"The sun was shining when I woke up today / but I felt like crying ‘cause my life is slipping away..."
The sadness and hopeful sunshine of "Buckle Up Baby" by San Francisco singer songwriter, musician Marika Christine is a rare thing these days. First of all it is free of all the indie tropes of the day, it also feels free of pretense and while one can argue that all art has a veil of artifice, I certainly don't detect any here. To put it another way, a lot of artists seem to put a lot of work into appearing cool, "Buckle Up Baby" just is and happens to be cool plus a lot of other things.
The sound here definitely hinges on 60's and 70's pop, of the glorious sound of Carole King and I thought of Harry Nilsson too and Burt Bacharach (RIP). The sprite pop sound is counterpoised by lyrics shaded in melancholia but there is the sense that change, with all the inherent tears and bruises, is just part of life and unknown places at the end of the highway can offer a bevy of new discoveries full of hope. The refrain says it all like a beacon of survivorship and empowerment:
"The car keeps driving but my soul is far behind / Buckle up, baby, we will make it out alright"
I dig this song so much. It is not only endearing but musically so tightly constructed and subtly jammy. It is my first taste of Marika Christine’s debut full length album coming out in May 2023 on Ghost Mountain Records. Her thoughts on the song from press notey stuff:
[I wrote the song shortly after moving out of the apartment I shared with my partner and first love. The sudden shift of environment was very disorienting. For a while it felt like a part of my spirit was left behind, trying to catch up with my body. The lyrics came easily and helped me through a time of big change.
Sonically, the song captures a sunny 70’s folk feel. Elements such as the phaser piano tone, acoustic guitar, lush harmonies and dual guitar leads are reminiscent of artists such as Billy Joel, Carole King, and The Mamma’s and Papas, and modern freak folk artists like Drugdealer and Kate Bolinger. Buckle Up Baby has a warm sound and a catchy chorus with a sad edge hidden in the lyrics.]
The track was engineered and mixed by Danielle Goldsmith at Tiny Telephone (Oakland) and Mastered by Jacob Winik and is married to the evocative Official Video by Rainbow Tunnel Films shot on super 8 film.
Song Credits:
Marika Stuurman: vocals, acoustic guitar, lead guitars
Marika Donjacour: bass, background vocals
Adam Wilson: piano
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MdjZD8s1YAlPrHtgUXtL8
https://marikachristine.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marika_christine/
Marika Christine is a musician and songwriter from San Francisco, California. She is inspired by nature, relationships, and the highs and lows of being human. Her first EP Puzzle World was released digitally in 2021 and has been re-released on cassette with Ghost Mountain Records.
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