My Southern Guides

International Arms

A cover of the Spoon b-side "Is This the Last Time"

Is This The Last Time?

Dear Listener, 

I think I never had this dream: 

I'm on a city sidewalk. It's dusk. Or it's early morning. Or it's night. Maybe a few cars are parked at distances. No one's out. Down the street to my right, a sports car cruises slowly towards me. It's silent—no growl or purr of the engine, just the gentle crunching of the tires as they pull on the asphalt. It's coasting, but it isn't slowing down—like a Newtonian body set in motion in empty space. As it creeps closer, I can see the windows are rolled down. But as it passes, I realize no one's driving it. It comes even with me. I can bend and peer straight through the cabin. And it just rolls off unimpeded into the distance. 

And that's what this tune's about. 

Many thanks again to James Towlson (These Thieves, Campaign for Real Time, Marconi, Party Bois) for his excellent bass, as usual. And to new recruit Ben Mettey (Lights, The Bynars) for his fantastic work on the synths. Another one's in the works with these two. I'm excited about it. Keep you posted. 

And thanks again to Nick and Rob at New Alliance East Mastering for the tidying! 

Yours, 
Luke Kirkland 

..........................................................................................

LYRICS

Already each is gathering hours 
in the folds of his teeth where he devours the rounds. 

And I saw it roll through the lean, pre-dawn streets downtown— 
a bold and exhaustive machine. 
And I dreamed, as the clean chassis breathed and it ground down, 
pilotless seats fed the steam. 

Chrome fortress rolling slow— 
Spoilers coasting. 
Gold-coursing strobe below— 
Spoilers coasting home. 

.......................................................................................... 

bass guitar by James Towlson 
synthesizers by Ben Mettey 
mastered by Nick Zampiello and Rob Gonella at New Alliance East

.......................................................................................... 


Spoilers Coasting

Dear Listener, 

Sometimes the achievement of long-term goals requires certain short-term sacrifices. It's only natural, especially in a political context—and, well, it's almost all politics eventually anyway. We might do a favor. We might form an alliance. We might come to an understanding. We might hold our tongue. We might play a part or wear a mask—just this once, or one last time. 

In the course of bearing these aberrations of personality, how are we to prevent real transformation? How do we know those miniscule bargains haven't accrued an interest, haven't swollen into a Faustian controlling stake? Who is to say that we aren't slowly becoming the costume we put on? Maybe we're really changing. Worse still, perhaps we're growing. 

Ostensibly, our task is to defend against the barbarians at the gates. But how do we defend ourselves against ourselves—especially when it's all for a good cause? 

Yours, 
Luke Kirkland 

..........................................................................................

Have you bent? We head opinions off deck. 
All the edges are dependent on what's left. Are you caved or shaving points from high stakes? 
You'll appreciate the efforts that we've made. 

I see you on those outside turnstiles into my hearth. 
I hear you and that chet-chet-chet. 

Hold your breath. You pave the way with good intent. 
Any brains would best avoid a tete-a-tete. 
Will you be trained into this timid enclave? 
Keep a finger on the pulse of your embrace. 

I see you on those outside turnstiles into my hearth. 
I hear you and that chet-chet-chet. 

..........................................................................................

bass guitar by James Towlson 
synthesizers by Ben Mettey 
mastered by Nick Zampiello and Rob Gonella at New Alliance East 