Exclusive premiere of ‘The Ballad of Captain Chup’ by Grant Summerland, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Unnatural History II,’ out March 29th, 2024.

This EP was recorded at Retro Futurism Audio in Portland, OR, under the guidance of producer Joel Lane. Grant’s relative, Monte Vallier (from Swell), handled the mastering. Grant composed and performed the entirety of this EP, except for drums on tracks 2 and 4, which were played by Jacob Bledsoe. The inspiration behind the EP draws from summers in California, the impact of climate change, VHS tapes, the ambiance of San Juan Bautista, and cherished friendships. ‘The Ballad of Captain Chup’ stands out as a “summer Springsteen-esque song dedicated to a changing West Coast,” as described by Grant Summerland.

Grant Summerland’s second release, ‘Unnatural History EP II,’ further explores the themes introduced in the first EP, delving deeper into the concepts of time’s progression, skepticism towards nostalgia, and the evolving landscape of the West Coast. The opening track, ‘The Camellia Bush Song,’ reflects on the CZU Lightning Complex fires, a period during which Grant and his family experienced evacuation. The reverberating ‘Community Pool’ nostalgically contemplates high school memories and departed classmates, while the orchestral piece ‘What Did Bill Watterson Do Today?’ serves as a heartfelt tribute to the elusive Calvin and Hobbes author. With the incorporation of new sonic elements such as live string sections, field recordings, ambient synths, and more aggressive guitar tones, ‘Unnatural History II’ EP introduces a darker and more sophisticated soundscape compared to its predecessor.

Headline photo: Diego Diaz-Lundquist

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