Dandelion (2024)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
Director: Nicole Riegel
Stars: KiKi Layne, Thomas Doherty, Melanie Nicholls-King, Brady Stablein, Jack Stablein
Plot: It follows a singer-songwriter in a downward spiral as she takes a last effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey, a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago.
* * *
♪
[Birds squawk]
[Waves crashing]
[Guitar plays out of tune, shuffling]
[Guitar notes playing]
[“Hey Jealousy” by Doug Hopkins plays]
♪
♪
♪ Well, tell me, do you think it’d be all right? ♪
♪ If I could just crash here tonight? ♪
♪ You see I’m in no shape to drive ♪
♪ And anyway, got no place to go ♪
♪ You know, it might not be that bad ♪
♪ You were the best I’d ever had ♪
♪ If I hadn’t blown the whole thing years ago ♪
♪ I might not be alone
♪ Tomorrow, we can drive around this town ♪
♪ Let the cops chase us around
♪ The past is gone
♪ But something’s bound to take its pla-a-ce ♪
♪ Hey, jealousy
♪ Hey, jealousy
♪ Hey, jealousy
♪ Hey, jealousy
[Music stops, indistinct conversations]
[Amp rings out]
My name’s Dandelion.
I am here every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
If you are driving a gray BMW i3, your car is parked out front.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Club music plays]
Brian said you have my check for me.
Money.
[Sighs] Yeah.
Big money.
So, that Kyle kid plastered my bar again?
Who got to kick his ass out?
Me.
[Laughs]
Is this a joke?
The line up’s no joke.
If you win, you get to open for some big names in music.
It’s an opportunity, D.
Yeah.
If I wanted to make music about drinking beer in my Silverado.
He has a massive audience.
A massive redneck biker rally audience.
What kind of audience do you want?
[Indistinct conversations]
She has 6 million followers,
and she sings about hating her rich parents.
Having Instagram followers don’t make you good.
And a biker rally does?
No. [Chuckles]
Girl.
♪
[“The Ghost of Cincinnati [Dandelion Version]” plays]
♪ Nothing’s the same on Main
[Vocalizing]
♪
♪ It’s no place to be
♪ Be, be-e-e
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over me
♪ Me, me, me, me
[Humming]
♪ Washington Park was no place to be ♪
[Guitar plays] ♪ Nothing’s the same on Main
♪ Pretend that it’s fine on Vine ♪
♪ Who is that face on Race?
♪ I don’t know this place
♪ Nothing to see on Liberty
♪ Washington Park was no place to be ♪
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over me
[Indistinct conversations, dog barking in distance]
[Birds chirping, TV in background]
Martha, what’s going on?
I told you to stay away from my wife.
That’s the mother of my child…
[Door opens, closes]
[Sighs]
[Cars passing]
[TV continues]
[Coughs]
You’re late.
Gig ran late.
All right.
You should try moving around.
Sure. I’ll go on a hike.
Doctor Russell say you need to get your steps in.
Use your Fitbit.
I don’t need this all the time.
I know, Mom.
[Sighs]
But it would make me more comfortable
if you would use it this week.
Otherwise, you’re just sitting there coughing,
trying to catch your breath.
So, Victor’s wife is sleeping with Christopher?
You hungry?
Mm.
Shit is gonna hit the fan when that baby comes.
Ham or turkey?
Oh, if she even has it. You know what I mean?
Ham or turkey, Mom?
This is my favorite picture of him.
Ham.
[Cars passing]
And the reason I’m running for Senate,
the reason that I love this country
is because the country will change its fate.
People who are here, uh, you know, supporting me.
The people who are always there for me.
This country, ladies and gentlemen,
is a great place.
And it was an especially great place
to a kid like me.
[Cars passing]
[Amp buzzes, notes play]
[Humming]
[Guitar plays]
♪
[“The Ghost of Cincinnati [Dandelion Version]” plays]
♪ Walking the streets
♪ What do I see?
♪ Nothing’s the same, it’s all unfamiliar to me ♪
♪ I park at this spot
♪ Stare at the water
♪ Tried to leave
♪ But now why would I bother?
♪ Nothing’s the same on Main
♪ Pretend that it’s fine on Vine ♪
♪ Who is that face on Race?
♪ I don’t know this place
♪ Nothing to see on Liberty
♪ Washington Park was no place to be ♪
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over me ♪
[Pick thuds] [Sighs]
[Indistinct conversations]
[Cars passing]
[Door bells ring]
[Indistinct conversations in distance]
How you doing?
Hey, Mike. I’m good.
How are you?
I’m good. How’s your mom?
Um, she’s okay.
What’s going on with your guitar?
I’m actually here to sell it.
[Case clicks open]
I remember this guitar.
Wow, what a beautiful Goldtop.
What were you hoping to get for it?
I need at least two.
Okay, I can do that.
Thanks, Mike.
Want to play it one last time?
[Chuckles]
Yeah.
I’ll get the paperwork.
[Cars passing outside]
[Piano music plays, indistinct conversations]
Another one?
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Gleeful chatter]
I had to say good-bye to a friend today.
So, wrote an original.
Um, it’s not finished,
but, uh…
this is for her.
[Guitar plays]
♪ By my side since
♪ Since we were kids
♪ When they picked on you
♪ I’d make a fist
♪ We’d run through woods
♪ And jump a fence
[Indistinct conversations] ♪ I had a dream
♪ Where
♪ It all made sense
♪ Think of the time that we spent ♪
♪ Think about what could have been ♪
Stop it! [Laughter]
Sorry.
Please.
Anyway…
We gotta do this more.
Who’s not younger than us?
[Laughing] Oh, wow!
[Laughter]
Cheers. [Gleeful chatter]
You want some ice for your coffee?
Of course.
[Insects chirping outside]
Ma.
[Coughing]
Mommy!
Mm. [Sirens wailing in distance]
What you doing home early?
[Dog barking in distance]
I sold my electric for you.
I didn’t tell you to do that.
I had to.
You didn’t have to do anything. Mnh-mnh.
To cover your treatments.
Unless insurance is gonna cover the gig economy.
Get a real job, and then,
you won’t have to go around selling your stuff.
If I work a 9 to 5, it’s going to take away the time
that I have to make my music, to build my fan base,
to gain some recognition.
From who?!
Who’s recognizing you here?!
Every dollar I make
is from my music opportunities.
Where?!
You know, that means everything to me.
What music opportunities?!
I sing every day.
I make music every day!
And it doesn’t matter if it’s at a hotel or if it’s at a bar!
I am singing!
You listen to me.
There is nothing cute
about a 40-year-old Cincinnati troubadour.
Or you want to enjoy your life?
[Crying] I’m never going to enjoy my life,
because I am wasting it away, taking care of you!
And you won’t even take care of yourself!
[Crying] Look, Ma!
Ma.
[TV clicks on]
Do you want to guess the… prize…
StairMaster…
[Speaks indistinctly]
[Footsteps]
Theresa, where are you going?
Teresa? [Door closes]
Wants to get rich now, flip the card.
[Crying]
[Piano music plays]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Insects, birds chirping]
[Chirping continues, birds squawk]
[Sighs]
[Chuckles]
[Chirping, squawks continues]
[Engines rev, rock music plays]
♪
[Indistinct conversations]
♪
[Cheering]
♪
♪
♪ Follow me down and around this madness ♪
♪
♪
[Indistinct conversations, engines continue]
[Rock music continues in background]
♪
♪
♪
I haven’t been playing this good since…
Holy shit!
What’s up, guys?
Dude.
No way!
Oh, my God.
Look at you. What the hell? [Laughter]
Hugs, man. [Gleeful chatter]
I miss you, you know.
Look, who finally
decided to show up.
This guy.
Back from the dead, right?
I know, what?
Canadian tuxedo, per usual.
[Laughter]
Yeah.
Good to see you.
What’s up, man? How’s it going?
It’s been a long time.
Yeah, man.
It’s been, like,
2 years.
Yeah. 2 years.
2… 3 years.
What are you doing here?
I called him.
Oh, here we go.
Brady.
Jack, hit me up.
Says you guys want me to fill in?
Yeah.
So, uh,
what are you doing now?
Uh, sales.
You’re in sales?
[Laughter]
Yeah.
[Indistinct conversations]
Yeah, I think he might have missed you.
Oh, yeah, I could tell.
I mean, we all miss you.
How are you doing, anyway? You still in New York?
Yes I am. I recorded an album.
No you didn’t?
Yes, I did.
Oh, my God, that’s amazing.
Nine tracks.
You can listen online for free.
I’m so proud of you. Well done.
Thank you.
You need to send me it. Okay?
Um, I did. Yeah.
Really?
Yeah. It’s fine.
I’m sorry. I didn’t get it.
It’s all good.
Hey, Brandy. It’s me, um,
[Sighs] I am in South Dakota.
[Chuckles] Yeah. I don’t know.
Uh…
No, we need to go back…
Come on…
Right there…
No. [Laughs]
I’m probably just gonna… gonna come back.
This was stupid, but, um…
Can you also tell them to find someone to cover for me?
All right. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
[Indistinct conversations]
[Cheering]
[Rock music plays]
♪ There’s a dreamer waiting on the other side ♪
[Indistinct conversations] ♪ But I’m falling asleep
♪ There’s an answer, I can see in sunlight ♪
[Laughter]
♪ It burns down in front of me
♪ There’s a mountain I can’t see ♪
♪
♪ Waiting in the shadows now
♪ Waiting for a sign of life to comfort me ♪
♪ Waiting all the time
♪ Going out of my mind
♪ I’ll take it on the chin again ♪
♪ Push it on the Ativan
♪ Something I can’t understand
♪ The truth
[Cheering]
♪ I’m not big enough to understand ♪
♪ Tried to be a better man
♪ I find it with my shaking hand ♪
♪ The truth, I’m not big enough to lose ♪
♪ I’m not big enough to lose
[Cheers and applause]
Thank you guys so much for coming out. We’re Brother Elsey.
There’s a lot of really great bands the rest of the weekend,
so, please stick around and check them out.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Brother Elsey.
All right. We have time for one more act.
Last chance to win the opening slot
for the big night on Saturday.
[Laughter, indistinct conversations continue]
[Engines rev]
[Guitar string rings]
Whoa. You okay?
Jack Johnson bullshit.
Who the fuck is this?
Hey! Yeah. The coffee shop’s that way.
[Clears throat]
I bet it’s going to be,
about how, like, sad she is.
[Breathing heavily]
[Wolf whistles]
[Guitar plays]
What’s going on Beyoncé. How are you doing?
Take your shirt off!
♪
♪ By my side since
What?
♪ Since we were kids [Laughter]
♪ When they picked on you
♪ I’d make a fist
Hey, 1990 called, they want
their shitty music back.
♪ We’d run through woods
♪ And jump a fence
♪ I had a dream where
♪ It all made sense
♪ Think of the time that we spent ♪
♪ Think about what could have been ♪
♪ If things had been a little different ♪
[Audience booing] ♪ Just a little different
♪ You set me free
Watch this.
Watch this. Watch this.
♪ I left
[Amp rings out] Hey! Hey!
[Laughter, indistinct conversations]
[Rock music plays in background]
♪
♪
♪
[Motorcycle engines rev, indistinct conversations]
♪
♪
♪
[Engines revving]
[Engine turns off]
Hey.
Oh, my God.
Hey.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Thank you.
Sorry about that asshole.
[Exhales sharply] Yeah.
Did you get anything good at least?
Uh, a couple bottle caps.
A condom.
Condom, could be worse.
[Chuckles]
[Change dropping]
So, is that you leaving?
[Birds chirping]
Yeah.
I get it, weird outfits.
Loud motorcycles, a lot of…
“Fuck, yeah. America!”
[Chuckles]
Yeah.
Actually, I’m staying at the campground
just off the main drag.
And if you ever wanted to play together or…
I’m very “Fuck, no. America,” so…
[Inhales sharply]
Uh…
I think, I’m gonna crash here and, uh…
head home in the morning. [Keys jangle]
All right, well, drive safe.
[Car door opens]
What’s your name, by the way?
Dandelion.
No.
Well, it’s the name I’m giving you?
[Birds chirping]
[Rock music continues in background]
[Chuckles]
[Engine starts]
♪
[Engine recedes]
[Engines revving]
[Engines revving in distance]
[Sighs]
Oh, God.
♪
♪
[Sighing]
[Engine puttering, stalling]
♪
[Whispering] Fuck.
No.
No!
[Sighs]
[Laughter, indistinct conversations]
I heard somebody say Prince…
[Music plays in background]
So, what wine do you serve with brisket?
[Indistinct conversations continue]
♪
[Music grows louder]
♪
[Vocalizing, harmonizing]
♪
♪
Hi.
Hey.
I didn’t…?
Yeah. Uh, my battery died.
Whoo!
A sad song.
Like, you’re a sad song.
String, and then a condom.
[Laughs]
I-I don’t know why.
And then, a battery.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Since you’re here, I mean, do you want to play?
No, I think… I think I should stay with my stuff,
stay with my car, and make sure no one takes it.
Right.
They’re not gonna get very far…
if they did.
Right. Right?
Come on, come. We’ll play.
And then, you can go back to your car.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Guitar plays]
♪
♪
♪
♪ Passing through, like the whiskey in our veins ♪
♪ Like the downtown eastbound train ♪
♪ I may stop, but I’ll never stay ♪
♪ Passing through
♪ Like water in a river
♪ Like the smoke from a dive bar ♪
♪ Cigarette
♪ Don’t hold your breath, thought I told you ♪
♪ I’m only passing through
♪
♪ Oh, and I’m passing through
♪
♪
[Insects chirping] Yeah.
[Exhales sharply] I love that one.
[Applause]
Thanks, guys.
I’m Tammy, folks around here call me Mountain Mama.
Mountain Mama, I like that.
And this is Grace, and that’s Francesca.
This is Emily, Brady, and Beau,
Jack, Dalton.
Hey.
[Laughter] Uh, I’m Dandelion.
[Smacks lips] Nice to meet you.
So, uh, where you from, anyway?
Cincinnati.
Oh, I remember Sin-cinnati.
Um, how about all of you? Anyone from here?
No, nobody’s from here.
I drove up from Florida 16 years now.
My husband used to sit around the fire
and play all night long.
I’d wake up at 3:00 in the morning,
and I’d be, “Robert, when are you coming to bed?”
And he’d look at me, and he’d say,
[All] “When the fire’s out,
and the whiskey’s gone.”
[Chuckles] Oh, I wish I could hear that.
Yeah, but he passed, 3 years now.
I’m sorry to hear that.
Thank you.
To Robert.
[All] To Robert.
He definitely would have loved to be here.
And he’d be drinking us under the table.
[Laughter] So, uh…
how long have all of you been playing together?
But our band, Brother Elsey, uh,
we’ve been playing for, like, 10 years.
Not all of us have been playing for 10 years.
Hm.
You guys been touring or…?
Yeah.
We tour.
The goal is to be,
uh, the biggest band in the world.
[Chuckles]
It’s not the goal.
Yeah, it is, man.
To get where you need to go, you have to believe
that you’re going to be the biggest band
in the entire world.
That’s delusional.
This is not going to be good.
It’s about the music.
It’s not about the arena.
Yeah, [Clears throat] I know you say that, Dalton.
But, I mean, selling out an arena would be good.
That’s not the point.
We’re sitting here playing music for each other.
The connection that we feel about it,
that’s what brings us all here together every year.
Yeah, exactly, and…
make a living.
Music is a way of living.
[Whispering] Just lay off each other.
We’re all together. Come on.
♪
Don’t.
Don’t be shy now.
We have to play on Saturday. [Laughter]
You won?
Yep.
[Indistinct conversations]
Well, I want to hear something.
[Fire crackling, insects chirping]
What, me?
Yeah. [Chuckles]
Oh, she wants to hear something.
Who the hell am I?
[Laughter]
All right, now.
What you got going?
All right.
Yeah.
♪
[Folk music plays]
All right.
Hey.
♪
♪
♪
Hey. Get up.
♪
♪
♪
[Indistinct conversations]
Wiggle down.
Wiggle down now.
Whoo!
Whoo!
Yeah.
Yeah!
♪
[Laughter] Hey!
♪
♪
Whoo! [Laughter]
[Shouts]
[Water dripping, birds chirping]
[Indistinct conversations, laughter]
[Engines revving]
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Chirping continues]
[Engine revving]
[Engine continues]
[Birds chirping]
I used to play in a band with Brady.
I worked in restaurants and paved roads to get by
while we were trying to make something happen.
What about you? Why’d you come all the way here for a gig?
I had a 6-month tour lined up opening for another band.
[Chirping continues, doves cooing]
But, um, my mom got sick,
and I had to take care of her.
Now, all the musicians I came up with are opening for big names,
signing to labels,
making money.
I couldn’t seem to find my place and…
this is what was right in front of me.
I used to come here to write songs
and get rid of all that noise.
Just stop and…
breathe.
[Birds chirping]
So, did you guys ever get close to selling out an arena?
Not even, but,
you know, the first time people knew my lyrics,
like, 15 people in a bar, but…
They saw me, like, really saw me.
Hm. That moment was everything.
[Chirping continues]
[Screams] Shit!
You okay?
What are you doing? Let me see.
[Whispering] Shit. Shit.
Ooh, that’s a big one.
It’s fine.
Got it.
[Exhales sharply]
[Water bottle thuds]
[Exhales sharply]
[Panting]
[Exhales sharply] Towards these…
Yeah.
[Exhales sharply]
[Breathing heavily]
It’s worth it!
Ugh! Come on.
Okay.
Okay. Pull it together, girl.
[Breathing heavily]
♪ By my side since
♪ Since we were kids
♪ When they picked on you
♪ I’d make a fist
♪ We’d run through woods
You heard all that.
Uh…
♪ You set me free
♪ I let you go
♪ It was the only way to save my skin ♪
♪ Do you fault me for?
♪ That I lied to you
♪ Look at the trouble I’m in
[Birds chirping]
It’s good.
[Chuckles] Thanks.
So, uh…
you’re not in the band anymore?
Um, [Clears throat] No. No. Not anymore.
I, uh, you know, record, and then write, and it takes time,
and streaming doesn’t pay anything.
And I just got bored of working shit jobs, and…
I met my wife.
You’re married?
Yeah.
Why, does that surprise you?
Uh…
Yeah.
I mean, we’re not together.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, to be honest.
I think it sort of just slipped away.
You know, I missed practices.
I didn’t write anything for months,
and… or I didn’t stick with anything.
I can’t really remember.
But I’m just a guy that used to be in a band,
and there’s a lot of guys that used to be in bands.
Chasing dreams is…
hard.
It’s hard to quit too.
[Guitar plays]
♪
♪
Your song? What was the first verse?
♪ We’d run…
♪ We’d run through the woods
Okay.
[Shouting]
[Laughter] No!
[Laughs]
Fuck! [Screams]
It was a masterpiece.
Can I… Can I write on your arm?
What?
[Scoffs] Oh, my God. All right.
♪ Was in Custer Park
♪ I was passing through
What is it, mm… [Singing] Custer Park.
♪ I was passing through
Okay. May I?
♪ Was in Custer Park
♪ I was passing through, and you followed me ♪
♪ On the road that day
♪ And you whispered to me
♪ Whispered to me
♪ That you wanted to sing
[Harmonizing]
♪ Was it funny when
Oh, I had a dream. That works. That works.
♪ I had a dream
All right.
♪ Was it funny when
♪ I had a dream [Laughs]
♪ That I knew you
♪ When we were kids
♪ We picked grass and things
♪ And we ran through woods
[Laughing] ♪ And when they picked on you
♪ I would make a fist
I know what to do. [Humming]
♪ Don’t mind me
♪ You really shouldn’t see it
♪ I was bound to come unglued
Okay, I got something, like.
Okay.
♪ Like, breaks in the waves
♪ I rise and I fade
♪ It’s really all I’ve ever been ♪
Chorus, oh.
♪ Would you let me go
♪ It’s where I’m going
♪ Would you set me free
♪ I’m passing through
♪ In this way, I could save my skin ♪
♪ You know the answer now, Ohio’s where I’m going ♪
♪ If I lied to you…
♪ I’m passing through
♪ Was it worth all the trouble ♪
♪ You’d call my name
We’re in… did you just fucking hit my guitar?
♪ You know the answer now [Laughs]
You have to play with us on Saturday.
Please play with us on Saturday.
Wait, what?
I’ll split the money with you.
Uh…
I won’t do it if you don’t.
[Birds chirping]
[Acoustic music plays]
♪
Whoo-oo!
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
It looks a little bit sketchy in a way, but it is good.
This is the spot I used to come to all the time.
Okay.
All right.
You hear it?
Yeah.
[Folk music playing]
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Cheers and applause]
Hello!
Oh, it’s good to see you.
You guys are killing it… [Indistinct conversations]
[Engines revving]
Mnh-mnh.
No. Not doing this. No.
You want me to sing your part?
♪
[Cheering, laughter]
♪
♪ Was it funny when
♪ I had a dream
♪ That I knew you when we were kids ♪
♪ We picked grass and things
♪ And we ran through woods
♪ And when they picked on you
♪ I would make a fist
♪ Was in Custer Park, I was passing through ♪
♪ And you followed me on the road that day ♪
♪ And you whispered to me, that you wanted to sing ♪
♪ I made a wish for you that your seeds would spread ♪
♪ What you take me for?
♪ Were you listening?
♪ What you said was it, “Hang on, fool” ♪
♪ What you did for me
♪ When you set me free
♪ Was it worth all the trouble we’re in? ♪
♪ Was in Custer Park
♪ With the golden rods
♪ I didn’t let you down, I just lost the thread ♪
♪ If we’re honest, now
♪ Could you set me straight?
♪ I wanna forget about the things I did ♪
♪ Would you set me free?
♪ Will you let me see?
♪ In this way, I could save my skin ♪
♪ What you fault me for?
♪ If I lied to you
♪ It was worth all the trouble we’re in ♪
♪ Don’t mind me
♪ You really shouldn’t see it
♪ I was bound to come unglued
♪ Like, breaks in the waves
♪ I rise and I fade
♪ It’s really all I’ve ever been ♪
♪ What’d you take me for?
♪ Were you listening?
♪ What you said, was it, “Hang on, fool” ♪
♪ What you did for me
♪ When you set me free
♪ Was it worth all the trouble we’re in? ♪
♪ Will you let me go? ♪
♪ It’s where I’m going
♪ Would you set me free?
♪ I’m passing through
♪ You call my name, you know the answer now ♪
♪ What you fault me for?
♪ It’s where I’m going
♪ If I lied to you
♪ I’m passing through
♪ It was worth
♪ All the trouble we’re in
♪ You call my name
♪ You know the answer now
Ladies and gentlemen, Dandelion! [Cheers and applause]
[Engines rev in distance]
♪
That was fun, right?
It was.
[Country music plays in distance]
♪
♪
♪
I see you.
♪
♪
[Insects chirping, engines continue]
[Chuckles]
♪
[Birds chirping]
[Cars passing outside]
[Chirping continues outside]
[Birds chirping]
[Line ringing]
Hey, Brandy girl.
Uh, sorry, I haven’t been answering any of your calls.
Uh, yeah, it’s been, uh…
I don’t know, a little interesting here.
Uh…
I didn’t win. But I met a guy.
I know, I know.
He did win,
and he invited me to play with him on Saturday.
So…
Yeah, um…
he’s nice,
kind of lonely.
Tiny little white guy from Scotland. [Chuckles]
I don’t know.
He’s something, so…
He’s a new friend.
And I mean…
I’m really happy when I’m around him.
Yeah, I think, uh…
I’m really glad that I’m here.
[Chirping continues]
And I’ll talk to you later.
[Singing] ♪ New friend
[Humming]
[Guitar plays, humming continues]
♪
♪
♪ Old friend
♪
♪
[Guitar, singing continues outside]
♪
[Vocalizing]
♪
[Birds chirping]
♪
[Door opens]
Did you swipe my guitar?
No.
Did you retune it?
[Laughter]
[Laughter continues]
[Smooching]
[Chirping continues]
[Wind whistling]
[Breathing heavily]
[Laughs]
[Smooching continues]
[Engine revving]
Do you see this?
Look at his little hands.
[Laughs]
It’s so cute.
It is.
Here, do you… Let me take a picture.
Go on. I’ll take it on your phone.
[Birds chirping]
[Camera shutter clicks]
This can be your album cover.
[Laughter]
[Prairie dogs chirping]
You’re like a…
Watch this little guy.
prairie dog whisperer.
[Chirping continues] [Chuckles]
Are you enjoying it?
I’m not enjoying it.
No, I was enjoying it. And then, you came over.
And then, they ran away.
[Laughter] Stop.
[Shouts] That was good.
[Chuckles]
That was good.
[Laughs]
You want a peanut?
[Paper rustles] [Laughs]
[Chirping continues, cars passing]
[Insects chirping]
Thank you.
For what?
Playing music with me.
It’s called playing music.
So, it should feel like play.
[Music fades in]
Hm?
It has a way of not feeling that way at some point.
It has this week.
Thank you.
For what?
Allowing me to dream again.
♪
♪
♪
♪
Come here.
What?
Come here.
Why?
I’m gonna whisper it.
[Laughs]
Who’s gonna hear you all the way up here?
The world.
[Birds chirping]
[Engines revving]
Yeah, we played Nashville for the first time a few years ago.
We were drinking in bars, and it was sketchy,
you know, but we got…
we got a little bit too drunk the night before.
Bullshit.
We woke up the next day,
the van’s back doors were busted open
and it was cleared out,
except for Dalton’s pretty little drum kit.
It was still there.
It’s ’cause they knew better.
Someone left it unlocked.
Yeah.
I don’t know who it was.
It wasn’t me,
they gave they key to.
It wasn’t me. [Laughter]
But thank God they stole Beau’s laptop.
Because we pinged the house, like, a block away.
So, we surround this house, so, cops go to the door.
Lady comes out, and we were like, “Give me back my laptop.
It was you.” [Laughter]
We figured out, it’s the next door neighbors, these two kids.
So, we started staking the house out.
We’re there all day long. [Cellphone vibrating]
We have to load in at 8:00 to our show. Right?
We took the van around this house about 6 hours,
just in circles.
Just waiting.
All day long, waiting
for someone to show up in this house.
No one came in or out for 6 hours.
Finally, this car pulls in, and it backs in,
and we’re like, “Maybe, mom’s home, whatever.”
But we see these two little shitheads walk out
with amps in hand. [Vibrating continues]
We… And we, we just, like, went into, like, Rambo mode.
It was planned, we walked straight…
I’ve never seen Jack move faster in my life.
Finally, we get there, Casey’s in the back
with this fucking giant brick in his hand.
With these. With these.
He’s never picked up anything
in his fucking life.
He was even smaller back then.
We used to stuff him in… [Indistinct conversations]
They did. This is the shit I had to do.
Well, I saw a rage in his eyes. He cared.
He did. He did.
He did.
Long story short.
You mean long story long.
We did the sound check at 8.
We crushed that show.
And, uh, it was the best show, best show we ever played.
Great.
Yeah.
[Cheering, laughter]
[Cellphone vibrating]
Another one?
[Smooches]
[Indistinct conversations]
Yes.
Can you give me one of those?
Yes.
Shots.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
So, how’d you guys meet?
Um, he followed me after the show.
Sounds about right. It’s how he met Patricia.
He brought me my guitar case.
Uh, so what’s next for you?
I don’t know.
What about you?
Got, uh, you know, just our regular gigs
in Detroit.
But after that, you know, nothing.
That’s about it.
[Indistinct conversations, cheering continues]
You good?
[Clears throat]
[Indistinct conversations, engines revving]
What is this?
It’s a motorcycle helmet.
[Country music plays in background]
♪
[Engines, indistinct conversations continue]
♪
[Engine revs]
[Singing]
And you could come in, you could say like, uh…
Oh, girl?
Yeah.
[Singing] Oh, girl. Oh, girl.
[Humming]
♪
[Insects chirping, guitar playing]
♪ Last night
♪ I fall into
♪ Am I gonna
♪ Run from this?
♪ Don’t know where it all went wrong ♪
♪ Where it all went wrong
I think, it needs to start slower.
Like…
Yeah, I already did that.
It started slow.
I said, what’s the problem in that?
What? It just sounded like you were going faster.
Right? You do it then. You play. Fuck this.
Really?
Yeah, really.
You play it.
What’s the problem?
I haven’t been getting on you.
I don’t know.
Yes, you have.
Every fucking lyric that I write you have an issue with.
Yeah, because every lyric that you’re writing
seems to be some weird, like, passive aggressive jab.
And then…
It’s not passive aggressive.
Isn’t that what songwriting is?
Aren’t we supposed to write what’s going on,
what’s in our heart?
100%.
But it’s just… It all seems…
So where’s this night going to?
Are you going to run from this?
[Stuttering] Exactly, it’s like, the meaning is, like…
I feel, like, it’s, like, putting me down.
No, it’s just that you’re so fucking afraid to actually
answer the questions.
No, because… No, because you want answers.
You want what’s going to happen, and you need…
Is that… Is that a crazy thing to want?
Is that weird?
It’s not.
No, it’s not a weird thing to want, generally.
But, like, this is a different circumstance.
Like, we’re getting to know each other.
We’re having a good thing. We’re having a great time.
[Guitar playing]
♪
I thought you said you wanted to start it slower.
Oh, so, we are starting it faster now. Okay.
♪ Where’s this night going to? ♪
So, the argument that you had was completely pointless.
You literally just wanted to fight with me. Okay.
♪ Old man
♪ You’re always quick to saddle up ♪
Very mature, Dandelion. Very, very mature.
Oh, yeah. Play it louder.
♪ When the fire’s
♪ All burned out
♪
[Insects chirping]
♪ Old friend
♪ You’re halfway down the bottle again ♪
[Humming]
Can we do that part again? Sorry.
♪
♪ I said, old man
♪ Where’s this night going to?
♪ You’re the one who started this ♪
♪ What’s the point in fighting it? ♪
♪ And… And old friend
♪ Are you gonna run from this?
♪ Are you gonna bury me?
♪ Old friend
♪ When the light of morning comes ♪
[Breathing heavily]
♪ Oo-o-o-h
♪ Oo-o-o-o-h
[Breathing heavily, moaning]
♪ Old friend
♪ Don’t know who to listen to
♪ Don’t know where it all went wrong ♪
♪ What’s the truth, anyway?
♪ Old friend, I know how this thing ends ♪
♪ Sucking whiskey through a straw ♪
♪ Draining drinks until you drown ♪
[Breathing heavily, moaning]
[Breathing heavily, moaning continues]
[Moaning]
[Moaning continues, smooching]
♪
♪
♪ I said, old girl
♪ They’re laughing in your face again ♪
♪ They’re taking all the jobs away ♪
♪ Even when you lost it all
♪ I said, old girl
♪ You’re the one who started this ♪
♪ You’re fickle, and you’re fired up ♪
♪ You’re standing on the precipice ♪
♪ I said, old man
♪ Where’s this night going to?
♪ You’re the one who started this ♪
♪ What’s the point in fighting it? ♪
♪ And old man, you’re always quick to saddle up ♪
♪ But where the hell will you end up? ♪
♪ When the fire’s all burned out now ♪
♪ Oo-o-o-o-o-h
♪ Oo-o-o-h
♪ Old friend
♪ You’ve fallen down the bottle, again ♪
♪ You know what is right from wrong ♪
♪ We’re standing at the edge of it ♪
♪ Old girl, don’t know who to listen to ♪
♪ Don’t know where it all went wrong ♪
♪ What’s the truth, anyway?
♪ Old friend, are we gonna be okay? ♪
♪ Are you gonna carry me
♪ When the light of morning co-o-mes ♪
♪ Old friend
[Harmonizing]
♪
[Cheers and applause]
I want to know everything about you.
What do you want to know?
Hm…
What do you love about Cincinnati?
I love the river.
I love the way the light sparkles on the water.
It’s muddy and dirty.
But it’s the only place that makes me feel suffocated
and inspired at the same time.
What do you love about Edinburgh?
Cobbles.
Cobbles?
Mm-hm. Cobbles.
It doesn’t make sense, and they’re just rocks.
But…
I love them.
And I have jars full of them.
You should go wherever you want to go.
Right now…
while you still can.
While the decision’s relatively easy.
[Smooches]
♪ Fall, you said
♪ Found me on the edge, and you let me in ♪
♪ I know the misses
♪ You fault me for
♪ Long at the end of my fortune ♪
♪ Lay me down by the water
♪ I’m at the end of my leash now ♪
♪ All I need’s a reason
♪ Innocent, I never meant to wall you in ♪
♪ Honey, I’m afraid of my promises ♪
♪ Long at the end of my reason
♪ Just at the end of the season ♪
♪ Honey, I’ll set you free, then ♪
♪ One way down, and we’re even ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of that water ♪
♪ Take it on the chin and I falter ♪
♪ Hold me in your arms like my mother ♪
♪ Remind me your somebody’s daughter ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of that line you see ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of your periphery ♪
♪
♪ Honey, I fight
♪ What’s the meaning of the flag you fly? ♪
♪ Headed on down that wall you built ♪
♪ Long at the end of my reason ♪
♪ Down at the end of this season ♪
♪ Long at the edge of that water ♪
♪ Lay your head down my shoulder ♪
♪ April fool, key in the ignition ♪
♪ But I love you more
♪ Headed on a mission
♪ I’ll start a war
♪ Long at the end of my reason ♪
♪ Just at the end of this season ♪
♪ Honey, I’ll set you free, then ♪
♪ One way down, and we’re even ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of that water ♪
♪ Take it on the chin, and I falter ♪
♪ Hold me in your arms like my mother ♪
♪ Remind me you’re somebody’s daughter ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of that line you see ♪
♪ Hold me on the edge of your periphery ♪
♪ Oo-o-o-h
Hold me on the edge of your periphery.
[Guitar continues]
♪
♪
[Cheers and applause]
[Indistinct conversations]
What’d you think?
It was nice.
It’s not as good as my shit, but…
We’re headed up to Spearfish if you guys want to tag along.
Yeah.
All right.
Actually, wait, does, uh…
Does James still own the Music Room up there?
Yeah, he should be there.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Engines revving]
[Whispering]
[Engine revving]
[Piano plays]
James.
Casey!
How’s it going, my man?
Oh. Bring it in. It’s been too long.
How are you? You well?
I’ve been well, yeah.
Brady says you still had this spot.
Yeah, I still got the spot, man.
I thought we’d swing… Oh, but this is Dandelion, by the way.
Dandelion. Pleasure to meet you. Pleasure to meet you.
This guy cut his first record here.
Oh, yeah?
I did. I did.
Oh, yeah.
Okay. [Chuckles]
So, have you recorded before?
Uh, not in a studio like this.
So, uh…
You know what you want to track today?
Yeah. [Chuckles]
Can I borrow that?
Yeah.
Grab it and come on back.
You excited?
[Laughs]
There you go. Get comfortable.
Okay.
All right, plug this in here.
Let me get the headphones on, so you can hear us.
All right.
Find yourself.
[Sighs]
There you go.
Okay.
Comfy?
Yeah.
Good. All right.
[Tuning guitar]
All right. Here we go. [Counts in music]
♪
♪
♪ Walking the streets
♪ What do I see?
All good?
Yeah. I’m sorry.
Uh…
[Inhales, exhales sharply]
Let yourself get lost in the landscape of the song.
Just be in it.
[Exhales sharply] Yeah. Okay.
[Counts in music]
♪
♪
♪ Walking the streets
♪ What do I see?
♪ Nothing’s the same, it’s all unfamiliar to me ♪
♪ I park at this spot, and stare at the water ♪
♪ Tried to leave, but now why would I bother? ♪
♪ The bell is tolling
♪ The clouds are rolling
♪ Play the Fountain Square
♪ Is this the life I’ve chosen? ♪
♪ Nothing’s the same on Main
♪ Pretend that it’s fine on Vine ♪
♪ Who is that face on Race?
♪ I don’t know this place
♪ Nothing to see on Liberty
♪ Washington Park was no place to be ♪
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over me-e-e-e ♪
♪ The ghost of Cincinnati
♪ Stalking the streets
♪ Haunting all your memories of what used to be ♪
♪ Too far from the big time
♪ Too close to a suicide
♪ I’m about to lose my mi-i-i-nd ♪
♪ Nothing’s the same on Main
♪ Pretend that it’s fine on Vine ♪
♪ Who is that face on Race?
♪ I don’t know this place
♪ Nothing to see on Liberty
♪ Washington Park was no place to be ♪
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over me
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over meeeee ♪
♪ Over-the-Rhine is over meeeeeeee ♪
That was beautiful.
Whoo!
I can have that pressed in a week.
So, the song have a name?
Uh…
“Ghost of Cincinnati.”
I know, I know ’cause like you’re hearing yourself back.
Yeah
It does sound like,
it’s, like, throws you off a bit.
But also it sounded so good, and, like, big and…
[Indistinct conversations, engines revving]
Yeah.
Hey, uh, I’ll meet up with you guys later.
Why? Where you going?
[Chuckles]
I’ll be back, I promise.
Okay.
[Zipper hisses, insects chirping]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Birds chirping]
[Knocking]
[Indistinct conversations]
Casey!
[Engines revving]
[Knocking continues]
[Laughs] Casey.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Chirping continues]
On three. One… Two…
Do you not understand what we’re doing?
We’ve done this before.
All right.
Two… Three.
You guys need some help?
[Music notes play, indistinct conversations]
Oh, okay, I got one.
Hurry up. Get yours ready, buddy.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
Yeah. Could you actually bring that over right in front there.
Thanks, man.
I hope that’s okay.
[Humming]
Just angle it this way a little bit more for me.
That’s perfect. Thank you so much.
♪
Yeah.
♪
Hey, uh…
Yeah.
You know where he is?
Uh, I saw him this morning.
It’s the last time I saw him.
So what, is he just gonna skip out on this?
Let’s just… Let’s just play the song, and he’ll get here.
He’ll be here.
[Music notes play]
♪
[Muffled] Okay. Can we get a…?
♪ Was it funny when
♪ I had a dream
♪ That I knew you when we were kids ♪
♪ We picked grass and things
♪ And we ran through woods
♪ When they picked on you
♪ I would make a fist
♪
Sound space left vocal.
♪
♪
We have to wait for him.
We have to wait for him. [Laughs]
Like, we can’t do this without him.
[Sighing]
[Indistinct conversations]
All right, I’m going to go look for him at the campground.
He’s at the lodge.
What?
He’s at the lodge. Room 218.
[Exhales sharply]
Okay. Can I get stage right guitar?
♪
[Insects chirping, indistinct conversations]
[Cars passing]
[Electricity buzzing]
[Laughter]
Hey.
Hey.
Where have you been?
Can we go downstairs?
We’re in soundcheck.
I know. I know. I’m sorry.
We’re getting ready for a performance.
Where have you been?
Come here.
[Kid shouting playfully] Hi, sweetheart.
Hi.
Dad!
I know, I’ll be… I’m coming. I’m coming in.
I’m coming in.
Excuse me, who are you?
[Kid shouting playfully continues]
I’m Theresa.
Mom. Come play.
Honey, can you just give us a second?
Come on, let’s go.
Come on, sweetie, I need you to come on.
Casey!
I’ll see you downstairs, okay?
Hey, time for…
Who was that?
Oh, uh…
Yeah, she’s, um…
[Indistinct conversations]
[Electricity buzzing]
[Rock music playing, engines revving]
[Indistinct conversations, shouting]
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Indistinct conversations, shouting continues]
♪
[Crying]
[Engines revving in distance]
[Crying continues]
[Crying]
[Crying continues]
Casey, can you bring Lena down with you?
Yeah. Coming.
[Crying softly]
Dad.
There you are.
[Kid shouts playfully]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Birds chirping]
[TV in background] [Door opens]
But I’m now the Republican nominee…
[Door closes] in the state of Ohio.
Ladies and gentlemen…
[Cheering]
I-I-I grew up in southwestern Ohio.
I was raised by my mamaw and papaw…
And if you know anything about my background,
or anything about my life, you know that my mamaw
was not always a conventional woman.
She was… She was different.
[Speaks indistinctly]
[Insects chirping, guitar playing]
♪
♪
♪
[Chirping continues]
[Guitar playing]
♪
♪
♪
[Club music plays, indistinct conversations]
♪
♪
It’s my night.
♪
Where is my set list?
What are you doing here?
It’s 8:30.
Brian called a band to cover.
How about I get Grant to cover me while I take you home?
I need my set list,
and I need a drink.
Girl.
I think you should take the night off to rest.
It’s my night.
♪
♪
♪
Hey, baby. Yeah. [Indistinct conversations]
My name’s Dandelion, [clears throat],
and I am here every Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday.
[Indistinct conversations continue]
[Guitar playing]
♪
♪ Tell me do you think it’d be all right? ♪
♪ If I could just crash here tonight? ♪
♪ You see, I’m in no shape to drive ♪
♪ And anyway, I’ve got no place to go ♪
♪ You know, it might not be that bad ♪
♪ You were the best I’d ever had ♪
♪ If I hadn’t blown the whole thing years ago ♪
♪ I might not be alone [Indistinct conversations]
♪ Tomorrow, we can drive around this town ♪
♪ And if the cops chase us around ♪
Hey! Hey!
[Breathing heavily]
Don’t… Don’t do that.
You put your phone down.
Excuse me.
I am performing,
and you are talking through my song.
I’m standing up here, vulnerable,
in front of all of you,
and you’re just chit chatting away
as if I’m inconveniencing you.
Well, here’s an idea.
If you want to talk on your phone,
how about you go somewhere
where there’s no one performing?!
[Breathing heavily]
[Mic drops]
Wow.
Theresa, I need you to go home.
[Indistinct conversations]
[Whispering] She’s psycho.
Thank you.
[Breathing heavily]
She’s crazy.
[Whispering]
I’m standing up here,
vulnerable, in front of all of you,
and you’re chit chatting
as if I’m inconveniencing you.
If you want to talk on your phone,
how about you go somewhere
where there’s no one performing?!
[Indistinct conversations in distance]
I don’t want to be a 40-year-old troubadour.
[Phone thuds]
[Coughing]
To find something you love this much in life.
So much that you want to do it every day
for the rest of your life is…
in itself, profound.
Most people don’t have that.
Your joy is defiant, baby.
Protect it.
I think, I said what I said, because I would love
to be a 40-year-old troubadour.
Miss Dandelion.
[Chuckles]
[Sniffles]
[Sniffles]
[Insects chirping]
[Exhales sharply]
[Humming]
[Exhales sharply]
Fuck, that doesn’t work.
[Humming]
Fucking shit.
[Exhales sharply]
[Inhales, exhales sharply]
[Humming]
[Groans]
[Guitar notes play]
[Hums]
[Moaning]
[Piano notes play]
[Guitar notes play]
♪
♪
I see you.
[Guitar playing]
Fuck.
[Guitar playing]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Guitar continues]
♪
[Birds chirping]
♪ Muddy river
♪ Oh
♪ Oh, will the muddy river
♪ Ever let me go
♪ Go, oh
[Guitar plays]
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Exhales sharply]
[Insects chirping]
[Cars passing]
[Birds chirping]
[Indistinct conversations]
♪
♪
We have a new songwriter for you tonight
here at Ghost Baby.
Maybe, you’ve seen her play around town.
Or maybe it’s your first time.
Either way, you’ll be glad you caught her
on the first stop of her tour.
Ladies and gentlemen…
Cincinnati’s own…
Dandelion.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪ Down in the muddy Ohio
♪ Blue bridge and the snow
♪ Watch it melting, and you’re walking all alone ♪
♪ See a face rise that you know ♪
♪ Is it a river thing?
♪ Maybe a phantom ring
♪ Does it scare you when I sing ♪
♪ Ten feet deep
♪ Trying to breathe
♪ Swimming up just to bleed
♪ You see a face rise, oh, that you know, ooh ♪
♪ Oh, will that muddy river
♪ Ever let me go
♪ Haven’t broken the surface, but you can’t break me ♪
♪ Try to drown my purpose under the waves ♪
♪ Won’t take my gifts down to my grave ♪
♪ You turned your head, and you looked at me ♪
♪ With eyes I thought admired me ♪
♪ Just a boy who could never be free ♪
♪ Scared of the woman they see
♪ Ten feet deep, Trying to breathe ♪
♪ Swimming up, up, just to bleed ♪
♪ Oh, you see a face rise, oh, that you know, ooh ♪
♪ Oh, will that muddy river ever let me go-o-o-o ♪
♪ Let me go-o-o, oh
♪ Oh, I’m not afraid, I’m running free ♪
♪ The whole world’s trying to bury me ♪
♪ I see a whole world reckoning ♪
♪ Ten feet deep, trying to breathe ♪
♪ Swimming up just to bleed
♪ Oh, you see a face rise, oh, that you know, ooh ♪
♪ Oh, will that muddy river ever let me go? ♪
♪ Walls fall away
♪ But I’m the one who falls
♪ Hide what you may
♪ What, you’re not taking calls from the awkward way ♪
♪ You make it all my fault, now you’re out of my way ♪
♪ But I’m still hitting walls
[Guitar solo]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪ The world’s trying to bury me, I see a whole world reckoning ♪
♪ The world’s trying to bury me, I see a whole world reckoning ♪
♪ The world’s trying to bury me, I see a whole world reckoning ♪
♪ Yeaaaaaah
[Interlude]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ Took the train, coffee black ♪
♪ It’s been so cold, then for her ♪
♪ As you push it back
♪ Glad you came
♪ Said you would
♪ How’s that chair on your back? ♪
♪ Does it feel good?
♪
♪ Don’t touch my skin
♪ Unless you’re gonna touch my skin ♪
♪ Don’t fall sad, if you can’t swallow it ♪
♪ Don’t press your legs around my thigh ♪
♪ Part your lips and not come in ♪
♪ It’s delicate
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Go to the show, saw you near the exit sign ♪
♪ Why so long slumbering?
♪ When so quick to say good-bye ♪
♪ There’s a way, what I want to say ♪
♪ I’m trying the patience, I’m only 30 ♪
♪ Till Saturday
♪ Don’t touch my skin
♪ Unless you’re gonna touch my skin ♪
♪ Don’t fall sad, if you can’t swallow it ♪
♪ Don’t press your legs around my thigh ♪
♪ Part your lips and not come in ♪
♪ It’s delicate
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪
♪
♪ Gonna blow through your legs, be your skin ♪
♪ Gotta be cool with you
♪ I got lost with you
♪ Should have never fucked around with you ♪
♪ Still lost inside of it
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Don’t touch my skin, unless you’re gonna touch my skin ♪
♪ Don’t fall sad, if you can’t swallow it ♪
♪ Don’t press your legs around my thigh ♪
♪ Part your lips and not come in ♪
♪ It’s delicate
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Don’t you touch my skin
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Please come touch my skin
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Don’t you touch my skin
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ Please come touch my skin
♪ It’s delicate
♪ This thin elephant
♪ It’s delicate
[Indistinct conversations]
♪ You’re the thistle
♪ I’m the stone
♪ Two hearts, one soul
♪ But, oh
♪ Wait here like structure till he comes ♪
♪ That’s why we grow wild or we won’t ♪
♪ Thistle and stone
♪ Thistle and the stone
♪ Thistle and the stone
♪ I see a thistle beside the stone ♪
[Insects chirping]
