'Follow Will' touches upon a variety of influences that I've immersed myself in over my lifetime, such as the droning rhythmic drive in 'G' of Sonic Youth, Oasis's 'Don't Believe the Truth' somehow got in there, and some have said there are some hints of Houses of the Holy - era Led Zeppelin, all of which are more than fine by me, but in all honesty, the principle sung melody emerged from a very old folk song I had heard and couldn't shake from my mind.
The lyrical theme came from a late night conversation I had with some older family members in which it had occurred to me while listening to them talk of decades past, the brevity of life and responsibility we have to forge ahead of past dissapointments, ignore the naysayers. jealousies and avarice, and to create good memories by trying in life no matter the odds against; such as attempting to create that perfect record for no one else but myself.
So that when I'm in the garage talking to my son many years from now, I'll speak of no regrets.
'Staying in the Curl' title came an old surfing term that meant to stay in the curl of the wave to stay afloat, I expanded on that as life motto. The music came from my fondness for bluegrass, CCR, earlier Kings of Leon records, and T Bone Burnett productions. We kept everything dry in its production, trying to keep it simple and warm in the spirit of Neil Youngs earlier recordings.
Its lyrical theme is simple, jump in to life head first, squeeze every last bit of life out of every moment. A motto I'd like to live up to more often.
'Living Underground' came from a mishmash of different influences in the same such as the old 70s McCartney tune 'Hands Across the Water', some Levon Helm and 'The Band' and maybe even Can't Buy a Thrill era Steely Dan .... Like most of my tunes, I wish I had added some more things to it like a Garth Hudson clavinova patched through a wah pedal, some brass reinforcing the backup vocals on the chorus, etc. However, that would have breached my committment to its simplicity, and I think the song shines as a result.
The lyrical content is about not chasing money and a light hearted take on a non-religious version of Jesus in modern day life. Its a presumption on what his perspective might be on our materialistic priorities that keeps six feet underground in worry, stress, jealousy, competitiveness and isolation from each other. The line 'stone cold lampin' comes from a Public Enemy lyric that Flava Flav sings - apparently its an urban term used to describe a ' hood' hanging by a street lamp light conducting some sort illegal biz for the money, money, money ...
'The Marauder' is one of the older tunes on this album. It was demo'd some time before, but seemed to still stand out from the rest of other hopefuls. I think this songs comes from my fondness for guiter based pop like Elliott Smiths' 'Figure 8' album, Canada's ' Sloan', Scotlands 'Teenage Fanclub' and Englands' 'The Charlatans'. The rhythm section in the chorus was borrowed from a guilty pleasure of mine entitled 'Boston' - 'More than a Feeling'
Lyrically, this song is about a real asshole I once called a friend. I have a feeling most people can relate.
Intelligent Design by hinterlandband
This tune was a monster to record, but it was worth it as it stands as a distinct achievement in the conviluted waters of indie rock. I've heard comparisons to the sounds Band of Horses, Sam Roberts Band, and My Morning Jacket, all of which are compliments, but I think it stands on its own merits. This was also an older song that I had been hanging onto for a few years before introducing it to the players in my band. It was one of those riffs you first play whenever you pick up a guitar that just ... became.
Lyrically this song is important to me because the words just came to me like breathing which is hardly ever the case. It was in the waiting room with my wife while waiting for the birth of my son. There was just such a wonderfull presence in the room, the lyrics came.
Come On Home by hinterlandband
This tune has long reminded me the Pixes 'Bird Drea of the Olympus Mon' from their album Trompe le Monde .. although I'm not sure what it is exactly that reminds me of it.
I would have liked to have dropped in some more guitars for more of a dynamic in the chorus but it may have muddied the waters. I've listened to this song repeatedly in my truck and it still sends a shiver at the end, so I think its complete as is.
Lyrically, it speaks to returning to your authentic self from any type of alienation with the realization that all things both good and bad in this world are all within your DNA and usually what we're judging others on are things we recognize in ourselves.
This is an older tune that seemed to get better with age. Its unique but has a visceral quality that reminds me of some Unforgettable Fire - era U2 and maybe even some Broken Social Scene with its deconstructed percussion-play on 'cut time' in the second verse. We used a toy drum snare in the second verse on top of a track with mallets on the toms.
This song was included on 'Bon Echo' because of its lyrics. I really like the imagery in the verses and the pining for things to slow down in the chorus.
I'm not sure where this song takes its cue from, but I had a hunch its from my back pages of having worked with producer Ken Andrews (Failure) while I was in another band.
This songs' lyrics summarizes my own will to persevere and continue to write, record and perform music despite the very real possibility of it never being heard or garnering an audience. It also captures my frustrations with the state of a very diffused and technologically driven music scene. I suppose there is also a commentary on the apparent cynicism in new music today. We used to believe that music was powerful, magical and could change the world, whereas now ... I dunno. Some of the mystery and romaticism is gone the way of the 'full length' record and its record sleeve artwork in exchange for mp3's and things going viral for a minute and then being disposed of.
The Last Dance by hinterlandband
This little ditty was supposed to be a grad ditty in the spirit of Spiritualized, but I was limited by constraints of time and money. Regardless, I like thats its a 'live off the floor' acoustic performance with all the rawness and intimacy of a guy with tape recorder in his bedroom.
The lyrical theme of this song seems to speak to the fragility and brevity of life. Forgiving, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, not bemoaning your station in life and carrying on from each stage into the next with acceptance and faith.
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