3.19.24

Down here, where we’re at

Everyone is equally poor

Down here, we don’t care

We don’t care what happens outside the screen door

When No Depression — the 1990 debut album from Uncle Tupelo — was released, no one could have known just how big a splash the album and band would make.

It created ripples that still pulsate outward to this day.

Uncle Tupelo begat Wilco and Son Volt. Wilco begat Loose Fur, The Autumn Defense, Tweedy, solo recordings from Jeff Tweedy, and more. And Son Volt begat a solo career for Jay Farrah and numerous collaborative efforts with the likes of Ben Gibbard, Will Johnson, and Anders Parker.

Two songs are, to me, the pivot points of No Depression. One is the title track, a powerful cover of the Carter Family classic. The other is Screen Door.

The word that always comes to mind when I hear Screen Door is “wistful.” The imagery of a group gathered together, “equally poor” but so immersed in their peaceful, easy way of living, is comforting and euphoric.

We don’t care what happens outside the screen door.

What a lovely thought. To be unburdened by not just information, but also the desire to take any sort of position based on that information. It’s a childlike existence in the best sort of way, and I’d pay good money to spend a few weeks in that state of mind.

Soon it will be the season of screen doors and fresh air and porch sitting. How I hope it will also be a season of breathing easy and living gently.