Amerikan

I packed my bags
I left that house
gave my books away
locked everything else in a cage
I'm flying north then winding south
running fast away
but I don't know just what to escape

I'm known for running off my mouth
at the slightest chance of instigating a debate
But all these habits wear me down
When I'm all alone
I still can't shake this shell

(isolation)

Cuz I can't leave
though I'm already so far gone
Can I still be a man who doesn't belong
to any closed sovereign state?
In my dreams every border's erased
On these streets I pretend I belong
but I'm still an Amerikan

With everyday away I stay
although I drift
the pull of the current remains
Like living strangled by the clock
with every tick
I choke on the fear of what's lost

Cuz I can't leave
though I'm already so far gone
Can I still be a man who doesn't belong
to any closed sovereign state?
In my dreams every border's erased
On these streets I pretend I belong
but I'm still, still an Amerikan

Mixed by Robert Lux
Co-Produced by Akiyoshi Ehara of The Seshen
written, recorded & preliminary production by Christian Carpenter

Sounds by Christian
Additional Synths and Drum Production by Akiyoshi Ehara

Amerikan

Lyrics by Christian Carpenter
Music by Christian Carpenter and Robert Lester
Produced by Robert Lux
Featuring Adam Schatz on Tenor Saxophone
Mixed by Bijan Sharifi
Mastered by Devin Kerr

You cross the bridge it's such a lovely sight 
On either side men do
Things like smoke, and drink, and criticize,
Just like any guy
Who thinks he's better than the other
And on most days I barrel down the street
Just as guilty, of arrogance and absentmindedness 
That pulls me towards some silly task
Each meaning less and less 
But I still keep playing out these habits

And I don't want you 
To pretend you love me
The flame dies for most of us
Drinking tea alone
On the Bosphorus 

The city speaks in tongues that ostracize 
Foreign fables fright, harass too
With each new day that I spend wandering wide
All this aimless time only amounts to resentment
It's been so long since I've been honest and
Now alone again 
So distant from what we once shared
But when the truth runs dry just wipe your eyes
And embrace the lie
Reaching further for another's hand

And I don't want you 
To pretend you love me
The flame dies for most of us
Drinking tea alone
On the Bosphorus 

I guess I should've known
That this could never hold
All our expectations 
But we tried

Bosphorus

Written and Recorded by Christian Carpenter & Ryan Weiner

Featuring Julia Easterlin on additional vocals
Sarah E. Goldstone on Synthesizers
Ryan Weiner on Guitar
Jason Burger on Drums & Percussion
Christian Carpenter on Vocals, Bass, Keyboards

Mixed by Collin Dupuis
Mastered by Bijan Sharifi
Christian's vocals recorded by Gabriel Galvin at Four Foot Studios

Prayer Cards

When I was a kid I would scavenge along the beach
Sifting through the plastic and rubber scraps on my knees
Every piece of discarded detritus held a seed
For me to construct any number of fantasies

I know now I can’t help

That it’s in my nature to wander far with no map
Still I get discouraged when I feel lost on this path

I know now not to doubt

Cuz I’ve got the cards to show you
Many saints were also vagrants
Yes I’ve got the cards to show you
Vagabonds yet venerated

I recall when I was once very young my mom say
That I’m kindred to those who simply won’t join the fray
The most perfect marriage of these she’d call a homeless priest 

I know what I can’t help
So I know not to doubt

Cuz I’ve got the cards to show you
Many saints were also vagrants
Said I’ve got the cards to show you
Vagabonds were venerated
Cuz I’ve got the cards to show you 
many saints are also vagrants
Yes I’ve got the cards to show you
Lost and holy integrated

Endless clawing 
through the jungle 
crushing pavement 
Cinders raining 
flaming 
punctured dreams

Prayer Cards

Trivial Shields - Nicotine

Written and Recorded by Christian Carpenter and Ryan Weiner
Featuring Sarah Goldstone on Prophet, 
Jason Burger on Drums & Percussion, Ryan Weiner on Guitar, Christian Carpenter on Vocals and Bass Guitar,
Anna Fox Rochinski and Claire Wardlaw on Background Vocals 

Mixed by the inimitable Collin Dupuis 
Mastered by the fantastic Bijan Sharifi

Here The Past Is All I See

Nicotine

Written by Christian Carpenter

Recorded by Christian Carpenter & Ryan Weiner

Julia Easterlin - Vocals
Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Bass, Snaps & Claps
Ryan Weiner - Guitar
Sarah E. Goldstone - Synthesizers, Snaps & Claps
Jason Burger - Drums & Percussion, Snaps & Claps

Mixed by Collin Dupuis
Mastered by Bijan Sharifi
Lead vocals recorded by Gabriel Galvin at Four Foot Studios

Here The Past Is All I See

Won’t you take my hand as we scale this fence, unscathed
Aiming for the crest of a hill above, the bay
From this vantage point I swear that I can find
All that’s holy now, reflecting in your eyes

Here the present was a dream 
That the future would unseat
Out of pocket, on my knees
I’ll exhaust myself to see

Summers spent in bliss from the trips we took, yet one day
I recall alone on the porch I stood, so dismayed

There devotion met defeat
Facing stubborn fantasies
Out of pocket, on my knees
Still I fail determining

Where life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through 
The memories I’ve betrayed

Now the years extend like a broken fence, unchained
I imagine if I could reach back through, what I’d say
Probably yell “Hey fool, you won’t surpass these heights”

So the past is all I see
In distorted rosy sheens
I’m still waiting on my knees
For the courage to proceed

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories that remain

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories that remain

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories I’ve betrayed

Won’t you take my hand as we scale this fence, unscathed
Aiming for the crest of a hill above, the bay
From this vantage point I swear that I can find
All that’s holy now reflecting in your eyes

Here the present was a dream 
That the future would unseat
Out of pocket, on my knees
I’ll exhaust myself to see

Summer’s spent in bliss from the trips we took, yet one day
I recall alone on the porch I stood, so dismayed

There devotion met defeat
Facing stubborn fantasies
Out of pocket, on my knees
Still I fail determining

Where life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through 
The memories I’ve betrayed

Now the years extend like a broken fence, unchained
I imagine if I could reach back through, what I’d say
Probably yell “Hey fool, you won’t surpass these heights”

So the past is all I see
In distorted rosy sheens
I’m still waiting on my knees
For the courage to proceed

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories that remain

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories that remain

Here life takes shape
In pieces, sorting through
The memories I’ve betrayed

Here, The Past Is All I See

So and so can have a life they can never lead
Trusting operators 
Wielding curious degrees

Lapping Soma psyche’s tucked into padded dreams
Handsy operators tending fires absent heat

So end the thunder end the light end the family tree
Have your operator
Strip to copper this machine

Braced for new days

But I refuse to play
While the fix remains
Leave me to decipher without aide

Told you so how it would flow into everything 
Faceless operators
Authors lacking all constraints

Endless codas addendums on a silver tray
Let them parse their fables 
In a world where all’s explained

Aesop’s defeat

No I won’t bear this heat
Opposite’s decree
Truth’s always adjacent to deceit 

Two can make a coffin bluff two can sublimate
Gaining grace’s favor
Watching moving targets stray

Save your receipts 
(captive to false expectations, all emotions simulated)

But I refuse to stay
While the fix remains
Leave me to decipher with no aide

------------------------------------------------------------------

Christian Carpenter: Vocals, Rickenbacker 4001 Bass, Sequential Circuits Prelude, Akai AX60, Roland 808 and Oberheim, DX Drum Machine Programming


Anthony Ferraro: Hammond A100 Organ, Yamaha CP 25, Studiologic Sledge, Moog 111C

Derek Barber: Electric Guitar, Korg X-911 Guitar Synth

Mark Clifford: Vibraphones

Geneva Harrison: Drumset and Percussion

Music written by Christian Carpenter
Lyrics written by Zach Phillips and Christian Carpenter

Recorded at Tiny Telephone, Oakland by Robert Shelton

Instrumental mixed by Robert Shelton
Vocals mixed by Jake Aron

Mastered by Bijan Sharifi

Operator

Rouse the night
Evading the snares of the faithful

I’d refuse — the prize
If heaven was clearly fated

There’s far too much at stake 
Denial, absolves the habitually sinful

So I slip into the covered darkness
Dancing faceless, out of view
Seeking fantasies’ arrangements 
And the cycle is renewed

Headlights fail now
Foresight breaks down 
(Gone)

How can I sustain such a blatant betrayal?
There’s far too much to say
Just hide, omission is surely gainful

So I slip into the covered darkness
Dancing faceless, out of view
Seeking fantasies’ derangements
And the cycle is renewed
Shattered tiles
Fractured pavement
All embankments are eroding now

Headlights fail now
Foresight breaks down 
(Gone)

------------------------------------------

Christian Carpenter: Vocals, Mini-Moog, Clavinet D6, Roland 808, Korg MonoPoly
Turner Kirk: Talkbox, Yamaha DX100
Robert Shelton: Moog 111C
Mark Clifford: Vibraphones, Oberheim OB8
Geneva Harrison: Drum set, Brushes, Gogo Bells, Percussion

Recorded at Tiny Telephone, Oakland by Robert Shelton

Instrumental mixed by Robert Shelton
Vocals mixed by Jake Aron

Mastered by Bijan Sharifi

Headlights

"Another Block" featuring Madeline Kenney

It’s late I know you’re busy
But I wanna go out I can’t resist
She said something to me
But If you go you’d have to leave it

If it’s fate or my own doing
To stay in one place
Can’t be worth the risk

Leave before you’re rooted
I’ve heard that said
And I believe it

Maybe It’s just my time
(I hear them calling)
Maybe it’s not right
Maybe it’s just a voice to deny

Turning down the same corner of a street I’ll never miss
I try to avoid eye contact with those that pass
Staring down but still ahead I say to my self
“You could be anyone”

New streets and foreign faces
Another block, where I now live
Everything is moving
At such a pace
And I’m used to it

Maybe It’s just my time
(I hear them calling)
Maybe it’s not right
Maybe it’s just a voice to deny

I’m out of a bubble
But I float adrift
------------------------------------------------------
Written by Christian Carpenter and Madeline Kenney

Madeline Kenney - Vocals
Geneva Harrison - Drums, Percussion, Timpani
Mark Clifford - Vibraphones, Piano, Korg Mono/Poly
Christian Carpenter -  Vocals, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Nylon String Guitar, Drum Machine

Recorded by Robert Shelton at Tiny Telephone Oakland
Mixed by Jake Aron
Mastered by Chris Gehringer 
--------------------------------------------------------

Another Block

The single art is a still frame from the music video for "Incomplete" directed by Sarah K. Pedinotti who performs and releases music under the alias LIP TALK.

Written by Christian Carpenter

Geneva Harrison - Drumsets, Tambourine, Roto-Toms, Percussion
Mark Clifford - Marimba, OB8, Korg Trident
Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Bass, Drum Programming, OB8, Juno 60, Guitars

Recorded by Robert Shelton at Tiny Telephone in Oakland, CA

Mixed by Jake Aron and Robert Shelton

Mastered by Bijan Sharifi

"Unbox the photographs
Unpack the artifacts
The past is rushing back but only to deceive
Rip off the bubble wrap
Tear through the packing mats
The past is flooding back to rupture every seam

I wouldn’t hesitate
To renegotiate
No doubt will dissipate forever incomplete

Dedicated to the semblance of control
Never sated by emaciated roles
In a panic running breathless down the street
Life is frantic and it always seems to be 
Incomplete

Agitation circulating 
The rising tides are gaining
If you’re buried, quite contrary
These shells for you to carry
Agitation circulating
The rising interest gaining
Mary, Mary
Quite contrary,
The dawn’s for you to carry

Tear down the broken mask
Cast off in any raft
The future’s flooded map 
Leaves nothing to retrieve
I wouldn’t hesitate 
To renegotiate
No doubt will dissipate they circle gaining speed
Their presence is oddly delightful
Their presence is nothing to flee
Make me a disciple
Forever incomplete

Dedicated to the semblance of control
Never sated by emaciated roles
In a panic running breathless down the street
Life is frantic and it’s always leaving me
Dedicated to the semblance of control
Never sated by emaciated roles
In a panic running breathless down the street
Life is frantic and it always seems to be 
Incomplete"

4 Mar 2025

Incomplete

Energetic, party, remix by the singular DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ

Incomplete - DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ

Incomplete - DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ Remix

"Lonely Age"

Drifting through life, full of vacant replies
Wandering lost, like a motherless child
Not a word to say, in this lonely age
Wanna look away, go back to sleep
Accept defeat, flee in retreat, disguised

Once I could say, I was willing to try
Seeking the source, for a meaningful life
Now I pretend, just to claim I belong
Safely in step, with the vacuous throngs

Heaven knows I’d never make it
So pathetic that I ever tried to fake it
Graduate of voluntary mind-enslavement
Flew the coop and joined the troops,
A simple sleuth
Reporting from the lonely age now

Not a word to say, in this lonely age
Try to look away and, go back to sleep
Admit defeat, flee in retreat, disguised

Caught in a lie, that I’d gladly concede
Choosing a side, isn’t easy for me

Cause heaven knows I’d never make it
So pathetic that I ever tried to fake it
Graduate of voluntary mind-enslavement
Threw the coup, negotiated truth’s abatement

(Patrick Bateman)

And heaven knows we’d never make it
So pathetic that we ever tried to fake it
Graduates of voluntary mind-enslavement
Flew the coop, and joined the troops
Still put to use, consulting for the lonely age now

Written by Christian Carpenter and Derek Barber
Recorded by Robert Shelton at Tiny Telephone in Oakland, CA
Mixed by Jake Aron
Mastered by Bijan Sharifi 

Christian Carpenter: Vocals, Electric Bass, OBX, Dx7, Drum Machine Programming, Eventide H910 live effects processing
Anthony Ferraro: ARP 2600, Hammond B3 Organ, Studiologic Sledge 
Derek Barber: Slide Electric Guitar
Mark Clifford: Vibraphones
Andrew Maguire: Bongos, Shaker
Geneva Harrison: Drums

Nihilist funk indie groover with insightful, precise lyrics, hooky choruses, and crafty word-play.

Lonely Age

Won't you take a second look? 
Here alone I stand awaiting your final judgment. 
All the years, flights, promises, can't amount to nothing now. 

Won't you take a second look? 
I can't force the hand of love or claim it's spoils uncooked. 
But this is life, that was faith those were promises. 

I can't bear the thought of how 

You kept me so 
Peripheral 
Never let me in beyond the corner of your eye 
Peripheral 
Fearing inconvenience you've abandoned and resigned. 

Anchor-less but still so hooked 
To the dreams and fantasies that lay awaiting us. 
I was deaf, dumb, childish 
Far too late to play an adult. 

Anchor-less but still so hooked 
To a future disappearing in a haze of dust. 
I tried black magic, witchcraft, and conjuring. 
Not a single spell has stuck. 

And you kept me so 
Peripheral 
Never let me in beyond the corner of your eye 
Peripheral 
Fearing inconvenience you've abandoned and resigned. 

Kept me so 
Peripheral 
Never let me live beyond the corner of your eye 
Peripheral 
Fearing inconvenience you've abandoned and resigned.

Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Synthesizers, Drum programming
Madeline Kennney - Vocals
Renata Zeiguer - Vocals
Danny Fisher-Lockhead - Alto Saxophone
Woody Goss - Piano, Wurlitzer
Julian Allen - Drums

Drums recorded by Tyler Duncan in Ann Arbor, MI

Written and Produced by Christian Carpenter
Mixed by Jake Aron
Mastered by Devin Kerr

Peripheral

If I could believe in something 
don't you think I'd try? 
If I were a man of faith, wouldn't I, wouldn't I? 

But it won't reappear the taste for life 
that was so abundant in past years. 

Standing at the gates of memory 
a palace built of lies. 
Permanently barred from entering the same each time. 

So it won't reappear 
the taste for life 
that was so abundant in past years. 

Help me find a line to this source 
that was so abundant in past years. 

Years, I know now I've misused. 

Voices foreign hover in place 
echoes of lost seasons escape. 
I replay desperately these 
fragments of a truth to renew. 

If you could control the faucet 
of sanity that blinds 
would you face the gaping maw 
to resuscitate your vital signs? 

When it won't reappear 
the taste for life 
that was so abundant in past years. 

Help me find a line to this source 
that was so abundant in past years. 

Years I know now I've misused, 

Voices foreign hover in place 
echoes of lost seasons escape. 
I replay desperately these 
fragments of a truth to renew. 

{ The memories will fade 
while the details degrade 
and the dream now overcast 
belladonna-alcohol. 
Until then there's no relief 
face down in a pool of hurt 
crying "help me" 
pathetic and out of control 
endlessly wanting }

Theo Katzman - Drums, Bass 
Joey Dosik - Juno 6, Alto Saxophone 
Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Piano, Guitars, Bass, Vocoder 

Drums, Bass, Baritone Guitar, Juno 6 & Alto Saxophone recorded at Comp-Ny studios in Los Angeles 

Thanks to Jeremy Malvin for use of Vocoder 

Written and Produced by Christian Carpenter
Mixed by Bijan Sharifi 
Mastered by Devin Kerr

Chasing Charles Atlas

She wanders in and out of sight 
she hovers just beyond the pale street light. 
And if I could only meet her outside of a dream 
maybe then I could recover all that has been lost in me 

Help me manage to replenish faith 

Broken for the night 
I can barely stand 
Giving up on love 
was never in my plans 

Broken for the night 
and hope just recedes 
Is this resistance 
now a part of me? 

He stumbles slowly through the night 
makes rubble of the plans he once held tight. 
And if he could recover access to his dreams 
would he dare to rediscover what it once was like to see? 

We feign helpless despite agency 

Broken for the night 
I can barely stand 
Giving up on love 
was never in my plans 

Broken for the night 
and hope just recedes 
Is this resistance 
now a part of me?

Vishal Nayak - Drums, engineering 
Derek Barber - End Guitar 
Jessi Olsen - Vocals 
Renata Zeiguer - Vocals 
Madeline Kenney - Vocals, ending vocal arrangement 
Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizers, Bass 

Drums recorded by Vishal Nayak at Black Lodge 

Written and Produced by Christian Carpenter
Mixed by Bijan Sharifi 
Mastered by Devin Kerr

Resistance

Pantomime kisses 
for anonymous lovers 
again tonight. 

Take the back stairs 
to another's covers 
who knows, you might. 

Give it all away to only one 
but still refuse to claim a prize 
could you climb the stairs again now 
and accept the truth? 
In time, it dies. 

Asinine wishes for 
a taste of discovery 
steer your life 
wake from pale dreams 
to a state of recovery right in time. 

And give it all away to only one 
but still refuse to claim a prize 
would you climb the stairs again now 
and accept the truth? 
In time, it dies. 

Through forces now outdated 
they once had found there places. 
Now only chumps and vagrants 
put trust in good god's graces. 
And so with boot to pavement 
chase down the night.

Noah Rubin - Drums 
Adam Brisbin - Slide Guitar Solo 
Hannah Winkler - Vocals 
Renata Zeiguer - Vocals 
Madeline Kenney - Vocals 
Christian Carpenter - Vocals, Baritone Guitar, Synthesizers, Bass, Drum Machine 

Christian's vocals recorded by Robert Shelton at Tiny Telephone 

Mixed by Bijan Sharifi 
Mastered by Devin Kerr 

Written and Produced by Christian Carpenter

Trivial Shields

Pinned to spotlight

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