B-Side Guys

A lone bodhrán’s heartbeat opens “Chase the River,” setting a primal foundation for Andrea Magee’s exploration of love’s persistence. The Belfast-born, Austin-based artist strips away modern production conventions, wielding ancient instruments to create something startlingly immediate and raw.

The arrangement’s spartan nature highlights Magee’s masterful understanding of space and rhythm. Each element – from the meditative hum of singing bowls to the crystalline tones of the bell drum – serves the song’s emotional arc. When she sings “It’s getting hard, it’s getting dark, it’s feeling lonely tonight,” the instruments respond like sympathetic spirits.

Magee’s voice carries both vulnerability and resilience, particularly evident in lines like “Because no one else can love me like you do / No one else can know my truth.” Her Celtic roots surface in subtle melodic turns, while her delivery remains grounded in contemporary folk traditions, creating a bridge between ancient and modern expressions of longing.

Recording solo at Austin’s Studio 601, Magee transforms technical limitations into artistic strengths. The decision to rely solely on traditional percussion and singing bowls creates an intimate atmosphere that amplifies the power of confessional lyrics like “Her heart is torn and I’m dying because you’re still on my mind.”

The bridge section (“All the times I walked away I can’t deny it”) marks a dramatic shift in both emotional and musical intensity. Here, Magee layers her vocals against the insistent pulse of the bodhrán, building to a cathartic admission of past mistakes and hard-won wisdom.

Having shared stages with luminaries like Brian Wilson and Jeff Bridges during her time with Beat Root Revival, Magee brings that performance experience to bear in the studio. Each percussion hit and vocal phrase feels alive with the energy of live performance, suggesting these songs were captured rather than constructed.

The track’s connection to Austin’s artistic community runs deep, supported by Austin City Arts and reflecting Magee’s own contributions through Music Helps ATX and She Rises Fest. This grounding in community service adds resonance to lyrics like “Show our love can reach these hearts,” expanding their meaning beyond personal romance to encompass broader human connection.

Through her masterful integration of Celtic instrumentation and contemporary songwriting, Magee creates something both ancient and immediate. “Chase the River” stands as a testament to the power of stripping away artifice, revealing the timeless heart of personal truth.