Origins is an exclusive new music feature in which artists are tasked with revealing deeper insights into the inspiration behind their latest song. Today, Greg Dulli discusses how “It Falls Apart”.
For decades, Greg Dulli has been the voice of some of the most enduring projects in indie rock, namely The Afghan Whigs and The Twilight Singers. Now, for the first time in his career, the frontman is stepping out on his own with his debut solo album. Due out February 21st via Royal Cream/BMG Records, Random Desire has already been previewed with the lead single “Pantomima”. Today, Dulli is back with another sample in “It Falls Apart”.
Whereas “Pantomima” cut through cynical themes with sharp, driving instrumentation, “It Falls Apart” allows itself to get pulled into its darker inclinations. Perpetually falling piano notes grip at the melody, miring it in a sense of inevitable collapse. Even so, the synthesizers and drums push upward, giving Dulli’s vocals something to hook onto as he sings, “It comes around to gather me/ And falls apart to let me go/ Like a wave upon the sea/ I found you there.” So, there is some form of hope fighting against the seeming preordained gloom of the track.
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | RSS
Listen to “It Falls Apart” below. Pre-orders for Random Desire are going on now.
You can also hear Dulli perform the new music on his freshly announced North American tour. Following previously revealed European dates, the alternative rocker will launch the new leg April 24th in Minneapolis. He’ll then hit Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Toronto, New York, Asheville, Atlanta, Austin, Portland, and elsewhere before wrapping up May 28th in Los Angeles.
Find the updated tour itinerary ahead, and get tickets to all of Dulli’s upcoming shows here.
Before you check out Dulli’s tour schedule, see what he has to say about the Origins of “It Falls Apart”.
Rain:
It was a dark and stormy night and I love a rainy night just like Eddie Rabbitt. Which leads me to recall that some of my friends like Trix cereal which has a rabbit as a mascot. I don’t have a mascot but I am playing at Trix in Antwerp on March 28th.
Jon Theodore:
Jon Theodore (Queens of the Stone Age), photo by Heather Kaplan
I originally played the drums on this song when I first wrote it. However, Jon Theodore came to the studio to visit me and even though I had loved what I had played I decided for kicks to let him take a spin on it. That he could so casually and unequivocally destroy my performance with his own; well, my pride is still rubbing its ass.”
Logan’s Run:
There’s a lyric in the song that quite simply states ‘the kids are coming’. After I wrote it, I recalled the 1976 film Logan’s Run in that once you turn 30 they killed you off to reincarnate you to start all over again. They haven’t caught me yet.
Mark Lanegan:
Mark Lanegan, photo by Amy Harris
Several people including some of my closest friends have complimented Mark Lanegan’s performance on this song. And to that I would simply reply ‘thank you because I am Mark Lanegan on this song’ as Mark Lanegan himself does not sing on this song.
Greg Dulli 2020 Tour Dates:
03/19 – Galway, IE @ Róisín Dubh
03/20 – Dublin, IE @ Whelans
03/22 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Warehouse
03/23 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
03/24 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
03/26 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
03/27 – Hasselt, BE @ Muziekodroom
03/28 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix
03/30 – Cologne, DE @ Luxor
03/31 – Berlin, DE @ Lido
04/02 – Copenhagen, DK @ Hotel Cecil
04/03 – Stockholm, SE @Debaser Strand
04/04 – Oslo, NO @ Parkteatret
04/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
04/25 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
04/26 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
04/28 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
04/29 – Cincinnati. OH @ Woodward Theater
04/30 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
05/01 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall
05/03 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
05/05 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/06 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
05/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/09 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
05/10 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
05/12 – Atlanta, GA @ The Loft
05/15 – New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
05/16 – Austin, TX @ 3Ten @ ACL Live
05/17 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
05/19 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
05/22 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
05/23 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
05/26 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
05/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Palace Theater