one of my favorite things about living in New York City is if you hop the right train (or the wrong train, even better) you can end up in another part of the world.

the air carries different languages and odors, depending on which side of town you’re on. the Afro-Caribbean storefronts in Bed-Stuy display different signage and delicacies in the windows from the ones in, say, K-town, up by Greeley Square.

you can be a foreigner in your own hometown.

there are reminders everywhere in the city of the fact that we’re all equal because we’re all different. what makes us all the same is that we’re not all the same. our skin color, our foods, the places we come from, all the things that make us distinct and individual, these are the things that unite us. they could.

here is a new song called shin. it’s a love song. kinda anyway.

12 responses to “shin”

  1. Cookie, your gentle singing seems more so with this song. A sweet melancholy sound. The intro reminded me of Alabama Shakes. Are you familiar with that band? A lovely description of the diversity you experience in your city. I find that to be true where I live and in teaching. Like you, I enjoy that. ✨

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    1. I don’t know that band, Michele. people say it’s like I’m singing right next to them, and I like it when they say that. I’m after that, I want to feel close and I’m happy when people feel that way back. 🤍

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      1. A few notes in the beginning before you began singing reminded me of that band. They have a great sound! It does feel an intimate listening experience, yes. Thank you. 🩷

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  2. There’s something about being a tourist in your own city. ❤️

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    1. I know, right? although people from out of town stop me for directions all the time. I must have that look that says made in nyc.

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      1. I think you likely do. It’s a good look to have. 😎

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  3. It’s a love-ly song, Cookie…

    “you can be a foreigner in your own hometown.”…… reminds me of how often I get lost in my hometown yet it’s sooo small 🥴lol…and how much I’ve probably restricted myself…
    I saw “adventurous” when I read this (if it makes any sense 😬lol)

    it must be nice to feel comfortable enough to say “or the wrong train, even better”.
    (I need to get out more 😭🤭lol)

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    1. there’s always someplace new to discover and often it’s somewhere a street or two over. thank you, Destiny, for liking my song. I will post lyrics next I think.

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      1. you make it sound so easy, Cookie…thank you and a pleasure always 🤍

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  4. Hi cookie. Great new song. Again, at risk of repetition, hauntingly wonderful. I listened a couple of times this morning, and after reading your descriptive blog, immediately went to YouTube to listen to Kirsty MacColl’s ‘Walking down Madison’. You triggered with the ‘train’ connection. And the excuse to listen to Kirsty’s best ever song again was immediate. Then a rabbit hole of YouTube music videos followed, Ultra Orange with Emmanuelle Seiger were a great revisit too, and then gardening all day. It is fantastic having your blog give insightful scenarios that influence your writing and lyrics. Brilliant combinations of storyville, lyricville and melodyville which allows listeners to understand the process of how your songs are developed. Very cool. All the best cookie.

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    1. aww, Gray, thank you. I don’t know those musicians. I will go find them and listen. please post some new music of your own as soon as you can. I can’t wait to hear it.

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      1. Cheers cookie. Ultra Orange with Emmanuelle is an album I listened to years ago. Played it over and over. The Ultra Orange YouTube mix list got me down those rabbit holes. Loads of really strange music which took me on an incredible journey of artists and songs I hadn’t known of.

        Next week is the intention to focus properly on the music again. I have been going through loads of ideas alongside the songs that are pretty much complete from my side of contributions. Just bobbing in for an hour or so each day by picking up and strumming the guitars. The other guys are a few months down the line. They are busy with full on commitments. So I will be blog uploading songs that are not complete. Just interesting to show the process really. The aim is an end of Autumn time of year realisation for a fuller project to be cemented down. Cheers for the reply cookie.

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