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Pandemic Blues

by Dan Israel

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Despite releasing TWO full length albums within the last 15 months (2019's "Social Media Anxiety Disorder" and 2020's "Social Distance Anxiety Disorder") to critical acclaim, prolific Twin Cities singer-songwriter Dan Israel comes roaring back again this winter with the timely, groove-centered, haunting slide-based single "Pandemic Blues," recorded with Steve Price (The Suburbs), and featuring Twin Cities all-stars Peter Anderson on drums, Steve Brantseg on lead guitar, and Katy Vernon on backing vocals.

"Pandemic Blues" is the first track on Israel's new 5-song EP "Late at Night" - which features studio recordings of "Pandemic Blues" and "Late at Night" as well as home demo versions of both songs, plus one more home demo, "Drove So Far/Lose the Plot."

With no shortage of 2020-specific existential angst, on "Pandemic Blues" Israel more or less shouts out, over an "Exile on Main Street"-like Stonesy groove, to anyone willing to hear: "The pandemic blues, what else is new? They say they'll cure it, or we'll have to choose,
A life lived in danger, or lived in a tomb, how you getting through? What you gonna do?"

Equal parts despairing and danceable, Dan Israel's "Pandemic Blues" is a song for this (exasperatingly frustrating) moment in time. And while the music has its hypnotic, trance-like aspects, it's safe to say that everyone, Israel included, sincerely hopes the song's dire lyrical themes become increasingly less relevant in the coming months, and instead of remaining a commentary on ongoing troubles, soon becomes simply a memorable (and tuneful) documentation of an extremely difficult moment in time - one whose grip on all aspects of our lives hopefully begins to loosen in the coming months.

lyrics

The pandemic blues, what else is new? They say they'll cure it, or we'll have to choose,
A life lived in danger, or lived in a tomb, how you getting through? What you gonna do?
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues

The pandemic blues, like Groundhog Day, everywhere you look, someone holds your fate,
You read a book, or you make a date, you stay inside, don't go past the gate,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues

Too late to realize, you shouldn't have let it begin,
Too let to recognize, you share the original sin....

The pandemic blues, turn off the news,
Everyone is crazy, living in their zoo,
You look for comfort, you just get grief,
And your time's all stolen, an invisible thief,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues

There's still, just a little time, to just get out of the way,
Don't let them beat you down, ruin a beautiful day

The pandemic blues, gets under your skin,
Don't have the answer, to the shape I'm in,
Can't drown your sorrows, at the local bar,
So you binge on Netflix, and play slide guitar

Oh, oh, the pandemic blues
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues,
Oh, oh, the pandemic blues

credits

released January 15, 2021
credits
from Late at Night (EP), released January 15, 2021
Recorded/Mixed/Produced by Steve Price at Dream Hog

Dan Israel - lead vocals, acoustic slide guitar, electric rhythm guitar
Steve Brantseg - lead electric guitar
Peter Anderson - drums and percussion
Katy Vernon - backing vocals
Steve Price - bass and keys (and some backing vocals at the end)

Mastered by Tom Garneau
Art and design by Jon Hunt
Photography by Steven Cohen

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Dan Israel Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dan Israel is a longtime fixture on the Minneapolis music scene. He was the first guest on 89.3 The Current’s “Local Show” & has been called “the hardest working singer-songwriter in Minnesota.” He won Song of the Year (for “Come to Me”) in the 2005 Minnesota Music Awards & Songwriter of the Year in the 2006 MMA’s. He received a 4-star review from the UK’s “Uncut” mag for his 2007 album "Turning." ... more

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