SONG PREMIERE: Thorcraft Cobra Mold Power Pop Brilliance on “Carolina”

As Thorcraft Cobra, Billy Zimmer (Brown Eyed Susans) and Tammy Glover (Sparks) combine a knack for concise pop songwriting, a gift for crafting immediately engaging melody, and impeccable taste in rock and roll sonics into something that is both fresh and undeniable.

They released a self-titled EP in November of 2010 that hit #13 at Alternative Radio, and in 2013 released their debut full length Count It In. The album features guest performances from some of the band’s friends including Russell Mael (Sparks), Steve McDonald (Redd Kross), Mahsa Zargaran (Puscifer, Big Black Delta, Omniflux) and Will Love (Sabrosa Purr).

When the time came to record the follow up the band turned to producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Foo Fighters). Recorded in studios across Los Angeles and in a house that legend says once was home to Ricky Nelson, The Distance features musical contributions from Brett Farkas (Lord Huron, Aimee Mann), the Juno Award-winning Russell Broom, Teddy “Zig-Zag” Andreadis (Carole King, Guns N’ Roses) and Schnapf himself.

Glide is premiering “Carolina” (below)  off The Distance (due 1.27.17), showcasing the sweet and seductive vocal prowess of  Zimmer and the band”s knack for a power pop jewel. Making a song fit for rock ears, while maintaining a level of depth has become a lost art, but this partnership of Thorcraft Cobra is what their name conjures – polished, poised and seriously in the pocket.

“Carolina – this is depressing, but initially I wrote it as an acoustic instrumental when my grandfather died. It was called ‘Song for Isaak.’ And – true story – it was in the international trailer for the Zach Braff movie, “The Last Kiss.”  But, I  never could conjure lyrics for it. I sat on the song for years without finishing it. Then one night in rehearsal I started playing it on electric guitar, and I slowed it way down, changing the feel from a smooth strumming part to more of a syncopated, punctuated thing. Tammy started playing along on drums and it quickly settled into the groove and timing that it’s in now,” reflects Zimmer on the track.

“And the words “Carolina, I can’t let you go no matter how I try” unconsciously sprang from my mouth. I don’t actually know anyone named Carolina, and I’ve never been to the Carolinas! But, if you want to double down on the depressing aspect – and who can turn down an opportunity to double down on something depressing! –  it’s the first song I wrote after my mother passed away. She was a massive Neil Diamond fan, as am I, and maybe the “Carolina” lyric is an allusion to “Sweet Caroline”??? I just don’t know.”

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