Schau.Schou – In the dark
On a cold May day, the whole of Norway comes out and starts weeping. It’s the one day of the year when it’s alright to show this kind of emotion. The Sun has finally won out, and soon it will refuse to set. The night’s gone away, and, thankfully, the residents of the Northern European country can pat themselves on the back for having made supplies.
Lack of light, or melancholy for days of endless night are bound to affect you just as too much quiet affects a prisoner stuck in the tower awaiting judgment. Even as the judge’s gavel falls and he proclaims the inmate’s innocence, there’s no way he’s not going to carry everything with him. Schau.Schou is a Norse duo singing hymns to the great darkness.
That’s because the Norwegian duo knows that nothing of great importance ever happens in the daytime. “In the dark” feels like a Lou Reed song if old Lou’d spent his youth in the frozen forests rather than the dirty NY sidewalks. The song, featuring Sara Leander, is one of great melancholy, a tune that feels dedicated to something you lost and you can never earn back. Still, there’s a certain warmth and familiarity. Some people just like it out in the dark.
Midwave Breaks – Waste Of Time
Other than Olympic athletes, surgeons, and drug addicts, there aren’t many people who will sacrifice more energy or take greater risks than musicians. And, yes, their profession is valued. Sure, not in monetary terms, but try having a party, a wedding or a revolution without a soundtrack, and you’re unlikely to get a single thing done.
However, in a world where, if you’re not useful, you’re not asked to sit down to have dinner, the role of the musician is often not properly understood. It must be bad enough to be a wedding singer and have family members inquire what you plan to do with your life. But, just try following your muse and putting your beliefs, hopes and fears into rock music for the artistic thrills it gives you, as Midwave Breaks do, and you may find yourself having to defend your choices in front of loved ones who are utterly baffled.
The title for the single “Waste of Time” is, of course, comedic. But the energy and conviction that Midwave Breaks bring to this track is no joke. This alt-rock band uses the opportunity to fight for every note, for every opportunity.
And, why does it matter, really? Well, you can still hear thousands of rock stars half-ass every few years on new material just so that they can have an excuse to peddle new product. Do Midwave Breaks sound bored? Do the musicians sound like they’d rather be doing anything else in the world? That’s why it matters!
