by Ben Hogwood

The latest post from the Erased Tapes label on Bandcamp is a deeply personal one. Portland based recording artist David Allred chose the mark the birthday of a close friend on 5 November with a new song. Nothing too unusual about that, you might think – only the stranger has been missing for 12 years. In his own words, Allred says:

“‘Hey Stranger’ is about a close and deeply troubled lifelong friend who disappeared without any trace or explanation, and the experience of navigating an undying paranoia that he might appear back into my life when I least expect it. I find myself scanning crowded public places to assure that he’s not in my presence as often as I wonder where he is and how he is doing. It’s his birthday on November 5 and here is Hey Stranger (Take 2), written in dedication to him. Happy Birthday, J. You are deeply loved and missed, and you always have a friend when you need one.”

A deeply moving utterance, Hey Stranger is both troubling and strangely comforting – in the fact that, although missing, Allred’s friend still has people out there thinking of him and rooting for him.

Let’s hope this desperately sad story has a peaceful and somehow uplifting ending.

Published post no.2,001 – Monday 6 November 2023