You know that feeling where your mind, much like your body, is absolutely parched out of nowhere? Not like the “oh, I haven’t drank any water in days” kind of thing, it’s more of a lack of stimulation… we think. The doctors say it’s just a lack of water, but what do they know? Who are they really?
Besides, today we have a tasty alternative solution – try “Bog Swamp.” No, it’s not technically a refreshment, but it is refreshing. Actually, it’s the new single from Brother Rutherford, the solo math rock project led of Ethan Johnstone, also of Night Idea and Houdan the Mystic.
Brother Rutherford has been putting out records since 2013, and it seems over time they’ve become more conceptual and imaginative – for instance, the upcoming LP titled Ephemerealm has a deeply integrated tracklisting with multiple chapters you can already lose yourself in over on Bandcamp. Understandably, being able to see it but not hear it all yet might drive the curious a little crazy, but luckily our exclusive cut of “Bog Swamp” sheds some light on the record’s mysterious nature.
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The song’s got a moody, dank undercurrent to it, and given the song title, it fits. Chunky, waltzing bass lines and spacious arpeggiated guitars abound. What’s even more fun is the video compliments “Bog Swamp” in unexpected ways, like monsters in bath tubs at parties playing the saxophone, for instance. Sure, that might not sound, but we can easily infer some thematic overlap.
While Ephemerealm doesn’t fully come out till March, be sure to check out the Bandcamp page above to hear more of it, because it invites you into the madness the longer you look at it, and also gives “Bog Swamp” some interesting context.
There are a number of sonic ecosystems explored on the record, and in a way the sound settles somewhere between Covet and Jingi, where confidence, mystery, and unshakeable vibe all meet in the center. If you’re looking for something dynamic and fresh but firmly focused, “Bog Swamp,” and indeed most of Brother Ruthorford’s discography, makes for a perfect fit.
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here, but if you’re in a generous mood you can also donate to folks like Doctors Without Borders, the PCRF, Charity Water, Kindness Ranch, One Tail at A Time, Canopy Cat Rescue, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that could probably use it more – click on their names above to check ‘em out if you’re so inclined. Thanks again!)