Farseek have been placing out heartfelt, honest emo since 2015, and I understand how that sounds, however consider me: nothing they’ve ever accomplished has been predictable. Means earlier than “y’allternative” turned a well-liked meme, Farseek was mixing banjos and heat nation into their songs that usually stretch out into Constructed to Spill-style jam-fests. Lead singer Cameron Harrison is the venture’s mastermind, and you’ll incessantly discover them social media posting updates from their residence studio as they excellent a drum miking approach or discover a new favourite amp setting.
The venture is a automobile for Harrison’s plainspoken lyrics that clearly state their function in a approach that’s by some means surprising and disarming. Take 2019’s “Something For Any Of You,” for instance: “I like watching you succeed doing what you’re keen on. It makes me comfortable. I like all my buddies. I’d do something for any of you.” It will really feel too blunt, too simple, if not for the plain function of stripping every part all the way down to its easiest type: Harrison clearly believes this shit, and desires to be clear about it. “It’s disappointing that you simply swallow all of those theories,” they inform a pal on “Doom Scroll” off their 2023 EP Intent, “And now you select to disregard your powers.” Typically, if it’s a tough fact, you’re finest off taking probably the most direct route.
Farseek started as a ramshackle punk rock Hit Clips — selfmade CDs filled with dozens of minute-long songs about ingesting Natty Gentle and loving your folks and taking pictures at jerks, fascists, and everybody who thinks they’re too cool to attempt. It was a automobile for Harrison’s ideas that tumbled out in fragmented chunks. As time has gone on, Harrison has begun to emphasize the importance of the contributions of the Farseek band (a rotating forged of musicians and buddies). Their distinctive noodling riffs — half emo, half nation, half Doug Martsch — have expanded into a beautiful palate of layered riffs, delicate keys, and twangy strings: miniature monuments of rigorously stacked and quietly ingenious guitar rock.
One of the best instance of the sound they’re evolving into is their latest music, “New Brief Haircut,” from the forthcoming Who Can Begin The Fires? The music was initially launched on 2021’s Standstill, however it is a full re-recording, not only a repackaged previous tune. “New Brief Haircut was caught in my head for 2 years earlier than I may lastly make the unique model and my buddies really made this model infinitely higher,” Harrison stated on Instagram. “The brand new version options the total collective…I like how this model highlights their abilities and makes the monitor so muhc stronger as a substitute of a monitor I made in my bed room throughout quarantine. It’s dreamy, loud, groovy, and infinitely higher due to my buddies.”
Like I stated: Harrison actually means this shit. “New Brief Haircut” is their most full assertion thus far, a beautiful march accented by banjo, synth, mandolin, and trumpets. As regular, Harrison’s energy is directness, imbuing the straightforward traces with highly effective craving: “I’m all the time interested by/ Your new quick haircut/ The best way the information of your hair/ Kiss the collar of your blue denim jacket.” The elliptical banjo riff and swelling horns have hints of Sufjan Stevens, whereas the sunbaked guitar riffs and mandolin mix in a type of “country-emo” many individuals have tried however few have been this profitable at. What if Beulah was an emo band? What if Marietta had written Sufjan’s Illinoise?
On the finish of the day, “New Brief Haircut” doesn’t actually sound like anything as a result of Farseek have by no means actually appeared like anything.
Who Can Begin The Fires? is out 5/14 on Actually Rad.
