Like Years is East-PDX songwriter John Craig’s latest project and through it he approaches life’s difficult moments with grace, good humor, smooth production, glorious hooks and trenchant, powerful, songwriting.
Today he is premiering his new single, ‘Serious,” which you will really like. On April 28 he is releasing Vicissitudes, an album you will absolutely love and is celebrating with a release party inside SHOWBAR@REVOLUTION HALL (1300 SE Stark St) with special guest, Redray Frazier.
To get “Serious” now, go here:
https://likeyears.bandcamp.com/album/serious-single
“Serious” is a heartfelt, chunky, funky, bass-driven wonderland of a tune with Studio 54 virility and all the combined fun of danceworld 1977 built-in.
Craig goes behind the music and describes it in this way, “As a person that lives with a constant sense of existential angst, I am always trying to BE IN THE MOMENT. I’ve spent years meditating, practicing WIM HOF breathing techniques, running, doing anything I can to get relief from the constant pang of anxiety. This song is really about getting out of my head and into the world. Trying to appreciate what’s good and going on around me. The weird thing is that it all works, but only for a while. It’s also one of the things that I love about music and performing. You HAVE to be in the moment and present, if you are in your head- that set is going to suck. Or you won’t be able to write anything, record anything, whatever. But when you can get present, you can get in that flow state and time and the future just don’t matter… as much anyway. SO basically I have to start my day with WIM HOF breathing – I can go into this if you’re not familiar- then exercise, try and stay away from coffee, get something done…. be productive, and play some music. If I do all that, and have a couple of IPAs at the end, well then I will basically stave off crippling anxiety for the day. I wrote this during the pandemic… surprise surprise… I had never had panic attacks, but in the beginning, before we knew very much, they started coming on. Ever since I was a little kid, I remember being worried about stuff. Being worried about my health, but also about viruses and things of that sort. Also strangely enough, I have always been worried about the world economy and about the collapse of society. I think that this stems from the idea that if society crumbled, I’d have to give up music and fight zombies or something. So when it seemed like the world was collapsing on itself I sort of panicked. “Serious” is a little of me talking to myself and a little talking to frankly my wife about how I seem to be doing that day. The call and response of “Do you think that this is Serious?” and “Are you worried about me?” Are both questions to myself- but also to her. Thankfully when I am really struggling, she can sort of talk me down. She can always say “Go on a run” or something like I am a golden labrador or something. Anyway, I have been doing better since those early days, but at times that feeling just takes over. I like “Serious” because it is a little tongue in cheek, but also serious. I really wanted to have an over the top bassline that sort of illustrates the pinging and bubbling of anxiety flying through your body. But I am also an 80’s kid- so I wanted it to sound a little throw backy. When that sax line hits after the chorus I picture that scene in BIG when Tom Hanks is jumping on the trampoline in his new NYC apartment as an adult. He was still a kid, but was to everyone else grown up. I like to think about the times back in the 80’s… you know, to when I was just a nervous kid, and not a freaked out adult that has to take care of kids.”
https://likeyears.bandcamp.com/album/serious-single
Here is the ticket link for the release show on 4/28 at Show Bar https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7138064/like-years-portland-show-bar
(It will be live 10am next Wednesday, March 22.)
Here is Like Years’ Linktree LINK
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