Wednesday, August 31, 2016

“Vancouver Waves” by August and After

     It seems appropriate to feature the trio August and After on the last day of the month that is part of their name. The selection of the song “Vancouver Waves” was an easy one. Yes, the viola adds texture and beauty, but that’s equally true of many of the tracks from August and After. Similarly, the harmonies are striking, as with other songs by August and After.
     It’s the vocal layering that distinguishes “Vancouver Waves" from other songs of the trio and from most music recommended by Indie Obsessive. The arrangement of the vocal layering is sophisticated and the execution is elegant. It begins 55 seconds into the song, when the lead voice begins the second stanza. A second male voice joins, but with the first three lines of the first stanza, similar to a musical round. The second voice doesn't complete the first stanza, instead getting to and repeating the third line, after which a female voice joins in harmony with the lead to complete the second stanza. That description doesn't include subtleties of the vocal layering. Clearly, significant thought went into the arrangement.  

     August and After is the London trio of Ned Mortimer (vocals, guitar, piano), Vedantha Kumar (vocals, guitar), and Jordan Bergmans (viola, vocals). The Bandcamp page for “Vancouver Waves” also identifies Jonathan Lefévre-Reich (bass, percussion) and Dan Day (percussion) as contributors.
   “Vancouver Waves” - August and After is generously allowing free downloads.


     Lyrics of “Vancouver Waves” by August and After
You are the calmest wave
That I've ever known
You are the calmest wave
When you stop coming into shore
Nobody knows but I'll be on way

My mood moves like the tide
A storm that builds inside of me
And if you ever vanish off the map
Nobody knows but I'll be on my way

Hibernate ‘til I'm on form again
The world can wait another year
Hibernate ‘til I'm OK again
The tidal waves can't follow me here

So I came here to the island
I braved the stormy seas
The air is clean and it's silent
Far from such tragedies
The sun sets better than a painting
It calms my eyes with ease
But it's the saddest sky that I've ever seen

Hibernate ‘til I'm on form again
The world can wait another year
Hibernate ‘til I'm OK again
The tidal waves can't follow

You are the calmest wave
That I've ever known
You are the calmest wave
When you stop coming into shore
Nobody knows but I was on way

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