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about
I wrote the music for our latest single, “The Natural Host,” but I didn’t write the lyrics – those are mainly Greg’s. I might’ve contributed a line here or there. But he asked me to put down my thoughts about the song, so I’m going to try and oblige him.
Because I relate to these lyrics. Turns out I’m a natural host, myself. Maybe you’re one, too. I see myself in these words. Greg’s lyrics are about me the way “Hip Priest” is about Mark E. Smith – though Smith’s priest is kind of the polar opposite of a natural host. (See our last single, “Hit the Bricks!”) In any case, I am one – or, I feel like one from time to time, at least.
A natural host is basically one whose social circle gravitates around a core buddha-nature. Your doors and windows are always unlocked, per Greg’s lyric. You let people in, physically and emotionally. I feel that over the course of my adult life I’ve served as this kind of hub, one who brings disparate friends together, and savors the ensuing antics, along with everyone else. Spontaneous hosts. Spontaneity. I was a spontaneous host during some wild house parties in the early ‘90s in Chicago. Throwing lit packs of firecrackers on the living room dance floor. Spraying the winter bikini girls with cheap champagne. The wit and wisdom of powders, pills and mean things. I’ve been a Buddhist for a while now, but a poor one for a portion of it. Good thing you don’t have to be a saint to be a natural host.
Still, a natural host could also be called self-actualized, or at least on their way to becoming so. “Self-actualization” is an idea introduced by psychologist Abraham Maslow, representing the top tier of the human emotional/intellectual development spectrum. I’m good at throwing parties where friends meet and social lubrication occurs, but whether I’m “actualized,” like the person in our song, is another story. We can only try.
Lastly, a natural host is trusting. They have a basic faith in their fellow person. This is how they become the nexus of social interaction. Everyone is welcome in their “aura of trust,” as Greg sings. Keep trusting. Try to be a natural host in the home you call your psyche, even if you’re tainted and tarnished. Keep the doors open. You are a natural.
J. Niimi
Chicago, 1/12/21
lyrics
The Natural Host
You are trusting, unassuming
Openhearted, not cut off from this world
You have nothing to hide
Your doors and windows are unlocked
You have no fear of thieves
CHORUS
You are a natural host
Spontaneous host
You are natural
A natural host
You are a natural host
You are a natural
You celebrate life more than achieving
Everyone is welcome in your aura of trust
No need for attention on your vast accomplishments
You are actualized
MUSICIANS
Greg Franco (vocal)
J. Niimi (guitar)
Marco Obaya (guitar)
Marc Doten (bass)
Gerald Dowd (drums, percussion)
Kaitlin Wolfberg (violin, backing vocals)
Gordon Bash (mandolin)
RECORDED AT:
Recorded by Matt Graff at the KooP, Queens, NY
Additional recording by Andrew Bush at Grandma’s Warehouse, LA
Additional recording by Gordon Bash and Kaitlin Wolfberg at Wolfbash Studio, Burbank, CA
MIXED BY:
Mike Hagler at Kingsize Sound Labs, Chicago
PRODUCED BY
Man’s Body
MASTERED BY
Bernie Grundman
WRITTEN BY
J. Niimi and Greg Franco
PUBLISHED BY
Heyday Media Group a/c Sofa Hablando Music (ASCAP)
Songs Of Heyday a/c Regal Platypus Publishing (BMI)
Five piece Chicago/LA collab. Formed in 2016. Released debut CD EP, 'Found', in 2017. 'Put Your Family In It' is our debut album. Man's Body is: Greg Franco, J. Niimi, Marco Obaya. (Plus friends.) Studioesque soft-punk. Stay Found.
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