Phoebe Bridgers - Smoke Signals (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents Phoebe Bridgers performing "Smoke Signals" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded July 13, 2018.
Host: Hans
Audio Engineer: Kevin Suggs
Audio Mixer: Andy D. Park
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Scott Holpainen & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Scott Holpainen
kexp.org
www.phoebefucki...

[@taylorguitar13]

She deserves so much more attention. I love patient and honest songwriting.

[@martinblumrich8296]

… and for the right reasons too. Darn, starting today, that Ryan Adams disappoints me!

[@richardfortin756]

Sometimes more attention is actually a bad thing. I like her now. The way she is now.

[@tonyvoeller1427]

wow, that's powerful. I've never attributed patience to songwriting, something for me to consider more deeply

[@erickluca6249]

I realize Im pretty off topic but do anybody know a good place to watch newly released series online ?

[@moshetravis3255]

@Jaxtyn Brycen Yea, been watching on Flixzone for since march myself :)

[@alirezaakbari7688]

This live version is even deeper, darker, and more melancholy. But it's the opposite of being depressive. It's really strange. It pushes me to an unknown space, where I am alone and scared to death about what is going to happen next, remembering every difficulty I have had to bear up to this point, but I look forward to experience it, no matter what are the circumstances, because I buried a hatchet it's comping up lavender, the future is unwritten the past is a corridor, I'm at the exit looking back through the hall, my past life is anonymous and I am a concrete wall.

[@hvunjins2913]

this is so true.

[@TheObserver37]

Just like coop in the lodge ❤

[@aliowfi3311]

الان همچین کامنتی گذاشتی تهش برات دختر جور شد عنتلکت دوزاری؟

[@tylerkunz99]

I had depression when I first heard the song, when I hear it again it makes me go back to that time and reflect. I'm better:)

[@keyakilove]

how are you doing now

[@hihi-xu8dp]

im proud of you

[@Ester-xb5xq]

Hey I just wanna thank you for writing this comment, I’m currently struggling with depression and it feels really nice to read comments like this, this gives me a little bit of hope :)

[@tylerkunz99]

@@Ester-xb5xq Of course, I'm glad I can help:)

[@tylerkunz99]

@@hihi-xu8dp thank you!

[@rowmk9735]

I consider this the definitive live version of this song. Such a good performance and recording.

[@erburu]

It's one of my favourite live performances in general, across all music lol. It's impeccable.

[@norabui]

This song helps a lot when I feel deeply depressed. It’s so soft, dreamlike, and almost otherworldly. Makes me feel like I’m floating away to a place where I used to belong & there’s so much comfort in that.

[@spookyvegan1402]

😢awe yes…. I know this feeling ❤️‍🩹

[@titep1329]

I realise I’m about 3 years late to the party, but what a beautiful song and performance.

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

I am now 5 years late to the party and I am just blown away by her expression of emotions. 🙌🙏

[@edwardmorvitz7682]

I discovered her today, so I am really late.

[@ananj]

man I can never get enough of her voice there are no words in the English language I could scream to express how much I love phoebe

[@rorybell2161]

I have no idea who disliked this. Phenomenal song by an excellent songwriter full of promise. Her debut lp is one of the best lps of the last few years, can't wait to see what she does next

[@quantumquestthebillionaire1527]

Yea it was someone from Australia, you know their like button well it’s upside down to ours..🙃

[@maxipads259]

Exactly 44 dislikes FOR WHAT???

[@stevelondon3511]

The last verse blows my mind.

[@alanmorales7959]

It's probably her best piece of writing so far. It's phenomenal. "I buried a hatchet, it's coming up Lavender The future's unwritten, the past is a corridor I'm at the exit, looking back through the hall You are anonymous, I am a concrete wall"

[@IzzyEScott]

Stunning.

[@uBeR10]

And opening verse. Wow.

[@___.______.______.______._____]

it's the way i cry every time i hear this

[@tinyfootprints]

Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, beautiful performance. Even years later, every time I hear the words to this song it hits deeper. One of my absolute faves of all time.

[@CrawlunderaRock]

Just close your eyes, listen to this song on repeat on your headphones…you will thank me 😏🥂

[@anteater74]

Everything about this is magical

[@uBeR10]

Not the original lyrics. (:

[@Bontonification]

She really feels those lyrics - it comes through in her performance. Love it!

[@foff3832]

Nothing I love more than honest and vulnerable songwriting. Such a beautiful song.

[@billdoyle4325]

one of my favorite love songs !

[@santimacello4874]

What a voice.. It takes me to another world..

[@uBeR10]

I'm responsible for at least 356 of these views each year.

[@mylesrobinson6513]

Do you take the bank holidays off? 😂

[@SlippinJimmy4Life]

Or the number of times listened to during the holidays. Holiday nostalgia sad song marathon, yes or yes? 🎶🫠

[@ginaverses]

i love that 4 years later theres 356k views

[@gingerroot8802]

I want to live at the Holiday Inn Where somebody else makes the bed We'll watch TV while the lights on the street Put all the stars to death This always make me nostalgic.

[@swinehorde9118]

Dang! I wasn't expecting nostalgia feels this morning! I very much appreciated the restraint and subtlety shown in this performance. Especially the bells and the cool OP-1 swells. Like a cool slice of coconut cream pie and a cup of cheap diner coffee.

[@SPMUAYTHAI]

She has a beautiful voice .

[@thegalaxyturtle]

The note of that last “wall” spills out like smoke. Gorgeous.

[@mitchelljensen5527]

I always knew there was something special about it. That’s a very apt description.

[@montysano]

Her phrasing and delivery is so fine.

[@kyloren7070]

Shut up unless you can back it up with facts

[@johnthorne4093]

@@kyloren7070 Well, you murdered your own father, so why should anyone listen to you?

[@chrismichlewicz5284]

Such pure vocals. Love it!!

[@GoirickBrahmachari]

Everything is perfect. Love the bass and drums. Special voice of a special artist, of course.

[@BhamjeeNkosi]

I Soo love the sound specially the lyrical content it's way too deep and it heals all the way to South Africa

[@user-br4yi8fm6m]

she is such a beautiful woman. and god her music.

[@laurenbreiter]

Does that bass line remind anyone else of twin peaks?

[@caleb-mcc]

Lauren Breiter YES i knew it reminded me of something . so warm sounding

[@tristessabrown7895]

Yeah! I’ve been trying to find out what that sound is for so long! Idk about this performance, but in the recording it’s a baritone guitar. It’s used in the Twin Peaks theme as well as Wichita Lineman and Galveston by Glen Campbell. It’s common in country music.

[@evansteidtman962]

Twin Peaks the band?

[@laurenbreiter]

@@evansteidtman962 no like the tv show!

[@sb_dunk]

I thought the same thing, but not about the bass. On the studio recording, it's the guitar line when she says "burning trash out on the beach", at 1:20 ish. I think it's the tremolo on the guitar that makes it sound similar, and as mentioned above, the baritone guitar.

[@maisa96]

Lovely as always, Phoebe and the team.

[@Waynimations]

A beautiful voice fits a beautiful station

[@stefanocaiazzakindergartenchef]

Last night after work in jewelry i bought a treble clef ..a fantastic pendant for celebrate the music and this masterpiece.

[@scrapbookofmusings]

when a song lives in your blood

[@allenodell]

that snare, so tasteful

[@danb5058]

This is incredible

[@stefanocaiazzakindergartenchef]

Your band is a legend Phoebe❤

[@anniehoney03]

one of my favorite songs by her !!!!

[@witchkingofa]

I never knew Domnhall Gleeson played keyboard: truly a man of many talents.

[@tristessabrown7895]

Alexander Joseph Lol! Have you seen Frank?

[@nathanmilligan731]

Its that guitar part. Dun....dun dun du n. If you know, you know. This song.

[@josephmcfadden6513]

Something to get me through hurricane Florence! Need to Walden it through these tropical winds. ; )

[@juliathesheep]

stay safe in the storm!

[@giannapspsmeow]

i love this song

[@mahamatug4783]

she's literally incredible.

[@bluey2083]

she sounds fucking angelic oh my god

[@elliot-thedev]

me encanta Phoebe

[@Vrtualsins222]

now why is she so underrated ...

[@james_edward]

i am absolutely destroyed by this performance each and every time i watch it

[@JonEoinSaoradh]

Theres no overstating Phoebe Bridgers..

[@kuratakaruho]

大好きな音楽です。有難うございます。

[@stenulrik1]

thank you!...

[@stevieprice-fx9bi]

Yes 🖤

[@jamesbns7261]

Crazy good!

[@psrax]

Late to the party but glad I arrived 😌

[@maricotissima]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@daphnehunta6483]

Love you pheeb

[@sandychairullah9074]

l love you so much ! 😘😍

[@fedlinpericles1310]

Wow!

[@damionperkinson8053]

the shit this song helped me through

[@___.______.______.______._____]

Six thousandth like

[@purplethunderish]

what do you guys think this song means? i don't understand the meaning behind the lyrics, but the song, her voice and melody are so hauntingly beautiful

[@juliedorman1858]

My interpretation, sending smoke signals means your lost. If you were lost somewhere you would want to make a fire, lots of smoke so someone can see you. So this other person she's referring to feels lost in this world. Pelicans circling-they do that when there's something to eat. So feeling like prey to a predator. Burning trash on the beach~ it's cold. A cold, hard, unforgiving world were living in. The motel reference is wanting to escape from the cold world.

[@awesomeface265]

Julie Dorman amazing interpretation!

[@emilyconen9110]

i wuv 🤧

[@raphaelited3234]

Wish they would release just the backing/instrumental so we could all sing this!

[@stephenbowyer7269]

You can pick up all the chords at JimmyDillon.com - he gives a tutorial on acoustic guitar there. Thanks, Jimmy,,,,,,,

[@anniehoney03]

the dude playing keyboard seems SO familiar - does anyone know who he is ?

[@женяпиво-я3б]

🥺😢😍😍

[@adammidwinter5481]

Serene

[@lataziaedits4452]

👏❤️❤️😊🌹😢❤️❤️👏

[@spawn302]

0:39 mr. beast on the keys

[@leVraiHibou]

"..burningTrash..."

[@crookshankspaw2829]

I wonder if anyone can clearly see the chords she used?

[@thebalancerseye5765]

It's not in standard tuning. Check out Kyle Korner's video explaining the tuning and chords used.

[@heathpiper9604]

I wrote this song. Well, it felt like I did.

[@jamesbutcher3305]

😊😅

[@osvaldoenriquegutierrezlar6601]

captain marvel post credit scene

[@xoxoloni2603]

thanks to Billie Eilish I discovered her

[@pablovandres]

Gorgeous song, she’s very young and talented. Proof we don’t need diversity or colours to be great!!

[@AzimuthTao]

Singing your diary is not songwriting.

[@Conturnal]

Where are your 2.7 million listeners?

[@AzimuthTao]

@@Conturnal In my basement but I let them out on Friday cuz they get a little noisy. See how easy that was?

[@probably_aidan]

Its been 5 years since you made this comment. Feel embarassed yet?

[@bobmcg6899]

Few songs move your life, this is one.

[@bethanygilchrist4522]

I remember finding her music while I was at university and listening on repeat on the long drive. I was very sick with an eating disorder at the time and thinking I’ll never find love. Being so sick and sad, ready to give up. 5 years later, I am happy healthy with my boyfriend it’s wild how you finally get those real smoke signals.

[@rhi.mae.cameron]

I want to marry a phoebe bridgers fan.

[@monascott5001]

This rhythm section is phenomenal. They are as crucial as Phoebe in all of this. This is aallll so good. Sparse on the sad songs and then killed it on upbeat on Motion Sickness.

[@copper4045]

This performance is absolute gold. Phoebe's drunk melodies lull you into a nostalgic trance while her chord changes and articulation caress the back of your neck like the cold fingers of a loved one reaching out from the realm of the dead. Then the band comes in to support THAT, with a perfectly arranged backdrop and you cant help but fucking listen.

[@wernerspitzenberger6916]

phoebes voice and music is perfect for standing in the kitchen, preparing breakfast or supper, a decent loudness, just her music in the background, no other noise around but her voice. i love it !!!!

[@dca9143]

@Lucas Kibler I approve of this message

[@Invisible_Difference]

You should write music reviews, this is a pretty articulate description of her vibe.

[@ryanmarsh7819]

Dude.. Yes! What a beautiful description.

[@nightcrawler8864]

I hope your on rateyourmusic, you sound like you would make really poignant reviews on there. Love the way you describe her sound, couldn't agree more

[@benmiralia6500]

Lemmy, Bowie, and the Smiths? I love this woman!

[@fukukaze2467]

[Verse 1] I went with you up to the place you grew up in We spent a week in the cold Just long enough to Walden it with you Any longer, it would've got old Singing "Ace of Spades" when Lemmy died But nothing's changed, L.A.'s alright I'm sleeping in my bed again, and getting in my head And then, walk around the reservoir [Chorus] You You must've been looking for me Sending smoke signals Pelicans circling Burning trash out on the beach [Verse 2] One of your eyes is always half-shut Something happened when you were a kid I didn't know you then And I'll never understand why it feels like I did "How Soon Is Now" in an 80s sedan You slept inside of it because your dad Lived in a campground in the back of a van You said that song'll creep you out until you're dead [Chorus] And you Must've been looking for me Sending smoke signals Pelicans circling Burning trash out on the beach [Verse 3] I want to live at the Holiday Inn Where somebody else makes the bed We'll watch TV while the lights on the street Put all the stars to death It's been on my mind since Bowie died Just checking out to hide from life And all of our problems, I'm gonna solve 'em With you riding shotgun, speeding, 'cause fuck the cops [Chorus] And you You must've been looking for me Sending smoke signals Pelicans circling Burning trash out on the beach [Verse 4] I buried a hatchet, it's coming up lavender The future's unwritten; the past is a corridor I'm at the exit, looking back through the hall You are anonymous, I am a concrete wall

[@evanszrubi8767]

❤🥺🥺🥺

[@deathchips926]

the sound on this particular performance is STELLAR.

[@DK-dg8cz]

Astounding performance and production! I like this one even more than the studio version. Thank you!

[@angelica8363]

Holy shit the “wall” part literally took out my soul

[@fieldguide2]

An earlier comment here described it as ‘spilling out like smoke’- I thought that was perfect.

[@matthewfrost3924]

KEXP has been so on point with their selections lately

[@sophside9931]

I wonder what it’s like to be THAT pretty as well as talented…..😮

[@star0shadows]

Watching her drummer play with one eye half closed makes me wonder if this song was about him.

[@DiviMars]

You are correct, actually.

[@awesomeface265]

It is!

[@vanrose9857]

Thom Yorke is her drummer? No way!

[@marijadarguzas9651]

Yeah the song is about her ex (the drummer)

[@VoOrT3xX]

Ever heared about Thom Yorke

[@susanzoeckler4926]

I've heard Phoebe say she sucks at guitar, but I think she's doing just fine. And whatta whatta voice.

[@sophside9931]

The baritone guitar is absolutely magic

[@missameric_ana]

this is easily her best song and ironically the one that took me the most time to get into 😮‍💨

[@ggates2500]

That's an unbelievably beautiful thing.

[@keyakilove]

this is literally incredible

[@moongpapa]

I think this song is the best of all her music. I hope this song will get to more people.

[@gavand_4423]

2:28 chills love that line sm

[@JTRocks4Ever]

Puts me in mind of Joni Mitchell somewhat.

[@IndustrialWashBin]

"speeding 'cause I'm the cops" I love it

[@jordinsid]

the original line is 'speeding cause fuck the cops'

[@victoriavezich7914]

Think she's censoring the F word using um not I'm

[@richardtwine1655]

You'd think KEXP would be cool with fuck

[@uBeR10]

Solo Phoebe is the best Phoebe.

[@50ShadesOfEndo]

One of the best songs of the year

[@MrJonjontheman]

I was skeptical at first, but I’m in love with her

[@johnthorne4093]

The song is amazing; this performance on KEXP is devastating. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

[@Vrtualsins222]

her music is something else ... her music is always my go to tbh

[@mita1175]

I went with you up to the place you grew up And we spent a week in the cold Just long enough to Walden it with you Any longer, it would've got old Singin' "Ace of Spades" when Lemmy died But nothing's changed, L.A.'s alright I'm sleepin' in my bed again And gettin' in my head and then Walk around the reservoir You You must've been lookin' for me Sendin' smoke signals Pelicans circling Burnin' trash out on the beach One of your eyes is always half-shut Somethin' happened when you were a kid I didn't know you then and I'll never understand Why it feels like I did "How Soon Is Now" in an eighties sedan You slept inside of it because your dad Lived in a campground in the back of a van You said that song'll creep you out until you're dead And you Must've been lookin' for me Sendin' smoke signals Pelicans circling Burnin' trash out on the beach I wanna live at the Holiday Inn Where somebody else makes the bed We'll watch TV while the lights on the street Put all the stars to death It's been on my mind since Bowie died Just checking out to hide from life And all of our problems, I'm gonna solve 'em With you ridin' shotgun Speeding 'cause fuck the cops And you You must've been lookin' for me Sendin' smoke signals Pelicans circling Burnin' trash out on the beach Mm-mm I buried a hatchet, it's comin' up lavender The future's unwritten, the past is a corridor I'm at the exit, lookin' back through the hall You are anonymous, I am a concrete wall