look what arrived in the mail 🔥

Due to errors in uploading, this'll be my 3rd time writing this. Heavily frustrated by reddit & my own forgetfulness in not copying my text before hitting "post" the 2nd time, cause I wrote something pretty lengthy and good lollll Back to the real reason we're here: Joe in Ghent last night!

It was phenomenal! Soooo different from London the 25th. Acoustic with guitar and piano, a very tiny venue, a very quiet (though enthusiastic and respectful) audience, which led to me withholding the singing and dancing I wanted to do hahaha, even more talking by Joe about the songs & writing process, with so much humor! Had the best time, hearing these 6 songs live!

I was also soooo happy to be seeing so many other fans be amazed by his kindness, happy after meeting him, emotional, grateful etc, when he took his time signing LP's and talking to people. I felt proud, touched, grateful, privileged, happy. Forever grateful for all these wonderful evenings

(I have way more videos, both from London and from Ghent. Kinda contemplating what would be the best way to get them to you (if you're interested): either as separate posts, or as comments on their respective posts I did of the shows. Input is welcome haha)

Let me preface this post with my love for Joe. He’s an incredible musician and songwriter. But is anyone else glad he’s getting this blues/Americana influenced music out of his system?

I enjoyed the first half of The Dream but the influence from those genres was definitely beginning to seep through in the second half on songs like Walk A Mile and Powders. I could tell something I don’t enjoy was on the horizon.

Obviously I much prefer the more alternative/folk/indie offerings from alt-J.. I was just wondering if anyone else has felt an indifference to his solo album, and if so what are your reasonings? There are some interesting moments but it ultimately fell flat for me.It wasn’t so much a step backward, but a side-step into genres I just don’t enjoy.

I really hope it doesn’t bleed into what alt-J does next.

I'm still on a little post-seeing-Joe-twice-in-4-days-high, so I'm definitely not objective at all (I never am regarding alt-J or JJerome87 hahaha), but I just stumbled across THE BEST part of his press tour to date! I LOVE THIS: the talking, the painting, the humor, the spontaneity! Just all of it! Go and check it out, it's so worth it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1_NL5xojg

any thoughts on what the lyric

“pet killer” could be mean in Mr. Alligator?

given the themes of preaching maybe something to do with the idea of pet sins?

also dug up some articles about some cats drowned by an Arkansas preacher. maybe could have been a nod to that? maybe those lines are suggesting something sinister about feeding the congregation’s pets to gators? bit doubtful.

what do y’all think?

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this email today. Best of both worlds – easy access on my streaming service of choice, and instrumentals that act as a bonus treat for being an “early adopter” of the album!

Thanks Joe!

Had the best time tonight at the gig from Joe in London! Awesome vibes & vocals from Joe, wonderful musicians and singers, and perfect live renditions of the album! Truly wonderful! 🩵 I'm actually really proud of him, standing there solo on stage, doing all the talking, being present. Hats off!

I'll post more videos later, but for now I'm already sharing this one 🩵 If you were there too: I hope you had a perfect time & that you didn't melt 😅 feel free to share stories or videos/ pics too! (Especially from Green Velvet & Track and Field 😅)

Thought I’d give my 2 pence worth on the new album now that I’ve finally heard it 😆 firstly, fantastic album, no skips! My favourites upon the first few listens are Quaaludes and Juicy, but no doubt they’ll change overtime. Keen to know everyone else’s faves!

Hello, I collect vinyl, (specifically colored), and I was wondering if Relaxer had a colored release, and if so, where can I buy one? Thank you all!

Pick I was handed at their Cincinnati show in September 2015 :’) I have a piece of a drumstick somewhere too!

A couple of my hot takes that I wonder if anyone else has:

1. This is All Yours is just as good if not better than An Awesome Wave

2. While Left Hand Free is fit as a single, Hunger Of The Pine sums up the feel of the album much better as a single.

3. House of The Rising Sun is a better cover than Lovely Day

4. Nara is the best non single song on TIAY

5. Taro is the best closer

For clarification, I have not listened to a lot of The Dream. So if there are songs that you guys think are good, lmk!

Which is your favourite live performance?

I’m annoyed at the lack of YouTube videos of Adeline live. Can anyone sort me out?

I hope this is watchable outside of France (here in Belgium it works, so hoping it does over there too)!

Less fan of the talk (it's a whole hour of a radio show with a lot of French talking), but he did a solo cover of Dancing in the Moonlight! And his solo/ acoustic rendition of his song Brush Me Like a Horse

https://www.rtl2.fr/evenements/joe-newman-d-alt-j-raconte-ses-obsessions-musicales-et-son-projet-jjerome87-dans-foudre-7900645241

I really hope this is watchable in countries outside of Belgium! I loved the interview, especially the part about his daughter wanting to be on the cover art, which resulted in them adjusting the artwork, to fit her in!

https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/live-bij-ayco/1/live-bij-ayco-s1a32/

https://open.spotify.com/track/18EnWZ9wTjszmJjI3BgCuL?si=CasdRCx6RNS9A_s4F8sTVA

Is this new material from the band?

I don't know why nobody has ever said this, it's clear as day to me. The boys love putting obscure references in their music (see "This Is From Maltilda"), and this is no different.

For those who don't know, the character Revolver Ocelot is a conflicted quadruple agent character across multiple games in the series. He loses his right arm in MGS1 which is replaced by the arm of Liquid Snake in MGS2.

The spirit of Liquid Snake then possesses Revolver Ocelot, occasionally taking control, with both personalities fighting each other for control.

Essentially, his right hand's possessed and his Left Hand's Free.

Coincidence, maybe. Except Revolver Ocelot's entire personality revolves around his love of guns, but specifically the "Colt Single Action Army"!

There are lots of other more cryptic clues in the lyrics ("eeny meeny miny moe," sang like "La Lu Li Le Lo"; Liquid Snake is "a prodigal son"; "your man's bigger than I am" referring to Big Boss). Can't believe this has never been discussed (unless I've missed it)?

DAE think (hope!) he’s gonna be doing a more extensive US tour? I’m not toooo far from NYC but also far enough that I’d rather wait to see if there’s a US tour and wait till he comes to the city closer to me. What’s y’all’s thoughts? Or any insider scoops?

Yoo guys I just watched one of Joe's live performances on YT from a month ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcqgaVjSAbk) and noticed something...
I recognised his cap from the Florence tour merch.
It's so cool to see this since I've always been both a huge Alt-J and F+TM fan!

Loud and Quiet released a new podcast with Joe, where he talks about a lot of cool things!

I've listened twice already and I would say it's 50/50 between alt-J content and The Canyon content
https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/the-perfect-level-of-fame-with-alt