We have an excellent track for you for today’s Track of the Day. The harmonies in this song immediately blew me away. And it has some great southern style guitar riffs that work relentlessly throughout it. They self describe their sound as “unique with a familiar feel,” and I couldn’t agree more. It has elements of some old greats like Patsy Cline or Janis Joplin, mixed with some modern influence (I hear some First Aid Kit and some Black Keys or Portugal. The Man).
You can find their newest release It’ll Be Too Late When You’re Dead wherever you enjoy music. I think that album title is very appropriate to their artistic expression. Go make things now, ’cause it’ll be too late when you’re dead. And I’m so glad Grizzly Buddha didn’t wait.
There are bands out there that I see them perform, catch a music video, or listen to a song and immediately think, “I’d love to hang out with these people.” Blue Child Collective falls with a resounding bang into that category. This Australian funk/psych rock group has so many endearing qualities that include, but go well beyond, the song itself.
Let’s start with Dan White, the frontman. His voice is much deeper than I was expecting when I heard the groove kick in, but it is everything I didn’t know I needed. The pure, ringing notes add to this “exploration of vibration” much more than if someone was taking the more popular approach of being a fifth or even an octave higher than Dan. It is a unique and soul seeking sound that has found it’s home in the perfectly balanced instrumentation provided by the instruments and nature behind him. After watching the documentary about the creation of the album, “Saturn Saw the Seaside” (which will be posted below), it is abundantly clear that this is what Dan holds most dear: finding a like-minded community of musicians and creatives, and digging in to make something they can all be proud of.
And what a group of musicians it is! I mean, seriously. First, I need to start off by giving OJ Newcomb insane praise for one of the slickest bass lines I’ve heard in a while. This song is what pure collaboration looks like. Every instrument, from the trumpet to the keys feels like an integral featured part of the song while keeping the cohesive unit in tact. I also have to touch on the saxophone solo from Lindsay Baker at the 2:30 mark. Damn. Knowing very little about the saxophone, I feel like that’s the only word I can use to really sum up what I saw. I’ve seriously gone back to watch the video just for that part. This Collective is something really extraordinary all the way around.
Lastly, the lyrics. The whole point of this song is to “reveal the cosmic doorways you never realized you’ve always known,” and it holds true to that summation. Music has been a huge crux for me when defining my faith, spirituality, and who I am as a person. They go into that, but make sure to make it clear that they don’t care what truth you find in music, just as long as you search for it.
“I don’t care what you believe. Believe whatever you want.”
“Really, at the end, the conclusion that I come to is that we are the sound.”
Happy Hump Day, and happy hump hour of Hump Day. We are officially over half the work week hump! To celebrate, check out this fresh track from Breshnyda. Once you do, two things are going to become apparent.
The music is so trippy and awesome. It really reminds me somewhat of Dntel with the drones and dissonant beats. Really cool production on this.
The lyrics are so wonderfully playful:
I got an accent made of fire
The constables inquire to decipher the scattered pattern
By which my lingual sniper shots take flight through the night
I’m lightin up all mics until the temperature spikes to nigh extreme Fahrenheit
Firestarter like a Charlie, Writer King like a Stephen
I spark the kindling on sleepy folks every weekend
Dragon’s breath must bequest bars to the rest
I protect the chest to keep the treasure unpossessed
Want more from this song? I’m glad you asked. There’s a music video!
If that doesn’t make you nostalgic for early video games while also tripping you out a bit, I don’t know what will. It has to be the premiere NES/Hip-hop/Acid trip video on the market.
Every track we feature on this site is going to be something that makes our personal playlists in some fashion. There are some songs that end up making every playlist we put together, and this is one of them. Windows Down Playlist? Keep Me High Up. Smooth Brass Playlist? Keep Me High Up. Feel It In Your Soles (lyrically conscious songs to dance to)? Keep Me High Up. Funeral Pyres? Keep Me High Up. Okay… maybe not the last one, but you get the picture.
Cal the 3rd starts out with the trumpet, beckoning your attention, almost like a king is about to enter. LV Baby may not be royalty, but his voice is about as close as you get to being knighted. There are so many rappers out there who fall in line and do something safe that they know everyone will enjoy. Those guys are needed for the kingdom to succeed. They have their place, and are greatly appreciated. Then, there are guys like LV Baby. With a raspy timbre and his constantly changing cadence, he tells a story of familial struggle; from almost losing his father to an aortic dissection, to losing contact with his brother, LV Baby leaves it all out on the table. He then follows up talking about his struggles by focusing on the many blessings he has in his life. When asked about the album and his creative process, LV Baby said,
“Simply put, I poured my heart into this record. I’ve been going through a lot, but I haven’t stopped working/creating. Thank God I’ve been able to make some of my best music throughout this period in my life. This song is a happy-sad summer jam that may have saved my life.”
These are the people in the kingdom who get to kneel before the kings and queens of rap-gone-by and get to become knights. Men and women who tell real stories, try new things, and hold nothing back. If you think that this song is a one-off lyrically, go check out American Pie. Damn!
