The Idea

The idea that 

you were 

fully aware 

of how your

every move 

motion 

smile 

and conversation 

stirred me 

left me weak 

left me questioning 

my need to be free 

is truly 

frightening 

Habitus

 The internet says, “In sociology, habitus refers to the deeply ingrained habits, skills, dispositions, and tastes that individuals acquire through their background and social experiences. It is the "feel for the game" that guides how we perceive, react to, and navigate the social world without needing to consciously think about it.”

I probably was reading something about it. I wrote these songs a while back and then worked with Stephen Ulrich (Big Lazy) again. We had some problems going between DAWs or perhaps my own parts weren’t convincing enough, but he did a typically tight, dazzling job on the guitars and basses. He asked me what style I’d want the parts in, so I said, “Andy Gil”, and he obliged. 

I dallied on putting this one out as I thought my post-punk roots were showing a bit too clearly on it. About a dozen years back, I was preferring working with lots of talented friends instead of playing things myself. Well, the savings account starts dwindling pretty fast and I’ve had to course-correct a bit. 

I write pretty compulsively and then finally decided to release a few of these “Guitar God” albums this summer before I highlight my current approach of playing the guitars, basses, and keys myself in a sound that sort of could be a native tribe of primitive Gaulkes trapped in a Bronx Co-Op with decent lighting. More to come on that front. If you’re curious about their meanings, here’s what I remember: 

1. Singing. I was hanging out with vocal teachers a decade ago while also visiting Brazil frequently; two groups of humans who sing at the drop of a hat. Why aren’t the rest of us like that? 
2. Social Work. Working in lower-income areas can be quite fulfilling and draining at the same time. This comes out in the form of a prayer. 
3. Misterbob. I taught adult basic education after being outed by the DOE for refusing to sign off on hours that weren’t delivered to kids. I really admired the adult students who were brave enough to go back and get their educations and put themselves in my hands for hours at a time. 
4. Untrained Eye. Sexual tension with an old friend. These nuclear powers make the planet spin. 
5. Daughters of Mars. Will humans ever evolve? How much longer will they continue being so stupid? 
6. All Dressed Up. I took a songwriting workshop with the great Martin Briley. One of the assignments was to write a tune based around a familiar turn of phrase or idiomatic expression. I like how this one came out and can see the video in my mind. 
7. Laughter. I read somewhere recently that people who take things lightly demonstrate a sophistication. About this. 
8. Habitus. Title track as a sexy scene in an imaginary sci-fi film. 

The musicians were: 

Stephen Ulrich: Guitars and Basses 

Kevin Cerovich: Drums and Trombones 

Leon Gruenbaum: Keyboards on selected tracks 

Paulo LePetit: Bass on selected tracks 

Emilia Cataldo: Backing Vocals 

Martin Scian: Mixing and Mastering 

Photos by Scott Nasburg

OK. I hope you enjoy these and can catch me live around NYC this summer playing solo, or with the band, “RobBanksWithLeon”

Best, 

Bob 

Habitus on Bandcamp

Tell Me

tell me stories 

stories about yourself 

I don’t care 

make them up 

I’m a character 

in someone else’s 

book I don’t care 

we die in the end 

but in the pages 

we can be happy 

illustrated and endings 

are open-ended 

what do you want to know 

know about me 

let me think 

of something 

can we begin with 

once upon a time 

don’t tell me 

you’re too old for that 

it happens all the time 

I tell stories all the time 

no, they’re not lies 

if they’re musicals