“Rose Colored” by Soft Loft – A Song Feature

      The song inspires cheeriness and possesses the ability to lure listeners into moving to its rhythm, perhaps without them realizing it. While it is fair to categorize "Rose Colored" within the Pop genre, the song from Soft Loft carries a degree of sophistication that far surpasses the typical expectations associated with the genre. The lyrics are intelligently crafted and the instrumentation is well-conceived and well-executed.
 
     As its name implies, “Rose Colored” is a song about optimism, “spitting in the face” of difficulty. At the Facebook page of Soft Loft, they explain:
  “we‘ve been in love with this song for quite some time now and so happy to share it with you! ‘rose colored’ is about having a shit day but then entering a rose colored house, a space where everything is super duper mega great! so if you‘re having a shit time go to your very own rose colored house and turn it into something great.”
 
      Instrumentally, the brief bridge, which begins around the 2:05 mark, is particularly enjoyable. The percussion includes “clicking” that is highly appealing despite the lack of complexity. Is it merely two drumsticks? At the same time, the guitars are hooky and the keys provide swirls.
 
     The members of Soft Loft are Jorina Stamm (vocals, guitar), Lukas Kuprecht (drums), Marius Meier (bass), Sarina Schmid (keys, backing vocals), and Simon Boss (guitar). They are based in Switzerland. Gianluca Buccelatti performed the production for “Rose Colored.” It is the first single from their forthcoming debut album titled “The Party and the Mess.”
 
      The bio of the band is interesting:
  Soft Loft is a safe haven, an attitude, a way of life. It’s where the broken and the imperfect are embraced and celebrated. Soft Loft is non-hierarchical. Soft Loft is where reality is transmuted into dreams and dreams back into reality. Judgement is suspended here. Because vulnerability is the gateway to connection. Anything goes, as long as it’s heartfelt and it flows. Soft Loft is a collective of musicians dedicated to creating safe spaces using sound.
 
     “Rose Colored” by Soft Loft 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/softloftmusic/
Website: https://softloftmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softloftsoftloft/

Lyrics of “Rose Colored” by Soft Loft
Lyon, the weather is poor
The room quite alright
The entrance hall impressive
The mood not so much
Can you build us up?
Can you build us up?
 
Lyon, the streets are filled
The traffic seems stressed
Or is it the people cursing
Out of their window
Can you build them up?
Can you build them up?
 
And now this mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey
 
Imagine your beautiful curls
Being judged without cause
Stare as if it were a contest
You got this wrong
It’s out of your reach
This is out of your reach
 
Lyon, what happened to you?
Hiding parking in birds eye view oh oh oh
Can we build us up?
Can we build us up?
 
And now this mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey
 
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey

“White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo – A Song Feature

 

     Bad Flamingo remain loyal to their sound, one that they own. Their music conveys the feel of present-day cowboy, featuring sparse instrumentation and a lyrical narrative that carries sufficient clarity to paint the intended scenery while leaving some open canvas for personal interpretation. Remaining true to their sound embodies the essence of the duo’s recurring quote – “Give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth” (Oscar Wilde). Bad Flamingo always wear masks.
 
     "White T Shirt" is Bad Flamingo's most recent release.  Instrumentally, the start of the song features acoustic guitar. It isn’t until around the 1:24 mark that what sounds like an autoharp enters. The autoharp is a string instrument that sits in the zither family. The band’s website notes that the autoharp is played by “The one on the right” which is one of the many mysterious touches of the band’s description. Both members are attributed as being banjo players.
 
      Thematically, our interpretation of “White T Shirt” centers around reuniting with a first love. The other person appears to have initiated the reconnection, based on the lines “The water was still till you skipped that stone // Now I'm coming on home.” The early relationship was not necessarily a healthy one. Interestingly, this song joins a long list of tracks that make reference to the significance of 17 years old (for our first post about the musical significance of being 17, CLICK HERE). The best guesses at the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badflamingomusic/
Website: https://www.badflamingomusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badflamingomusic/

Lyrics of “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo (some best guesses)
We got acres and acres of green
We got years and years of 17
The water was still till you skipped that stone
Now I'm coming on home
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
Been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Your hands got rough
But your lips are still soft
The storms are still wet and summer's still hot
Leaning me back on the hood of your car
Old habits dying so damn hard
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We've been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
First cop, first wreck, first everything
We still fit like the best damn blue jeans
 
Give me a hug, I’m off the wagon
Give me a…
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We’ve been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Drunk as before
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
I’m off…

“Radio” by Moon Veil – A Song Feature

 

      "Radio" starts with a slow-tempo intro, and the first three notes distinctly capture the Soft Rock essence reminiscent of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze." But that essence is soon discarded by the emergence of a drum burst and a shout of “Hey!” The single by Moon Veil is more aligned with Classic Guitar Rock, although with soaring power vocals that rival those of contemporary bands such as Nothing But Thieves. It's worth noting that Moon Veil self-identifies their genre as "Pop/Psychedelic Rock."
 
     A more muffled shout of “Hey!” resounds at the 2:39 mark, just before Moon Veil's guitar skills seize the spotlight. “Radio” is a hook-laden single with a diversity that maintains its freshness from start to the final moments of sustained guitar anguish. Still, it is the guitar solo following the second “Hey” that stands out as the instrumental highlight. Perhaps fittingly, the most vocally isolated and demanding section of the song coincides with the conclusion of the guitar solo. Moon Veil is a force from both the instrumental and vocal perspectives.
 
      The band explains that “Radio" is a song “about being out on the open road, leaving home, and finding the adventure that awaits—going so far that the only way for your past to hear you is on the radio! It marries a driving rhythm and bass with atmospheric guitars, a rippin’ guitar solo, all tied together with smokey but smooth vocals.” Moon Veil is based in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The social media of the band submit that they are “5 dudes making trippy music in the attic of an old house and in venues.” The members are Korben Mitchell (vocals), Julian Dillon (guitar), Jon Murphy (bass), James Phillips (guitar, synth), and Skye Lewis (drums).

 
      “Radio” by Moon Veil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonveilband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonveilband/
Links: https://linktr.ee/moonveilband

Quoting content regarding of Moon Veil:
     Moon Veil is a young and promising Psychedelic Pop Rock band from Colorado that began their journey in January of 2022. Despite their short time together, the band has already started to make a name for themselves in the music scene with their unique sound, blending vintage guitar riffs and synthesizers with a grooving rhythm section, catchy pop melodies, and mind-bending yet relatable lyrics. Formed by friends and music veterans Korben Mitchell (lead vocals), Skye Lewis (drums), Julian Dillon (guitar), Jon Murphy (bass), and later adding James Phillips (lead guitar and synth), Moon Veil was born out of a shared love for the music of the 60s and 70s, as well as a desire to create something fresh and original.
     Their upcoming debut album promises to be a mesmerizing and dreamy journey through space and time, and they just released their first single “Radio” in September, 2023. With their talent and dedication, Moon Veil is poised to become a rising star in the world of Psychedelic Rock, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what they will come up with next.

“Ignorance Is Violence” by Sweet Imperfections – A Song Feature

 

     The song delivers a wealth of praiseworthy characteristics, but the multifaceted vocals most powerfully draw a listener into the force of “Ignorance Is Violence.” Perhaps most striking is the children’s choir that enters just beyond the two-minute mark of the single by Sweet Imperfections. The choir is appropriate, because younger and future generations are most likely to benefit from following the lyrical message of taking better care of our planet.
 
     Originally, the children’s choir is isolated, but later it harmoniously joins Bri Schillings, who performs under the moniker Sweet Imperfections. Schillings’ vocal style is also varied, ranging from a Miley Cyrus-like back-of-the-throat delivery at the start to moments of more pristine vocal purity. To top off the vocal richness of “Ignorance Is Violence, the conclusion includes a poignant snippet from a Greta Thunberg speech in the background.
 
     Still, it would be an error to refer to the single as a vocals-driven track. The lyrics are powerful. While Indie Obsessive tends to steer around politically controversial songs, the strength of a song sometimes takes control of the wheel. Bri Schillings explains that “Ignorance Is Violence” was written during a road trip in 2021, while in shock over the lingering smoke from the devastating wildfires that ravaged California. “She witnessed the effects of our ignorance around the pressing subject of climate change and the violence of our ignorance we were experiencing firsthand.”
 
     The lyrics begin “Smoke filled air covering the earth everywhere we go // It feels like the whole world is getting ready to explode,” setting the tone for the inspiring single, as the wailing guitar line cries for help. With a driving beat, the song ebbs and flows, injecting us with hope and determination to make a change. Hoping to raise awareness of climate change, Schillings releases “Ignorance Is Violence” to inspire individuals and groups to take action to counter the impacts of climate change.
 

     The website of Sweet Imperfections describes the band as “singer songwriter Bri Schillings and a collective of Southern California’s most talented musicians and writers.” They are based in San Diego. A press photo from an earlier release ("Be Brave") is embedded.

     “Ignorance Is Violence” by Sweet Imperfections

Website: https://sweetimperfectionsmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweet.imperfections.1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetimperfectionsmusic/

“Free” by Ellur – A Song Feature

 

     Ellur explains that the lyrics of “Free” were inspired by a dream that eventually played a pivotal role in shaping her future. The lyrics, which are included in this post, allude to a dream visitor labeled as an "imposter," but who appears to be sincerely interested in having a positive impact on the dreamer's life. The visitor asks:

Are you free?

Are you really free?

Could you take it or leave it?

Could you take it or leave it?

 
       While taking about the single, Ellur said:
   “‘Free’ is about a character who visited me in a dream and caused me to question my sense of free will and my entire life situation. At the time, I’d been working part time as a bartender and the song became a metaphor for working for people who don’t respect you and how that has put me in some of the worst mental states of my life. It actually inspired me to take the leap into full time music and quit my day-job.”
 
     At one point in the lyrics, the visitor screams “Occupy your mind.” Ellur identifies her single as a song about feeling like an observer of your life, rather than actually living it. Interestingly, the final lines of the song are different for the official video, as compared to the Soundcloud and Spotify streams. In the video, the final verse/chorus is still questioning – “Am I free? // Am I really free?” In comparison, the non-video streams begin with declarations – “I am free // I am really free.” Both are appealing, because the song finished with the dreamer speaking in the first person while referring to whether she is free. But we prefer the resolution of the non-video streams.
 

     The video is a live session in the garden of Ellur’s grandparents. Ellur is the performance name of Ella McNamara, who was born in Halifax, UK. The other members shown in the video are Lucy Howson (guitar), Nicole Hope Smith (keys), and Emma Liu (drums). The band is based in Leeds.

          “Free” is the follow-up Ellur’s acclaimed single ‘Anywhere’ (co-written with Circa Waves’ Kieran Shudall). “Free” is rightly described as a showcase of an entirely different layer of Ellur’s sound, with grunge-fueled tendencies drawing inspiration from the likes of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive, whilst further amplifying her growing collection of deeply personal guitar anthems.
 
     “Free” by Ellur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellurrrr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellurrrr

Lyrics of “Free” by Ellur
An imposter
In my seat
She wears my lipstick
Fueled by grief
 
She seems erratic
Spilling belief
And through the static
She’s talking to me
We were driving slow
But she’s picking up speed
Turns the engine off and throws away the key
 
She said:
“Are you free?
Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?”
 
She said to me:
“Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?”
She said leaving me
 
Now I’m pulling pints
Like pulling teeth
She reverberates my head
A phosphene
 
And through the static
I hear her scream
She’s saying
“Occupy your mind”
 
But
Are you free?
Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?
She said to me:
“Do you wanna come and see?
I can take you or leave you
I can take you or leave you
Do you wanna come with me?”
 
If I leave you in this mess
Can you find your way to break out of it?
If you keep breathing in their smoke, you’ll see
You live your life through an internal TV screen
 
I am free
I am really free
Can I take it or leave it?
Can I take it or leave it?
Now I can't breathe
Am I really free?
Am I really free?

Am I really free?

“Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise – A Song Feature

 

     “Home” engagingly begins with pensive piano, complementing alluring vocals that emotionally embrace lyrics narrating the rewards of building a refuge from a troubling past. The lyrics (included in this post) are intelligently and poetically crafted. The music video by EarlyRise depicts a child who opts for a life as a runaway, believing it to be the better alternative for her.
 
      In contrast to its beginning, the final minute of "Home" features a segment that is far more tumultuous and intricately textured. Now grown, she reconnects with her father, and it appears to be a beneficial reunion for both. The scene is supported by power percussion and the vocals of both individuals, but in unrelated genres. The daughter is Orly Lari, who is the vocalist of EarlyRise. The father is Rafi Lari, Orly’s father.
 
     As strong as the song is throughout, the highlight of “Home” is the instrument that is best seen at the 2:18 mark of the song. Raz Klinghofferl plays a ten-string Cuatro, which is sold by Oscar Schmidt (see https://www.oscarschmidt.com/product/oq40se/). Although the instrument is part of the "Latin Collection," in the context of the EarlyRise song, it imparts a distinctive Middle Eastern sound. This is noteworthy given Orly Lari's connections to Israel.
 
     EarlyRise is based in Los Angeles. The members are Orly Lari (vocals, piano) and Raz Klinghofferl (guitars). “Home” is the title track of their recently released third album. The Spotify stream of the album is embedded at the bottom of this post.
 
     “Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarlyRise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlyriseband/

Lyrics of “Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise
I found a place to call a home
And now I got it all
Away from you
I got my pictures on the wall
So that I don’t forget
All that I knew (knew)
 
And all the twists and turns
And violent burns
Are all but gone
And it’s all new
It doesn’t feel quite the same
And I don’t understand
But I say I do
 
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
 
The pretty houses all around
And driving through the fog
Remind me of you (you)
You know I’m always on the run
‘Cause all these feelings
Of detachment aren’t true (true)
 
So I just wrap them up
And throw them out
And tell myself that I’m brand new
But I don’t feel quite the same
And I don’t understand
But I say I do
 
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
 
[Bridge]
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
 

“Will We Really Let It End Like This?” by Yeah Nah Yeah – A Song Feature

 

     Yeah Nah Yeah is Australian slang for “Yes.” It is also the moniker of the duo comprising Ali Calder (keys, vocals) and Thomas Keating (guitar, vocals). Their bio states that they are “A little bit Yeah and bit Nah, but mostly Yeah.”

     Our favorite song from the duo is "Will We Really Let It End Like This?” They explain the song:

 “Tom wrote it after watching some people very close to him go through a breakup. It's about the devastating process of untangling your life from someone else. And the desperation you feel trying to hold onto something that is slipping away. When it is all over and done with you ask yourself: ‘Will we really let it end like this? Will we really give up on something that took so long to build? Is this really it?’ And so your life goes on without that person. You have new experiences, meet new people… you take up old hobbies again and find new ones. But something inside you still wonders if it's really over. And sometimes after finding a way back to yourself, you find a way back to that person too."

     “Will We Really Let It End Like This?” by Yeah Nah Yeah 
   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yeahnahyeahaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeah_nah_yeah_music_/

Lyrics of “Will We Really Let It End Like This?” by Yeah Nah Yeah
I have been afraid
I am not invincible
I'm holding on this time to be alright
 
Stupidly I wait
For your words they bruise my bones again
Won't you hold my hand so I can mend?
 
I said I'd calm down but now I'm falling apart
Drinking in the sun because I just can't start to feel
Anything at all
 
I told you it's a phase something I'm going through
Another week down now I'm losing you I know
 
Will we really let it end like this?
Will we really let it end like this?
 
Divide our lives in half
Divide our friends on principle
Pull the photos off the wall
 
I said I'd calm down but now I'm calling again
For the seventeenth time just fucking listen to me
I know things need to change
 
I'm not just going to sit here and pretend I'm alright
I'm not just going to let you go and ruin your life
No I won't
 
Will we really let it end like this?
Will we really let it end like this?
 
I'm not alright
I'm not okay
I've been waiting everyday
Will we really let it end like this?
 
If this is our last try let’s make it last all night
Don't want to wake up and find out that I've been dreaming
[Repeat 3 times]
If this is our last try let’s make it last all night
Don't want to wake up and find out that you’re really leaving
 
Will we really let it end like this?
Will we really let it end like this?
 
I'm not alright
I'm not okay
I've been waiting everyday
Will we really let it end like this?
Will we really let it end like this?
Will we really let it end like this?

"Love Like a Grain of Sand" by 3FIVE3 – A Song Feature

 

     If you're searching for a solid investment with lasting dividends, we highly recommend considering "Love Like a Grain of Sand." There are times when a proper appreciation of a song requires a listener to return to the track multiple times, ideally with varying states of mind. The lyrics make the 3FIVE3 single one such song. Upon the initial exposure to "Love Like a Grain of Sand," the spoken-word verses immediately captivate with their intelligence and relatability. However, the richness and the volume of the content can be overwhelming on the first pass, necessitating additional engagements. Then, in the final stage, a listener starts taking personal possession of individual statements within the 3FIVE3 track. The lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     The song was written by Jimmy Bowman and Elliott Godden, with Elliott Godden contributing the guitar. Additionally, Cathal Brophy is the bassist on "Love Like a Grain of Sand." In explaining the song, Bowman said:
  “I wanted to write a self-help track, especially as life is hard at the minute for a lot of people in a world literally on fire. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the small things that make our existence worth the struggle. ‘Love Like’ is a call to arms to be better and do better. A nudge to exercise self-love and a meticulous consciousness of the people and places around you. A reminder to love delicately, however you can every day, as if it’s your last.“
 
     "Love Like a Grain of Sand" by 3FIVE3

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Lyrics of "Love Like a Grain of Sand" by 3FIVE3
Ever feel like your best days are behind you?
False idols, artificial sun, last to the party, spat out chewing gum.
Slow down, life, it teaches you how to live it if you live it long enough.
Try to die a little less inside because I can’t see what you can see,
But if you believe, believe in something tangible, believe in the sublime, believe in now
But love like a grain of sand.
Whatever you do, just love, like a grain of sand.
 
An outstretched hand in a sea of strobes
Take it, walk into the gelid night.
Wear your heart on your sleeve because words unspoken bear the biggest weight.
Don’t fear the unknown, how fucking sensible,
What’s rational about dinosaurs, then us, on a spinning rock somewhere in the ever-expanding abyss?
Wake up, take strides, grasp the day proud to say you saw it
And if you believe, believe in something tangible, believe in the sublime, believe in now,
And love like a grain of sand.
Whatever you do, just love, like a grain of sand.
 
When it feels like the end know there’s a million routes,
We’re all shambling towards our last page.
Don’t write it for yourself, don’t count yourself out, don’t ever think you have it made.
And if you have, make it for someone else, share stories in pubs and over mugs of tea,
Listen to what people are saying, stop planning your next line and bask in their pasts, hear their words, actually listen,
Because words aren’t a plaything, they set us apart and tether us together, manacled by the skies, bound by the commonality of the setting sun.
So do less, but do more, watch with your eyes, the world as it unfolds,
Usher in new eras and mourn those you lived through by carrying on.
Remember that everything you do has a knock on effect,
Every person you touch, carries something of you into the future, you never truly die.
So, if you believe, believe in something tangible, believe in the sublime, believe in now
And love like a grain of sand.
Whatever you do, just love, like a grain of sand.
 
Cherish the evenings spent staring at the ceiling, they got you this far.
Know that the persistent dull ache that filled a hole someone left in you stings less after time.
Acknowledge that time is immeasurable so don’t squander it with spite.
If the day is lost, by all means wallow in self-pity but hold on for the next one, it soon comes.
Remember people are only as good as the ones around them.
Know that positivity in the face of adversity is fucking brave, and impossible to erode,
So smile, even if the crisis in your iris is plain to see.
Speak out, don’t suffer, you’ve got one ticket to the races and those fences come down.
So if you believe, believe in something tangible, believe in the sublime, believe in now, And love like a grain of sand.
Whatever you do, just love, like a grain of sand.
 
Know that leaving a mark on this world, your legacy, isn’t grandeur gestures or a litter of kids,
Simply be remembered for making the lives of those around you a joy,
A better existence through empathy and being there, is just as admirable.
There’s no playbook, no point scoring, no pressure,
Be the change you wanna see because it don’t cost a penny to hold someone tightly and share in their life.
And when they leave you moth-eaten and aimless, understand the pain is a reminder of the love endured, a measure of the bond you shared,
You loved before, you’ll love again.
Those memories made will see you through as you pass on flecks of their character to the next in need of their wisdom.
You keep them alive. You keep the fire burning.
You muster yearning because if you believe, believe in something tangible, believe in the sublime, believe in now,
And love like a grain of sand.
Whatever you do, just fucking love, like a grain of sand.
 

“Nova Scotia” by FAERYS – A Song Feature

 

    The power of “Nova Scotia” is showcased in its dynamic two-part intro. However, the full might is not displayed during the energizing opening, because the debut single from FAERYS has much more to reveal. The song commences with attention-grabbing Bluesy guitar and an irregular rhythm. Then, a commanding voice declares, “Let’s go!” and the song is propelled into guitar-drive for the second half of the intro. If a listener remains unengaged, it’s certainly not the fault of FAERYS.
 
    “Nova Scotia” unexpected shifts when the intro ends. Abruptly, the synth seizes instrumental control. And in place of the earlier commanding male voice, the lead vocals are from a female with a firm command of Rock sensibilities. The single possesses many layers. FAERYS stated that “The objective was to smash big riffs, catchy vocals, and gritty electronic sounds together into a high energy banger!" Objective achieved! The track remains in almost constant motion, seamlessly transitioning between various permutations of vocal and instrumental prowess.

     FAERYS have elected to remain mysterious for now. The band appears to be a collaborative effort, with contributions to “Nova Scotia” being recorded in multiple continents.
 
     “Nova Scotia” by FAERYS

Streaming/Purchasing options: https://ffm.to/faerys
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faerysmusic/

“A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” by Luke Beling – A Song Feature

 

     With each song release, Luke Beling artfully guides his listeners along sonic journeys through various textures. Hailing originally from South Africa and currently finding his inspiration in the embrace of Hawaii, it’s fitting to compare his latest single to an emotionally uplifting experience of riding a wave. “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” mirrors a successful surf on a wave that steadily builds in force before gently releasing the surfer near the shoreline. [Note: Beling’s explanation of the song (which will follow) is far more insightful and motivational.]
 
     “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” commences with a quiet demeanor. The piano is the initial instrumental standout. Almost a minute passes before an electric guitar and gentle female backing vocals enter. An appealing rhythm is added later. And around the two-minute mark, the force behind Beling’s vocals surges. The sophistication and texturing of “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” reach their peaks beginning at 2:38. Yes, that harmonica slides in well with our reference to sophistication. Then, the journey through textures nears its end when the song delivers the listener to the shoreline, as it returns to the beauty from which it started.
 
     The single is the title track from an upcoming debut album from Luke Beling. The multi-instrumentalist contributes vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, and harmonica on the song “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean.” The female voice belongs to Erin Flood Fortier, while the electric guitar is the contribution of Glen Yoder. Other musicians on the track are Nate Barnes (drums) and Tyler Fortier (vocals, organ, keys, piano, bass).
 
     Beling briefly describes “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” as a song involving “coming to terms with our human frailty in this big universe we call home.” His social media accounts dive deeper into the inspiration behind the song:
  When the sea pounds against a shore of stones, it can often sound like the stones begin to sing. Sometimes a wave will dislodge a stone and drag it to the ocean floor. But eventually, that stone resurfaces, carried by deep currents, back to the bed, shining again underneath the fiery sun.
  Reflecting on this, I wrote A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean as a sort-of stream-of-consciousness declaration to myself. Sharing the same name as the album title, the song is a meaningful preface and encapsulation for the body of work to come.
  From time to time, we all thrash against feelings of insignificance, and often life’s constant pushing and pulling seems unbearable, impossible to make sense of. Sometimes the hardest thing is to just be. To remain unreactive, moving or not, with blind trust and hope.
  Like a stone. Like a stone in the mouth of the ocean.
 
     “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” by Luke Beling

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Lyrics of “A Stone in the Mouth of the Ocean” by Luke Beling
All the shadows here still dancing, got to tell my feet to keep moving
Before the merchant screams buy some more
Before the drilling machines find the oil
Before the air I breathe comes heavy for talking
 
All the games I play I keep losing
Trying to tell myself to stop proving
Before the man with glass asks my name
Before the lady’s cash buys my fame
Before my leather mask burns up bright into flames
 
Before the tight rope walker leads me to the slaughter
The bankroll daughter ships me 'cross the border
With a bottle full of bitter
A note from the vicar
Blood on the holy altar
 
All the time I spend understanding
Trying to find my way to keep advancing
Before the ankle tag lights up red
Before the muscled stag lays down dead
Before the sleeping gas pins me to the bed
 
All the darts they keep on flying
Got to find my way to keep trying
Before the needle nights pierce my skin
Before the bookie writes my tally in
Before the closing price knocks me on the chin
 
Before the tight rope walker leads me to the slaughter
The bankroll daughter ships me 'cross the border
With a bottle full of bitter
A note from the vicar
Blood on the holy altar
 
Before the boneyard prison gives me their decision
The old time religion tells me what I’m missing
That ancient tradition
Land of the hidden
Men of the circumcision
 
Before the steamboat captain drowns me in the basin
The war-torn nation tries negotiation
With a proclamation
My condemnation
Stone in the mouth of the ocean
 
I’m a stone in the mouth of the ocean
I'm a stone in the mouth of the ocean
Just a stone in the mouth of the ocean
 
All the shadows here still dancing
Got to tell my feet to keep moving