After years of recording in relative seclusion in the hills of Los Angeles, Ariel Pink (the first non-Animal Collective member on the Paw Tracks roster) made his official Paw Tracks debut with The Doldrums. Recording at home with a guitar, bass, keyboard, and 8-track (the drum sounds were created with his mouth).
Ariel Pink blends Lite FM and warped lo-fi pop into something by turns beautiful and confusing. Some may find his personal yet detached approach highly addictive, while others may be instantly turned off by the obvious lo-fi production and the vocal drumtracks.
In the summer of 2003, Pink passed a CD-R on to New York based band Animal Collective after being introduced by mutual friend Jimi Hey (of All Night Radio and Beachwood Sparks) at one of their shows. Unbeknownst to Pink, Animal Collective had recently started their own record label, Paw Tracks, and several weeks later they contacted him expressing an interest in releasing his music. Pink became the first musician on the label aside from the members of Animal Collective. The next year, the label reissued The Doldrums, an album which had been originally recorded in 1999. Since then, Paw Tracks (now co-owned by Carpark Records) has released two other reissues of Pink's previous recordings, Worn Copy and House Arrest.
Pink has gradually caught the attention of media sources around the United States as well as internationally. As most of his albums are self-made, many of them have never been heard by fans. Almost all of Pink's albums which have been commercially released come from his yet-unfinished "Haunted Graffiti" series and are thus the best known.
Pink's tours have generally been met with much negativity, primarily because his music was never intended to be performed live for commercial audiences. As he explained to LA Weekly:
“People boo me everywhere...They don't even hide their contempt. I'm used to it now...Hey, I'm giving audiences the real thing...For better or worse, I'm out there, and those are the circumstances. People don't like it when it seems like you don't know what's happening, or I'm getting bummed out with certain aspects and I can't hide it. I think people feel that pain and just think it's bad.”
Initially playing shows alone with pre-recorded music, Pink has since employed the efforts of keyboardist Kenny Gilmore, bassist Tim Koh (White Magic), drummer Jimi Hey, and guitarist Cole M. Greif-Neill (Ethnik Klensr) as Haunted Graffiti. However, even with a backing band unfamiliar audiences are generally hostile towards the unrehearsed nature of the live compositions.
In July, the band embarked on Pink's "Thanks Mom, I'm Dead" tour.
One genre that may interestingly define Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti is one known as Hauntology.
Life In L.A.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, what can I say?
It's a treasure to find
So many ways to unwind
You could be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
Yeah
Life in L.A.
Come on out if you're gay
Make your babies and money
Move in together
Take out that loan
Honey, it's now or never
The weather is your boyfriend
On a Saturday
You stay in bed
And you could be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
That way
A girl in my car
Doesn't mean I be getting too far
Unless I'm taking her home
Halfway to Fresno at dark
Every peck on my cheek
When I look at her face
Every time we make plans
I think leather and lace
Life in L.A.
Is like a day in my brain
Cut
And did you know you could be so lonely?
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely that way
Take me home
The song "Life In L.A." by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti seems to be a contemplation of the strange and unique aspects of living in Los Angeles. The singer is reflecting on the many different ways that people in L.A. choose to unwind, whether it's through partying, casual sex, or staying in bed on a sunny Saturday. Despite the many distractions and opportunities for fun available, the singer also acknowledges that life in L.A. can be incredibly lonely. This loneliness is hinted at throughout the song through references to taking out loans and making babies, as if these are the only ways to find some kind of meaningful connection in this sprawling, isolated city.
The second half of the song adds a layer of complexity to this celebration and critique of L.A. life. The reference to taking a girl halfway to Fresno suggests a struggle to form lasting connections even in the midst of all the excitement and freedom of the city. The repeated references to loneliness also indicate a sense of disconnection from one's own life, as if living in L.A. feels like a kind of waking dream or "a day in my brain." Overall, the song portrays L.A. as a place of intense contradictions and complicated emotions, where one can simultaneously feel exhilarated and estranged.
Line by Line Meaning
Life in L.A.
The experience of living in Los Angeles is being described here
Well, what can I say?
The singer is unsure how to express their feelings about life in LA
It's a treasure to find
Despite its challenges, living in LA is a valuable and unique experience
So many ways to unwind
There are many activities and opportunities available in LA for relaxation and entertainment
You could be so lonely
Despite the city's vibrancy, it can be isolating for some individuals
Life in L.A. is so lonely
The loneliness of LA is being emphasized here
Is so lonely
Repeating the idea that life in LA can be lonely
That way
The artist is implying that loneliness is just a part of life in LA
Come on out if you're gay
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are welcome and accepted in LA
Make your babies and money
The city presents opportunities for both building a family and creating wealth
Move in together
Couples can take the steps towards cohabitation and shared lives in LA
Take out that loan
The city encourages individuals to take risks, even if it means borrowing money
Honey, it's now or never
People should seize opportunities in the present, as they may not come again
The weather is your boyfriend
The climate in LA is like an ideal romantic partner, providing comfort and pleasure
On a Saturday
This line specifies a day of the week where the weather is particularly enjoyable
You stay in bed
People can take advantage of the nice weather by lounging around at home
A girl in my car
The artist is referencing a romantic encounter they had
Doesn't mean I be getting too far
Being with this girl does not lead to significant progress in the singer's life goals
Unless I'm taking her home
The singer would only want to be with this girl if it results in a closer connection to her
Halfway to Fresno at dark
The artist is suggesting that Fresno is a distant, undesirable location
Every peck on my cheek
The physical expressions of affection the artist has experienced
When I look at her face
The artist's thoughts about the girl he has been with
Every time we make plans
The singer is hoping to have a deeper connection with this girl
I think leather and lace
The artist envisions romantic, sensual encounters with this girl
Is like a day in my brain
The experience of living in LA is analogous to the singer's thought process
Cut
This line likely signifies the end of a recording or a scene in a music video
And did you know you could be so lonely?
The singer is questioning if the listener is aware of how isolating LA can be
Take me home
This phrase may signify the artist's desire to leave LA, or simply to end the performance/recording
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
anyon
Life in L.A.
Well, what can I say?
It's a treasure to find
So many ways to unwind
You could be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
That way
Life in L.A.
Come on out if you're gay
Make your babies and money
Move in together
Take out that loan
Honey, it's now or never
The weather is your boyfriend
On a Saturday
Stay in bed
You can be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
That way
My girl in my car
But we're not getting too far
Yes, I'm taking her home
Halfway to Fresno at dawn
Every peck on my cheek
When I look at her face
Every time we make plans
I think leather and lace
Life in L.A.
Like a day in my brain
And did you know you could be so lonely?
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely that way
Take me home
Gozzaldi
Ariel Pink is super addicting, the lofi grows on you so much it’s insane.
doroumi666
I'm so happy to meet their music.I was looking for this kind of sound longtime in my brain
melacontaron
Worn Copy's one of the best albums ever.
Rock Is Rad
agreed
Derek doesn't know
I seriously had a dream once where I was at some LA beach all alone and searching for this guy all around in abandoned vans... Best dream ever.
Thomas Rainbow
I had the same dream as well but was roller skating by on the boardwalk in all white, did you see me?
anyon
Life in L.A.
Well, what can I say?
It's a treasure to find
So many ways to unwind
You could be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
That way
Life in L.A.
Come on out if you're gay
Make your babies and money
Move in together
Take out that loan
Honey, it's now or never
The weather is your boyfriend
On a Saturday
Stay in bed
You can be so lonely
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely
That way
My girl in my car
But we're not getting too far
Yes, I'm taking her home
Halfway to Fresno at dawn
Every peck on my cheek
When I look at her face
Every time we make plans
I think leather and lace
Life in L.A.
Like a day in my brain
And did you know you could be so lonely?
Life in L.A. is so lonely
Is so lonely that way
Take me home
runitecastle
first ariel pink song i ever heard 3 years ago. This album fucking changed EVERYTHING I knew about music for me. incredible. it was love at first listen.
samwell tayrlor
Ariel Pink, Slint, and Enjoy instill so much nostalgia to me even though I didn’t listen to them before I was 17 dont know how
Jason isamu
This has been what i've been listening to for the past month, Ariel Pink! Especially songs like this one I haven't heard yet are soooooo dope. 😸