
Swim Ignorant Fire – Grains from Sky
Similar artists: Animal Collective, Paul Simon, Chuck Johnson, Suss,
Genre: Psychedelic / Freak Folk, Alt Country , Jazz Fusion
What I can guarantee you is that every rock songwriter goes through a phase where they suggest recording the wind blow, traveling to India, or getting a choir of Virgin Russian gymnasts to record on their album. Excess is part of the trip, as you will surely be aware from having watched so many Netflix specials about these kinds of things.
They rarely lead to good recordings, though, but rather to legends. D’you know that one about Brian Wilson asking for his recording studio to be filled up with sand from the beach? How ‘bout the story of Syd Barrett insisting on playing a stringless guitar? Oasis once made a record that consisted almost entirely of uninspired guitar solos.
Swim Ignorant Fire’s Grains from Sky is a proud monument to creative excess. But, the author is entirely confident in the work. And, well, it swings. There are moments where the robotic Hawaiian jazz almost makes perfect sense. It’s almost like your Worldbeat playlist opted to mash up all of its contents. One has to admire that. The Netflix special promises to be great.
Adventureland – Southern Girls
Genre: Indie Folk, Folk rock, Indie Rock
Similar artists: Pinegrove, Slaughter Beach Dog, Wild Pink, Sinai Vessel, Hovvdy, Another Michael
Pray that you never really find all that you’re searching for at the moment! Life will become unbearably boring. Instead, hope that you’ll have enough energy and zest to chase that desire throughout your life!
This is the idea around which rock n’ roll, and all of its numerous disciples, is built. The music is an expression of desire, of wishing that things come easily. This is why people get excited when stars talk about ruining a Rolls Royce just for fun.
Adventureland’s Southern Girls is a very well-written song that looks deeply into the reasons for one’s desire and then turns the whole idea on its head. We all wish to have someone to comfort us, but, for most, it’s out of a desire to be someone that could also offer comfort. This is a song of immense depth, I’m telling you, and an indie-folk tune that might help you analyze your own life.