WAIST HIGH: Gary Lightbody Forms Tired Pony With Peter Buck.

5/22/2010

Gary Lightbody Forms Tired Pony With Peter Buck.

Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck have come together as Tired Pony and recorded the country-influenced The Place We Ran From, due for release on July 12 from Fiction Records.

Long wishing to make a country album, saying he wanted to "get it out of his system," Lightbody said he was inspired to form Tired Pony by alt-country heroes Calexico and Wilco, telling the BBC, "I can't get away with writing pure country music because I haven't lived that life, but I love it so much that I always wanted to try my hand at it."

Lightbody said the album takes a look at the darkness in America.

Revealing that Peter Buck was one of his all-time heroes, Gary told Q Magazine prior to the recording that he admires Peter's "versatility, he can play any stringed instrument and more besides. I can't wait to see what he comes up with! He's a real innovator, which is great because this is a whole new project."

Recorded in January at the Type Foundry Studio in this writer's beloved Portland, Oregon, The Place We Ran From also features She & Him's M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, Editors lead singer Tom Smith, Belle & Sebastian drummer Richard Colburn, Ivor Novello Award winning writer and former Snow Patrol member Iain Archer, and long-time R.E.M. contributor Scott McCaughey. The album was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee.

Gary Lightbody, who has never made a secret of his love for Portland, performed a raw version of a Tired Pony song called "I Finally Love This Town" (which did not end up on the album) last October in the live performance lounge of Portland's KINK.FM while in town for Snow Patrol's show at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall later that evening.

Lightbody described the song in the KINK studios, which he said he had written the previous night, as "written in Portland, inspired by Portland."

The track listing for The Place We Ran From is:

"Northwestern Skies"

"Get On The Road"

"Point Me At Lost Islands"

"Dead American Writers"

"Held In The Arms Of Your Words"

"That Silver Necklace"

"I Am A Landslide"

"The Deepest Ocean There Is"

"The Good Book"

"Pieces"

Photo: Exclaim! Media Inc.

Quote: bbc.co.uk

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.