Tag Archives: James Kelly Pitts

Ball of Wax 67 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “T0ngu3”

The sound of an orchestra warming up and a smattering of applause provides the transition from the preceding track to James Kelly Pitts’s “T0ngu3.” Where Alejandro Magaña Aviña brought us a mini-movie soundtrack, James has given us a soundscape for … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 64 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “I Made a Joke About God”

James Kelly Pitts’s “I Made a Joke About God” was one of two works interpreted by photographer Eva Wang. Ball of Wax Volume 64: The Music of TELEPHONE by James Kelly Pitts [Context: here and here.]

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Ball of Wax 62 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “God Is Not a Cop”

In hushed tones barely louder than a whisper, James Kelly Pitts exhorts the listener to “Do anything at all.” Simple guitar chords and minimalist percussion frame this quiet demand to break the inertia of the everyday and to think past … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 56: James Kelly Pitts – “Rose Colored Wine Bottle”

We’ve heard James Kelly Pitts in many modes: lo-fi weirdo, pissed-off polemicist, field-recording dronemonger, climate mourner, and more. “Rose Colored Wine Bottle” is possibly the most straightforward track I’ve heard from him – a slow, gorgeous, meditation for finger-picked guitar … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 53 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “Answers”

I think, in the songs of James Kelly Pitts and Poor Neighbors, I have discovered a new genre: soothing songs about climate apocalypse. “Answers” is a slow, gentle song that builds gradually, anchored by a quarter-note kick drum; whole-note bass; … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 51 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “When It Happened I Got So Dizzy It Happened Again”

If I may pause briefly here to pat myself on the back, I’m really pleased with how Ball of Wax has often become a platform for people to branch out from their usual modes, to try new things they might … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 50 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “I Knew Those Words”

Leave it to the author of the previously drooled over “Night Shift” to present a somewhat optimal set-closer. You can follow a lot about James Kelly Pitts in the recent issues of BoW. He’s been building expressive seemingly DIY tracks … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 49 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “Right Foot Blue”

“Right Foot Blue” is newish BoW regular James Kelly Pitts’s third appearance in these parts. I’ve admired his approach to songwriting and production since receiving his first submission, “Night Shift,” but two adjectives that I haven’t previously connected to his … Continue reading

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BoW 48 at Conor Byrne! Songs of Resistance at Folklife!

Hello there, Friends of Wax. There are a couple events coming up that you should know about if you like music, or resistance, or languages. I hope to see you at both. (Or at least one. [But really, come on, … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 47 Songs: James Kelly Pitts – “Rich Kids”

James Kelly Pitts’s “Rich Kids” was one of the first submissions I received for this volume, just a couple weeks after I’d put out the call and barely a month after election day. It was clear that he had something … Continue reading

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