Sarah Julia and the percolating folk indie cajole and time bending bohemia of "Bigger Picture"

 

"The strange thing about death is how life goes on / Before you know what you've got, what you've got is all gone..."

The percolating folk indie cajole and time bending bohemia of "Bigger Picture", by Dutch sister duo and indie folk beacons Sarah Julia, ( Sarah and Julia Nauta), feels instantly nostalgic and magnetically fresh at the same time. Maybe the freshness comes from the artistic decision to bare itself in earnest ways, toss away the urge to filter the song with adult contemporary pop-isms and overall sounds, embrace an essentially analog sound with the vocal mix being 70's upfront. AND why not, Sarah and Julia's vocal countenance feels free from sonic makeup or too much compression or too much of anything other than what they are which is stunning, dynamic and from their emotional core. Loving these decisions and in terms of artistic / songwriting attitude I did think of iconic folk artists like Joni Mitchell, Crosby / Stills / Nash / Young and even the progressive rock breath of a band like YES. 

Structurally, I love the freeform tensions, the use of a pre-chorus and a bridge which in current popular music modes feel like white rhinos. In terms of the look back / move forward aesthetic, "Bigger Picture" feels destined to be in some future movie of import or the next Netflix or Hulu binger. I can see that in my mind's eye. 

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
The strange thing about death is how life goes on
Before you know what you've got, what you've got is all gone
I worry about worrying about what
What can I control and the what can I not

[Pre-Chorus]
Never been a fan of going with the changes
Never been a fan of going with the flow
I know the river starts, don't know where it will take us
Tell me where it ends, tell me where it goes

[Chorus]
In the bigger, bigger picture
What really matters?
In the bigger, bigger picture
Sit back, watch as it happens

[Verse 2]
The strange thing about us is we took it too far
We tried to mess with our fate, tried to deal my own cards

[Pre-Chorus]
Someone help me out, turn a couple of pages
I'm a little tired of riding it out
Probably a part of going through all the phases
Can't have faith without a little doubt


[Chorus]
In the bigger, bigger picture
What really matters?
In the bigger, bigger picture
Sit back, watch as it happens
In the bigger, bigger picture
What really matters?
In the bigger, bigger picture
Sit back, watch as it happens

[Bridge]
I don't know where I'm going, but I'll get there
I don't know where I'm going, but I'll get there
I don't know where I'm going, but I'll get there
I don't know where I'm going

[Chorus]
In the bigger, bigger picture
What really matters?
In the bigger, bigger picture
Sit back, watch as it happens
In the bigger, bigger picture
What really matters?
In the bigger, bigger picture
Sit back, watch as it happens

LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed) 

[As the sisters describe it, “Bigger Picture invites you to zoom out on your life, reminding you how easily small things can start to feel incredibly important. It’s about letting go of control, trusting your fate and feelings that are bigger than you can comprehend.”

Rooted in their close-knit harmonies and restrained sound, “Bigger Picture” reflects on control, doubt, and acceptance.]

[Sisters and folk music duo Sarah Julia craft luscious, tender, harmony-laden music shaped by sisterhood and shared childhood memories. What began as individual musical pursuits became a joint creative outlet during a significant family upheaval, resulting in their debut EP How Do We Go Back To Being Normal? a grief-tinged, diaristic collection that earned them a cult following. Their second EP, Only Making It Worse, produced by Catharine Marks (boygenius, Wolf Alice), deepened their sound with richer textures and subtle pop sensibilities, drawing comparisons to Phoebe Bridgers, Adrienne Lenker, and Joni Mitchell.]

-Robb Donker Curtius

The Chicken Wheel will take you to the AP Go Fund Me- and any amount is so appreciated!

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qVi7G7OjgVXyl9zxabzTQ

https://www.instagram.com/sarahjulia

https://www.facebook.com/sarahjuliamusic

https://soundcloud.com/sarahjuliamusic/bigger-picture

Sisters and folk music duo Sarah Julia craft luscious, tender, harmony-laden music shaped by sisterhood and shared childhood memories. What began as individual musical pursuits became a joint creative outlet during a significant family upheaval, resulting in their debut EP How Do We Go Back To Being Normal? a grief-tinged, diaristic collection that earned them a cult following. Their second EP, Only Making It Worse, produced by Catharine Marks (boygenius, Wolf Alice), deepened their sound with richer textures and subtle pop sensibilities, drawing comparisons to Phoebe Bridgers, Adrienne Lenker, and Joni Mitchell.

Now entering a new era, the sisters deliver a striking new single which comes at a time that has seen them elevated significantly across the UK, EU, and USA. Sarah Julia has enjoyed plenty of critical acclaim across previous releases and huge growth in streaming and in the live space, having performed on major tours with Paris Paloma, SYML, and Mon Rovîa. They’ve also shared bills with Jacob Alon, Neil Young, and Faye Webster, to name a few.

Sarah Julia, Amsterdam, Dutch sisters, Sarah & Julia Nauta, indie folk, folk, inde rock, bohemian folk, 70's folk, dreamy, complex, emotionally open, diaristic songwriting, "Bigger Picture", progressive, harmonies,