Today is my beloved mother’s 75th birthday, and my family is lucky (and COVID-free) enough to spend the weekend with her in a rented house to celebrate.
This tribute song and video was created by her very talented grandchildren, and is performed by one of them, my nephew Daniel Gallup, whose work I have featured here in the past. Daniel’s older sister Madison edited the video.
Fiona is a fan of songs much more than albums or even artists. Most of the tracks I’m featuring over these two weeks are the only songs she likes from the represented performers.
She says she often dives into the rest of an artist’s catalog after coming across a song she likes and usually comes away disappointed, or at least uninspired.
Fiona has a soft spot for mellow, dreamy pop, and she shares with me a love of melancholy music. I’ve gotten her hooked on songs by Aimee Mann and Simon & Garfunkel, and she has returned the favor by digging up majestically sad gems like this one.
Day Wave is a project by Oakland musician Jackson Phillip, who records solo and hires backing musicians for live shows. His debut album, The Day We Had, came out in 2017, following up on a couple of EP releases.
Fiona calls this track her “Hawaii song,” and it sure does have a gentle, Jack Johnson-esque vibe.
POWERS is a Los Angeles-based duo formed by Crista Ru and Mike Del Rio, who share vocal and instrumental duties. The band has released one EP (2015’s Legendary) and a handful of singles, with their debut studio album due sometime soon.
Before I get to today’s song, allow me to wish a very Happy Birthday to my dear father. Have a wonderful, socially distant, day, Dad, and I look forward to celebrating with you soon!
Today’s track might be my favorite that Fiona has brought to my attention. Maggie Rogers is a Maryland-based singer-songwriter who has been mentored by Brandi Carlile and was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year. ‘Dog Years’ is a track from her debut EP, 2017’s Now That the Light is Fading.
