Deluxe double vinyl version of Tim Stiles' solo album, Cicada Exoskeletons. Pressed on 180gm, merlot and teal vinyl with full color gatefold jacket, shrink-wrapped. Featuring custom art by Ryan Breault and Richard Lim. Limited to 300 copies.
IMPORTANT: Do you want your copy signed? If you would like the cover signed by Tim Stiles, please use the send a message option at checkout in order to request a signature. Signed copies will have their shrink-wrap removed but will be placed inside a resealable poly bag. Unsigned copies come fully shrink-wrapped.
Includes unlimited streaming of Cicada Exoskeletons
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 3 days
edition of 300
$45USDor more
Purchase both Limited Edition Vinyl LPs at 20% off (Normally $70).
Dedicated to the town of Carmel, CA. Inspired by the album, ‘Carmel’ by Joe Sample (1979).
Back story:
I've always been grateful for having grown up in such a beautiful area. Carmel and Monterey hold a special place in my heart, but I never thought to write a song about them until March of 2016.
I was sent to work out of Dublin, Ireland that month and had made a note to go find some local vinyl. I'd previously stumbled across a small independent record store called, MOJOS Records and thankfully remembered to stop in during my last day in town.
While sifting through literally the first crate a specific record caught my eye. It read, 'Carmel' in the upper right hand corner. As I lifted it out of the crate I was shocked to see that the cover was a full photo of an artist named Joe Sample posing in from of what looked exactly like Carmel beach! I flipped the record over to yet another full photo of the same with a quote from Joe titled, Carmel-By-The-Sea and song titles such as 'Carmel,' 'Cannery Row,' and 'A Rainy Day In Monterey.' This confirmed my suspicions that this was a full album about my hometown. And not only that but the liner notes read it was released in 1979, the year I was born! I immediately purchased the record along with some others. After returning home, I sat down and listened to the album in its entirety. It turned out to be a fully instrumental, contemporary jazz record, that painted pictures of the landscape of both Carmel and Monterey. That's when the inspiration sparked.
I wanted the song to be a tribute to and a reflection of Carmel and have the same descriptive imagery as the album which brought on the idea. That's why you hear many references to the scenery of Carmel along with shouts out to many artists of all mediums who are known for capturing the essence of Carmel and Monterey's coastal beauty and architecture (i.e. Ansel Adams, Nancy Dodds, Frank Lloyd Wright).
I hope you enjoy the song and plan to visit Carmel someday.
lyrics
[V1]
This uncommon, small town is a sight to be seen
Lying on the west coast elbow of Cali...
With a comfortable temperature at 60-some degrees,
She’s rich with scenery and thick with history
From Spanish settlements lead by Junipero Serra
And Shakespeare plays from the 1700’s era
She’s astounding… Once within her surroundings
You’ll find no comparison, and you won’t want to leave
As the fog builds around her hills and valleys,
From villages and ranches advancing toward her beach
Traffic crawls until it’s standing where signs reading, ‘Stop’
Rarely cross divided streets
Her slower pace yields an independent appeal
From mom ’n' pop shops to the Lone Cypress Tree
She will *not* let the conglomerate of corporations wander in
With Jack In the Box nor McDonald’s offerings...
Barking sea lions, cackling scrub jays,
Woodpeckers & hummingbirds are heard amongst her trees
With Monterey as her sister, she's a fixture
Just read Steinbeck’s literature off Cannery Row’s industry
From factories to factoring tourism hands of trade
She celebrates with airshows where Jazz Festivals are commonplace
From adoption to adopting my mainstay
I found my way along this Hwy One accolade
Although I now reside in a different state,
One day I will return...
You can find me at the Mission Inn,
Sipping wine and listening to the crashing waves
[Chorus]
If I were to pick one place to spend Sundays
From then until the end of the following week
No hesitation, no question necessary
I’d retire in Carmel-by-the-Sea
If I only had one choice where my heart would expire
If I had to decide where I’d be laid to rest in peace
It’d be the place which molded and guided me... Carmel-By-The-Sea
If I *had* to pick one place to spend Saturdays
‘Til the saddest day our earth’s end is reached
My decision would be heartfelt,
You can meet me at the guardrail By-The-Sea of Carmel
If I only had *one* choice...
If I *had* to decide right now under this star belt
It wouldn't be a hard sell, the land that’s a part of me,
Where my heart’s held, the town of Carmel
[verse two]
If you ever plan a visit you’ll find the kindest of people,
Grey and white seagulls and sunset skies unequaled
The view from her Point overwhelms revealing Pebble Beach
Where The Pro-Am convenes in a contest of technique
Travel down Scenic Ave for designs by Frank Lloyd Wright
And find the house of former mayor, Clint Eastwood
Her one-square mile of rustic cottages, astonishes
It’s no wonder so many paintings have been drafted upon an easel
Her valley’s rolling hills once depicted by Salvador Dali
Plus Thomas Kinkade’s paintings fill multiple galleries
Nancy Dodds has been a staple and the photog,
Ansel Adams captured her essence, so regal
Even Hank Ketcham comics and children’s books by Dr. Seuss
Were inspired by her, igniting more than a sequel
She’s uncommonly quiet. There’s solace in her silence
A reason for advertisement of a place so peaceful
Where a gem a with gentle breeze meets a salty smell of kelp
Dwells a healthily lived lifestyle
You can read all about her beauty in travel magazines
But a visit would be far more worth your while
I’m a fortunate one for having had the opportunity
To grow up with her sands beneath my feet
I’m the fortunate one for having her and her community
To call my balance beam
(Chorus x 1)
credits
from Cicada Exoskeletons,
released September 3, 2021
Written by Tim Stiles
Piano sample from 'Paintings' by Joe Sample (1979)
Produced by Jay Battle
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jay Battle @ The Battlefield
Seattle, WA
Tim Stiles is an independent hip-hop artist historically known as the lead vocalist/rapper of the satirical hip hop band,
Passion Party. Tim is no one trick pony. He’s a clever, crafty wordsmith in his own right with an ability to adapt to just about any concept or genre....more
