Exactly the T-shirt you see on the album cover. Gildan Ultra Cotton 6oz. T-shirt in Kelly green, screenprinted with white ink. Manufactured by One Hour Tees in Chicago.
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lyrics
You can ask me what I think about incessant driving rain;
You can ask how many minutes to the nearest Blue Line train;
You can say in idle conversation “How about dose Bears?”;
You can mention Kim and Kanye and assert nobody cares;
You can squee in joy because the Zoo just got a new giraffe;
You can mention Sarah Palin, haha haha haha, laugh;
You can idly start a chat by praising Amazon dot com,
But please don’t let the first thing be to ask me where I’m from.
Now I’m quite aware my vowels are not native to these shores
And it’s obvious you consider mine more interesting than yours,
But I’ll tell you when you tell me “Oh my god, you have an accent!”:
Literally everybody has a freakin’ accent.
General American is what comes from your mouth,
Maybe with a slight inflection from the Midwest or the South.
And I won’t prejudge your character, I’ll treat you with aplomb,
Until you have to know right now exactly where I’m from.
You can ask me my opinion of the pizza in this town;
You can ask me if this elevator’s going up or down;
You can ask about my music taste, your favourite band’s The Cure;
You can state that those who use emojis simply aren’t mature;
You can lead with nearly anything from A to Z or Zee,
But for god’s sake don’t you treat me like a bloody novelty
Cause you wouldn’t tell a black person “Your hair’s da bomb!”
So similarly don’t you start with asking where I’m from.
Now I know that’s quite a claim with the ethnicity I am:
Put it this way. I’d have been okay in 60s Birmingham.
I’m aware I have more privilege than most migrants to this nation;
Perhaps I can’t complain. Regardless, back to that conflation
Of my accent and black follicles. You’re actually fetishising
When that’s the thing you latch upon. Also I’m advising
You don’t ask Asian-Americans “but where’re you really from?”
That’s worse than but still comparable to asking where I’m from.
Now I don’t object to getting round eventually to that
Cause it’s natural to touch on where we grew up when we chat
But it’s rude to leap straight to my accent. Now are you seeing
That I’m more than just a foreigner, I am a human being?
I cycle, I play music, I present on radio,
I like history and exercise and drinking nice Bordeaux.
We could talk about all that or more but god I get so glum
When you go “OMG your accent! Tell me where you’re from!”
You don’t recognise it makes you look incredibly small-minded
Like you’ve never met a foreigner before; it’s like you’re blinded
To the fact the USA was built on waves of immigration.
Yes I’m not a magic unicorn, despite your fascination!
I’m a normal breathing human, I’ll assume you’re much the same.
God, instead of leaping to my accent, ask me what’s my name.
My name’s Robbie, from Chicago, and I swear I’ll bloody vom
The next time someone starts a convo with “Where are you from”.
credits
from Pumpkins,
released April 2, 2018
Robbie Ellis · vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
Anthony Ferner · flute
Yvette Audain · clarinet, alto saxophone
Thomas Eves · trumpet
Chris Petch · trombone
Sarah McCracken · violin
Jiwon Lee · violin
Pippa Mills · viola
Naomi Hnat · cello
Jono Sawyer · drum kit
Kira Josephson, Charlotte Elsie Crone, Brendon Bennetts and Kris Finnerty · crowd vocals
Engineered by Michael Bell at Orange Studios, Christchurch, except:
- Drum kit engineered by Louis Bernstone at Ellamy Studios, Auckland.
Edited by Michael Bell and Robbie Ellis.
Mixed by Thom O’Connor.
Mastered by Peter Rattray.
Chicago-based New Zealander Robbie Ellis makes comedy songs. He also composes concert music; is a music director for improv and sketch; and presents classical music radio.
supported by 11 fans who also own “Where I'm From”
Awesome track! I also love the "tribute" at the end to that old D&D audio, genius!
This is going to be the opener for the next session for my group. Landstrider
Robins decided to release the recording of his 2016 comedy tour during the Covid-19 shutdown at the behest of fans. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2020
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