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I AM OVENBIRD

by Friendmaker

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1.
Guns 03:29
If I become a victim of the next mall shooting don't let me be a statement made by some political party and if I am blown up by a bomb strapped to some zealous man don't let me become a monument to hatred and distrust please I can't stand the thought of my life coming to mean a lot as someone that I am not and never was to the people that I love Let me become a victim of the next school shooting but don't let me be made an argument in favor of concealed carry I'd rather catch my end unknown than to become a match that ignites a fear fueled fire disguised as essential rights I can't stand the thought of my life coming to mean a lot as someone that I am not and never was to the people that I love
2.
her voice is so fine its in my ears this morning and there's nothing on my mind 'cause I said it already all the things I'm letting go all the things I'm holding dear all the people that I love they're right here all the things I'm keeping hid all the things I've left exposed are you holding something good I don't know is there something in my ear well there's something in your eye I'm not trying to bring you down why speak when you can just think and feel for real, for real I'll sink like a rock all my thoughts I forgot going round and down and round and down and why speak when you can just think and feel I'm still going on and on and on and on and on and on...
3.
Lady-vain 03:22
The night that you left I saw the sinking of the Lady Vain And began my journey, lonely and strange. I don't know how it happened, but I arrived here. Got really good at sitting playing solitaire. And I don't know what I want. And I don't know what I need. Trying to weigh everything by what it cost, And I find I can't afford to buy anything. Some people think this world is upside down. They stand on their heads and watch the mountains pour out, Everything that's good and bad and in-between. But I stand erect and don't think anything. And I don't know what I want. And I don't know what I need. Trying to weigh everything by what it cost, And I find I can't afford to buy anything.
4.
Good Enough 02:10
I don't know what you'll consider good enough when it comes to me but I swear I won't get bitter would you please just leave? I don't know what you see in him could it be a confidence that I don't have? Well I thought I'd know me better better than that I was with you longer than any girl I have ever loved and some things did get harder I don't think you're tough enough You might think its stupid to write this song if nothing's broke will you think its childish when I say I know?
5.
Wounded Knee 04:17
Put some yeast in the dough its gotta rise you're more like her than you know you've got her eyes and can you see me back at Wounded Knee on my own two feet? put some butter on that loaf it's drier than you know and can you see me on a dead-end street with some busted teeth begging please, please, please?
6.
And you went to the holiest spot, To find yourself and to think about God. But all you found was pot and some beads for your friends. Your mother always said, "That girls a wanderer." And I know what you saw there, The trash burning in the morning air. And how did you feel, did you miss your home? In the morning you got a lesson from a barefoot, holy man, All dressed in orange-red with crazy paint on his face, As he carefully explains that the bovine is your mother, The river is your mother too, And nature, nature herself, maternal through and through. And I know what you saw there, The bodies burning in the evening air. And I'd bet all the bearded Sikhs Oh, I'd bet every pot of chai tea, Yes and every holy tree, That India changed you. And I bet when you got home, You dipped yourself seven times in the mighty Mississippi
7.
90's 02:11
When I tell you something you don't care to hear it feels good to know that you still really care I struggle with this fear, I've had it all my life what if I seem boring to the one that I like? What if I seem boring to the one that I love? Well I've been a scribe that doesn't write and I am a singer but some day I swear I'll scream. You have been a woman, will you always be? If you were a cloud would you rain on me? If you were a cloud would you rain on my brain?
8.
Ovenbird 06:01
Other lovers Other birds Other oceans Other salts, other sands I don't expect you to understand You're just another girl I'm just another man I'm really feeling my oats I'm alright I guess I'm alright I guess Ovenbird, Ovenbird Do you bake? Do you fly? And if so, how high? Ovenbird, Ovenbird I'm alright I guess I'm alright Hot word Little known Golden Mountain Where I sink, others grow Other salts, other soils I'm alright I guess I'm alright Ovenbird, Ovenbird, Ovenbird, Ovenbird
9.
I didn't eat for a week when you told me I didn't sleep, not a wink, when you told me I would bend over backward and kiss the blessed earth I didn't know what to think when you told me Who can explain the heart of a woman? Who can tell me what she thinks? I would trade, oh a chest of jade If you could tell me what she means How worth while is a good woman? Would you measure her in gold? Count yourself lucky if she even looks at you She don't go for money I'm told How sweet is a good woman? Can a honey comb convey her tone? Just when I think we might be on the brink She's flesh. I'm bone.
10.
Oregon 04:43
You wore flowers that's all you wore And that was enough, enough and more For someone like me whose eyes have seen All that has been and what will be There is no one quite so clever No one quite as fine I love you like no other In the winter time Stumble and fall Stumble and fall Stumble I'm ashamed and I hate to say I mounted my bicycle and rode away It was the weight of the sky above That wouldn't let me stay
11.
Pumpkin Pie 03:55
I'm not alone these days I've got you by my side And I think That you'll be there for a long time And that's quite alright with me I've got hope That you'll bake a pumpkin pie While I split some wood for the stove Did you know: That know I'm in love with you Sometimes I don't know what to do Been so used to being blue to having the blues Don'f forget the wine she says As I leave for the store What a view The moon rises over the hill And the stars are out in force I'm so lucky I'm not alone these days I've got you by my side And I think That you'll be there for a long time And that's quite alright with me That's quite alright with me I've got hope

about

I am Ovenbird...and I am not.

Ovenbird is an idea, a goal, a reality, and an identity.

Perhaps Ovenbird isn't something to be told but something to be known.

As Wittgenstein said, "Don't think, but look!"

---

I made this album for myself and my friends. I wanted something that I could be proud of.
Something that wasn't made because it was quick or convenient.

Something that is valuable in and of itself.

The result is nearly a year's worth of collaboration with talented friends. I've learned about song development and the value of trusting other artists to add their unique flavors to the dish (so to speak).

My hope is that you enjoy the result of this effort, the range of style, the lyrics and the melodies.

Thank you so much for your time and your ears.

-J.H. "Ovenbird" Friedrick

credits

released July 15, 2016

All songs written by John Friedrick, except Wounded Knee which was written by John Friedrick and David Oliver.
All songs recorded, mixed and mastered by Dylan Barr at Firefish Studios, Molalla, OR

J.H. Friedrick - Vocals, acoustic guitar
Elijah Neves - Electric guitar
Dylan Barr - Organ, keys, percussion, accordion, vocals, electric guitar
Alex Fox - Bass, vocals
Jordan Prince - Drums
Joanne Byrd - Violin
Ida Aaron - Vocals
Maia VanDyke - Vocals
David Oliver - Vocals

Cover Art - Gavin Knox
Back of Album Photograph - Emily Neves (She also came up with Friedrick & Friends.)

license

all rights reserved

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about

J.H. Friedrick Silverton, Oregon

I write songs, paint and draw, and am trying to develop a rich interior life.

I like playing places, so just give me a shout!

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