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Call me Ishmael... This is one of the last tunes I wrote for my album “DIG” in 2020. Filmed mostly at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, TN. Featuring Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, Rory Faciane on drums and Doug “Mug” Swanson on bass. Download link and lyrics below. https://nickswan.bandcamp.com/album/dig lyrics I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this God-forsaken town And I won't leave til I'm dead in the ground You can call me Ishmael of this town You can call me Ishmael of this town Well it may not be my name, but it could be just the same Not a soul who knew it now remains Cause I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this God-forsaken town And I won't leave til I'm dead in the ground Well a plague it came and hit this town Said a plague it came and hit this town Oh the wrath of the plague left so many in their grave Now there ain't no body to be saved I don't know if I'll go to Heaven or Hell I don't know if I'll go to Heaven or Hell I don't know if I'll go way up there or down below But I'll know, sure nuff, when I go I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this town I'm the last man left in this God-forsaken town And I won't leave til I'm dead in the ground
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. R.E.M. was noted for Buck's arpeggiated "jangle" guitar playing; Stipe's distinctive vocal style, unique stage presence, and cryptic lyrics; Mills's countermelodic bass lines and backing vocals; and Berry's tight, economical drumming. In the early 1990s, other alternative rock acts suc...
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This footage is a rare and hauntingly beautiful music video, shot on location at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. The artist behind it is Nick Swan, an American singer-songwriter who has been making waves with his introspective and poetic lyrics. What makes this clip notable is not just the eerie atmosphere of the cemetery setting, but also the fact that it's one of the last original songs written by Swan for his 2020 album "DIG".
At a time when many artists were struggling to find their creative voice amidst the pandemic-induced isolation, Swan was churning out poignant and thought-provoking music. His songwriting style is reminiscent of classic American folk, with a nod to the likes of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. The lyrics of "The Last Man" are a testament to this, with their themes of mortality, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a god-forsaken world.
What's striking about this clip is the way it captures the essence of Swan's music: haunting melodies, sparse instrumentation, and a sense of desolation that hangs in the air like a mist. The use of Spring Hill Cemetery as a backdrop adds to the sense of melancholy, with its crumbling headstones and overgrown graves serving as a poignant reminder of mortality.
The video features Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, Rory Faciane on drums, and Doug "Mug" Swanson on bass, all of whom bring their own unique textures to the music. But it's Swan's voice that takes center stage, his baritone growl weaving in and out of the instrumentation like a ghostly presence.
This clip is significant not just because of its rarity, but also because it offers a glimpse into Swan's creative process at a pivotal moment in his career. It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, art can be a powerful force for expression and connection. Watching this video is like stepping into a time capsule, with all the emotions and anxieties of 2020 distilled into one haunting performance.
As you watch Swan sing about being "the last man left in this town", you can't help but feel a sense of kinship with him. It's as if he's speaking directly to you, his words echoing off the headstones like a mournful sigh. The video is a testament to the power of music to capture the human experience, and it's a reminder that even in the most desolate of landscapes, there is always beauty to be found.
The final shot of Swan standing alone amidst the cemetery's crumbling grandeur is a powerful image, one that lingers long after the video ends. It's a reminder that art can be a form of time capsule, capturing the essence of an era and leaving it behind for future generations to discover. This clip is a rare treasure, one that offers a glimpse into the creative process of a talented artist at a pivotal moment in his career.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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