An ambitious followup to Cave Clove’s eponymous 2016 full-length studio album, Dollars to Tokens demonstrates a potent formula for why vocalist/songwriter Katie Colver and her band are on a fast track emerging as one of the Bay Area’s most compelling new acts. Releasing on May 3rd, Dollars to Tokens presents five unflinching chronicles of Colver’s own emotional yet often existential triumphs and struggles. Set to psych-rock infused production brimming with electrifying guitars and a West Coast Americana songwriting sensibility, Colver explores what it means to follow one’s most fervent dreams, while addressing all of the risks and sacrifices that such a journey entails. Set aside some time to delve into these anthemic stunners while Colver and Cave Clove dive to the depths of her idiosyncratic psyche.
Dollars to Tokens finds Cave Clove teaming up with Oakland favorite Chris Daddio (Everyone is Dirty), whose distinctive production paints a kaleidoscope of guitars and strings as the backdrop to Colver’s radiant vocals. Today Glide is excited to premiere the music video for the EP’s lead single, “Edge of Emergency.” If the title didn’t give it away, the song is a reflection of our own chaotic times as well as the band’s own indie-rock odyssey, balancing the personal with the political. Despite the content of the lyrics and the song title, the song is a surprisingly chill groover that showcases a catchy indie rock sensibility alongside a soulful, R&B sound. One might think this song would be frenzied and wild, but it feels relaxingly revelatory.
Singer Katie Colver describes the inspiration behind the song in her own words:
“‘Edge of Emergency’ is a reflection on the times and the state of the world. We seem to be at a point of rapid destruction of the planet and society, and perhaps we are ready for a revolution. A rock bottom may be coming, which is scary but it can be exciting because it can trigger a powerful paradigm change. How much longer can we run around like crazy people with blinders on chasing a pipe dream? Something’s got to give. Maybe we are ready for a new approach.
This song is also about the pain of being sidetracked over and over again by the life of its own that seeking intensity takes on, and all of the ways that seeking has sabotaged the very thing I hope it will lead to each time.
Behind self-destructive tendencies for so many of us is this belief or fear that life is meaningless, and this song is also about taking a gamble and deciding to instead to create meaning in life and make things sacred. It turns out that it is fun to create or subscribe to whatever kind of meaning I want for myself as I navigate the human experience. Why not decide that I’m in exactly the right place at the right time, always, and learn to work with each aspect of the hand I’ve been dealt, each challenge, each addiction, each relationship, as an ally? It’s boring when life is meaningless.”
WATCH:
Cave Clove release Dollars to Tokens on May 3. For more music and info visit caveclove.com.
