ALICE AVA
Hello! This is my new home for songs and other work. Audio forthcoming! In the meantime, you can hear rough snippets at @alice.ava.lin. Can You Feel It (2021) can be purchased here. If you'd like occasional letters, please join the mailing list. For collaborations & performances, please reach out here. Thank you very much for stopping by. -Alice
Songs:
drinks & food
crystal on
i can feel it
death threats
dogs of costco
face of love
escaped fish
what i want
and destroy
greenish water
plants in real pots
stay high on life
the dove
more love
(↑ drawing by Micah)
Drinks & Food
drive past the fountain
the trickle of water
try not to hit the peacock
with its electric blue neck out
so close to the ground
makes the place feel enchanted
people feel goodk needs to go to the bathroom
i brought too many clothes
gonna see a lot of people we know
the chapel is crowded
we grab seats in the back
next to the water cooler
with the cups on topfeels like sunday morning
there's that buzz in the air
can't see the family from here
we are sad, lost and ashamed
thank god for the emcee
for being able to say ityour mom tells a story
about her beautiful boy
who used to talk nonstop
what happened to make you
lose the shine in your eye
what were you keepingthe sun is out
and we walk
if you knew howyou were loved
you were loved
you were lovedstep up to the shovel
grab your handful of dirt
try not to cover the flowers
the tractors are waiting to finish the work
we are stepping on others' gravestonesthere are people
who should be here who are not
they have cried more than i have
and the quiet fades to regular noise
it's time for drinks and foodthe sun is out
and we walk
if you knew howyou were loved
you were loved
you were loved
you were loved
crystal on
i buy the ice cream with the crystal on
i know it’s likely that the truck went down
I take my chances and I make my bedin the piano, throw some coins
play the poor harp on its side
we don’t need to know the words
hammer hammer do the work!i wanna take everything apart
wanna take it all apartI'm not talking with the bonnet on
i know exactly when the truck went down
i take my chances and i make my bed
I don't care about a word you said
piano, thread the coins
we all want a different noisebe rattled by the sound
of felted hammer
never liked the sound
of felted hammeri’m not showing up in the main room
don’t think anyone can see me now
are we having it out in the same room
don’t think anyone can see me nowi’m not showing up in the main room
don’t think anyone can see me now
I'm not with the body in the same room
don’t think anyone can seecan you see me now
can you see me now
can you see me now
I can feel it
you say you want to go back
to the way things were before
i don't want to go back
what do you remember
tape up all of the cracks
but we still got our hammers
look i get it sometimes you
just want to feel the love againi hope you get ityou say i'm such a joy
what do i do with that
i don't want to hold back
but the air is dead now
you love the way that I am
should i put out my hand
look i get it sometimes
you just want to feel the lovei hope you get itwhy can't we sit on this rock
while others are kissing above
can't we sit on this rock
and watch the water go
i want to sit on this rock
till the sky goes dark
i want to sit on this rockyou ask me what do i want
and i can't talk
I wanna know
we'll be okayyou're quiet
but i can finally feel your heart again
you're quiet but i can feel it nowyou're quiet but i can feel your heart
i can feel it, i can feel it
you're quiet but i can feel it now
i can feel it, i can feel it
death threats
Listen >>
hand in the coffin
light teeth marks on
everything that you want
does it offer good protection?whatever keeps us together
you can take it back
to whatever you want
i'll be out front pulling up grassif i'm doing the wrong thing
give me a sign
give me a sign
give me a signimpossible to know, impossiblethe water is bright
we're on a driftwood throne
i like the sound of your voice
tell me when we’re on the other sidethe wind is warm and strong
a little kid walks by
staring right at us
not afraid to wonder
who we areif i can't keep it together
i need a sign
i need a sign
i need a signimpossible to know, impossible
why would you make me
love, impossible to know
dogs of costco
you ever been to the back of costco?
the trees all point north
for miles the sky goes
the sky goes and the sky goesto the bike path to the shoreline
where they used to throw tepco
the trees slant, same haircut
and the sky goes and the sky goesit's a late start but i walk far
to the crude sign it's getting dark
the hills are purple like the fennel
like the rebar like my shadowdrag out the sandbags for the overflow
no time for oil, no discount
lift up the low vine for the sweet fruit
check the mud pools for moonlightand all the dogs and their people
piled in cars headed home
and the sky goes and the sky goes
and the sky goespast the truckyard, past the trailer
past the highway, past the foxhole
past the target, past the driveway
the sky goes the sky goesand the sky goes
and the sky goes
and the sky goes
face of love
Be generous
the face of love
be catalyst
for everyonebite your tongue
check your desire
don't kill for fun
love everyonehonor the dead
temper the flame
protect the wretched
don't hypocritebe in the world
don't get mixed up
be a beacon
for everyonethe face of love
for everyonewhere did you
put your face of love
oh face of love
face of love, face of love
face of love!where did you
put your face of love
oh face of love
face of love, face of love
face of lovethe face of love
for everyone
face of love
for everyone
escaped fish
demolition when I was sleeping
the whole thing got rearranged
guess there's more than one way
to a new point of viewcrawl with you into the garden bed
the food and flowers you planted
are coming uphow scenic it was in your mind
how scenic from the other side
how scenic, how scenic
you’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earned––be careful...press my teeth into your hand
show me all the things you think
you understand better
I’ll try to followstop talking and pull my hair
pull me close but you’re not there
where can I find youhow scenic it was in your mind
how scenic from the other side
how scenic, how scenic
you’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earned
I don’t need more confidence
not looking for more good advice
I know, I know just be gratefulnow and then when I see myself
feels like I’m with someone else
why are you hidingescaped fish where have you been
escaped fish don’t lose your innocence––
guard the wellspring of your heartyou’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earned
you keep drinking more
you keep drinking morestop running / hiding in the tip of the horn
it’s ok if you want more
you should be drinking more
you should be drinking moreescaped fish are you okay
escaped fish you'll find your way
keep guarding the wellspring of your heartkeep guarding
keep guarding
keep guarding
what i want
so i’m probably not having kids
i mean i’m 46 let’s do the math
thought we were just out here
shooting the shitsomeone over thirty
lying on the trampoline
the corn is getting hotter
the fake meat’s getting shunned
your mom was being so good
now she’s looking at meyou want a baby
I can tell that you do
you better stop that talk right now
time to be wild
turn everything loose
time to be wild
cut everything looseand there are other options
says d who i just met
out here from pasadena
who just lost a friendpeople love you with advice
try to help you to the brighter sidebut it’s nice, someone
wanting what I want
I like, someone
wanting what I want
I want someone
wanting what I wantI want
I want
I want
and destroy
run to the middle of the floor
to the only one you’ve ever known
breathe in breathe in breathe in breathe more
everybody on the floorand destroy
and destroyshut your candy wrapper noise
the unruly child is out
all your attention and your hands
the milk is dripping from the pawsand destroy
and destroydon’t fight the foaming of the mouth
don’t let the rocks push in your throat
soft eyes, soft lips, soft mouth
everybody reach for the skyand destroy
and destroy
and destroy
greenish water
your mom came over
with a tray of food
everything you could need
to ring in the new year
she went all out
to make you look good
his mom came out
couldn’t even lift the foilbehind the house
you played for years
with the boys
or by yourself
before the shopping
before you met dad
before the overpass noiselying on the bough
over greenish water
singing songs you made up
for the birds
poking at the fish
scattering their shadows
you never lean too far
till the day you fall inyour mom was mad
your clothes were wet
how would they dry
by tomorrow
you didn’t mind
you would still wear them
even if they were a little dampi made a list
to make me feel good
made overnight oats
this morning
screwed a no parking sign
into the fence
watched others teach dylan
how to be more like dylanbought a pound
and a half of chicken thighs
paid too much
for brown rice
thought a bunch of bad things
about a person
who might change my lifehope you don’t mind
if I really start trying tomorrow
hope you don’t mind
if I try again tomorrow
hope you don’t mind
if I start my whole new life tomorrow
I hope you don’t mind
if I just lie here
till tomorrow
plants in real pots
Where is the fire, where is the fire
feels like I’m breathing ash but I can’t see the fireget used to the dust, tuck into the weather
this year is hotter than ever beforegot the cups I want, got the plants in real pots
got the hand towels out but I still don’t wanna workdo you have what you want, do you have what you want
the ground is softer than ever beforego out to the water, go where it’s quiet
where is the fire, where is the firewhere is the fire
where is the fire
stay high on life
Put your daggers down
nothing here to cut
don't see too many who deign to trycalm down, stay high on life
we will get you out, stay high on lifesee you later I will let you
take care of your own body
I know you've been feeling restless latelylay out on your circle of grass
that you planted when you were still feeling rightslow down, stay high on life
we will get you out, stay high on lifeslow down, we will get you out
the dove
reverie of a time
before we knew
what crisis
to be wary of
we need more joy
or we won’t make itin the garden
eyes shining bright
over there, creeping the vine
let’s go back to before
the name and the light
I wanna go backcan’t you see
how long you’ve been
scraping at the basin
on your knees
are you still waiting
for the coronationin the garden
eyes shining bright
over there, give me the vine
let’s go back to before
the name and the light
I wanna go backcall the cavalry
someone's been
tearing up the skyline
you always wear the dove
but i can see the edges frayingin the garden, we cut up our hands
in the night, gripping the vine
let's go back to before
the name and the light
i wanna go backgallery of all the life
that we are making
can't you see
this is the life
this is the lifethis is the life
this is the life
this is the life
this is the life
more love
She said you should meet my ex-boyfriend
You mean the one who’s dying?
Yeah he’s the one, he’s just like family to usShe’s right you were handsome
We shook hands at the edge of the stage
You gonna sit in the front row that’s brave
Maybe you should lie downThe show got started
We sang about kids and dreams and getting old
Ten of us in a half circle
I could see my friends faces through the darkMy voice was shot
I hardly knew the chords
Was feeling kind of nervous
Told myself just sing real slowThe more love you give
The more love you give
The more love you giveAll week it’s been raining
And the ceiling came down
Right after Mady sang a beautiful song
About how bad it feels to be wrongNobody got hit, nobody got hurt
We all just slipped off the stage
And into the crowdNow I’m sitting in the front row
Guess I’m sitting in the front row
Guess I’m sitting in the front row with you nowThe light’s came up
I looked for you but you were gone
Collected all my hugs
Jumped on stage to grab my stuffI looked up at the hole
Where the ceiling came down
Said to Sam who did sound all night
Maybe poke around and see what else fallsThe more love you give
The more love you give
The more love you giveThis week the sun is shining
It feels good to be warm
Everything is so green out
But I kind of miss the noiseYou can tell it’s been raining
The water’s really cut up the ground
And the colors are so incredible right nowThe colors are so incredible right now
the colors are so incredible right now
the colors are so incredible right now
the colors are the colors are the colors are
ALICE AVA :: SONGS
1. drinks & food
2. crystal on
3. i can feel it
4. death threats
5. dogs of costco
6. face of love
7. escaped fish
8. what i want
9. and destroy
10. greenish water
11. plants in real pots
12. stay high on life
13. the dove
14. more love
(↑ artwork by Micah)
Hello! This is my new home for songs and other work. Audio forthcoming! In the meantime, you can hear rough snippets at @alice.ava.lin. Can You Feel It (2021) can be purchased here. If you'd like occasional letters, please join the mailing list. For collaborations & performances, please reach out here. Thank you very much for stopping by. -Alice
March 2025 - Notes:
"Dear Bear, I am your friend. I'm not going to hurt you." ~M.
Drinks & Food
drive past the fountain
the trickle of water
try not to hit the peacock
with its electric blue neck out
so close to the ground
makes the place feel enchanted
people feel goodk needs to go to the bathroom
i brought too many clothes
gonna see a lot of people we know
the chapel is crowded
we grab seats in the back
next to the water cooler
with the cups on topthe sun is out
and we walk
if you knew howyou were loved
I hope you know
you were lovedfeels like sunday morning
there's that buzz in the air
can't see the family from here
we are sad, lost and ashamed
thank god for the emcee
for being able to say ityour mom tells a story
about her beautiful boy
who used to talk nonstop
what happened to make you
lose the shine in your eye
what were you keepingthe sun is out
and we walk
if you knew howyou were loved
you were loved
you were lovedstep up to the shovel
grab your handful of dirt
try not to cover the flowers
the tractors are waiting to finish the work
we are stepping on others' gravestonesthere are people
who should be here who are not
they have cried more than i have
and the quiet fades to regular noise
it's time for drinks and foodthe sun is out
and we walk
if you knew howyou were loved
you were loved
you were loved
you were loved
crystal on
i buy the ice cream with the crystal on
i know it’s likely that the truck went down
I take my chances and I make my bedin the piano, throw some coins
play the poor harp on its side
we don’t need to know the words
hammer hammer do the work!i wanna take everything apart
wanna take it all apartI'm not talking with the bonnet on
i know exactly when the truck went down
i take my chances and i make my bed
I don't care about a word you said
piano, thread the coin
we all want a different noisebe rattled by the sound
of felted hammer
never liked the sound
of felted hammeri’m not showing up in the main room
don’t think anyone can see me now
are we having it out in the same room
don’t think can see me nowi’m not showing up in the main room
don’t think anyone can see me now
I'm not with the body in the same room
don’t think anyone can seecan you see me now
can you see me now
can you see me now
I can feel it
you say you want to go back
to the way things were before
i don't want to go back
what do you remember
tape up all of the cracks
but we still got our hammers
look i get it sometimes you
just want to feel the love againi hope you get ityou say i'm such a joy
what do i do with that
i don't want to hold back
but the air is dead now
you love the way that I am
should i put out my hand
look i get it sometimes
you just want to feel the lovei hope you get itwhy can't we sit on this rock
while others are kissing above
can't we sit on this rock
and watch the water go
i want to sit on this rock
till the sky goes dark
i want to sit on this rockyou ask me what do i want
and i can't talk
I wanna know
we'll be okayyou're quiet
but i can finally feel your heart again
you're quiet but i can feel it nowyou're quiet but i can feel your heart
i can feel it, i can feel it
you're quiet but i can feel it now
i can feel it, i can feel it
death threats
hand in the coffin
light teeth marks on
everything that you want
does it offer good protection?whatever keeps us together
you can take it back
to whatever you want
i'll be out front pulling up grassif i'm doing the wrong thing
give me a sign
give me a sign
give me a signimpossible to know, impossiblethe water is bright
we're on a driftwood throne
i like the sound of your voice
tell me when we’re on the other sidethe wind is warm and strong
a little kid walks by
staring right at us
not afraid to wonder
who we are[am i the disappearing mother?]if i can't keep it together
i need a sign
i need a sign
i need a signimpossible to know, impossible
why would you make me
love, impossible to know
dogs of costco
you ever been to the back of costco?
the trees all point north
for miles the sky goes
the sky goes and the sky goesto the bike path to the shoreline
where they used to throw tepco
the trees slant, same haircut
and the sky goes and the sky goesit's a late start but i walk far
to the crude sign it's getting dark
the hills are purple like the fennel
like the rebar like my shadowdrag out the sandbags for the overflow
no time for oil, no discount
lift up the low vine for the sweet fruit
check the mud pools for moonlightand all the dogs and their people
piled in cars headed home
and the sky goes and the sky goes
and the sky goespast the truckyard, past the trailer
past the highway, past the foxhole
past the target, past the driveway
the sky goes the sky goesand the sky goes
and the sky goes
and the sky goes
face of love
Be generous
the face of love
be catalyst
for everyonebite your tongue
check your desire
don't kill for fun
love everyonehonor the dead
temple the flame
protect the wretched
don't hypocritebe in the world
don't get mixed up
be a beacon
for everyonethe face of love
for everyonewhere did you
put your face of love
oh face of love
face of love, face of love
face of love!where did you
put your face of love
oh face of love
face of love, face of love
face of lovethe face of love
for everyone
face of love
for everyone
escaped fish
demolition when I was sleeping
the whole thing got rearranged
guess there's more than one
way to a point of viewcrawl with you into the garden bed
the food and flowers you planted
are coming uphow scenic
it was in your mind
how scenic from the other side
how scenic, how scenic
you’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earnedpress my teeth into your hand
show me all the things you think
you understand better
I’ll try to followstop talking and pull my hair
pull me close but you’re not there
where can I find youhow scenic it was in your mind
how scenic from the other side
how scenic, how scenic
you’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earnedI don’t need more confidence
not looking for more good advice
I know, I know just be gratefulnow and then when I see myself
feels like I’m with someone else
what are you hidingescaped fish where have you been
escaped fish don’t lose your innocence
guard the wellspring of your heartyou’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earned
you keep drinking more
keep drinking morestop running in the tip of the horn
it’s ok if you want more
you should be drinking more
keep drinking moreescaped fish are you okay
escaped fish you'll find your way
keep guarding the wellspring of your heartI don’t need more confidence
not looking for more good advice
I know, I know just be gratefulnow and then when I see myself
feels like I’m with someone else
what are you hidingescaped fish where have you been
escaped fish don’t lose your innocence
guard the wellspring of your heartyou’re running in the tip of the horn
drinking more than you have earned
you keep drinking more
keep drinking morestop running in the tip of the horn
it’s ok if you want more
you should be drinking more
keep drinking moreescaped fish are you okay
escaped fish you'll find your way
keep guarding the wellspring of your heart
what i want
so i’m probably not having kids
i mean i’m 46 let’s do the math
thought we were just out here
shooting the shitsomeone over thirty
lying on the trampoline
the corn is getting hotter
the fake meat’s getting shunned
your mom was being so good
now she’s looking at meyou want a baby
I can tell that you do
you better stop that talk right now
time to be wild
turn everything loose
time to be wild
cut everything looseand there are other options
says d who i just met
out here from pasadena
who just lost a friendpeople love you with advice
try to help you to the brighter sidebut it’s nice, someone
wanting what I want
I like, someone
wanting what I want
I want someone
wanting what I wantI want
I want
I want
and destroy
run to the middle of the floor
to the only one you’ve ever known
breathe in breathe in breathe in breathe more
everybody on the floorand destroy
and destroyshut your candy wrapper noise
the unruly child is out
all your attention and your hands
the milk is dripping from the pawsand destroy
and destroydon’t fight the foaming of the mouth
don’t let the rocks push in your throat
soft eyes, soft lips, soft mouth
everybody reach for the skyand destroy
and destroy
and destroy
greenish water
your mom came over with a tray of food
everything you could need to ring in the new year
she went all out to make you look good
his mom came out, couldn’t even lift the foilbehind the house you played for years
with the boys or by yourself
before the shopping, before you met dad
before the overpass noiselying on the bough over greenish water
singing songs you made up for the birds
poking at the fish scattering their shadows
you never lean too far till the day you fall inyour mom was mad
your clothes were wet
how would they dry by tomorrow
you didn’t mind
you would still wear them
even if they were a little dampi made a list to make me feel good
made overnight oats this morning
screwed a no parking sign into the fence
watched others teach dylan how to be more like dylanbought a pound & a half of chicken thighs
paid too much for brown rice
thought a bunch of bad things
about a person
who might change my lifehope you don’t mind
if I really start trying tomorrow
hope you don’t mind
if I try again tomorrow
hope you don’t mind
if I start my whole new life tomorrow
I hope you don’t mind
if I just lie here till tomorrow
plants in real pots
Where is the fire, where is the fire
feels like I’m breathing ash but I can’t see the fireget used to the dust, tuck into the weather
this year is hotter than ever beforegot the cups I want, got the plants in real pots
got the hand towels out but I still don’t wanna workdo you have what you want, do you have what you want
the ground is softer than ever beforego out to the water, go where it’s quiet
where is the fire, where is the firewhere is the fire
where is the fire
stay high on life
Put your daggers down
nothing here to cut
don't see too many who deign to trycalm down, stay high on life
we will get you out, stay high on lifesee you later I will let you
take care of your own body
I know you've been feeling restless latelylay out on your circle of grass
that you planted when you were still feeling rightslow down, stay high on life
we will get you out, stay high on lifeslow down, we will get you out
the dove
reverie of a time
before we knew
what crisis
to be wary of
we need more joy
or we won’t make itin the garden
eyes shining bright
over there, creeping the vine
let’s go back to before
the name and the light
I wanna go backcan’t you see
how long you’ve been
scraping at the basin
on your knees
are you still waiting
for the coronationin the garden
eyes shining bright
over there, give me the vine
let’s go back to before
the name and the light
I wanna go backcall the cavalry
someone's been
tearing up the skyline
you always wear the dove
but i can see the edges frayingin the garden, we cut up our hands
in the night, gripping the vine
let's go back to before
the name and the light
i wanna go backgallery of all the life
that we are making
can't you see
this is the life
this is the lifethis is the life
this is the life
this is the life
this is the life
more love
She said you should meet my ex-boyfriend
You mean the one who’s dying?
Yeah he’s the one, he’s just like family to usShe’s right you were handsome
We shook hands at the edge of the stage
You gonna sit in the front row that’s brave
Maybe you should lie downThe show got started
We sang about kids and dreams and getting old
Ten of us in a half circle
I could see my friends faces through the darkMy voice was shot
I hardly knew the chords
Was feeling kind of nervous
Told myself just sing real slowThe more love you give
The more love you give
The more love you giveAll week it’s been raining
And the ceiling came down
Right after Mady sang a beautiful song
About how bad it feels to be wrongNobody got hit, nobody got hurt
We all just slipped off the stage
And into the crowdNow I’m sitting in the front row
Guess I’m sitting in the front row
Guess I’m sitting in the front row with you nowThe light’s came up
I looked for you but you were gone
Collected all my hugs
Jumped on stage to grab my stuffI looked up at the hole
Where the ceiling came down
Said to Sam who did sound all night
Maybe poke around and see what else fallsThe more love you give
The more love you give
The more love you giveThis week the sun is shining
It feels good to be warm
Everything is so green out
But I kind of miss the noiseYou can tell it’s been raining
The water’s really cut up the ground
And the colors are so incredible right nowThe colors are so incredible right now
the colors are so incredible right now
the colors are so incredible right now
the colors are the colors are the colors are
mailing list
Contact
Can You Feel It (LP)
1. Moon Language*
2. Powder in the Air
3. The Blue and the Silver
4. The Hunted
5. Wilder
6. The Other Way
7. Dad the Robin
8. Summer Color
9. Lost Boy
10. The Year I Met Your Mom
Lullabies, protests and gifts for friends. Released June 3, 2021.With contributions by musical friends & family: Joe Tomino and Danny Frankel on drums (recorded by Pete Min at Lucy's Meat Market), Loryn Napala on kora, Michi Wiancko on violin, David Metcalf (Bodies of Water) on guitar and Joe Tepperman on bass.Mixed by Pete Min, Matt Lynch, Steve Kaye, Alice Lin and Ethan Walter. Mastered by Adam Gonsalves. Album photography by Kim Talon.
-----
*Lyrics from the poem “With That Moon Language” from Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices of the East and West copyright 2002 by Daniel Ladinsky, and used with permission.