Married to Alisa Daniels, July 2002 - they divorced in 2005. He lived with Geneva Jacuzzi for seven years until early 2011.
He has since caught the attention of various media sources, especially in the Los Angeles area. As most of his albums are self-made, many of them have never been heard by fans. The only albums which have been commercially released come from his "Haunted Graffiti" series and are thus the best known.
Pink produces and plays almost all of his own music, and is noted for creating drum sounds using primarily his mouth, and sometimes his armpits. His home recording technique gives his music a very lo-fi sound, to the point where new listeners may mistake the era of his music.
Pink cites R. Stevie Moore--friend, mentor, and "father of home recording"--as one of his major influences. He is sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement, and could also be considered an embodiment of 'The New Sincerity'. Pink boasts a cult following and endorsements from more widely known artists such as fellow Paw Tracks artists Animal Collective.
Aside from his music, Pink also makes semi-abstract and surreal grotesque drawings, which can be purchased from his unofficial website, ARIEL PINK haunted house, for a hefty price.
Round & Round
Ariel Pink Lyrics
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Sad and tongue tied
It's got a memory and refrain
I'm afraid, you're afraid
And we die and we live
And we're born again
Turn me inside out
(Merry go round)
Up and around we go
Round and around we go
Break down, break down
You play air guitars for a fan
And I, I'll play the eardrums in the band
And I'll back you up as your frontman
"Hello? Oh, hi"
Now that sounds right frontman
Write the songs that say, "I like that!"
Hold on, I'm calling, calling back to the Bowl
And we'll dazzle them all, hold on
Pick up the phone
And I'll want to go home now
(Merry go round)
Up and around we go
Round and around we go
Lady come on Lee, set me free
Come on me!
Sentimental heartbreaking
Everything is my fault.
The lyrics of "Round and Round" by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti address themes of memory, fear, life, and death. The repetition of "It's always the same as always" and "Round and around we go" illustrate the cyclical nature of life and its monotony. The singer is "sad and tongue-tied" which could represent feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
The phrase "Turn me inside out, what can I say?" suggests vulnerability and a desire to be understood. The chorus is structured like a metaphorical merry-go-round, which signifies the circular nature of life: people go round and round, continuously experiencing the same things before ultimately dying and being born again.
The second verse seems to be addressing the role of a performer and the pressure to succeed. The lines "Write the songs that say, 'I like that!'" and "I'll back you up as your frontman" suggest the pressure to be commercially successful and to create music that appeals to fans. The bridge is a conversation on the phone where the singer appears to be calling somebody for assurance that they'll "dazzle them all" at a performance. The line "Lady come on Lee, set me free" could be understood as the artist calling for inspiration or creativity, or perhaps as an attempt to escape the pressure of the industry.
Overall, the song could be understood as a meditation on the challenges of being an artist, the fear and monotony of everyday life, and the desire for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
It's always the same as always
Life seems to be predictable and mundane.
Sad and tongue-tied
Miserable and unable to express oneself.
It's got a memory and refrain
It has a repetitive and unforgettable nature.
I'm afraid, you're afraid
We both have fears and worries.
And we die and we live
We experience both life and death.
And we're born again
We begin anew despite experiencing pain and suffering.
Turn me inside out
Expose my innermost self.
What can I say?
I don't know how to express myself.
Up and around we go
Life is a continuous cycle, like a merry go round.
Round and around we go
We experience the same things over and over again.
Break down, break down
Everything falls apart.
You play air guitars for a fan
You pretend to be a musician to impress someone.
And I, I'll play the eardrums in the band
I'll support you as a drummer while you take the lead.
And I'll back you up as your frontman
I'll support you and take a secondary role.
Now that sounds right, frontman
Being a frontman fits with your image.
Write the songs that say, 'I like that!'
Create music that is popular and well-received.
Hold on, I'm calling, calling back to the Bowl
I'm making a phone call to get us an opportunity to perform at a big venue.
And we'll dazzle them all, hold on
We'll impress the audience with our music.
Pick up the phone
Answer the phone call.
And I'll want to go home now
I'll want to leave the venue and return home after the performance.
Lady come on Lee, set me free
I'm seeking liberation from a difficult situation.
Come on me!
Encouraging someone to act upon their desire.
Sentimental heartbreaking
Something is emotional and distressing.
Everything is my fault
Taking responsibility for everything, including mistakes and failures.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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