River's 50th Birthday Fundraiser
for Rainforest Trust UK
Via JustGiving
£250.00 raised in River's memory
£250.00 raised in River's memory
ALEKA'S ATTIC
Jump to Listen to Alone U Elope (2020) Jump to New LaunchLeft Online Store Jump to Aleka's Attic - Information Jump to Aleka's Attic - News Jump to Aleka's Attic - Music Jump to Aleka's Attic - Gallery
ALEKA'S ATTIC - ALONE U ELOPE
23rd August 2020. SoundCloud Player - Click on 'Listen in browser' to play (mobile devices)
The new LaunchLeft online store is now live.
The store will apparently disappear once all the merchandise has gone. So, if you want to purchase anything.... be quick!!
The store will apparently disappear once all the merchandise has gone. So, if you want to purchase anything.... be quick!!
ALEKA'S ATTIC - INFORMATION
"Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling."..... River Phoenix
VIDEO SHARED FROM YOUTUBE - CREDIT TO THE UPLOADER
When River moved to Gainesville, Florida with his family, he formed Aleka's Attic with his sister Rain, Josh Greenbaum and Josh McKay. Over the next few years, some members left the band and were replaced.
At one stage, Aleka's Attic signed a record deal with Island Records - this was later abandoned, but River never gave up trying to have his music released.
In early 1993, River began working on an Aleka's Attic album. It was, unfortunately, never completed - though most of the recording was done. The album, which was going to be called 'Never Odd or Even,' was recorded at his private studio in Micanopy, Florida and Pro Media Studios in Gainesville, Florida.
Here is the list of songs for the album:
Alone We Elope
Below Beloved
Bliss Is
DogGod
Get Anything
Note to a Friend
Safety Pins and Army Boots
Scales and Fishnails
Senilefelines
Solo 2x4
You're So Ostentatious
At one stage, Aleka's Attic signed a record deal with Island Records - this was later abandoned, but River never gave up trying to have his music released.
In early 1993, River began working on an Aleka's Attic album. It was, unfortunately, never completed - though most of the recording was done. The album, which was going to be called 'Never Odd or Even,' was recorded at his private studio in Micanopy, Florida and Pro Media Studios in Gainesville, Florida.
Here is the list of songs for the album:
Alone We Elope
Below Beloved
Bliss Is
DogGod
Get Anything
Note to a Friend
Safety Pins and Army Boots
Scales and Fishnails
Senilefelines
Solo 2x4
You're So Ostentatious
"Aleka is a poet philosopher - and the attic is a meeting place where he lives and has a secret society. People come and visit him and read his works, then he dies and they meet regularly and continue the reading of his works, and from that - learn their own, and become filled with this new passion for life, and they express it through music and form a band. We've put it in a fairy tale setting."..... River Phoenix
ALEKA'S ATTIC TRIVIA
River came up with the name 'Aleka's Attic.'
The song 'Across The Way,' which was written by River and Josh McKay was included on the 1989 PETA benefit album - 'Tame Yourself.'
In 1991, the director of 'My Own Private Idaho' - Gus Van Sant, included the song 'Too Many Colours' in the movie. However, it does not appear on the Soundtrack.
The song 'Note To A Friend,' which was written by River, is included on the 1996 album - 'In Defence of Animals - Volume 2.' The vocals for the song were performed by River and his sister Rain, and River's good friend Flea, from the 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers' played bass guitar.
After the original break-up of the band - River, Josh Greenbaum and Flea played a gig in Los Angeles under the name of 'Tyrannosaurus.'
River and Josh McKay did an interview during a concert in New York, for a UK show called 'Best Of.' Amanda De Cadenet was the interviewer.
In 1997 Michael Stipe bought all of Aleka's Attic's demo tapes and songs from Island Records.
The song 'Across The Way,' which was written by River and Josh McKay was included on the 1989 PETA benefit album - 'Tame Yourself.'
In 1991, the director of 'My Own Private Idaho' - Gus Van Sant, included the song 'Too Many Colours' in the movie. However, it does not appear on the Soundtrack.
The song 'Note To A Friend,' which was written by River, is included on the 1996 album - 'In Defence of Animals - Volume 2.' The vocals for the song were performed by River and his sister Rain, and River's good friend Flea, from the 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers' played bass guitar.
After the original break-up of the band - River, Josh Greenbaum and Flea played a gig in Los Angeles under the name of 'Tyrannosaurus.'
River and Josh McKay did an interview during a concert in New York, for a UK show called 'Best Of.' Amanda De Cadenet was the interviewer.
In 1997 Michael Stipe bought all of Aleka's Attic's demo tapes and songs from Island Records.
Music is a hobby, because I'm not making any money out of it. But I put as much conviction in that, as I do into my acting."..... River Phoenix
ALEKA'S ATTIC - NEWS
3rd May 2020
Two previously unreleased Aleka's Attic songs will be made available on River's 50th Birthday on 23rd August 2020
16th February 2019
Directed by Bradley Gregg
Kro Records/LaunchLeft
Kro Records/LaunchLeft
14th February 2019
Time Gone (Sold Out)
River + Rain T Shirts still available (see link below)
"This release is so special to me..... Thank you to the Aleka & River fans, Michael Stipe, Kro Records and LaunchLeft for helping to bring this into the world. May it be the cause of more love and joy for us all. Listen wherever you hear music"..... Rain Phoenix (via Instagram)
1. Time is the Killer
2. Where I’d Gone
3. Scales & Fishnails
2. Where I’d Gone
3. Scales & Fishnails
LaunchLeft website
24th January 2019
Rain Phoenix teams with brother River's band and Michael Stipe for new music
“I felt compelled and driven to. I can’t explain it except to say the time feels right,” sibling says of releasing Aleka’s Attic songs 25 years after brother’s death
Rain Phoenix, the sister of the late River Phoenix, has teamed up with Michael Stipe for a new song called “Time is the Killer.” The song will appear on Time Gone, a Double A-side single with her brother’s band Aleka’s Attic. It drops on February 14th via Kro Records/LaunchLeft but is available for pre-order now. Kro Records is the new label from musician/producers Lawrence Rothman, Justin Raisen and Yves Rothman and LaunchLeft is Rain’s imprint.
The release features two previously unreleased Aleka’s Attic tracks, “Where I’d Gone” and “Scales & Fishnails,” alongside Rain and Stipe’s “Time is the Killer,” which is Rain’s first single as a solo artist.
The release features two previously unreleased Aleka’s Attic tracks, “Where I’d Gone” and “Scales & Fishnails,” alongside Rain and Stipe’s “Time is the Killer,” which is Rain’s first single as a solo artist.
“For me, [‘Time is the Killer’ is] about impermanence, our futile attempts at avoiding it and the bittersweet outcome of everything changing all the time,” Rain tells Rolling Stone. “I like to hear what other people think about what it means.”
Of her collaborating with Stipe, she says they have been friends for a long time, but the request didn’t come easily. “It was so close to home for me, it was difficult, but I got up the courage and asked. Stipe asked to hear the song,” she says. “He loved it. He said yes. I am still in shock. His voice is magic.”
A trailer for Time Gone features childhood footage of Rain and River along with scenes of River performing live. The clip is soundtracked to Aleka’s Attic’s “Scales & Fishnails.” (see below)
Rain says she originally mixed the Aleka’s Attic’s songs back in the late Nineties, but “I felt compelled and driven to. I can’t explain it except to say the time feels right” to put them out now, around the 25th anniversary of River Phoenix’s death (Phoenix died on October 31st, 1993). She says she was already considering releasing the songs when Kro Records approached her. “I love it when things unfold like that,” she adds.
“River was so ahead of his time. I feel the songs are still relevant in 2019,” she says.
Of her collaborating with Stipe, she says they have been friends for a long time, but the request didn’t come easily. “It was so close to home for me, it was difficult, but I got up the courage and asked. Stipe asked to hear the song,” she says. “He loved it. He said yes. I am still in shock. His voice is magic.”
A trailer for Time Gone features childhood footage of Rain and River along with scenes of River performing live. The clip is soundtracked to Aleka’s Attic’s “Scales & Fishnails.” (see below)
Rain says she originally mixed the Aleka’s Attic’s songs back in the late Nineties, but “I felt compelled and driven to. I can’t explain it except to say the time feels right” to put them out now, around the 25th anniversary of River Phoenix’s death (Phoenix died on October 31st, 1993). She says she was already considering releasing the songs when Kro Records approached her. “I love it when things unfold like that,” she adds.
“River was so ahead of his time. I feel the songs are still relevant in 2019,” she says.
Original article at rollingstone.com
31st October 2018
"On the 25th anniversary of his death, in celebration of my brother River’s life, I wanted to share this special video for his song ‘‘In The Corner Dunce" written and recorded when he was 18 years old. The footage is from our tour in 1991 of which half the gigs were benefit concerts for causes he supported. River and I started singing together when he was five and I was three. He was my everything creative. I feel so fortunate for the time we had together and he is still present in all that I do. River was a champion of the marginalized and misunderstood. He was an advocate for left of center expression. He lived and breathed music. For River, honesty and authenticity were non negotiable. They were his north star and it reflected in the integrity of his work. This is why I feel it’s important to have Aleka’s Attic be the first post on LaunchLeft. It is my hope that this space can become a safe harbor for left of center artists to whom, like River, radical creativity is not a choice, but a necessity. Happy Halloween"..... Rain Phoenix (via YouTube)
ALEKA'S ATTIC - MUSIC
The tracks below are the only ones I have. SoundCloud Player - Click on 'Listen in browser' to play (mobile devices)
I was sent these tracks by a visitor to the old site back in 2007 - No copyright infringement is intended
Too Many Colors Lyrics
My closet is all i have for secrets
I lived once before
It looked just like mom's painting
Dad made me play ball
I lost my real reason
I was scared, it's taste was sweet
There were too many colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more and you'll get used to other colors
Somehow we get strapped into unlikely straight jackets
Top tailors
Pay all
We'll say how well they suit you
They sold you bad credit
Stressed brainless, you can't budget
Sleeping ills and black/white dreams
Inside it seems like treason
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
This world is colored in by your own hearts
It could be a melting pot for some kids crayons
This world has more than i want to choose from
There's too many colors
Our mix strong
They're now colorless i have found
Human method
One stab more than any advert could offer
Turn of glaith, of her self-induced revision
Wash your face
Look, mirror the strain on a color of your
Eyes can show you
Are they bight red or white?
Don't just close
Those shudders don't just pull off those covers
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Waking, it's time that you all get used to other colors
Waking, it's time that you all get used to other colors
My closet is all i have for secrets
I lived once before
It looked just like mom's painting
Dad made me play ball
I lost my real reason
I was scared, it's taste was sweet
There were too many colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more and you'll get used to other colors
Somehow we get strapped into unlikely straight jackets
Top tailors
Pay all
We'll say how well they suit you
They sold you bad credit
Stressed brainless, you can't budget
Sleeping ills and black/white dreams
Inside it seems like treason
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
This world is colored in by your own hearts
It could be a melting pot for some kids crayons
This world has more than i want to choose from
There's too many colors
Our mix strong
They're now colorless i have found
Human method
One stab more than any advert could offer
Turn of glaith, of her self-induced revision
Wash your face
Look, mirror the strain on a color of your
Eyes can show you
Are they bight red or white?
Don't just close
Those shudders don't just pull off those covers
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Wake up some more
Should you all get used to many other colors
Waking, it's time that you all get used to other colors
Waking, it's time that you all get used to other colors
ALEKA'S ATTIC - Where I'd Gone (listen via YouTube)
Where I'd Gone Lyrics
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Just to circle your plans
Don't you spin me so I'm so all tied
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Just to circle your plans
Don't you spin me so I'm so all tied
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
You're gone
Gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Just to circle your plans
Don't you spin me so I'm so all tied
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Just to circle your plans
Don't you spin me so I'm so all tied
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
Your close friend then
Where I'd gone the other day
Come close and I'll tell you 'bout it
You're gone
Gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
Where I'd gone
ALEKA'S ATTIC - In The Corner Dunce (listen via YouTube)
In The Corner Dunce Lyrics
There's a hole in my hat
Shows a near miss grazing my scalp
And my hand are the only injuries
I'll stand if I can
When I fall, forget me
Will you respond if I float in?
Yes, welcome me back with a marching band
There's a hole in the ozone
So life's worth giving up and when I
Do, now, won't you please forgive me
It's not that I've lost
'Cause in a way, well, I've been winning
Will you respond if I limp in?
Welcome me back with a marching band
There's part of you that can't help
But to see right through this part of me
And so when I go around round and I hit the town
And when I can't be found, then you wait for sounds
Well it's over you, yet under me
And if it's the way it should be then I won't bother
Your point of view is the point in me
So when you hear a loud sound it means I'm back from town
Now all this night is on my side
Ooh like a sitting duck, floating like a swan then flying like a dove
Ooh, la, like a sitting duck
Floating like a swan and it's all afterthought
There's a toll at the bridge
If I pay I'm giving in
And if I don't then I could always swim it
With wings I could fly and avoid the risk of sinking
Will you respond if I float in?
By now I've forgotten how to use my fins
There's a part of you that can't help
But to see right through this part of me
And so when I go around round and I hit the town
And when I can't be found, found then you wait for sounds
Well it's over you, yet under me
And if it's the way it should be then I won't bother
Your point of view is the point of me died
And when you hear a loud sound that means I'm back from town now
I rarely get to feel, you know, I hardly ever feel in place
Like a sitting duck, floating like a swan then flying like a dove
Ooh, la la, it's my faulty love
In the corner like a dunce it's all self-conscious thought
There's a hole in my hat
Shows a near miss grazing my scalp
And my hand are the only injuries
I'll stand if I can
When I fall, forget me
Will you respond if I float in?
Yes, welcome me back with a marching band
There's a hole in the ozone
So life's worth giving up and when I
Do, now, won't you please forgive me
It's not that I've lost
'Cause in a way, well, I've been winning
Will you respond if I limp in?
Welcome me back with a marching band
There's part of you that can't help
But to see right through this part of me
And so when I go around round and I hit the town
And when I can't be found, then you wait for sounds
Well it's over you, yet under me
And if it's the way it should be then I won't bother
Your point of view is the point in me
So when you hear a loud sound it means I'm back from town
Now all this night is on my side
Ooh like a sitting duck, floating like a swan then flying like a dove
Ooh, la, like a sitting duck
Floating like a swan and it's all afterthought
There's a toll at the bridge
If I pay I'm giving in
And if I don't then I could always swim it
With wings I could fly and avoid the risk of sinking
Will you respond if I float in?
By now I've forgotten how to use my fins
There's a part of you that can't help
But to see right through this part of me
And so when I go around round and I hit the town
And when I can't be found, found then you wait for sounds
Well it's over you, yet under me
And if it's the way it should be then I won't bother
Your point of view is the point of me died
And when you hear a loud sound that means I'm back from town now
I rarely get to feel, you know, I hardly ever feel in place
Like a sitting duck, floating like a swan then flying like a dove
Ooh, la la, it's my faulty love
In the corner like a dunce it's all self-conscious thought
Across The Way Lyrics
Hearsay
Here, now, I've heard you found there's more across the way
The other side can look so nice
Until you've heard this myth won't wash away
I've heard there's more in altered land
No rocks, no tools, no stepping stones
You live across the way, I've heard you say
Nodding words
You show out of place
I use mild tone
Wear our sleeve
Hat's off, my tie's undone
Welcome..
This plan to cross boarders
Soldiers divide families:
That's reform
Hearsay
Here, now, I've heard you found across the way
It's green I'm told
You live across the way, I heard you say
Nodding words
You show out of place
I used mild tone
Wear our sleeve
Hat's off
We can't feel you
So numb
And you can't talk so now you're dumb
He's standoffish
The way you sit in your office
(He a goldfish)
He gets as big as your fish bowl
Food for your own dish
Let's just say it's found in all of us
Instead we say: "We, they, she, he"
Just call them out by name
(Good could be found)
Let's sift through sand
(Good could be found)
A falling angel has been canned
(Should it be bound)
A calling
What breathes down your neck is lion's breath
Breathe
You live across the way, I heard you say
Adding words
You show on face
I use, mind hung
Wear armed sleeve
Hat's off
Ties undone
You live across the way, I heard you say
Adding words
You show on face
I use, mind hung
Wear armed sleep
Hat's off
My tie's undone
That's all I have to say for now, I'll save the rest for rainy days
Hearsay
Here, now, I've heard you found there's more across the way
The other side can look so nice
Until you've heard this myth won't wash away
I've heard there's more in altered land
No rocks, no tools, no stepping stones
You live across the way, I've heard you say
Nodding words
You show out of place
I use mild tone
Wear our sleeve
Hat's off, my tie's undone
Welcome..
This plan to cross boarders
Soldiers divide families:
That's reform
Hearsay
Here, now, I've heard you found across the way
It's green I'm told
You live across the way, I heard you say
Nodding words
You show out of place
I used mild tone
Wear our sleeve
Hat's off
We can't feel you
So numb
And you can't talk so now you're dumb
He's standoffish
The way you sit in your office
(He a goldfish)
He gets as big as your fish bowl
Food for your own dish
Let's just say it's found in all of us
Instead we say: "We, they, she, he"
Just call them out by name
(Good could be found)
Let's sift through sand
(Good could be found)
A falling angel has been canned
(Should it be bound)
A calling
What breathes down your neck is lion's breath
Breathe
You live across the way, I heard you say
Adding words
You show on face
I use, mind hung
Wear armed sleeve
Hat's off
Ties undone
You live across the way, I heard you say
Adding words
You show on face
I use, mind hung
Wear armed sleep
Hat's off
My tie's undone
That's all I have to say for now, I'll save the rest for rainy days
Blue Period Lyrics
I never thought I could see such blue
As the ice I fell into
I never thought I could feel such blue
As the chill now embracing her
Most of us know where to go when we need someone
But I'm a fool, too out of reach
I believe no one
This is not the way I want to see your face
And this change could be
The death of you and me
Because I opened the door to such blue livid flesh
How the blood shows through
(As sunken veins withdraw from you)
If I could draw a conclusion here
I'd say that the end draws near
Most of us have somewhere safe to escape from the cold
But we've exhausted any trust to think we could hold
And I'll never know the ghost that wears your clothes
And you must not know how close to the edge I go
This is not the way I want to see your face
Your desperate eyes reach me
As blue as blue could be
Our sentence ends with a blue period
Our sentence ends with a blue period
I never thought I could see such blue
As the ice I fell into
I never thought I could feel such blue
As the chill now embracing her
Most of us know where to go when we need someone
But I'm a fool, too out of reach
I believe no one
This is not the way I want to see your face
And this change could be
The death of you and me
Because I opened the door to such blue livid flesh
How the blood shows through
(As sunken veins withdraw from you)
If I could draw a conclusion here
I'd say that the end draws near
Most of us have somewhere safe to escape from the cold
But we've exhausted any trust to think we could hold
And I'll never know the ghost that wears your clothes
And you must not know how close to the edge I go
This is not the way I want to see your face
Your desperate eyes reach me
As blue as blue could be
Our sentence ends with a blue period
Our sentence ends with a blue period
ALEKA'S ATTIC - Goldmine (listen via YouTube)
Goldmine Lyrics
Working the goldmine
Pushing a pencil around
To move the weary world aside
And kick some life into the grind
Scrape and scratch away on a clean slate
Working the goldmine
Waxing poetic, ropes to climb
A shaft of life can darken heart to resumed life
Into the hard of hearts
Scrape and scratch away
Etch your map in graphite gray on a clean slate
Jump, snaps a gap for a foreman
Chuckle back
You gotta create a chain
Work, work, work your goldmine
And all the fools in the world give in, sell out, close down
You might as well open up your fair share
Work, work your own gold mind
Salvation salesman televise
Peddling the shiny red plastic cards
They whisper spells that threw all your hopes
Don't hear a word, they'll rob you blind
Feel and feel again what it means to grasp and bend on your own fame
Think and think again just on whom it all depends
You gotta create change
Work, work, work your goldmine
And all the gold in the world leaves you cold if it did not come from your own hands
You might as well midas touch your own way to that promised land
Form alone and build now
Find the hyde you claim now
Burn the midnight oil now
Except we're in the light of day now
You gotta work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work it up
Working the goldmine
Pushing a pencil around
To move the weary world aside
And kick some life into the grind
Scrape and scratch away on a clean slate
Working the goldmine
Waxing poetic, ropes to climb
A shaft of life can darken heart to resumed life
Into the hard of hearts
Scrape and scratch away
Etch your map in graphite gray on a clean slate
Jump, snaps a gap for a foreman
Chuckle back
You gotta create a chain
Work, work, work your goldmine
And all the fools in the world give in, sell out, close down
You might as well open up your fair share
Work, work your own gold mind
Salvation salesman televise
Peddling the shiny red plastic cards
They whisper spells that threw all your hopes
Don't hear a word, they'll rob you blind
Feel and feel again what it means to grasp and bend on your own fame
Think and think again just on whom it all depends
You gotta create change
Work, work, work your goldmine
And all the gold in the world leaves you cold if it did not come from your own hands
You might as well midas touch your own way to that promised land
Form alone and build now
Find the hyde you claim now
Burn the midnight oil now
Except we're in the light of day now
You gotta work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work it up
For other River music - Go to the Music page
ALEKA'S ATTIC - GALLERY
Click image for full view (Newest at the end)
