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Solar June’s Laura Colwell on “Unhealthy Dream Jaguar” and Navigating Change
Straight Discuss
Dec 04, 2023
Images by Alex Winker
Net Unique
Three albums in and Solar June’s star exhibits no indicators of fading. Their newest album, Unhealthy Dream Jaguar (on Run for Cowl), provides in further parts within the type of brass, woodwinds, and pedal metal. However although the instrumentation has broadened, the album maintains a mirage-like sheen throughout its dozen tracks. “It’s a smaller palette [sonically], however it was a wider vary for us. We wished it to be darker than what we had performed earlier than. We have been asking ourselves, ‘How will we get lo-fi and polished on the similar time?’” Laura Colwell shares over Zoom from Austin.
Colwell sings lead vocals, performs guitar and piano, and is co-songwriter of the group alongside along with her companion Stephen Salisbury. And although the songs play out seemingly effortlessly, there may be a lot afoot beneath. Salisbury relocated to Chapel Hill, North Carolina a number of years again and Colwell finds herself splitting time between there and Texas. The space has additionally led to a backwards and forwards of songs written individually however completed collaboratively.
Since Colwell sings lead on each monitor, it may be troublesome for the listener to discern if the lyrics are Salisbury speaking to Colwell, the opposite means round or one thing else totally. Living proof on the album’s “Washington Sq..” “I bear in mind what you stated to me, licorice and wintergreen/Like a goddamn ghost of your mom, I knew what you wanted,” Colwell sings on the monitor, however the phrases are Salisbury’s. “It’s positively from that a part of time the place we have been long-distance. When Stephen despatched me his first draft of that I used to be actually shocked. I used to be pondering, ‘Ought to I be involved? Are you speaking about me?’” Colwell explains.
The luxurious and layered “Moon Forward” is without doubt one of the most lovely sounding songs on the album and in addition one in every of its most brazenly trustworthy ones. “That tune is possibly my favourite a part of the entire document,” Colwell admits. Many songs on the album reference mother and father, household, and nice distances. “That tune was very centered by myself mother and father and evaluating myself to them, however at this stage of my life. But in addition being in a long-distance relationship and touring and being disconnected from what it’s you need. You simply should stay with a mantra of simply preserve going,” Colwell says.
Although the politics of relationships could also be one thing that Colwell and Salisbury are comfy with, one of many album’s standout songs, “Texas,” offers with the politics of the day. The refrain is easy, but in addition unclear in its which means: “You retain breaking my coronary heart. Texas.” Unsure whether or not the reference is to a distant companion or the state itself, Colwell helps clear issues up. “The tune is certainly a response to [the state’s stance] on abortion, immigration. Each single backwards factor. I can solely communicate for me as a younger girl in Texas and the way issues made me really feel. [The abortion restrictions in Texas] have been earlier than Roe v. Wade was overturned and rather a lot was snowballing right here. It’s lovely right here, there may be nothing higher than a Texas sundown, however there may be additionally quite a lot of ugliness,” Colwell explains.
On a lighter be aware, Colwell shares additional on a part of the recording periods that befell at Sylvan Esso’s Betty’s studio close to Durham, North Carolina. “I’m such a fan of Sylvan Esso that I used to be mortified that I needed to do round 40 takes of my vocal tracks for the tune ‘Texas.’ They’re simply dangerous, horrible. I believe I used to be sick and simply not hitting the be aware proper. It’s in all probability on their backup drive endlessly and I’m positive they’ll by no means hear it, however it makes me nervous simply realizing it’s there,” Colwell says. Relaxation assured that Colwell nailed the take that ended up on the album and it makes for one in every of Unhealthy Dream Jaguar’s most compelling songs. The trance inducing great thing about it belies its message. “I hope that issues received’t be as divisive and turbulent. Hopefully there may be some peace forward,” Colwell concludes.
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