San Francisco’s Tony Jay, the solo  project of lo-fi and Fog Pop legend Michael Ramos, former drummer of April Magazine and current member of Flowertown and Sad Eyed Beatniks, a year on from Perfect Worlds, his first record fro Slumberland, gives us two new songs, ahead of the release of Knife Is But A Dream, his new album, which will be out August 16th, 2024 on Paisley Shirt Records, Slumberland Records, and Galaxy Train. Composed and recorded entirely within the confines of his home, the album whispers of quiet companionship as he shepherds a beloved feline through a time of delicate health. This collection delves deeper into the realms of ambient noise and collage, territories previously hinted at in his earlier works. The songs, themselves, retain a skeletal elegance, a stark contrast to the swirling chaos that surrounds them. The final product evokes the image of a charcoal sketch, rendered with swift strokes and unwavering confidence, a fleeting moment of beauty captured for all time.

The lyrical threads weave a poignant narrative, a tapestry woven from recent trials in Ramos’s life. Here, we find him grappling with the mortality of his feline companion. Also present is the sting of detachment, a poignant reminder of a human friendship that has lost its former closeness. Amidst the shadows, a glimmer of optimism shines through, finding solace in the newfound freedom that comes with a life less tethered to old patterns, and a blossoming romance that brings with it a renewed capacity for joy. 

Penny, his 14 year old cat, provides guitar muting, keyboard playing, and backup vocals on some tracks. The album is mastered by Andy Pastalaniec of Chime School.

The Album: Tony Jay – Knife Is But A Dream

Tracklist:

1. Ancient Slice 2. Something Kind 3. Cool Beat 4. Knife Is But A Dream 5. Doubtfully Yours 6. Grey Is The Night 7. The Softest String 8. A Dream Goes On Forever 9. Spider Plants 10. The World In Julia’s Eyes 11. Water In A Cage 12. The Darkest Corner 13. Treasury Of Reveries 14. This Sux (Amen) 15. It Destroys Me

Knife Is But A Dream will be out August 16th, 2024 On Paisley Shirt Records Slumberland Records and Galaxy Train. Look HERE for more information on Tony Jay.