Winterlark is on their way to something new. The Santa Cruz jazz duo, with their endlessly accessible back-pocket charm and euphonious, bantering harmonies, is turning their gaze outwards on their new EP, Sing To Me About Tomorrow (due out October 18th) — their final product now belied by a sort of understated hand-wringing that looks to the world not with anguish or desperation, but with an optimism that underscores the entire record.
The band is changing – evolving with the times as any band should – but one thing that decidedly has not changed is that members Sweeney Schragg and Kristin Olson still display undeniable musical chemistry; a tempered yet vibrant marrying of musical predilections that shines brightly in their shared vocal duties and their jazz-influenced harmonic structures, which continue to seek interesting rhythmic underpinnings: a cheery shuffle, a punchy bossa nova, a folky finger-picking, an infectious Township Jive, and more.
Inspiration for their very collaborative songwriting comes from just about anywhere; the optimism on display, however, is a conscious and consistent choice that manifests through stories and concepts both fictional and real. Visual prompts turn aural, turn visual again through vivid, picture-painting lyrics: observing a person of interest on a subway train leads to incorrect assumptions; “reading” emojis creates a longing for formerly-poignant words of love and romance; seeing a beloved sister struggle brings memories, lament, and finally hope.
These are all stories that aren’t afraid to admit to a flawed protagonist, which hints at Winterlark’s frustration with the world – wildfires up the coast, the erosion of women’s rights, the degradation of the environment, and more. And yet, the attitude for Olson and Schragg seems always to be: let’s sing about tomorrow – then, at least we won’t have to sing alone.
Today Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the EP, which provides a lovely soundtrack for a sunny day lounging around with its clever mix of folk, jazz, bluegrass, quiet bossa nova, and lyrics that are soothing and often playful. This duo definitely puts their unique musical chemistry throughout this collection.
Sweeney Schragg describes the inspiration behind the album:
“There is something good about naming the things that keep us up at night. On Sing to Me about Tomorrow we’ve taken our worried hums and turned them into melodies, working to sing our way to a better tomorrow.”
LISTEN:
