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Throbbin'

from Unearthed by Mokai

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    Putting a twist on traditional folk and folk-blues styles, Mokai accompanies his soulful vocals with powerful grooves and smokin’ blues riffs. Propulsive, fingerstyle guitar drives Mokai’s music. Playful, then moving, his compositions touch both on big themes and intricate details.

    On his debut CD “Unearthed”, Mokai uses everything from lush arrangements to spoken word, idiosyncratic guitar work and bold lyrics to blaze his own trail. Joined by a group of extremely talented musicians, including Matt Eakle (Dave Grisman Quintet) and Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco) – the result is a fully realized musical vision.

    ‘Unearthed’ was recorded in the historic Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, California, the studio sound stages (and some of the same microphones!) used on famous recordings by artists such as Jefferson Airplane and CSNY. This gives the acoustic instruments – vocals, guitars, drums, upright bass and wind instruments a rich sonic luster, making this music sound timeless.

    The CD disc has content for the computer, including a graphical interface with lyrics, video and alternate mixes.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Unearthed via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.     ... more
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about

Original Folk Blues, Fingerstyle Guitar, Post-Modern Americana

lyrics

Throbbin'
words and music © Mokai

This throbbin’ in my heart, it is no ruse
If I explode it’s ‘cause I lit the fuse
If you must suffer to know joy, it’s still joy I would choose
If you’re askin’ life for love, why would love refuse?
Oh if life was made for sorrow, who could that amuse?
My heart just keeps throbbin’, all that does is confuse

Lately I seem to let things get extreme
Stand back, I’ve got to let off a little steam
If you’re scared of wakin’ up to find life is a dream
It’s really realer than it may seem


When I was born, they say, I was nude
Well I believe that I felt gratitude
If I formed expectations I hope that wasn’t rude
Nobody ever warned me things would get this crude
So all right you spend a third of your life sleepin’ and the other third gettin’ your food
Tell me why should all the rest be platitude?

The rabbits and squirrels all run around and frolic
Somehow the people seem melancholic
What once was plain livin’, now it’s diabolic
Happiness has become symbolic


So I just keep on tryin’ to grow from the muck
I’ve learned to do it without a buck
Just don’t try to tell me modern livin’ doesn’t suck
You call it progress when you’re just plain stuck
So what society keeps hurling at me I’ll keep tryin’ to duck
Ooh I’ll get by with any luck

One of these days I’m gonna get out from under
Growin’ at ease in pure wonder
One of these days, man, if I don’t blunder
I’ll rise and blow these blues asunder

Lyrics and Music © 2002 Marc De Polo

credits

from Unearthed, released June 11, 2003
Mokai: vocals, fingerstyle guitar;
Erika Luckett: vocals
Todd Sickafoose: upright bass;
Michael Israel: drums

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Mokai San Francisco, California

Mokai adds a dose of contemporary attitude to roots music. He's known for his authentic folk-blues picking and eclectic originals.
His guitar style and technique were mentioned in the January 2013 issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
His roots sound and original guitar style echoes his deep connection to the playing of seminal folk artist like Big Bill Broonzy and Dave Van Ronk. ... more

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