Since the release of their last album, 2015’s Electric Friends, Charleston, South Carolina’s Brave Baby has promoted a multitude of singles and members have explored solo careers, started families, and toured with other artists. Songwriter/drummer/producer Wolfgang Zimmerman produced albums for Grammy nominated Band of Horses, Susto, She Returns From War, Futurebirds and released their own debut record Space Prints in 2023. Vocalist/Songwriter Keon Masters released a pair of albums, 2019’s Many Thanks and 2022’s No Problem with the help of Grouplove bassist, Dan Gleason, who produced at Big Trouble Studios in Little Five Points, ATL and featured Grouplove drummer, Benjamin Houmala. Guitarist/songwriter Christian Chidester works as a session player and arranger for many SC based artists and is preparing to release a solo album under the moniker, Harvest Temple. Steven Walker (keys) and Jordan Hicks (bass) have both been on the road as members of Charleston contemporaries Susto.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the song “Half Awake” and its music video. The tune will be on the band’s soon to be announced new full-length album, which is the culmination of years of pent up energy expressed in the best storytelling the band has ever put to tape. Time had to pass, tensions had to settle and a lot of songs had to die – multiple albums worth – for this record to come to be. The writing trio of Masters, Zimmerman, and Chidester is more efficient than ever and are excited for this record and the releases beyond it. Musically, the song taps into an airy indie rock sound with a strong beat and the kind of catchy chorus that feels like it could cross over to pop audiences. There’s definitely a nice energy and spunk to this song that grabs your attention and pulls you along for the ride, with little bursts of guitar shredding to keep it close to this band’s rock roots. The video captures the band’s live spirit as the camera flows between each member.
Keon Masters (vocals, guitar) describes the inspiration behind the song:
“If I had to analyze it, I’d say Half Awake is about coming out of the doldrums and patting yourself on the back a bit. Splash some water on your face, have a little exchange with yourself in the mirror, make fun of your outfit, remind yourself you’re cool and jump back in.”
Masters also shares his thoughts on Dylan Dawkins of Persona La AvePhoto, who handled artwork, photography, and the music video production for the band:
“Our trust in Dylan (Persona La Ave) is absolute. He’s a true renaissance man, excellent in film, photography, editing, graphics, music production, guitar playing, band leading. When it comes to making art in the 21st century, PLA is tops. So having him make our video is a no brainer. He’s part of our crew and artistic family. We miss having him in Charleston now that he’s in Brooklyn, but he prioritizes visits to the homies.”
WATCH:
