It’s a bird named for the noise it makes with the continuous high-speed beating of its wings, although the sound is more of a ‘whirr” than a “hum.” So, the title “Hummingbird” does not telegraph either the reliance on or the sophistication of the percussion in the song from Canary Gold.
“Hummingbird” begins with piano and vocals before the percussion pushes the door open with a layered approach. The source of the lower frequencies is easily identifiable as a large diameter drum. But there is a higher frequency component that is more difficult to identify – perhaps drumsticks hitting a suspended tambourine. Doesn’t matter; the frequency contrast is effective.
But “Hummingbird” is more than rhythm, it is a dynamic single that is vocally strong and instrumentally varied. Canary Gold also delivers guitar, which is particularly attractive in the final 30 seconds. In an email from the good people at A Badge of Friendship, the key sentence is “Combining simple piano with an earthy, rich lead vocal, Canary Gold produce an eclectic offbeat sound complimented by layered chanting, hand claps and tribal-like beats, creating a spellbinding, complex piece of music.”
The core members of Canary Gold are brothers Spencer O'Grady (guitar, vocals) and JP O'Grady (keyboards, guitar, vocals). Their Facebook page also identifies Bryn McLernon (bass). The brothers started Canary Gold in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2016.
“Hummingbird” by Canary Gold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanaryGoldUK/
Website: https://www.canarygoldband.com/
A Badge of Friendship: http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/canary-go
