Graves Presents: "Gary Owens - I Have Some Thoughts"

Perpetual Doom is proud to announce the new release from Graves: Gary Owens “I Have Some Thoughts.” Graves is the project of California’s Greg Olin, who has been releasing music under the moniker for nearly two decades. And for his latest release, he takes a new name—is Gary Owens that smiling young man with the lap steel on the album cover?—to breathe fresh life into an old, old sound. These sixteen tracks sway with the moonstruck sweetness of classic country, blending the sounds of golden age AM radio with a laidback West Count vibe.

Gary Owens “I Have Some Thoughts” is all about that bittersweet feeling of days gone by. “Dopey-eyed on a moonlit shore” is how Olin puts it on “Time Wasted,” a soft-strummed ballad reminiscent of the Nashville sound of Roger Miller and Merle Haggard. Many tracks feel plucked from that simpler time, from the upbeat downer “Cavin’ In” to the kitschy fun of “Atchee Ketchee” where he stumbles nonsense lines before finally singing, “I just wanna find the words to say I love you.” Olin recorded half the record during the pandemic, and he describes the process, slowly building tracks, waiting for collaborators to send their parts, as one of excitement, “like always waiting for a check or fresh pair of socks to arrive in the via snail mail.” Graves blends the mellow with the slightly sour, addressing aging and mortality in clever ways on songs that recall the best of David Berman’s Silver Jews and Purple Mountains projects. The harmonica and close harmonies of “Keep You From the End” find him struggling to reconcile with change and mortality, a question that finds an appropriate metaphor nestled in gentle keyboards on “Bad Teeth & Bad Wine.”

Recorded alongside Nick Aives (Sonny & the Sunsets, Ty Segall, Vetiver), Cory Gray (Delines, Dandy Warhols, Old Unconscious) Rusty Miller (Sonny & The Sunsets, Kelly Stoltz) and Jason Cirimele (Sugar Candy Mountain, Guantanamo Baywatch), Gary Owens features great new songwriting from a legendary indie musician, tackling time, love, and sadness with poise and a little humor. Olin captures the mood perfectly on lead single “Little Dumb Dogs” when he asks, “What’s a bird to do but fly away?” Then he adds, just for good measure: “Cuckoo, cuckoo.” This limited edition vinyl run is capped at just 200 copies, so don't miss your chance to secure one of these gems. Album releases June 30, 2023.

Order from Official Store

Order from Bandcamp Read Graves' interview with Primitive Man Soundz

A Sunlit Escape: Delving into Lee Baggett's "Run To The Sun"

Lee Baggett's "Run To The Sun" is an auditory gem, an invitation to detach from the cacophony of the everyday and embark on a journey towards a sun-drenched sanctuary. The song is an introspective sojourn wrapped in Baggett's tender and evocative lyrics, painting a landscape of quiet streets, dreams of lunar exploration, and the relentless pursuit of an elusive sun. The guitar strums serve as the heartbeat of this ethereal adventure, while Baggett's voice weaves a story of resilience and hope.

As the song unfolds, Baggett's words defy the mundane, blending surreal imagery with raw emotion. The verses whisper of shedding one's skin and resisting the darkness that threatens to consume the spirit. The chorus, a simple yet potent refrain, urges the listener to embrace the journey – to run towards the sun, in search of solace and salvation.

"Run To The Sun" is from Lee Baggett's full-length album Anyway.

Purchase Anyway on Bandcamp or from our Official Store.

Embracing the Charm of "Gettin' By"

There's a certain magic woven into the melody of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Gettin' By," a song that has found its way into the very heart of my journey with Perpetual Doom, the indie record label I've poured my soul into. The charm of this tune lies in its simple yet powerful message of resilience and living life as it comes—a message that echoes through my own battles with anxiety and the fear of failure.

The chorus sings of "gettin' by on gettin' by," embracing life's highs and lows with grace and acceptance. This mindset has been crucial in navigating the unpredictable terrain of running an indie record label. Perpetual Doom has had its share of challenges, but the notion of "pickin' up the pieces wherever they fall" has become my mantra, reminding me to take each day as it comes and trust in the process.

In the face of adversity, it's easy to let anxiety take the wheel, to become consumed by the fear of failing at this creative endeavor. Yet, as Walker croons, "I've been down this road once or twice before," I'm reminded that setbacks and struggles are part of the journey. The resilience and determination encapsulated in these lyrics provide a sense of comfort, assuring me that I'm not alone in my quest for success.

Walker's song also highlights the importance of letting go and allowing life to unfold in its own way: "Just letting it roll, letting the high times carry the low." Running Perpetual Doom has taught me that sometimes, we need to relinquish control and trust that our hard work and passion will carry us through even the most trying times.

In the end, "Gettin' By" isn't just a song—it's a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, but with the right attitude and determination, we can overcome our fears, conquer our anxieties, and ultimately, continue to chase our dreams, no matter the obstacles. Just like Walker, I too have embraced living my life "easy come, easy go," and as I continue on this journey with Perpetual Doom, I'll keep carrying the spirit of "Gettin' By" with me every step of the way.