A very cool blog today by Izzy again! Send music shit over to [ fosterhildingmusic@gmail.com ] or DM me on Instagram.
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| photos courtesy of steven shoelace. |
I first met Steven when we were in 7th grade band class, both victims of the infamous Mr. Sommers. I have heard many tales of a percussion section rich with friendship and laughter, and many other sections in the band were this way: united. I’d heard stories of slumber parties, game nights, and matching crocs. I had even been invited to a costume party once, dominated mostly by the horn section. However, our band in particular, had a large divide in the percussion section, which generally fell into two categories. There were the popular, cocky, and talented types (the ones who had called me a f****t and laughed at me when I tripped over my bass drum in marching band) and then there were the awkward, funny and slightly unhinged types.
Steven and I were undoubtedly part of the second group, and though we may have been pushed around a bit by the former crowd, Steven always made things fun. I remember him asking me to record his shenanigans. He’d spontaneously decided to smash on a wood block with some shades on, Matrix style, and believed it needed documentation. To this day, I am still finding random videos that he had asked me or friends to record--my favorite was one in which he pretended to roll off the theatre stage into oblivion... it was extremely convincing. His goofiness was contagious, and he inspired us other weirdos to loosen up a bit.
When Steven decided to pursue music post-high school, I was so excited to see what he’d been working on. He’d periodically post updates, and it seemed he was getting better and better, soon becoming a multi-instrumentalist. It really was one of those full circle, “one of us!” moments to see him perform on stage. No matter how cocky those bandmates were in high school, nobody even attempted to achieve what he did. Recently, he told me he has moved to Portland and aims to start a band up there. Watching him succeed at a local level and blossom as a musician has been a joy, and I am excited to see what comes next. Released on October 1st, 2024, here is my review of steven shoelace's debut: garden snakes:
liquid (intro) sets a lo-fi tone for the album to follow. It introduces a depressive, yet atmospheric vibe, with wavering vocals and droning cymbal taps. The lyrical style is reminiscent of Kurt Cobain, throwing lyrics against each other that can seem a bit nonsensical at first, yet carry some grit and an underlying weight (in this case, perhaps, a loss of appetite for life).
existing is an interesting followup, as it exudes pure anger--possibly alluding to anger being considered a secondary emotion. Screaming vocals are contrasted by speedy drumming and a guitar riff that puts you right on edge. With lyrics like, “I’m going through a lot trying to be better for me,” and, “I ask myself am, I good enough? / I ask myself am I worth the time?” - I am told that, contrary to the initial sense of apathy, this kid still has a lot of life left to live.
bugs life. A possible reference to the 1998 Pixar film, A Bug’s Life. The intro to this track is adorable and inspires happiness. There is a certain childlike sweetness to the bass line (specifically, it reminds me of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas dance), what sounds like a possible home video mixed in with laughter and the opening line, “It’s a bug's life, and I’m trying to bother you.” There are even some harmonies to be found! However, we are slowly led into the following section which feels contrastingly jarring: confused, dark lyrics that speak of addiction, disconnection, and pleading with god for things to be okay again. As a single tone drones in the background, you get an eerie, sinking feeling--as though life has been left on pause and we were ripped away from that once joyous melody. Suddenly, after waiting in this liminal space for who knows how long, we are thrust back into the peppy bass line. The almost paradoxically cheerful-toned lyrics to follow, "I don’t know what to think anymore / I’m just walking around and I hope I don’t get stepped on," sealed the deal for me for my interpretation of the song’s
meaning.
I was hit surprisingly deep by this track. For someone who has experienced childhood trauma, this hits the nail in the coffin for the cognitive dissonance a child’s mind has to navigate in the face of psychological distress. You’re just a kid--running around, trying to find your place in the world (as you’re supposed to), when you are hit with a crushing reality too big to swallow. That reality quickly becomes consuming and scary for the developing mind. Although these traumatic experiences are not the fault of the child, especially if they are recurring, there often comes a synonymous internalization that it is the fault of the victim. Maybe the internalized message is that the child is cursed or unlovable. The lyric, “I can’t be a butterfly cuz I’m not important” seems to reflect this memo.
Children are resilient, and will continue on trying to live their lives, play, and enjoy all the normal kid things despite the circumstances. Similarly, despite the intensity throughout the mid-section of the song, we inevitably bounce back to the chorus. And sure, we bounce back, but we bounce back changed. Even with an indomitable spirit, trauma can still subconsciously create cognitive distortions and a warped perception of reality. The cyclical nature of these traumatic events only further push this narrative, which becomes incredibly powerful and difficult to undo once the damage has already been done. At the end of the day, I still get the sense that things here aren’t entirely hopeless, rather, a confusing and fearful experience that must be endured. Life, a bug’s or not, must go on living.
honey bee. Super sweet. “The sweetest thing I know.” Definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album at this point. I’ve got to say, I am thoroughly enjoying the drumming and surf guitar. I feel like I am listening through a 90s VHS tape in the best way possible. I adore the vibes of the vocals. There is thought and care with the atmospheric elements. I am nostalgic for something I cannot place.
speed racer ended up being my boyfriend’s favorite track. He drew ties between this track and atmospheric black metal, oddly enough--adding: "It's not the same tonally, but it comes from the same place emotionally." This song is the exact opposite of a speed racer: slowww. Something about it sounds straight out of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The vibrato effect on the guitar convinced my brain there is an element of piano, and only upon second listen did I realize there is, in fact, no piano. This song speaks of betrayal, I definitely feel I am missing context to make a full picture, lyrically. The emotional experience is beautiful enough, though, and it didn’t need more context to achieve what it set out for.
dead body. Okay, “I feel like the world would try to sell me Pepsi if I was bleeding out with a knife
inside of me” made me laugh a little too hard... but facts. This song is my anxiety personified. Gaslighting, regrets, and spiraling thinking. The crawling bassline builds this sense, as well, while somehow still staying within the realm of a really nostalgic era. “Is it really paranoia when it actually happens?” Halfway through this song speaks to my father directly: “You’re an idiot, for leaving the
people that love you.” HA!
Maybe similarly to bugs life, the lyrics start with more surface level spiraling, but then
peel back to a deeper source. Except, instead of resolving with a peppy, cheerful tone, this song
scratches deeper into a more layered pain. Screaming vocals, overlapping thoughts, "Am I good
enough?" I am thoroughly impressed with how well done this track is in its entirety, and the
vocal range (going from talking, to singing, to screaming--one at a time, then all at once, then
not at all) mixed with the instrumentation makes for an incredibly unique listening experience.
I’d imagine if I were having a particularly stressful day, this song could provide some catharsis.
internal dialogue ended up being my favorite track. A 10 minute 35 second song that absolutely
blows all others out of the water in terms of length and experimentation. Groovy at some parts, slow and sincere, “We’re supposed to stick together,” in others. Speeding up and slowing down, but eventually landing right into place within organized chaos. I don’t think I can overstate how incredible the composition is--the guitar is endearing, the bass is impressive (if I’m being honest, it is rare that I can single out bass for adding something special to a song, and throughout this album I have noticed and appreciated it every. single. track).
The messiness of the internal dialogue, itself, is exactly what makes this song perfect. I feel like I am genuinely getting to peer into Steven’s mind. The good thoughts, the silly thoughts, the bad thoughts, the angry thoughts. the weird thoughts. The everything. The voicemail adds an endearing personal touch. Truly a wonderful place to leave off this album.
In the highs and lows this album brought me, one thing is for certain: change is soon to come. I am excited to see the direction things turn in, sonically, but more importantly, I am excited to see how the underlying and overwhelmingly raw feelings and emotions that are the basis of this musical experience evolve over this next album cycle. I feel this is a special and intimate time capsule into the mind of steven shoelace in our great big universe. With a great adventure ahead, I can only imagine how the narrative changes.
"Goodbye, I guess."
9.5/10
Stream garden snakes.
-Izzy
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