Monthly Music Fix 2023 07: Outside Lands Edition
My monthly curated list of 10 newish songs | Seen at Outside Lands
I haven’t been inspired by much new music lately and I’ve been heavily prepping for some great live music, so this monthly music fix is highlights from Outside Lands. You can see my overall scene report here.
Here is the playlist in the order I heard the songs.
Ethel Cain - American Teenager
I am not sure at what point I shed tears in the middle of the day and felt embarrassed as we hadn’t even gotten to the heavy points. We were early in Ethel Cain’s set and likely during her “pop” song, American Teenager. Typically a closer, it was played early in the set after the also excellent, House in Nebraska, and really got the intensity and energy going early. The chorus was just outstanding and I connect with the whole thing. I realize this is sung from the perspective of a teenage daughter, but man I feel it.
Say what you want. But say it like you mean it. With your fists for once. What a long Cold War. With your kids at the front. Just give it one more day, Then you’re done. I’ll do what I want. Crying in the bleachers. And I said it was fine. I don’t need anything from anyone. It’s just not my year. But, I’m all good out here.
Ethel Cain - Sun Bleached Flies
The set only got more intense for me. And it peaked at an unexpected point for me during Sun Bleached Flies. I have shared this song before here, but I don’t think I ever felt it quite the way I felt it as a bunch of religiously traumatized young women screamed out, “God loves you, but not enough to save you.” Just an excellent moment.
“What I wouldn’t give to be in church this Sunday. Listening to the choir so heartfelt all singing, “God loves you. But not enough to save you,” so baby girl, good luck taking care of yourself.”
Miracles - Alex G
What I love about festivals is the ability to see a set by someone I might dig, but I won’t aggressively seek out to see live. Alex G fits this category. I dig his music and they love him on SiriusXMU. I had heard this song before and felt some connection to it. But, man, I really felt it when I saw Alex Giannascoli clench his teeth with deep emotion throughout his set. His music is lofi, but transfers well to a festival setting. This song connects with me in the tone of him talking about the miracles coming his way and the crosses in his life. He says that they have miracles and crosses in their life, but I think he is questioning whether they are actually miracles and if the crosses do anything. There are so many deep and contemplative lyrics in this song, its hard to choose one.
“You say one day, that we should have a baby. Well, right now I’m struggling. We’ll see. You say one day, we should have a baby. God help me. I love you, I agree.”
Stella was a diver and she’s always down - Interpol
I’ve seen Interpol four times before this show (including three previous festival shows), starting in 2004. Interpol isn’t really a sing a long band. They are not really even a dancey band. They play music that is best listened to under the influence of something. When you see Interpol you just want to close your eyes and groove to the music. They’re not dancing around on stage and the light show is nice, but not anything to write home about. This works out well for me, a short person, who sometimes has to struggle to see the stage behind even medium height folks. So, for this festival, I was decently close and could grab good pics, but I could also just groove to the music. There were so many great groove moments, but the highlight was probably Stella. I love that song, it was just post mid set so the crowd was “peaking,” and it was just a nice vibe and experience. Exactly the reason you see a band like Interpol. For sure evil was awesome. And yes, seeing Turn on the Bright Lights played through was great. Opening with Untitled was completely awesome. But, all the stars seemed to align on Stella…
“Stella. Stel-la-ha. Oh Stella. Stella I love you. Stella I love you. Stella. I love you.”
Bull Believer - Wednesday
A great example of young people making guitar and really punk driven rock n roll being featured at a major festival. They played a main stage early on Saturday and they did excellent. They had a big crowd and filled the festival with loud, screamey, punk driven music. Full of banging drums, screechy guitars, tattoos, driving bass, and a front woman with outstanding punk pretense. And, as a bonus, they aren’t from a coast, but from the south. The punk scene seems to be alive and well in the south.
Mr. Blue - Father John Misty
I first saw FJM open for the Walkman in 2012 (at the Fillmore, which seems crazy now - I only believe it because I have the Fillmore poster framed. I was immediately on board with pretty much every aspect of his entire vibe. I couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious as heck (turns out both), but I was bought into it all either way. His modern day version of a heady, singer songwriter, crooner who even sings about love in really, really, heady ways (see Holy Shit, the songs ont his list or that entire album).
I’ve seen him at four festivals now and I have to say I dig his festival sets quite a bit. He’s an excellent festival set. And totally gets into the festival vibe. I love how he comments on whats going on in the audience throughout the set. If you have a chance check him out at your next festival experience.
In the past I’ve preferred his more heady stuff that asks big questions and sometimes provides big conclusions (see, Pure Comedy, “I’m sorry folks, but each other’s all we’ve got.”). But, I’ve been feeling his relationship music lately.
I’ve been totally feeling this song lately. I didn’t totally feel it when it was released. I was excited I got to hear it during this set and I felt it. It was awesome. I actually heard it live the last time I saw FJM less than a year ago at the Fox in Oakland. But, I didn’t feel it then as I feel it at the show.
“If only then I knew. The last time was our last time. Would've told you that the last time comes too soon”
I Love You, Honeybear - Father John Misty
FJM bings his heady and nihilistic take on the world to relationships in this classic cut of his.
“I've brought my mother's depression. You've got your father's scorn and a wayward aunt's schizophrenia. But everything is fine. Don't give into despair. 'Cause I love you, honeybear.”
Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me - Lana Del Rey
I essentially left Foo Fighters to in the hopes of seeing Lana Del Rey sing this song. It was a risky move as this song can move around the setlist a bit in festival sets. Even if I wouldn’t have heard this song, it would have been worth it. What I saw of her set was just outstanding. She was just great. The stage was great. The whole vibe just totally worked for her. As she sat or stood there singing these lyrics, other women on stage were playing with/doing her hair and otherwise primping her. And this song just killed. The crowd lightly singing along with her. This was probably the highlight of Day 2 for me (and thats with the next song included in the day).
“I've been tearing up town in my fucking white gown. Like a goddamn near sociopath. Shaking my ass is the only thing that's, Got this black narcissist off my back. She couldn't care less, and I never cared more. So there's no more to say about that. Except hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have.”
Best of You - Foo Fighters
Well, shit. How awesome was it to see and sing along to this song. The crowd had already started dispersing so I was able so secure a pretty respectable spot on stage left. And I was able to scream along with thousands of other folks. It was excellent. The Foo Fighters put everything into what they are doing on stage. I strongly suggest seeing them when you can. This song ask you to do be better. To be better. To give the best of yourself to others. And, if you’re not, then why not. What do you need to do? What change do you need to make in your life.
I love the second verse.
“I needed somewhere to hang my head. Without your noose. You gave me something that I didn't have. But had no use. I was too weak to give in. Too strong to lose. My heart is under arrest again. But I break loose. My head is giving me life or death. But I can't choose. I swear I'll never give in. I refuse.”
And the chorus is just perfect:
“Is someone getting the best. The best, the best, the best of you?. Is someone getting the best. The best, the best, the best of you?”
Changes - Joy Oladokun
If you’ve been reading 33Forever, Joy’s name will be familiar. I’ve been a fan ever since I saw her open for MMJ just a year ago. She played an excellent cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Her stage presence really came out at Outside Lands though. On stage she is all humble and vulnerable. She’s honest about how she’s feeling in her songs and that honesty comes out on stage when she’s engaging with the audience. Her whole set was great and exactly what I was looking for, its hard to come up with just a single song from the set as a standout. But, I think this song probably captures the whole essence of Joy Oladokun and her live set in one song.
“Newspaper says the world's on fire. People yelling and the water's rising. It's easy to feel kinda anxious. Yeah, we've thought it was the end of time. We're still holding on and we're still trying. Life's always been a little dangerous. But I don't wanna stay the samе, so… I'm tryna keep up with the changes. I'm tryna keep up with the changеs.”
All My Love - Noah Kahan
I’d been looking forward to Noah Kahan since the moment I decided I was going to Outside Lands. This song has a special place in my heart. He opens with this song most nights and its a great way to get into the mood and vibe of his music. The crowd was perfect. Singing along to every word. In this song, Noah says to former friends and lovers that he has no bad blood and just passes along all his love. I love how he used the line about his parents to announce they just just got divorced recently.
“Write mе a list of how it is, of how it was, of how it has to be. You burrowed in under my skin, what I'd give to have you out from me. But I still recall how the leather in your car feels. And at the end of it all, I just hope that your scars heal.”
Your Needs, My Needs - Noah Kahan
I love when I get to hear my favorite songs of the moment live in the moment its a favorite song. I can’t imagine there is a song that will replace this song as my favorite of 2023. I feel this song so deeply. Noah introduced it as, “a song about Zoloft and it’s consequences.” I love how he is resigned to the outcome in front of him, resigned to his role in that outcome, and full of emotion about the outcome itself. Resigned and yet full of emotion. There is so much being said here, I’ll just the full thing down.
“You were a work of art. That's the hardest part. Howlin' like dogs in the light of the moon. Holdin' our breath after 132. You asked me why I wasn't sayin' a word. I'm naming the stars in the sky after you. It was a work of art. That's the hardest part”
“To spiral out, to try and float. To see a friend, to see a ghost. Bitter-brained, always drunk. Rail-thin, Zoloft. Subtle changе, shorter days. Dead-eyеd, dead weight. Your life, your dreams. Your mind, your needs. My needs. Your needs, my needs”
Check out the complete playlist below:
Are you planning to catch boygenius this tour? It’s really a special show