Willy Vlautin (Richmond Fontaine) in conversation with Paul McDermott on Songs To Learn And Sing Episode 90, 24/05/06

Willy chats about recording The Fitzgerald, touring outside the US for the first time after the acclaim for Post to Wire, his first novel The Motel Life and more. The chat is interspersed with a few Richmond Fontaine songs introduced by Willy. 

Richmond Fontaine - Black Road
Willy Vlautin interview Part 1
Richmond Fontaine - The Warehouse Life
Willy Vlautin interview Part 2
Richmond Fontaine – Polaroid
Willy Vlautin interview Part 3
Richmond Fontaine - Laramie, Wyoming
More information here: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/blog/richmond-fontaine-interview

https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/

Songs to Learn and Sing

From the Archives - Willy Vlautin Interview (2006)

lyrics:
and if i fucked it up again
just know i really tried my best
i swear i just wanted to win
i never wanted any less

but i sent my song to the person i was rolled
and they said that shit was fucking ass
im never making a beat again niztopia
i hope you know that

and if i fucked it up again
just know i really tried my best
i swear i just wanted to win
i never wanted any less

i know you wanted me to shine
but i just fall short every time
dont wanna make you choose
im gonna make you choose
whether im disqualified
should i have even tried
or should i sit and cry

not gonna fight anymore
i said it wasnt my fault
if i cry on the floor
ill just embarrass myself

where was my help at?
you ghosted me i felt that
it's not that deep but it really is

so you're gonna bail on me tonight
dont say you thought that i was trailing far behind
i'll never let you win
tale as old as time
left out my joint it's getting stale
cant turn back the time
ill still hit it hit it hit it

leyton loses her shit and goes acapella (WARNING: CRASHOUT) [SONGWARS 04/27/2025]

All songs written and recorded by Aaron Smith.
Rich Reece plays drums on Ditty For The Cherriot City and State Street Sour Grapes.

Tracks previously uploaded individually

Loss For Words

Whethering

Garage Fridge 1

Oymyakon 1

Day Two

Gospel / Rootsy version of the VU classic.
Yes, it's me doing everything

Waiting For The Man

In this episode, meet Yitz Jordon (Y-LOVE) and Kim Cohen, two Jews of Color in New York City. We dig into their stories of navigating Jewish communities where white Jews are - accurately or not - considered normative, and discuss questions of history, belonging, race in the American and Jewish contexts, and the hope for a multiculturally-grounded future.

This episode is produced in partnership with B'nai Jeshurun in NYC

Episode 15: "But You Don't Look Jewish" Race in Jewish Space

In response to the Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, Oregon and the federal troops deployed to disrupt them, I felt I needed to write a song to express my thoughts and feelings on the matter.

Story of My City

This song is inspired by the song of the same name by Rosinha de Valença‬. It incorporates my memories of some of her themes and attempts to do something latin-ish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxi_qliU3DE

Whethering

Aaron A. Smith