Marfa Lights…an indie Americana band hailing from a UFO slowly orbiting Fort Worth, Texas. The four space cadets in Marfa Lights create a cosmic sound that meshes folk, rock and Latin music. Using horns, classical guitar and other forms of antiquated technology they discovered while visiting earth, no humans on the planet sounds like Marfa Lights. Really.

The eponymous debut is the soundtrack story of a Gen X’er driving from Colorado to Texas to Mexico City. Piloting an old Ford Ranchero recently inherited from his father, and nothing but a case of 8 track tapes for entertainment, the protagonist looks back at life decisions, his failures and the intersection of technology with popular culture. Once surrounded by the beautiful people and traditions of Mexico City, he rediscovers his true self, realizes there’s plenty of time for a second act in life and finds redemption in a new relationship. 

Marfa Lights chose the human names Brian, Daniel, Shawn and Mark. For the recording of the album they abducted drummer Pete Coatney (Jack Ingram), bassist Aden Bubeck (Miranda Lambert), accordionist Abel Casillas (Squeeze Box Bandits), keyboardist John Ginty (Allman Brothers) and producer Phil Pritchett. Everyone was returned safely to their families.

Fiesta de Mezcal

A Cross Chihuahua

One More Time

Terlingua and The Truth

Mexico City

"Picture by the Bedside" is an alternative rock/indie rock track that blends emotional depth with a steady, reflective energy. The song explores the lingering presence of a lost love, with lyrics like “Your picture by the bedside won’t let me hide” capturing the pain of holding onto memories that refuse to fade. Much like Death Cab for Cutie’s "I Will Follow You into the Dark" or The National’s "I Need My Girl," this song carries a sense of longing, where the ache of the past is inescapable. With its subtle guitars and melancholic tone, "Picture by the Bedside" mirrors the emotional conflict between letting go and holding on, while drawing from the introspective soundscapes of bands like Wilco and Snow Patrol. It's a poignant reflection on love, memory, and the quiet resilience it takes to move forward.

Can I whisper in your ear?
Sweet hello my dear 
Oh don't wake me from this dream
Nothing is what it seems
If I could stop the leaves from falling
Hear your voice calling
Change all these colors from blue
And stop our hearts from breaking in two
This is what I'd do
Oh how I try
But your picture by the bedside
Wont let me hide 
From the feeling of you by my side
And all the tears I cried

A dream cannot help the fall
There are the boxes in the hall
That remind me
There's a little piece of you 
In whatever I do
Maybe if I could make you smile 
You would stay for awhile
But I think it's time to say goodbye
Oh how I try
But your picture by the bedside
Wont let me hide 
From the feeling of you by my side
And all the tears I cried

"Picture by the Bedside" Written and Performed by Northern Sky

Picture By The Bedside

I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan Cover)

EPISODE 17 of MAKING A SCENE

Harry Nilsson - One
mark william lewis - The Heat
A. G. Cook - Without
Blur - Caravan
Iceage - Against the Moon
Tom Waits - Martha
Aretha Franklin - One Step Ahead
Patch + - Blur
Wilco - How To Fight Loneliness
Lucinda Williams - Fruits of My Labor

SCENE 17: Last drink alone at the bar

Belem [original instrumental]

My cover. I dubbed in all the instruments so don't blame the band for anything. 

California Stars cover

Hello,

I am writing an album a week with some covers. Been making music for many years. Need better gear and more instruments. My music is a mixture of indie rock and folk music. I hope you can support me in this pursuit. I will be sharing my progress and free music recorded every week. Take care and be well.

All the best,
Donnie

Soundtracking scenes we make up with songs we like. First and third Thursday of the month on n10.as

Northern Sky is a Detroit/London-based collaborative formed in 2021, crafting ethereal music that blends dreamy soundscapes with cinematic depth. Their music strikes a delicate balance between melody, emotion, and magic, influenced by timeless artists like Nick Drake and Norah Jones, as well as modern acts such as Beach House and The National.

At the heart of Northern Sky is Rose White, whose voice, like a soft breeze at twilight, guides the band’s sound with transcendent beauty. Supported by Eric Stajda, Dan Kendall, Steve Baker, and Andrea Di Fiore—who weave intricate layers of guitar, bass, drums, piano, synth, cello, and violin—the band creates soundscapes that are both fragile and infinite.

Northern Sky’s songs are vignettes, like postcards from distant places, carrying echoes of fleeting yet eternal memories. Tracks like "Paper Flowers," "Swimming in the Rain," and "Aurora" explore love, loss, and the bittersweet passage of time. Their music reflects the profound beauty found in life’s quietest moments, drawing inspiration from films that capture the magic in the everyday—Cinema Paradiso, Stolen Kisses, Sleepless Night in Paris, and Before Sunrise.

Northern Sky invites listeners to step into a world where music is not just heard, but felt deeply, offering a soundtrack for introspection, inspiration, and everything in between.

Solo artist.  Song and dance man.  Folk.  Blues.  Contact:  desertersongs@yahoo.com Film critic at https://paulydeathwish.com/

New tracks tagged #wilco