As we've covered previously, veteran independent label Kill Rock Stars is celebrating 30 years throughout 2021 with a digital subscription series that covers classic tracks from throughout the label's history. Those tracks are being released individually throughout the year, and this week sees the latest: Califone covering "Family Swan, originally released by Mecca Normal (The Family Swan, 2002).
Speaking of the song/artist choice, Tim Rutili (Califone) states:
I first saw Mecca Normal with the Go Team and Some Velvet Sidewalk in Chicago many years ago. I had my little mind blown and spent all the money I had on 7inch records at the merch table. That show was one of those experiences that changed the way I looked at music and everything - It was microscopic, personal and massive all at the same time. There is truth and heart, existential frustration and self-acceptance in this music that made me feel like I wasn’t so alone in the world. It made me want to move to the Northwest. I still want to move to the Northwest... Maybe someday.
Anyway.. This song is a classic movie that is beautiful, sad, funny and bleak all at the same time. This song is a really good book that breaks your heart with unwanted truth, but you can’t stop reading it and you can’t help but see the good and horrible sides of yourself and everyone you know and love in the world it creates. This song is undeniable humanness.
Thank you Mecca Normal. Happy Birthday, KRS.
Check out the song below and hit the embed to find the subscription song and all previously released cover tracks, including songs originally by Elliott Smith, Bikini Kill, Quasi, and more.
