Track of the Day: Carlsbad - ‘Parliament’

Bred in Cowboy Country, Utah, singer-songwriter Carlsbad has found a haven for her musical ambitions in Dublin, where the artist has earned a well-deserved audience. With her new single ‘Parliament,’ released today, Carlsbad continues to re-shape her sound, refusing to submit to labels of any kind.

‘Parliament’ opens with finger-picked, steady guitar instrumentals, before Carlsbad’s sweet vocals come into play. An eerie, spine-tingling mood echoes around the song as it picks up in tempo, and the vocals are sucked along with the wave of dark, reverb-tinged sonics. With lyricism full of poetics and sentiment, Carlsbad’s vocals are layered, while the track’s darkness establishes a moody, tempting atmosphere the listener cannot help but be lured into.

Of the song, Carlsbad shares, “I hope the feeling and sentiment of this track is self-explanatory. It explores power dynamics, wicked thoughts, and judgement from others.”

“Sometimes I like to think of it as the female perspective of ‘The Long Black Veil’. The title comes from my fascination with owls and collective nouns, Parliament being a group of owls,” she adds, explaining the symbols laced within the song’s vivid imagery. “In Native American tribes like the Navajo, owls are messengers of death. Greek Goddess Athena and the Norse Goddess Katyogel are often seen with an owl companion. And of course there is Macha, The Owl Witch. They are a symbol of wisdom and are believed to bridge the gap between the veil.”

Recorded at The Clinic Recording Studios in Dublin, ‘Parliament’ is produced by David Anthony Curley (Otherkin,The Cope) and Duncan Stewart (Dunx, U2), mixed by Stewart and Mastered by Idania Valencia at Sterling Sound in New York City.

The single marks the first from her sophomore EP, due for release early next year. Her next anticipated single, ‘Soft Spoken,’ is in the works for release, along with a collaboration with Clare-based specialty apothecary The Hare + The Moon, both due later this year.

Carlsbad’s debut EP Future Yeehaw saw the artist gain acclaim from respected Irish figureheads, namely U2. The singer-songwriter appeared alongside half of the band on their recent documentary Bono & The Edge : A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman, earlier this year.

Following her debut record release, the rising, genre-bending singer-songwriter debuted at Other Voices and Electric Picnic, as well as opening for Saint Sister in April of last year. With her post-modern sound and refusal to remain within a box, Carlsbad continues to remain one to watch in the months leading up to her sophomore album.

Carlsbad supports Lo Moon in Dublin’s Workman’s Cellar on November 9, with tickets available here.

Check out ‘Parliament’ the latest single from Carlsbad, below!