Tag: new song

Categories
Massachusetts

Unheard Boston, Massachusetts Music

The Blue Between Us by The Novel Ideas

The Novel Ideas are a quartet from Massachusetts. This country folk band of friends describes their music as ‘pastoral, harmony, and plaintive Americana.’ However, I would just call it folk with a tinge of country. Currently The Novel Ideas have 4,398 monthly listeners on Spotify allowing them to be the focus of this week’s artist spotlight.

The Novel Ideas debuted their first album in 2012, a nine track collection of folksy goodness. My favorite song of the this album is The Blue Between Us. A tribute to the wonderful place we all call home. Enjoy your next four minutes of life by listening to The Novel Ideas’ The Blue Between Us. Lyrics and Commentary Below.

Lyrics (Courtesy of LyricFind)

Well my mind’s still limber but my heart’s grown old
From the time I left the only place I know
And it makes me happy we didn’t get let go
I couldn’t stand to see our love just decompose

Now I’ve been walking home nearly every night
And here’s to everyone I ever loved but had to leave behind
For the one thing I can’t find though I’ve been looking half my life
And it’s damn hard to explain but I will try it if you like

If you ask me once I’ll tell you so
That the blue between us never felt so cold
And I miss the folk singers from the days of old
When a three-chord song could save your soul

And no I’m never on time least that’s what I’m told
So why’s everything feel like it moves too slow?
And if I were scared I wouldn’t let it show
‘Cause if I die tonight I’m not going home

Why’s it seem so wrong to miss the town you love?
When there’s just one state that you cannot stop thinking of
I wouldn’t say I’m patriotic but I think that’s what I’ve become
Sometimes it takes where you are not, just to remember where you’re from

Was it my fault that I meant every single word I said?
When I told you it was not the end
And if everything goes wrong, I hope we can get along
If I lost you I would lose my best friend

And now we’re weathering the storm, side by side we’re looking on
It takes a certain kind of love to bear this load
But it’s not the tired romance of the open road

Commentary

I’m not sure why, but I love a song filled with grief. The desire to be somewhere, something, or even someone else can be conveyed so well in music as compared to other art forms. You can experience the distress of the artist in the combination of vocals, instruments, and lyrics that can’t be matched in a brush stroke, chapter, or picture.

The vocals and feel of this song pair perfectly together to express the distress of the singer. A person whose pleasant angsty voice magnifies the lyric’s message of longing. The soulful harmonies give the song depth while the honest lyrics portray a bold authenticity. The singer is nearly embarrassed with his intense feelings for missing home, but I find it endearing.

Here’s a novel idea.

Sometimes the things we are embarrassed by are the same things that endear us to our loved ones and watching world.

What do you think?

The Novel Ideas can be followed the on Facebook or Twitter. You can purchase their debut album on Amazon and iTunes or give directly to them to show your appreciation on bandcamp. I have bad news; as of September of 2018 The Novel Ideas are no longer a band, but you can still enjoy their music on Spotify and YouTube.

If you liked this song you might also like our article on We’re Okay by ghostbird.

Categories
Oklahoma

Unheard Oklahoma Music

All Because of You (feat. Graham Colton & Lindsey Ray) by Sooner The Sunset

Sonner The Sunset is Graham Colton & Linsey Ray of Oklahoma. They released their one and only album in 2012 titled Sonner The Sunset featuring a pop-folk set of songs that are catchy and fun. Currently, Sooner The Sunset have 65 Monthly Listeners on Spotify making them a perfect candidate for our Artist Spotlight.

Sooner The Sunset excelled at love songs. I enjoyed the electric-pop feel of Love is Landing, and I just adore the humming involved with Helium Heart; However, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite song of theirs, All Because of You. A sweet song that I like to pretend they made for each other, but who knows. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/GeOjJEIs4yo

LYRICS (courtesy of songmeaning.com with a few corrections)

Left the door wide open
Didn’t have a clue
Thought that I had locked it
The lock was broken too
In you came like summer rain
Filling up my heart and yours too

I got all these symptoms I can’t describe
Tell me is there something that can be prescribed
All these nights of losing sleep
Left me in this state my heart goes

Pitter pat
I’m tongue tied
I’m feeling all these butterflies
My mouth is dry, can hardly speak
My heart keeps playing hide and seek
I think I’m coming down with something, love-sick kind of flu
I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you

Do do do do do do (x3)
All because of you

I’ve been dead I can’t kick
No matter how hard I try
My knees are getting weaker and I can’t deny
Falling faster Falling deep
Felt it from the start
My heart goes

Pitter pat
I’m tongue tied
I’m feeling all these butterflies
My mouth is dry, cad hardly speak
My heart keeps playing hide and seek
I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu
I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you

I’m in love
It’s all because of you
(I can’t keep from falling) x8

Pitter pat
I’m tongue tied
I’m feeling all these butterflies
My mouth is dry, can hardly speak
My heart keeps playing hide and seek
I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu
I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you

Pitter pat
I’m tongue tied
I’m feeling all these butterflies
My mouth is dry, can hardly speak
My heart keeps playing hide and seek
I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu
I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you

Do do do do do do (x3)
All because of you

Commentary

What is there to say? This is just a lovely song. I really love the idea of blaming the other person for your feelings. Normally, I would considerate that irresponsible, but here it is sweet. It’s kind of funny how the same concept can be both horrible and wonderful.

If you listen with really good headphones during the ‘I’m in love, it’s all because of you” bridge you can hear a sort of conversation going on in the background. This is an interesting concept to me. I do not understand it, but it definitely gives the song an extra bit of warmth. It is so soft I can’t make out any of what is being said, but i’m sure it is lovely.

You can listen to the entire album of Sooner The Sunset on Spotify or follow them on Facebook. You can purchase this song or their album on Amazon or iTunes. Graham Colton and Lindsey Ray both have solo careers which you could check out on Spotify as well.

If you like this song you might want to check out our article on The Soorleys.

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Categories
Religion Tennessee

Unheard Nashville, Tennessee Music

Breathe Again by Swingin Hammers

Nashville Tennessee’s Swingin Hammers is Benjamin Rupe, father, husband, and a shockingly authentic human being. Ben describes himself as a fighter by nature and his mission is to “challenge unto life.” What does that mean!? I’m sure we can find out. Swingin Hammers currently sits at 6,473 monthly Spotify listeners making him a prime candidate for our artists spotlight.

Swingin Hammers released his self titled album in 2017 and Quite, Vol 1 in 2020. The song that really got my attention was Breathe Again from the Album Swingin Hammers. It is a raw, heartfelt ballad expressing deep, emotional truths. The song is simple, but stunning. It can have me nearly in tears and smiling in the same 4 minutes. There is so much I can say about it, but Benjamin was kind enough to tell me about the song and I will share that with you after you give the song a listen. Lyrics, Meaning, & Commentary below.

LYRICS (Courtesy of jesusfreakhideout.com)

Stepping out into the light
Look around you say it’s alright
It hurts to peel the bandage off
But I see now just what it costs

It’s like I can breathe again
It’s like I’ve got a heart within
It’s like I can feel again
Just learning to breathe you in

When I was clear, oh so honest
About the doubts and confusions in my mind
You did not, no, cast me down to hell
You just looked at me and you kindly smiled

It’s like I can breathe again
It’s like I’ve got a heart within
It’s like I can feel again
Just learning to breathe you in

Oh cause I been runnin’
Away from confession
I been lookin’ for healing
Where it’s not mine to find
Without the pain of a strong love
That loves enough to wound

It’s like I can breathe again
It’s like I’ve got a heart within
It’s like I can feel again
Just learning to breathe you in

It’s like I can breathe again
It’s like I’ve got a heart within
It’s like I can feel again
Gotta learn to, gotta learn to breathe you in

Meaning (according the author)

“Breathe Again is a song about how excruciatingly painful and how unbelievably freeing confession is. It was written with my porn addiction in mind mostly, but also my previous life in alcoholism as well. At least those are the two most tangible ones that I think of. I remember having to confess that sin of porn over and over again and how every single time it felt like a bandage that just needed [to be] ripped off. It was exhausting and TERRIFYING every time, but it would free me of my sin. All of that’s based off of 1 John 1:7-8. Here: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. All that to say, Jesus is incredibly kind to us.”

Commentary

When the Church is done right it is a breathtakingly beautiful institution. I remember my first taste of confession. I remember being afraid to say what I was going through. I remember being scared of being kicked out of the group. And then I remember my friends responding with a smile and some of the most powerful words in the world, “Me too.”

You did not, no, cast me down to hell
You just looked at me and you kindly smiled

Wow. What a moment. To know that I wasn’t alone in my brokenness meant so much to me. Overtime I have become fully known and fully loved. Being fully known means my church group knows my past and they know my thought life, past and current. They have heard the darkest, most vile thoughts of mine and have welcomed me into their home. It’s crazy. It’s wonderful. It is powerful.

Benjamin says Swingin Hammer’s mission is to ‘challenge unto life.’ I think this means he wants encourage people to not live a life of mediocrity. The life he is imploring us to is one of authenticity and meaning where we can be fully known and fully loved, then fully know and fully love others.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” ~ Jesus in John 10:10

If you want to hear Benjamin’s additional commentary on the song you can find it below.

You can find Swingin Hammers on their website or follow them on Facebook, Youtube, or Spotify. You can get a free copy of Swingin Hammers most recent album here. You can buy the self titled album, Swingin Hammers on iTunes or Amazon.

As always feel free to share the music, the website, or maybe even both with your fellow music lovers.

Categories
Music Tennessee

Unheard Knoxville, Tennessee Music

If Only You Knew by An Atlas To Follow

In 2012 An Atlas To Follow released Golden Sun, a six track EP, and toured through 2014. Since then their website has become entirely Chinese and they haven’t posted on Facebook one time. This Knoxville, Tennessee modern indie folk band consisted of Thomas Smith (lead singer), Zac Smith, Amanda Kinney, & Josh Jones. Currently An Atlas To Follow has 6,053 monthly Spotify listeners making them an excellent candidate for our Artist Spotlight.

An Atlas To follow slowly formed into a four piece band over the years of 2009 and 2010. Thomas and Amanda met and discovered each other in a study abroad program in 2009 and started singing together shortly thereafter. Golden Sun was An Atlas To Follow’s only album, although they did release an album under another name in 2010, Suite C.

The first track on the Golden Sun album to catch my ear was Be Kind To Boston. I loved the harmonies and how the song builds up. However, after I dived into the album a new favorite quickly emerged. Enjoy the second track from the Golden Sun album If Only You Knew by An Atlas to Follow. Find lyrics and the meaning below.

Lyrics (Corrected from songlyrics.com)

Let me tell you dear,
I know I said it’s just a story
But the truth is
I write words to form a crutch
to help me get by
It wasn’t my intention to leave
you out in the cold
I wrote this all down and I put it in a song
Cause I found that my words fail me
When I need them most
I’ve got a way with words
But I’m not sure it’s the good kind
Cause I let them get away from me
And I just hope that you’ll find
That your name is hidden somewhere
Deep between most of them

Bah-di-dah-dah…..

I once had a mind to let this run its course
But the wind and the rain had their way with us
Cause something deep inside me said I had to learn the hard way
I’m scared of being alone, but I’m scared to look you in the eyes
And ask you if you’d like to dance with me
Because I’ll make a fool of myself
These words are nothing more than pebbles thrown
In desperation at your window pane
Just hoping that the rhythmic sound
will help you sleep tonight

If only you knew
If only you knew
If only you knew
If only you knew
If only you knew
If only you knew

Bah-di-dah-dah…..

If only you knew
If only you knew
And if only you knew
If only you knew

Bah-di-dah-dah…..

Meaning

I really really like this song. There’s something magical in the bah-di-dahs. It feels like its taking me somewhere. It makes me close my eyes and smile.

I really like to dive into the meaning of a song’s lyrics, but I love it when it artists tells us (most of the time) what the song is actually about. In an interview, An Atlas To Follow expanded on the meaning of the album and what each song meant to the writer.

“Golden Sun” has a lot to do with unrequited love, or rather, unrequited feelings, with the two bright spots on the EP being Call this Home and the title track. Louisiana was born from the frustration of still carrying around the weight of regrets and remorse from a failed relationship. Really it wasn’t a relationship at all; I was just very emotionally involved. The song does it’s best to say without saying that I was tired. Tired of having her in the back of my head every other day. Tired of not being able to move forward due to the delusional hope that something where I was might change for the better. Be Kind to Boston, If Only You Knew and Too Late to Say I Love You all come from the same situation where I had some very strong feelings toward a certain someone but knew that they weren’t shared. If you listen to them in the order listed earlier you can see the thematic arc of the “situation”: from hope to desire to desperation to loss. It all worked out in the end though, she changed her mind… and that album is in the works.”

I love happy endings! I hope y’all did too.

You can find An Atlas To Follow on Facebook, Spotify, or Youtube. You can purchase their album on iTunes or through Amazon. A large portion of this post was taken from an Interview found on sonicbids.com.