The Internet was good.
Then it was OK.
Now it is bad.
On Top Of The World grows into a 3-track EP
I waffled for a week as to whether I’d invite Charles Stella to do one of his awesome dub mixes for this song. It is, after all, not in any way Reggae or even Ska, this is a Rock song with a capital R. Can we do dub mixes of Rock? Oh why yes, Catalonia, we can, as evidenced by the result. I like how the EP flows with the single, then the dub, then the instrumental version (which is simply my original mix with the vocals muted).
I similarly waffled about asking Shannon to draw a cover for this one. Because I had absolutely no idea what it might be. And I had a bit of dread about what it could be, and I wouldn’t want to waste Mr. Wheeler’s time. The song is about a rock star on top of the world having a grand time and their fans are happy and they are happy and everything is great. I didn’t want the cover to be a picture of that, exactly. There had to be a twist.
That was a few weeks ago, and Shannon was, at first, similarly stumped as to what to draw. I made it clear – we don’t have to do this one – I have a perfectly good temporary cover and I can just keep that, but if you have an idea….
Well, I’m very glad I asked him, because a few days later, arrives in my inbox: a cat in a top hat smoking a bubble-pipe on top of an apparently flat-ish earth on the shoulders of charming elephants dancing on a mighty turtle. Whaaaat!? I cheered out loud.
On Top Of The World was done, boom. Myles Boisen mastered the audio for my mixes, Charles mastered his mix, I put the pieces together here and voila. A Berkeley Cat Record.
As of today it’s live in aaaaaaall of the streaming services; Here’s a widget with links to a few of the more popular ones:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ericdin/on-top-of-the-world-ep
And here it is in our beloved Bandcamp, long may they camp:
Turtles, turtles, all the way down.
My latest single – On Top Of The World – popped out today!
This is a fun power-pop mod-rock glam-romp through some of the fun parts of stardom. I didn’t want to include the downside, as that story has already been told – in plenty of wonderful songs like Ziggy Stardust and Bad Company’s Shooting Star. No, we didn’t need another demise of Elvis dead on the toilet number, it’s been done, and it’s depressing. This is about a star just winning at everything, and they love their fans, and their fans love them, and it’s alright.
You’re making every scene
In every young kid’s dream
You’re on a roll now and no one can get enough of your sweet time
You play by your own rules
Only you know the plan
Your biggest fan just bought Milan we’ll throw a party for you there
And your age it never shows
And thy legend ever grows
You don’t even have to try, why,
You are on top of the world
And it’s alright
Don’t need to own a car
Arrive by shooting star
You land on stage in golden heels and cue the band in on one hand
The crowds are going mad
Around the block they stand
Waiting for hours bearing flowers, you sign programmes, on the run
And like sunshine in the rain
All the colors shimmering
You don’t even have to try, high,
You are on top of the world
And it’s alright
—
Eric Din – Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Drums, Tambourine and indeed Cowbell
Recorded and mixed by Eric Din
Audio mastered by Myles Boisen
Produced by Eric Din for Berkeley Cat Records
© 2024 Eric Roy Dinwiddie
King Roy Music, BMI
New SKAAAA single — RrrrrrrABB!tUS, MAXIMUS!!!
This idea popped into my head on January 1 around noon, and I dove right in at my home studio. It’s definitely my 2024 New Year’s song, with vibes of optimism, joy, humor and hope for brighter, rabbity cabbity times to come. Finished the mix just this Monday, sent it to Shannon, he drew the rabbituses, Myles delivered a fab masterus, and here it isimus! Not two weeks later. Apparently it’s true that bunnies reproduce quickly. Carpe Diem, my friends <3
-Din
Here are the elaborate lyrics:
Rabbitus Maximus
Rabbitus Maximus
Rabbitus Maximus
Rabbitisimus Maximus
Rabbit
Rabbitus Maximus
Bass, Guitars, Vocals, Vibraslap, Gongus Rotatus, Hammond Organus, Drummus Wranglitus, Tape Echo Fiddlus, Compositionus, Arrangementus, Purrformed, Recorded and Producifused by Eric Din
Audio Masterus Maximus by Myles Boisen, Suuuuper Genius
Artworkus by Shannon Wheelerus Coffeetoomuchus the 1st
Released January 13, 2024
© 2024 Eric Roy Dinwiddie
King Roy Music, BMI
Lyric video for Charlotte in the Garden of the New Futility
In which Charlotte and the marmot skateboard out of the gridlock hellscape into greener gardens, and some secret clubs.
Charlotte in the Vegan Gardens of Brooklyn
Charlotte and the marmot got a nice mention in Brooklyn Vegan, and I’m delighted they referred to the track as “power pop!” I concur. Did I take a screenshot? Oh but yes, Maribella.
Charlotte in the Garden of the New Futility
Hey! Wow! New single. Dropped this morning. From a tree. Next to a marmot. And Charlotte.
Waving at the neighbors “Hi!” as the waves crash in,
They look at me and don’t know why, like “Hi, whatever,”
No one talks anymore, no one walks in this town,
Hardly notice myself when I take a look ’round,
Chasing my lost angels through the smog and glory,
Elvis and The Runaways gaze from the HOLLYWOOD sign
And on the gridlock freeway,
Tuning in to float away
Never never never never never sleep, never, never never slow down,
Got a bridge back home to sell ya, and the moon as well
No one talks anymore, no one walks in this town,
Hardly notice my shoes when I look at the ground,
All of these lost angels are gone forever,
Never lookin’ back again, no never never,
And on the zombie freeway,
Casting directors casting doubt,
I’ll never be in your spillway,
I’m not in your secret club,
As I walk in the mall, with my eyes lookin’ down,
Staring at the glowing, gleaming showing,
Now I know the way, following what it say,
Never need to wonder, everything’s easy,
These machines will preen and vent spleen for me,
Waving at my hologram now, the neighbors smile,
And on the scarlet carpet,
Margot Robbie strides away,
And in the garden, Charlotte
Watches a charming marmot play,
And in the garden, Charlotte,
Margot Robbie strides away
——
Guitarscape, Fender P-Bass, Vocals – Eric Din
1965 Ludwig Drums – Michael Urbano
Recorded by Michael Rosen at East Bay Recorders
2nd Engineer – Austin James Hicks
Produced and mixed by Eric Din for Berkeley Cat Records
Mastered by Michael Romanowski at Coast Mastering
Artwork by Shannon Wheeler
© 2023 Eric Roy Dinwiddie
King Roy Music, BMI
Swaps, Uptones, and Various Ugly Things?! Why yes, Petunia
In which we share Down Home Music’s newsletter! Here it be:
Swaps, Uptones, and Various Ugly Things
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The Down Home Music Parking Lot record swap meet. Sunday, July 30th, from 8am to 12pm. 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. For further info contact JC at 510.525.2129. mail@downhomemusic.com. No entry fee. No sellers fee. Weather pending. All things audio: vintage LP’s, 45’s, 78’s, stereo gear, amps, instruments, and more…
PS. Not to be confused with our 2nd Sunday 45/78 swap.
Eric Din from the Uptones will play his
first show in eons, at Down Home Music
on Saturday, August 12 at 2 P.M.
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We Now Carry Both Retro Garage UGLY THINGS & Futuristic Art HI-FRUCTOSE Magazines
TOMORROW’S ART TODAY
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We Are Beginning to Feature Rare Vinyl LPs from Mr.Chris’s Personal Collection in Our Store
Visit Our Online Store:
Lyric Videos And Time Travel And Cats, Oh My
I’ve made a few lyric vids for my CONTENT album! I’m having fun with this, getting my toes wet in another DIY medium. Who’da thunkit.
Live Acoustic Caterwaul Imminent
Flier by Shannon Wheeler! Here’s a PDF you can download if you’d like to print this out and post it somewhere.