From the Inbox: 9 Tracks About Pain & Passion (08/10/20)
No pain, no gain.
Don’t worry, I’m not your personal trainer yelling at you to get that final rep in; but that cliché saying seems to fit this week’s round-up of singles. From addiction to fleeting romance to depression and even coming to terms with death, this week’s From the Inbox is a little heavy on the heart (but still easy on the ears). Dive into the new single from Seattle alt-rockers Deep Sea Diver, the stunning new music video from Phoebe Bridgers, the new Z-Day track from The Zolas, and much more!
As always, don’t forget to follow us across social media. You can find Dusty Organ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify to stay up to date on new releases. Also, you can find these tracks and more on From the Inbox Spotify playlist or with our Monthly Spotify playlist.
Let us know your favourite and more importantly, if there’s something you love, remember to share it around!
Deep Sea Diver – Lights Out
Jessica Dobson began her career as the guitarist for the likes of Beck and The Shins, but now, she has become an established musician as the leader of Seattle alternative rock group Deep Sea Diver. With the band’s third full-length Impossible Weight hitting shelves October 16th, Dobson and her band have shared the fiery new single “Lights Out”. It’s explosive build and energy comes from Dobson’s struggles with self-doubt and depression but knowing she can find her way out. Her virtuosity as a guitarist comes out with the driving guitar riffs and grungy solo.
Phoebe Bridgers – I Know the End
Critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers released her latest album Punisher back in June. From the collection is the new music video for its closing track “I Know The End”, a song about the draining routine of touring, homesickness, and the awareness of life passing along. Her soothing voice and candid songwriting continues to draw in listeners with each release, and “I Know The End” is no different, although this time Bridgers takes it one step further on the song’s second, building into an explosive full-band finish in an empty stadium, before screaming her lungs out and making out with her future self.
Hiroki Tanaka – Blue Eyed Doll
Hiroki Tanaka, who spent over five years as the lead guitarist for experimental art-rock collective YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN, has announced he will be releasing his debut solo album Kaigo Kioku Kyoku (which translates into “Caregiving Memory Songs”) on October 14th.
Capturing the experimental spirit of his previous work, Tanaka recorded sounds from around his house to create the percussion parts on his new single “Blue Eyed Doll”. From closing cupboards to clinking glasses, he used the house to infuse the sonic palate with his childhood home. Bringing everything full circle, “Blue Eyed Doll” opens with a Japanese choir woman from the longterm care facility Tanaka’s grandmother was staying in singing the traditional folk song “Aoi Me No Ningyo” (translation: Blue Eyed Doll).
Kaigo Kioku Kyoku was inspired by Tanaka’s experience as a caregiver for his terminally ill grandparents, and “Blue Eyed Doll” explores the circle of life through his emotive and poetic songwriting.
Bendrix Littleton – Smoke
Bennett Littlejohn has embarked on a solo career after his previous project Bent Denim dismantled in 2018. The Nashville-based artist is still performing in the realm of poetic, indie, bedroom-pop, but with a more stripped down version on his latest single “Smoke”. Performing as Bendrix Littleton, (a combination of his name and the protagonist from the 1950s novel The End of the Affair), “Smoke” was written after an interesting conversation Littleton had with a mortician at a bar about appreciating a relationship only after its gone. It’s sombre and insightful origins play nicely with the slow guitar plucking and Littleton’s quiet, yet edgy vocal style.
The Zolas – Ultramarine
It’s another Z-Day for Vancouver indie rockers The Zolas!
Keeping to their promise, The Zolas have shared their latest Z-Day single “Ultramarine”, once again inspired by Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai for the accompanying music video. Playing with hints of psychedelic pop, “Ultramarine” is a colourful summer anthem about throwing your phone off a bridge and disconnecting from the world; something that is still a bit of a nostalgic fantasy during the pandemic and the onslaught of disaster in the world.
Josh Kroehn – Never Found
Australian songwriter Josh Kroehn is an emerging artist that has been capturing the attention of his home country with his perceptive lyricism and acoustic-driven melodies. On his latest single “Never Found”, Kroehn explores the idea of being true to yourself in relationships and not sacrificing your own happiness to please others. Its slow-burning and emotive style resembles City & Colour and Husky, but still remaining uniquely Kroehn’s.
Madelline – On A Different Wave
There are few things as satisfying as giving a big ol’ “fuck you” to someone you truly dislike. Indie pop artist Madelline has written her own anthem for the occasion with the funky new “On A Different Wave”. She grew fed up with dealing with manipulative and controlling men in the music industry and has embarked on an individual musical journey with her new found sound.
Trevor Hall – Fire On Your House
South Carolina-native Trevor Hall knew as a child music was what he was meant to do with his life. At sixteen, he recorded his first album and eventually moved to Calfironia to study classical guitar and practice yoga, two things that would become major influences on his sound. His new single “Fire On Your House” showcases his his folk-roots sound combining with his spiritual connection to the world. While most of his previous work is reflective and soothing, he takes a step back to let out some frustration on “Fire On Your House”, adding a steady foot stomp and heightened intensity to his voice as bands like Judah & the Lion and Milky Chance come to mind.
Michael C. Duguay – Summer Fights
Canadian singer-songwriter Michael C. Duguay disappeared from the Canadian music scene between 2014 and 2018. Mental breakdowns, homelessness, and addiction took over his life as he made his way across Canada. His new album The Winter of Disotheque marks his return to his musical career, and from the upcoming release is his new single “Summer Fights”, a Canadiana/country-folk tune about finding serenity in the past to help shape the future. Originally penned in 2014 during his personal descent, “Summer Fights” has found a resurgence in 2020 with a new outlook, fittingly shaped by his past.
