1, 6 and 10 co-written by Daniel McIntyre/Lullahush
Track 2 co-written by Sallay Garnett/Loah & Emma Garnett/Fehdah
Track 3 co-written by Liam McCabe
Track 4 co-written by Sarah Corcoran
Track 5 co-written by Eamonn Dillon
Track 7 co-written by Godknows and Murli
Track 8 co-written by Daniel Fox and Niamh McGoldrick
Track 9 co-written by Caoi de Barra
Track 11 co-written by Ben Bix and micheál quinn
Track 12 co-written by Eoin French
Violins on tracks 4, 8, 9, 11 and 12 performed by Tadhg Byrne
Drums on tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11 performed by Josh Sampson
Additional drum recording by Nick Rayner
A line is a visual trail of energy that has been drawn across a surface and is a manifestation of the life energy of the
person that made it.
The Line is the pseudonym of Brian Dillon, musician, sound artist and Irishman. Brian is originally from a small town in rural Ireland and he has never quite been able to escape the lines of identity that separate his life from the lives of others....more
supported by 5 fans who also own “Red Blood Cells & Righteousness”
I can’t speak highly enough of this album and performer. Lyrically brilliant, musically original and vocally wonderful and unique. Not a bad combination, eh? I love it. Enough said. radiomartin
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