Song of the Day: January 7, 2005
Home recording ca. early 90s
It's truly hard to believe Kevin Hickel once existed. Influenced by eccentrics like Robyn Hitchcock and Paul Roland on one hand, jangle pop bands like the Church and Game Theory on the other, and trippy psychedelia like the UK Kaleidoscope and Plasticland on the third, this retiring Lawrence, Kansas songsmith began his journey as a member of a jangle-drone pop band called Everywhere. Eventually, he retreated into home recording, producing a score and then some of variously-hued gems. The only one ever made available to the wider public was a cover of "Hands On You" for Raspberries Preserved (A Tribute). It was a rare treat to catch Mr. Hickel at an open mic night or acoustic show, acompanying his strange tales on his impeccably picked Ovation 12-string. This disquieting little ditty is among his finest. Like the pop magician he is, Mr. Hickel seems to have disappeared into thin air. But watch out for Arnald Paul...
4 Comments:
Jon,
Hey, it's Greg Franklin. Just saw your site from Ed Rose's site. Awesome, awesome, awesome. I'm thrilled you're doing this, and excited to know about some of the hidden gems you know all about. Keep it up and I'll definitely be a faithful reader. Hope all is well and hopefully run into you again soon!
Greg Franklin
This song is chilling - I love it.
A little known fact about Kevin Hickel, is that myself and him had a band in Omaha, NE for about a year in 1996 called "Daisy Glaze". We did mostly original songs, and some Syd Barrett covers. The band folded when he decided to move to Kansas and get married. I was in touch with him, until about 2 years ago, when his e-mail address was apparently cancelled. I do have a live video tape of the band, recorded for an Omaha live music show on TV. He only wrote one song for the band, called "Teenage Daisy Glaze", and composed lyrics for one song, "Ursula Minor" on my solo CD.
A very mysterious man, talented to the hilt, but way too critical about his compositions. He might have possibly contributed to a Marilyn Manson tribute album a few years back. Arnald Paul will be a kindred spirit of mine for years to come.
You're absolutely right about Kevin "Arnald"'s talents. I couldn't agree more.
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