On the road…forever…seems to be the mantra of Billy Strings and the fellas in his band. Criss crossing the country and it being festival season there is no sign of that slowing down.
Contradicting that first statement, Strings’ upcoming release (his second full length record) is aptly titled “Home” and the first track from it echoes emotive vibes of yearning and a want for nostalgia. A sense of being and belonging in a time and a place.
“nothing left but memories, things I still can’t stand to see
there’s an empty spot in me, where my hometown use to be”
Hometowns, where we come from and often times there are parts of the past we are unendingly trying to shake, there are bits and pieces that still cling to us. Make us who we are. And the bits and pieces that still hang on the fret wire of these gent’s instruments and decorate the golden guilding of their harmonies makes use of their old souls and what came before them.
“Taking Water” mirrors the bluegrass roots that Billy’s songs grow their roots from. But the soil in which his stories are nurtured certainly have more in the mix. His abilities as a writer has blossomed exponentially on this track and the rest of the album. Sitting with him a couple years back he mentioned, “I am still a relatively timid songwriter“, where “Home” see him is well beyond any sort of apprehension in his ability as a songwriter. Coupled with the strength of his voice that was seemingly made for this style of music and a band of brothers behind him…well, Strings is unstoppable.