Thy Is a Word & Feet Need Lamps’ turns 20 this month! Here’s a reflection on the album from
@half.handedcloud himself...
“Most of these songs were
written & demoed (see Bible Verses With A Bad Name on Bandcamp link in AKR bio) in early 2001 during the same period that I wrote the ones for Half-handed Cloud’s 2nd album, ‘We Haven’t Just Been Told, We Have Been Loved’.
For ages, the songs from ‘Thy Is A Word were only heard at Half-h performances. I eventually made recordings (with a group of local collaborators) that I was satisfied with in 2004, a couple of years
after moving to Berkeley, CA, that were mixed with Daniel C. Smith(Danielson), who also recorded drum-kit parts by Sufjan Stevens. The songs consist primarily of narrative songs about biblical mayhem, etc.
Featured images:
1. ‘Thy is A Word & Feet Need Lamps’ album artwork
2. Half-handed Cloud’s John Ringhofer in 2005, paired with an AKR-issued Thy Is A Word postcard
3. Clockwise from top right: John’s ¼” reel-to-reel tape recorder, John Benson (
@jhontbenson ) on clarinet, Sufjan Stevens (
@sufjan ) on drum kit, Bert Hiscock (RIP) on cello.
4. John R. in 2005, + Thy Is A Word’s original reel-to-reel tapes
5. John R. with his 2004-2005 Thy Is A Word Berkeley, CA church roommate, Bruce Babbitt (the gardener).
6. Some of Thy Is A Word’s recording participants Top: Bert, Emily(
@tonyhannahmusic ), Ryan / Middle: Gabe Saucedo (
@redponyclock ), Joel,
John Benson / Bottom: John R. with Brother Danielson (
@omar_danielsonship ) in 2004, Sufjan in 2004, Amy (aamycamille) with John R.
7. A 4-person version of Half-handed Cloud played Thy Is A Word’s record-release show in Oakland, CA, March 2005. L-R: John R, Josiah
Wolf (
@josiahwolf ), Gabe Saucedo, John Benson. A version of this band toured the western U.S. to SXSW 2005 and back.
8. East Bay Express feature / review by
@robharvilla of Thy Is A Word’s record release show
9. Spring 2005 Half-handed Cloud, east coast touring with Vollmar (good brothers
@justin.vollmar &
@nawmer ). We recorded an NYC radio
show, link in AKR bio to listen.
10. A selection of Thy Is A Word reviews
Link in bio/stories.
