Supporting local talent is one of the most important things you can do as a music lover. Discovering artists and bands that are based out of your area means finding music that has been inspired by similar places and experiences. These musicians are more like you than your favorite artists probably are. Plus, your local bands truly appreciate any support you can give them, whether that means showing up to gigs or open mic nights, listening to their music, or simply spreading the word about them. Luckily for me, Cold Weather Company, comprised of Brian Curry (guitar/vocals), Steve Shimchick (piano/vocals), and Jeff Petescia (guitar/vocals), are based out of New Brunswick, New Jersey–a city that is right down the road from my hometown. The band has recently released “Wide-Eyed“, the first single off of their anticipated second album.

From the first note, the piece is an instrumental masterpiece.  The introduction features dueling acoustic guitars, which creates a friction between each of the parts. One guitar focuses on strumming chords while the other plays repetitive runs that go up and down the scale. A piano melody of sixteenth and eighth notes is soon added, contributing a certain shimmer and tenderness to the instrumental. The inclusion of a cello line provides a harmonic push and pull to the complexity of the various melodic lines. Throughout the piece, Cold Weather Company displays their ability to incorporate a wide range of dynamics. At times, the instrumental becomes noticeably softer, allowing the piano to play chords on the downbeat along with the cello.  The increasing intensity of acoustic guitar strumming and the piano’s return to playing notes allows for an effective crescendo, especially during the lyrics “I could die in your arms, I could die”.  The instrumental bridge showcases an incredible blending of tone and timbre, as the cello becomes a more integral member of the melody and supplies further emotion to the overall track.  A buildup occurs along with the lead vocal, as the piano directly echoes the vocal’s phrasing. To conclude the piece, the instrumental ends with similar rhythmic patterns in the piano and acoustic guitars, allowing the track to come full circle. The cello fades out the instrumental, providing proper closure to the single.

The indie folk vibe of the track can be compared to such artists as Mumford and Sons, Bear’s Den, and Vance Joy. The lead vocal has a certain haunting quality, yet when pushed in its upper register, possesses more rasp and grit. However, the vocal harmonies supplied by the other band members helps to alleviate the edginess in those moments. All three members of Cold Weather Company are songwriters, and their collaboration to the lyrics for this single is worth noting. Although the words are simple and the track doesn’t necessarily follow a standard verse/chorus/bridge setup, the lyrics generate a whole array of emotion for the listener. The track begins by making a blanket statement about all people and their unfortunate skill of “defeat[ing] their own lives”. Even in this case, where things seem to be as horrible as can be, the narrator “was bound to love again”. In essence, it is our human nature to turn to love to heal our own souls, and we do whatever we can to make sure that we don’t mess things up again. The repetition of the lines “I will do you no harm, I won’t fly/I will do you no harm, I will try” illustrates this sentiment of the narrator’s commitment to his new love, believing that he can be better this time around. In my opinion, a series of questions before the instrumental bridge is the most interesting part of the track. The first question is “What if I lose all sight and ambition?”, which is followed by “What if my heart weakens my vision?”.  Sometimes we question whether love is clouding our perception on life and taking us away from the dreams we have for ourselves. This may lead to us ending a relationship in order to focus on our own goals. But the problem with that lies in the third question, “What if all I need is right in front of me?”. It is often difficult to determine if we are making the proper decision. Maybe we should stay in the relationship because we may never find a love like this again. Or maybe we should leave so that we can go on with our personal journey. Those questions are at the heart of every relationship decision, and Cold Weather Company so eloquently articulates our fears.

If you are in the NJ/NY area, you should definitely keep your eye out for Cold Weather Company. But even if you don’t live in this area or even in these states, that shouldn’t stop you from listening to the single. Or any of the other original tracks from the band. Maybe you’ll find one or two that speak to you. And maybe this will serve as an inspiration for you to explore your local music scene and discover talent that is just waiting to be heard.

Purchase “Wide-Eyed” and other Cold Weather Company originals on iTunes, Amazon, and on their official website.

Stream “Wide-Eyed” and other Cold Weather Company originals on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Subscribe to Cold Weather Company‘s YouTube channel for more original songs and covers.

Stay up to date with Cold Weather Company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and their official website.

Additional credit for “Wide-Eyed” goes to Ralph Nicastro (mixing & mastering) and Kevin Lucero (cello).

DISCLAIMER:  All views and opinions expressed on this site are my own and do not represent the views and opinions of any entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.