This is my take on Bruce Springsteen's "New York City Serenade". Watch the live studio version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQSZDUjO5ME.

For Stephanie.

Bruce Springsteen - New York City Serenade (piano cover)

How A Stranger Is Made        

Queen Song

Walking through the city a small tear drops down,
It seems they’ve made a suburb of our wild old town,
I think of all the friends who’ve left and those who have stayed,
To taste the mountain air, or dirt, in their own graves.

When your friends turn into ghosts and then they haunt you,
When your friends become possessed and then they want to,
Take up residence inside of your chest to taunt you,
It’s the only way they say they know how to love you,
Maybe it’s the only way they ever tried to?

I done dew dropped in like mountain mist on a fern’s wet tear,
I looked for the proof in words from songs that brought me here,
I found train stations, renovations, and broken trees,
I knelt down to pray before eviction eulogies.

While the best minds of my generation got lost,
And blinded by the sleek design of some loan shark,
Who’s plastic fins never did circle in my heart,
Because I know imitation from sincere art.

When your city turns to gold and it won’t hold you,
When the land you love the most overthrows you,
And all your sacred words and dreams become exposed to,
Some spoiled fiend who claimed to love your heart and soul,
Then turned your authenticity into style.

You know it’s bad when tourists dress like native Gods,
And you have a hard time telling both of them apart,
Because it’s just too easy to look up and steal the part,
And trick yourself into the template of that heart,
Until your shell rusts over from stolen sparks.

City Friends

How A Stranger Is Made is the second studio album by Luis Mojica. The record was recorded at The Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY as well as at Split Rock Studios in New Paltz, NY by Jason Sarubbi. It features 11 piano-based songs that incorporate the wurlitzer, celesta, harpsichord, organ, saxophone, percussion and a rich texture of backing vocals that display Luis' wide 3+ octave vocal range.

This record follows Luis' journey into the deep parts of his mind and heart, as he faces and transforms unresolved pain into bliss and freedom. Sexuality, male identity, betrayal, love, and spirituality, particularly shamanism, are consistent themes on the record. The songs are very personal, as if taken from the artist's personal journals.

The record was arranged, performed, written, and produced by Luis. He is joined on this album by Mercury Prize nominated producers David Baron & Simone Felice who have worked with artists like Bat For Lashes, Peter Murphy, & The Lumineers. The record was mixed by Grammy Award winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm) & award winning vocalist/composer Fredo Viola. Photography for the record was shot by Kelly Merchant and the album design was created by Fredo Viola.

Luis Mojica Music

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