B-Side Guys

Scott Low, the folk songwriter from the Mountains of North Georgia, has a knack for capturing the essence of rural life with his music. His latest single, “Coyote Howl,” is no exception, transporting listeners to a world where coyotes prowl, chickens roost, and the harsh realities of farm life are met with resilience and quiet determination.

From the opening lines, “Coyote Howl” immerses the listener in a richly detailed landscape. Low’s lyrics paint a picture of a family working hard to protect their livelihood, with “Mamas in the kitchen, clothes out on the line” and “Papa’s got his rifle sittin up on the hill.” The imagery is both specific and universal, evoking a sense of place while also tapping into the shared experiences of rural communities everywhere.

As the song unfolds, Low’s storytelling prowess comes to the fore. He touches on the challenges of farming life, from the uncertainty of the harvest to the need to make do with aging equipment. “Rains ain’t gonna come so best go get the hay,” he sings, his voice infused with a world-weariness that feels earned rather than affected. Yet even in the face of these hardships, there’s a sense of resilience and adaptability that shines through. “Get too busy getting old and hope it’ll be okay,” Low muses, a line that speaks to the stoicism and pragmatism of rural communities.

Musically, “Coyote Howl” is a masterclass in understated craftsmanship. Low’s acoustic guitar work is deft and assured, with each note and chord serving the song’s narrative. The sparse arrangement allows his lyrics to take center stage, drawing the listener into the world he’s created. There are shades of folk and blues luminaries like Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Willie Johnson in Low’s playing, but he never feels derivative. Instead, he takes these influences and makes them his own, crafting a sound that is both timeless and distinctly personal.

Perhaps most striking about “Coyote Howl” is the way it balances the specific and the universal. While the song is rooted in the particulars of rural life, its themes of resilience, community, and connection to the land are ones that resonate far beyond the Mountains of North Georgia. In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected and fragmented, “Coyote Howl” serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to bridge divides and foster empathy. It’s a song that invites us to step into someone else’s shoes, to see the world through their eyes, and to find common ground in the shared struggles and triumphs of the human experience.