We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Family of Liars

by Grand Baxter

supported by
Mark Ziza
Mark Ziza thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

     

about

Grand Baxter is the introspective folk project of Melbourne singer-songwriter Ben Langdon. With artists such as Jason Isbell, Dawes, James Taylor and Paul Simon in his easel, he paints vivid pictures of social anxiety, deep depression, interpersonal struggles and growing older. This project captures the darker, more candid part of Langdon’s songwriting soul, with ‘Family Of Liars’ illustrating this perfectly.

Family Of Liars was written about the lies we tell ourselves and our loved ones. We tell them out of tact, pride, malice and love, but the reasons aren’t always clear cut. The song is delicate and heart-felt, with a whispered vocal and creeping strings throughout.

“When I was young I had this perfect picture of my parents, but as I grew up a little things started to chip at that image. I quickly learned that they were fallible, emotional, dysfunctional people, just like I was.

Writing this song was an emotional experience. If I write about my family I always seem to end up welling up. I feel like I needed to write this song to get out some resentment and put those feelings in perspective.”

The song was recorded during Melbourne's 100-day lockdown in Langdon's spare room turned studio, with help from friends and collaborators in their own studios, and then elegantly sewn together by Zac Barter (Didirri, Canary, The Maes).

“Working with people in recorded music over the internet was strange for me - I prefer working with people in person - but lockdown forced some interesting musical things to happen and I’m glad I was still able to work with amazing people like Maddison Carter (drums) and Dylan Knur (strings) despite not being in the same room.”

lyrics

I come from a family of liars
My mother she lied to protect her sons
From a father lying to himself
And sometimes it’s the only way
Oh honey if I told you straight
You’d leave me, no hesitation

Do I do it for the greater good
Or just my own?
Or just my own?

I come from a family of liars
When I meet my brother at the Union Bar
He tells me he’s doing fine
But there’s something in the human face
You can see when all the love is gone
And leaves just the flesh and bones

Does he do it for the greater good
Or just his own?
Just his own?
The only thing I know
Is the truth ain’t in my bones

I come from a family of liars
The look you’re giving me says so clear
That yours is just the same
We’ve all got something to hide
Show me yours and I’ll show you mine
Let’s burn this house right down

Do we do it for the greater good?
Or just our own?
Or just our own?
The only thing I know
Is the truth ain’t in my bones oh
The only thing I know
Is the truth ain’t in my bones

credits

released May 26, 2021
Written and performed by Grand Baxter
Guitars and vocals by Ben Langdon
Strings by Dylan Knur
Drums by Maddison Carter
Mixed and mastered by Isaac Barter

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Grand Baxter image

Grand Baxter Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s Grand Baxter blend the timeless swoon of violin, the gritty heft of electric guitar and the sometimes uncomfortable honesty of Langdon’s songwriting. Inspired by the great songs of James Taylor, Paul Simon and John Moreland, Grand Baxter offer tiny moments of truth, woven between sounds of folk, and alt-country, all wrapped in great blabs of humour and self-deprecation. ... more

contact / help

Contact Grand Baxter

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Grand Baxter, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now