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Red Blood Cells & Righteousness

by The Line

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    Limited A3 edition art print on 300gsm stock (includes album download)

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    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 10 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €15 EUR or more 

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    Limited edition A3 art print on 300gsm stock (album download included)

    Includes unlimited streaming of Red Blood Cells & Righteousness via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 10 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €15 EUR or more 

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    Limited edition A3 art print on 300gsm stock (album download included)

    Includes unlimited streaming of Red Blood Cells & Righteousness via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 10 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €15 EUR or more 

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    Limited edition A3 art print on 300gsm stock (album download included)

    Includes unlimited streaming of Red Blood Cells & Righteousness via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 10 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €15 EUR or more 

     

  • Saddle stitched A6 notebook - includes album download

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A CD version of the album, for those of you who still have CD players.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Red Blood Cells & Righteousness via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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    edition of 30 
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1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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
4.
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
5.
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
6.
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!
7.
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
8.
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
9.
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
10.
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
11.
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
12.
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
13.
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

Artwork by Brian Dillon

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The Line Dublin, Ireland

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.
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