There is always a risk when releasing a
6-minute single during a time of short attention-span music appreciation. The
risk is managed when the single is divided into multiple portions that are easily
distinguishable and are launched by fundamentally different attention-grabbing prefaces.
That describes "Lighter Blue” by Jasper Wilderness. The
start of “Lighter Blue” features impassioned vocals with intelligent lyrics pondering
difficult times. A Peavy Power Slide lap steel guitar is powerful in its ability
to magnify the emotion. Then, at 2:19, a kick drum is the focal instrument of a
crescendo into the second portion of the single from Jasper Wilderness. If
there was any chance of a listener starting to fade away, the kick drum reverses
the listener’s direction. This second section is more encouraging. The final
portion has a piano-paved on-ramp that begins at 3:41. The lap steel guitar resumes
its role, but the piano during this final portion establishes a more positive
vibe. Jasper Wilderness is an Alt Rock band based in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. The five members are Gabriel Phillips (lead vocals), Samuel
Bowling (bass), Jacob Brallier (dobro, mandolin), Justin Scott (keys), and
Jeremy Pelotte (drums). Many of their pictures show a sixth person, since Samuel’s
brother Nick Bowling (guitar) has played with the band. They self-describe their
sound as “Rock and Roll but with a mandolin and other instruments that you
haven't yet heard of, made in a living room with two ugly sofas and five
decently cool dudes.” While
explaining “Lighter Blue,” Phillips wrote; “You
can’t chase the moon when skies turn to Lighter Blue” Wrote these lyrics at the end of a tough
season. It’s interesting how in dark days, sometimes some small things actually
are pretty black and white. If you’re lost in the night, you at least have the
moon to hold onto. Even in those years when I was yearning for
dawn, once the sun began to rise and I saw some serious breakthrough in my
life, new fears arose and I struggled with self-doubt. Hope this song
encourages some people walking through a similar time. It’ll all be okay, it’ll
all be okay, love. Don’t lose sight. "Lighter
Blue” by Jasper Wilderness
The champions of endearing vocals and enduring
crescendos are finally able to demonstrate why The Coronas have mounted a passionate
fanbase in their home country. The Irish band recognizes the power of a live performance,
and their shows reflect that awareness, as well as an appreciation of the
concert attendees. As part of the release of their previous album during the
pandemic, The Coronas got creative and conducted a socially-distanced
tour of Ireland in an album-themed ice cream truck. The album, “True Love
Waits,” was able to reach No. 1, despite releases from Taylor Swift and
fellow-countrymen Fontaines D.C. A more conventional touring approach is
available with the recent release of the album “Time Stopped” on the band’s imprint
SoFarSoGood Records. The Coronas are touring in North America
before heading to Australia, then Dubai, and finally back to Ireland. Among the
stops is a visit to The Independent in San Francisco on November 18. The full tour and relevant
ticket information can be viewed at the Facebook page CLICK HERE. “’Time
Stopped’ was written to be played live,” says lead singer Danny O’Reilly.
“We’re ridiculously excited to be on the road again and to play these new songs
to full capacity rooms around the world. It’s going to be emotional.” The high
energy that The Coronas bring to each live show is apparent from the performance
of “Don’t You Say You’re In Love” at Trinity College in Dublin. The video is
embedded below.
Our favorite songs from the album are those
that include extended crescendos, which is a trademark of The Coronas. The
horns-augmented “Karma” has a stepped build that is more than a minute long. “At
Least We’ll Always Have LA” and the title track, “Time Stopped” are also
recommended.
Cinema-ready powerhouse singles are typically
aided by chorus-like backing vocals. That is true for “You Can’t Stop The Fire”
by The Hvnter and every release from Welshly Arms.
“You Can’t Stop The
Fire” by The Hvnter
The
Hvnter is the performance name of Karl Anderson, who is from Portland, Maine.
While talking about his single, Anderson explained:
I wrote
this song just as the pandemic was settling in. Everything felt uncertain and a
bit scary. “You Can’t Stop The Fire” became an anthem for me. It’s a song about
pushing back against the things that hold you back. We all come from different
places and have experienced life in different ways. Most of us have experienced
that situation/person that tried to hold us down…and sometimes we even do that
to ourselves. “You Can’t Stop The Fire” is about being an unstoppable force and
rolling over whatever life throws at you.
The members
of Welshly Arms are Sam Getz (guitar, vocals), Jimmy Weaver (bass), Mikey Gould
(drums), and Bri and Jon Bryant (backing vocals). The band is based in
Cleveland, Ohio.
“Proud”
is the latest single from Welshly Arms from their forthcoming 2023 Q1 album.
This track is all about prevailing through the darkest of days. “Won’t
apologize for the wisdom, Won’t run away from my mission to survive,” as
front man Sam sings. Welshly Arms recently started an 18-date US headlining
tour.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welshlyarmsband Website: http://www.welshlyarms.com/ Lyrics of “Proud” by Welshly Arms I don't need to have a premonition, don't need
permission It's my condition not to hide Won't apologize for the wisdom Won't run away from my mission to survive Won't let my head hang low Won't let the monster grow No time to be humble The world is a jungle Cuz I've been nobody and I know what's it like
to drown (PROUD PROUD PROUD) And I been punch drunk, but I woke up sober now (PROUD PROUD PROUD) I never avoid it I see it, destroy it Hell yes, I've fallen, but I never hit bottom I'm feeling so damn proud (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) I was born a walking demolition, head on
collision Still hear the ringing in my ears Every hard lesson I learned it, that's why it's
worth it Damn right, I earned it Won't let my head hang low Won't let the monster grow No time to be humble The world is a jungle Cuz I've been nobody and I know what's it like
to drown (PROUD PROUD PROUD) And I been punch drunk, but I woke up sober now (PROUD PROUD PROUD) I never avoid it I see it, destroy it Hell yes, I've fallen, but I never hit bottom I'm feeling so damn proud (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) I'm feeling (No time to be humble, the world is a jungle) I'm feeling (No time to be humble) Oh, I'm feeling PROUD Cuz I've been nobody and I know what's it like
to drown (PROUD PROUD PROUD) And I been punch drunk, but I woke up sober now (PROUD PROUD PROUD) I never avoid it I see it, destroy it Hell yes, I've fallen, but I never hit the
bottom I'm feeling... I never avoid it I see it, destroy it Oh... I'm feeling PROUD (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) I'm feeling, I'm feeling, I'm feeling (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) I'm feeling, I'm feeling, I'm feeling (PROUD PROUD, PROUD PROUD PROUD) Hell yes, I've fallen, but I never hit bottom There ain't no doubt I'm proud