"I woke up and I realized / That everything was a replica / Not today, and not at once / But something changed / Wonder what it was?"
The constant growing emo steamroller of "Ship of Theseus", by Los Angeles singer-songwriter / thought provoker Biloba (music maker DJ Stanfill and one half of the 2010's indie darling Opia), eases quickly into a comfortable place in your head, heart and emotional tummy. This is not to say that it is necessarily easy to digest. The song has beautiful bits of melancholia and existential moments too, interesting queries that you might ponder at random times during the day maybe provoked by the state of the world, maybe even stirred by what it currently means to be an American or rather what we as Americans need to do in order to keep what it is to be an American alive. I apologize for always sliding in to politico or social commentary a lot on this blog but if it wasn't that it would be philosophical dives from time to time. It is who I am and "Ship of Theseus" stimulates all those walks down divergent paths. It is that kind of song.
"I woke up and I realized
That everything was a replicaNot today, and not at once
But something changed
Wonder what it was?
Same walk in the same park
Same dog with the same bark
It happened once, now it's routine
Ship of Theseus, a worn-out dream
And I've been trying not to watch the news
Not because they don't tell the truth
I just get sad, and lose my nerve
I used to think I could change the world
Now I look back, and I can't see
The thread connecting that boy to me
But look at his face, look at that smile
Let's let him sleep for a little while"
All the thoughtful, beautiful poetic lyrics are graced, held up with wonderful indie folk / chamber pop orchestrations that propels the grandeur and conflicts of life or transitions of this life, of birthing ideas and other humans and how fucking important it is to instill the importance of strength and instilling the willful power of the human spirit against the vile moral turpitude that seems to be part and parcel of the insanely rich and powerful. These orchestrations feel incredibly organic and hopeful. And when we all look at our children and grandchildren who are good, really good you can't help but feel hopeful but when we might feel weak or hopeless that same gaze can make us feel terrified.
I felt all that an more listening to "Ship of Theseus" and that is important. I hope you felt things too.
The song (and upcoming album) has endured much the same process— a fantasy world with its own internal storytelling and sonic logic, surviving many competing versions over the last five years. Opia producer Reske (Vince Staples, 21Savage) provides an ear for fantasy, drama, and playful improvisation—a world you want to escape to.
Constant on this voyage fantastique is Biloba's clear lyric voice: the earnest naiveté of the late Brian Wilson, but with the bite of misdirection, some humor—a line that undercuts the punch here, keeps you on your toes there. It's this cheerful play with traditional song form and willingness to bend metaphor that make Biloba's lyrics sneak up on you. They have an aftershock, harmless as they may seem.
"Ship of Theseus" is the first, bombastic introduction of this sound world— of Spyo the Dragon-eqsue fantasy whimsy, biting guitars, pan flutes, BBC string sections, and a hellbent quest to throw off the old cynicism. We hope you enjoy.]
"I started crying and bottled the tears up
You can buy them
In"Health Foods and Supplements"
And if there're side effects, well that's life
But come back tomorrow
I got a cure for you if you don't mind the hangover
Don't judge me, I'm just trying
To be open-minded
Sick of walking around in somebody else's shoes
By the way, what size are you?
I woke up and I realized
That everything was a replica
Not today, and not at once
But something changed
Wonder what it was?
Wonder what it was?"
You can buy them
In"Health Foods and Supplements"
And if there're side effects, well that's life
But come back tomorrow
I got a cure for you if you don't mind the hangover
Don't judge me, I'm just trying
To be open-minded
Sick of walking around in somebody else's shoes
By the way, what size are you?
I woke up and I realized
That everything was a replica
Not today, and not at once
But something changed
Wonder what it was?
Wonder what it was?"
However you describe Biloba's sound here I feel a sort of artistic adjacency to artists like Sufjan Stevens or american poetry club or Frightened Rabbit or Slaughter Beach, Dog or even Son Volt or Neutral Milk Hotel. You may think of others.
"The first single from my upcoming album 'Tree Arcades'. Rerecorded this song 4-5 times since 2018. This is the shape it currently inhabits." - DJ Stanfill.
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):
[Brand new solo artist and member of the 2010's indie darling Opia (an original SubmitHub find from back in 2016), Biloba (DJ Stanfill) begins with a tale of replicas of replicas. The ship, according to the parable, seems to carry some essence; yet all of the original parts are lost, worn through time and swapped with newer ones. Is it no longer the same ship?
The song (and upcoming album) has endured much the same process— a fantasy world with its own internal storytelling and sonic logic, surviving many competing versions over the last five years. Opia producer Reske (Vince Staples, 21Savage) provides an ear for fantasy, drama, and playful improvisation—a world you want to escape to.
Constant on this voyage fantastique is Biloba's clear lyric voice: the earnest naiveté of the late Brian Wilson, but with the bite of misdirection, some humor—a line that undercuts the punch here, keeps you on your toes there. It's this cheerful play with traditional song form and willingness to bend metaphor that make Biloba's lyrics sneak up on you. They have an aftershock, harmless as they may seem.
"Ship of Theseus" is the first, bombastic introduction of this sound world— of Spyo the Dragon-eqsue fantasy whimsy, biting guitars, pan flutes, BBC string sections, and a hellbent quest to throw off the old cynicism. We hope you enjoy.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
The Chicken Wheel will take you to the AP Go Fund Me- and any amount is so appreciated!
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/biloba.the.human/
https://bilobathehuman.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/biloba.the.human
Biloba is DJ Stanfill, a musician from Los Angeles. He's glad you're reading this, and hopes you stay a while to listen to the music.
Biloba, chamber pop, indie rock, folk, emo, politico pop, emo steamroller, alt rock, alt folk, "Ship of Theseus", upcoming album 'Tree Arcades', solo artist, singer-songwriter DJ Stanfill, co-member of Opia, musician,
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