“Tree Of Life” by Art d'Ecco – A Song Feature

 

     Near the end of “Tree of Life,” the backing vocals twice emphasize an earlier-made promise, “I’ll give you everything you need.” But the song from Art d'Ecco had already delivered on the promise – propulsion by a tireless rhythm section, aggressiveness from a horn section, touches of elegance from string flourishes, and a balance of innocence and self-assuredness from the vocals.
 
     While many elements of the track deserve praise, the percussion in “Tree of Life” stands out. The standard components of a drum kit are present, but the “add-on” elements take center stage and are played with attention-commanding rhythmic sophistication. The bass enhances the groove.
 
     “Tree of Life” is one of ten tracks on “Serene Demon,” the fourth full-length album from Art d'Ecco. The album was released on February 14 via Paper Bag Records. Art d'Ecco is the stage name of a Canadian Producer/Rocker based in Victoria, British Columbia. The credits of “Tree of Life” show that, in addition to vocals, he played synth, guitar, Wurlitzer and Rhodes. But there were numerous other contributors. The credits list:
  Pascal Le Vasseur - bass
  Malcolm Holt - drums, percussion
  Evan Miller - backup vocals
  Aleisha Kalina - backup vocals
  Francesca Carbonneau - backup vocals
  Jonnie Bridgman - baritone sax, tenor sax
  Dominic Conway - tenor sax
  Malcolm Aitken - trumpet
  Nick La Riviere - trombone
  Elyse Jacobson - violin
  Molly Mackinnon - violin
  Doug Gorkoff - cello
  Steven Lin – viola
 
     While talking about the message behind “Tree of Life,” Art d'Ecco said, “I think the words speak for themselves, partnership starts with planting a seed - sometimes we grow together, sometimes we grow apart.”  Turning to the making of the single, he explained:
  “This song is the first musical collaboration with my long-time rhythm section. I asked them to play a disco groove - something akin to 'You Should Be Dancing' by the Bee Gees, which stays in the same key/chords for all the main parts of the song, only deviating to a chromatic section as a respite from the various bass riffing.
  Using this as our inspirational goal posts, I hit record. They improvised the tight upbeat groove you hear on this song - almost immediately. Of the 2 minutes I recorded, I was able to chop up and assemble the entire demo for what would be the song.”
 
     “Tree Of Life” by Art d'Ecco

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“Like It Like This” by The Two Romans – A Song Feature (Amended)

     The Two Romans identify their musical role models as Gang of Youths and Nothing but Thieves. We don’t doubt the influences that the two bands have had. Still, we find “Like It Like This,” the most recent release from The Two Romans, to be far more inviting than the music of their role models. The track stands out with dynamic intensity shifts and multiple vocalists weaving in and out, creating a sound that’s sure to urge audience participation. A fitting comparison might be the Canadian band The Strumbellas, although The Two Romans bring a more sophisticated touch to their music.
 
     The band’s name reflects the fact that its core members, bothers Samuele and Mattia Zanella, are originally from Rome. The two brothers now reside in Switzerland and have joined forces with musicians from Germany and Switzerland. The members of The Two Romans are Samuele Zanella (keys, vocals), Mattia Zanella (guitar, keys, vocals), Florian Fettke (electric guitar), Simon Boss (drums), and Yvo Brönnimann (bass, guitar).
 
     In talking about “Like It Like This,” The Two Romans explained:
  “The idea of the song starts from the desire to be able to embrace life, even in the most difficult situations. The low moments allow us to recognize the highs and appreciate when things are going well.”
 
     The lyrics of “Like It Like This” are included at the bottom of this post. They are interesting and insightful, particularly in view of the somewhat quirky phrasing and presentation. For example, rather than a continuous flow to the statement “on this rollercoaster we call life,” the words are delivered almost as three thoughts, “on this rollercoaster…. We call: Life isn’t always easy.”
 
     “Like It Like This” is a single from the 15-song album “Real Life Lovers,” which was released on February 14, 2025.
 
      The band’s discussion of its name is also interesting:
  “Whenever their name or the capital of Italy is being mentioned, the well-worn saying "All roads lead to Rome“ often comes up. Well, let's stick with this figure of speech for a moment:
  What does the statement actually mean for someone who originates from Rome himself? Where do the paths leading into the eternal city carry a Roman himself to? That is simple. One starts walking – in the opposite direction and approaches other people who are on their very own section of their way.
  The Two Romans are doing just that: They are walking against the tide, being a little different, going beyond the mark, looking for encounters, meeting strangers, traveling the world and sharing the journey like a family. Many foreign encounters are spontaneous, moments often last a short time, conversations after the concert are tight. But all these contacts, impressions and exchanges with others ultimately create an overall picture like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle: A collection of memories.”
 
     “Like It Like This” by The Two Romans

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Lyrics of “Like It Like This” by The Two Romans
I like it like this
 
If you ever had a doubt
Don’t worry you’re not alone
There’s plenty other doubters shooting their arrows
With covered eyes
 
And if you thought you’ve seen it all
Had enough of broken bones
There’s plenty other lost souls on this rollercoaster…
We call:
 
Life isn’t always easy
But I’m not
Gonna hide behind some cheesy lines
Whatever may come
I’ll always say one thing:
“I like it like this.”
 
Oh, and every day
Just let me say:
“Yah, I like it like this
I like it like this
I like it like this.”
 
It’s the coming and the going
A giving and receiving
We’ve all got crazy feels on this flipper field…
We call:
 
Life isn’t always easy
But I’m not
Gonna hide behind some cheesy lines
Whatever may come
I’ll always say one thing:
“I like it like this.”
 
Oh, and every day
Just let me say:
“Yah, I like it like this
I like it like this
I like it like this.”
[Repeat]
 
If you can find peace in the winter
Your life will be feeling like spring
And you
Will always bloom
 
Let me tell you:
“If you can find peace in the winter
Your life will be feeling like spring
And you
Will always bloom”
 
I like it like this
Oh, and every day
Just let me say:
“Yah, I like it like this
I like it like this
I like it like this.”
 
Oh, and every day
Just let me say:
“Yah, I like it like this
I like it like this
I like it like this.”

“Dancing with Ghosts” by Pink Turns Blue – A Song Feature

      Three months ago, Rick Beato, a highly respected YouTube personality, presented his observation that most musicians write and/or preform their pinnacle work before the age of 30. Beato’s theory is that aging-related changes in the brain affect a musician’s ability to write and improvise music. If you are interested, his video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxR6Zi1euvc&t=5s.
 
     Beato listed exceptions to his theory, with most of the exceptions being classical composers. For us, the German band Pink Turns Blue is an exception within the Rock/Post Punk genres. The band released seven albums from 1987 to 1993. The albums received critical acclaim. But their pinnacle work, “TAINTED” dropped in 2021. The standout song on that album is “There Must Be So Much More.” As a strong follow up album. “Black Swan” will be shared on February 28, 2025. “Dancing with Ghosts” is the latest of three single releases from the upcoming album.
 
          “Dancing with Ghosts” is a song about a troubled relationship. Specifically:
“’Dancing With Ghosts’ is a song about our difficulty of breaking out of an unhealthy bond.
Some last a lifetime – and are not good for us at all. They suck all our energy, never give, always take. And whatever we do, it’s never right and never good enough.
And since it’s often our best friend, mother, or sister, it feels like we owe them something, but every time we try to do something good for them, we just feel miserable and used.
There is no easy way out, because whatever we do, we lose.
These spirits will haunt us forever unless we challenge them and eventually manage to leave them behind.
We’re Dancing With Ghosts.”
 
     The members of Pink Turns Blue are Mic Jogwer (vocals, guitar), Luca Sammuri (bass), and Paul Richter (drums). In an explanation of the title of the upcoming album, they note, “Black Swan is a term used for an unexpected event that, in retrospect, is rationalized as if one could have prepared for it.”
 
     “Dancing with Ghosts” by Pink Turns Blue

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Lyrics of “Dancing with Ghosts” by Pink Turns Blue

I’ve got to go now
You’re eating my soul
I’ve got to kill all love
Or I will fall
I need to bury you now
To stop the pain
Our love needs to end now
Or I’m going insane
 
Go dancing with ghosts now
Go dancing with ghosts now
 
Just leave me alone now
To live my life
Could strive for happiness
Because this would be right
Can fuck up without you
Don’t need you at all
Can grow with a challenge
But can’t solve yours
 
Go dancing with ghosts now
Go dancing with ghosts now
Go dancing with ghosts now
Go dancing with ghosts now
 
I’m trying to reach the light
Trying to get to the other side
I’m trying to pass the door
Because I know there’s so much more
And find my own keys to life
To reach the stairs of heaven alright
Been part of yours for too long
Now it’s time to live my own, my own
 
To live my own life
To live my own life
 
Go dancing with ghosts now
[Repeating]