Solo piano cover of the Ray Charles classic.
recorded at the old MCA studios on Sepulveda (los Angeles)

Sorry, I can't let you download this one - I don't own it.

From the bullseye album that never got released.

Krister Axel - piano, vocals

From the album I never released. Has one of my all-time favorite lines -

... so I wait
for an Angel bearing cake
with the sunlight on her face

A venerable Axel classic - same version as other 2002 Venus in Flight just with no drums. Original version.

Krister Axel - vocals, slide guitar, piano.

One of the first songs I wrote when I got to Los Angeles. Recorded by my friend Anthony Cinquini.

Krister Axel - acoustic guitar, vocals
Anthony Cinquini - drum programming, electric guitar, synth

The original recording of this song, written soon after Princess Diana's death. I recorded it after I got to Los Angeles, but it was written in Minneapolis when I lived there briefly in the Spring of '99.

Krister Axel - guitar, vocals

A very long song performed with a great band early in my career as a performer. This qualifies as one of my first Krister Axel shows. I hadn't even recorded Swexico yet. Recorded live at Genghis Cohen, 2002 (Los Angeles).

Krister Axel - piano, vocals
Stephanie Davis - vocals
Joel Eckels - electric guitar, vocals
Carson Cohen - bass
Adam Marcello - drums

Krister Axel - piano, vocals
Adam Marcello - drums
Carson Cohen - bass

In the AlterKnit Lounge, recorded to minidisc with a stereo mic - it was a hot late summer night in Hollywood.

Krister Axel - guitar and vocals

A fast write, thrown together. A love ditty with a message.

If you're ready for me now, I'd like to say a word
because it's not about me
it's all about you
and it's out of my hands
if it's out of your hands
but it's never over for love
you can never change love

Lo-fi live recording w/ ambient sounds. Fast and perky fingerpick on acoustic guitar.
Krister Axel - acoustic guitar.
Written and performed by Krister Axel

Sort of dark, slightly polytonal melody.

Krister Axel - Wurlitzer, acoustic guitar, electro-harmonium.
produced and performed by Krister Axel
Recorded to 20-bit 8-track ADAT.

A slight jazz feel, fast tempo yet laid back. Gorgeous French horn / trombone arrangement. Featured on the soundtrack to 'A Colombia' by Ryan Byrne, this is still one of my personal favorites.

Mark Corben on bass
Bill Dowling did the horn charts
Babyhead on bass
Krister Axel - vocals, guitar

I woke up today and my voice was
Older than my heart
Which carries a new scar

from the debut recording by Krister Axel, Swexico. Acoustic, folky, finger-picking melancholic ballad about regret and forgiveness.

Wasn’t it fast, my sweet?
We lost what we couldn’t keep…
When did it all become
Like a loaded gun?
Out in the rain you live
Chasing another year
If you believe in me
Say it out loud

You’re not going to waste it all
Turning around without

Not everyone believes that they are beautiful.
A dirty lap steel, strong middle tempo Southwestern style. Almost cowboy-ish.

krister axel - electric guitar, vocals, wurlitzer, B3
Adam Marcello - drums
Carson Cohen - drums

You suffered on the wheel
You don’t know how you feel about this living
All the signs are there
The good news and the bad conversation

Krister Axel - acoustic guitar

Dark, atonal piece about personal chaos. A very raw recording live to PC.

produced and performed by Krister Axel

Old version of a half-finished song. Some great lyrics, though. Listen to that smoker's gravel.

mix by Babyhead
Krister Axel - acoustic guitar with slide

This is one of a very small number of slide solos I have taken in my life. There were drums on this track, but they got muted by mistake on this version and I love it. A traveling, self-discovery sort of vibe. Meditate to this one.

Krister Axel - acoustic guitar, accordion

I wrote this for a contest on MySpace. I didn't win, but I still like the song.

One of my best acoustic guitar instrumentals, this song is a great example of this Elizabeth Coten style of fingerpicking - aka 'upside down and backwards'.

Written and performed by Krister Axel

A song that lived in my subconscious for months before it came out. Rough recording but still a decent version. The song is as yet unfinished.

krister axel - acoustic guitar, vocals

Working verion. Do not listen.

a cover of the old Al Greene classic

recorded in Jamaica last summer

Working version. Do not listen.

Click 'Videos' at the top of this page to view a live performance of this song.

Rain on Me

when i was old enough to dance
when i was high enough to see
anywhere the sky is dark
it rains on me

and i race
just to fall
just to be where you are

all we are is all we are
what we learn is what we teach
anywhere the sky is dark
it rains on me

and i race
just to fall

the light i want to shine for

when i was a liar
when i was thief
when i wore the chains
of my own grief
Somewhere in the distance
I could see myself
falling down the mountain
with nothing left

you're the light i want to shine for
you're the light i want to shine
for you
you're the light i want to shine
for now and ever

the day was almost over
I was not myself

key of E - 104 bpm

still feels broken to me

all the laws have changed
you think you know but you won't stay the same
you think you feel but you don't feel the way
the night is fixing to fall
and it's on the road for you
know the signs but you won't see the truth
all these clouds are hanging over you
but you can't run from yourself
oh well
you can't run from yourself

let me take your sadness
and tie it to a stone
at the bottom of the ocean
where no one ever goes
baby I won't leave you
unless you want me to
you're talking yourself crazy
just like you always do

I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
in neverland
on your feet, love
in neverland
get on your feet again

baby take my number