We released a new song called “Across the Kill” in honor of Ludwig Day, a townwide celebration in New Paltz.
Ludwig used to open for us. If you attended a Los show from ’09–11, you were guaranteed a Ludwig opener; it was the cherry on the front of the cake. He was playing most weekday nights on the Karaoke circuit for decades, so it wasn’t exactly a unique thing, and I’m not really sure how the details were negotiated. I believe he just showed up one day, ready to open, as if he walked off the pages of our local folklore. Like most folks, we became friends with Mr. Montesa on Main Street, after seeing this fabulous specimen careening quaquaversally upon high heels, handbag over his shoulder, and a measurable amount of sass in his pants. He used to visit me at Earthgoods multiple times throughout the day, and show me manuscripts of the local choir he sang for. The song was always “Oh Shenandoah”, a word that I can’t bring myself to pronounce. It was this mighty word, a mellifluous meme, referencing an entirely different river, that ultimately carries the blame for this song’s birthing.
I heard a story at Ludwig’s funeral, about how he used to sneak out of his room every night, out on the roof of Gourmet Pizza, after his parents went to sleep. Even if it’s not true, I like thinking they had no idea they were living with an absolute Karaoke legend. So I dedicate this to you, my sweet boy, my Shenandoherty, my Gloria.
“Across the Kill” is available free for stream and download.
