Singer-songwriter Dakota Gallivan has announced the release of his debut album, Life Is For The Living, out on May 16. The album’s title and overarching message was inspired by a Langston Hughes poem: “Life is for the living/Death is for the dead/Let life be like music/And death a note unsaid.” Together, the songs represent Gallivan’s embrace of life in all its forms and phases, telling stories of love and betrayal, grief and ghosts, taking leaps and saying goodbye. They’re told through high energy rock with diverse arrangements, sweeping instrumentation, honest, vulnerable lyrics, and melodic hooks that stay with you. 

Written by Gallivan and recorded at yellow DOG Studios in San Marcos, TX, this ten-song collection was produced by Grammy Award-winner David Percefull and features a bevy of notable Texas musicians, including Geoff Queen on slide guitar and resonator, Carter Arrington on lead guitar, and Phil Hook on drums. Indie rock stalwart Bob D’Amico (Sebadoh, No Chief, The Fiery Furnaces) was also a key collaborator. 

This Can't Wait

Yin and Yang (Prod. nikita)

Verse
I must confess my sun-kissed angel
I haven't seen the sunshine in quite some time
If there's a hell on Earth
I'm living in it now

Verse
And it's been hard to sleep without you
It's been hard to breathe without you
You don't know how many nights I lie awake
Staring at the ceiling

Chorus
But mum's the word
Mum's the word
Mum's the word
Mum's the word

Verse
And I've been missing you more than ever
I've been missing you more than ever
I've been missing you more than ever
But you're better where you are

Verse
And sometimes I get so lost in this world
I just want to be found
You don't know how many nights I lie awake
Waiting for you to come around

Chorus
But mum's the word
Mum's the word
Mum's the word
Mum's the word

Mum's The Word

This is a song about having a good time with a Georgia Girl in Tennessee

Will Brisk - Georgia Girl in Tennessee

All Your Life

Shadow That Wont Say Much

Lagu ini terinspirasi oleh dan merupakan sebuah penghormatan kepada Multatuli (1890-1887), penulis Max Havelaar (1860). Berlatar masa kolonial Belanda di Indonesia, novel ini mengungkap penyalahgunaan sistem yang terjadi pada masyarakat Jawa melalui kacamata berbagai suara dan narasi. Buku ini kini menjadi referensi dalam sastra Belanda, menginspirasi politik dan perubahan dari kolonial menjadi sistem perdagangan liberal. Lagu ini juga memberikan penghormatan kepada Museum Multatuli di Rangkasbitung, Lebak, Banten (Indonesia), sebuah tempat yang inspiratif bagi generasi muda.

Multatuli adalah lagu kolaborasi oleh Sisters in Danger (band indie asal Indonesia) dan Barbara Caucheteux (mahasiswa program master asal Belgia).

Multatuli

Aku yang sangat menderita
Petani yang dirampas tanahnya
Aku yang menulis cerita
Tanam paksa dan eksploitasi lainnya

Yang memalukan kejahatan, bukan kemiskinan
Yang membahagiakan keadilan, bukan kesengsaraan
Menulis agar didengar, politik etis dijalankan
Bapak dan ibu bangsa dilahirkan

Ini buku yang membunuh kolonialisme
Menanam benih revolusi Indonesia
Memanen kemerdekaan bangsa terjajah di dunia
Menebang dominasi kolonial Eropa

(interlude)

Ini buku yang membunuh kolonialisme
Menanam benih revolusi Indonesia
Ini museum yang membuka mata, pikiran
Jadi menara gagasan, mercusuar mimpi
Mengenang generasi lampau yang memerdekakan
Menginspirasi generasi kini yang kencang berlari

Bahasa Belanda:*
Ja ik, Multatuli, neem de pen op als Diponegoro
Hoor mij, allen die Oost-Indisch doof zijn 
Met zijn kriss graveer ik de verhalen van stemlozen
Dit is een Pusaka voor mijn zoon, menselijkheid
Weef onbreekbare banden tussen zielen
Gelijkheid en rechtvaardigheid doorheen grenzen en tijd

Saidjah dan Adinda bahagia di surga
Setelah cinta terhalang tragedi dunia
Bunga melati, kain biru, di hutan jati
Saling berjanji untuk bertemu kembali

Lirik: M. Berkah Gamulya, Barbara Caucheteux
Lagu asli: Ahmad Satria Landika
Aransemen: Rizal Muchlison

*
Ya, aku Multatuli mengangkat pena sebagai Diponegoro
Dengarkanlah aku, semua yang tuli di Hindia Timur 
Dengan kerisnya aku mengukir kisah-kisah mereka yang tak bersuara/terdengar
Ini Pusaka untuk anakku, kemanusiaan
Menenun ikatan tak terpatahkan di antara jiwa-jiwa
Kesetaraan dan keadilan lintas batas dan waktu

Multatuli

Sergeant Pepper Submarine

Blackbirds FC's third album!

This record has been a long labour of love for the band and features ten hand-tooled total bangers including the singles Rings Around the Sun, Lake of Stars and What's the Half-Life of Loving You?

Lyrically it talks about love (mainly gone wrong), politics (also going wrong), the young and the future (could go either way...). Musically it calls on the noisy spirits of all our influences including Wilco, The Church, the Go-Betweens, Beck and. Midnight Oil. 

The record title, Desire Lines, is partly a reference to the informal, unplanned pathways that people create despite the efforts of designers.

These lines typically cut across a planned route or area, often due to a more convenient or direct route and seemed like a good fit on a variety of levels for this record. 

Credits
Released July 11, 2025

Blackbirds FC are: 

Jeff Baker – Guitar 
Phil Campbell – Drums, percussion
Julien Chick – Bass, vocals 
Jeremy Gronow – Vocals, guitar, keyboards, string arrangements 
Gina Hearnden – Vocals, acoustic guitar 
Bec Long – Cello, lighting design

With Cameron McKenzie - Guitars, keyboards, vocals.

Produced by Cameron McKenzie at Station Place Studios, March - December 2024.
Mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering, January 2025.

Cover design: Phil Campbell
Band Photo: Jon Baxter

Made in the country of the Boon Wurrung/Bunurong People of the Eastern Kulin Nation. Blackbirds FC pay respect to their past, present, and future Elders and recognise their continued connection to the land and waters of this place. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Contact: blackbirdsfcband@gmail.com
www.blackbirdsfc.com.au

Copyright: Blackbirds FC 2025
BBFC02

Yin and Yang (Prod. nikita)

FrostyOfficial

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