A new release from Group W brings out a cinematic and atmospheric vibe with swelling synths and a vastness that gives the song its own space and atmosphere along with some emotional drive vocally and lyrically.
"Our House" feels extremely personal right from the get-go by the time you get midway through the song you have this gigantic and lush feel that engulfs you, but it feels good when it happens.
One of the most impressive things about this song is its ability to wrap itself around you especially vocally.
The track bears such a full-bodied style with the vocals, the layering, and how everything flows together like water and surrounds you so you can swim through it all.
You really get this one-on-one feeling from it and that cinematic undertone is very strong and peeks its head out more than a few times throughout the single, giving it an additional sense of self-awareness in a way.
This whole thing was quite wonderfully woven and has a beauty to it that almost paints a picture for you to see in your head which really gives it even more of its own legs to stand on because you get this feeling of escapism.
Songs like this whether they're meant for escapism or not, are wonderful to get transported to different places and this one has the ability to make memories of your own pop into your head.
This was very subtle but that soul is so evident and that's part of why the song works so well.
The track has its own vibe and presence to it that really has a way of giving you something that feels like it's yours even though you know it's not.
And that's what good music is here for. It's supposed to be connected like this song and make you feel like you're a part of it or it's a part of you.
You really feel like the song is a part of one of the chapters of your own life and maybe that's what Group W set out for.
Either way with the release of the single, we wanted to have a chat with the group to find out where it actually came from and what might be next for them.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Let's kick things off with "Our House". This single had massive and cinematic feels to it! Where did this track come from?
I love the theme song for Portlandia, so I was trying to create something in that style. While I was playing it for my writing partner in GROUP W Chris Grunwald, hoping he’d come up with a melody and some words for it, he went to grab a beer in my kitchen.
I had left my little radio on in there and the original version of the song was playing. He noticed that magically my track, being played in my studio down the hall, was matching up perfectly with what was on the radio. He came running down the hall, beer in hand and said “Push record right now”. He put on his headphones, stepped up in front of the mic and began to sing. I had no idea what was going on until I heard the first few words and I was like “nooooo wayyyyy”…. It didn’t take long for us to figure out we had created something bizarre and awesome.
After a few days of mixing we realized we needed the magical touch of Philadelphia’s best singer Emily Drinker, so we sent her the track to record some parts for us at her home studio. When we got it back we were blown away. She wrote harmonies neither of use would have ever come up with. She’s a lot younger than us and her addition to the track really brought it up a few extra levels.
RAG: When did this all start for you? When did you fall in love with music?
I’m from a musical family and grew up in a family that would gather around a piano and sing songs. So pretty much since birth music has been my thing.
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
Everything and anything.
RAG: This single has some great styles! Can you give us some of your top musical influences?
The Beatles, Metallica, Coldplay, System of a Down, Tony Rice, Polyphia, Nickel Creek
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Sleeping.
RAG: Who's in your headphones right now?
Nathan Moore, one of the most amazing undiscovered artists of all time.
RAG: Are you doing any live performances right now?
As Group W, no. It is a recording project. Chris and I have been full-time gigging musicians for a long time and we just wanted to have a recording project and not have to worry about playing live because for as much fun as it is, it’s a huge pain in the ass.
RAG: This single feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
It was not a big undertaking at all. Artists love to pretend like it’s hard to release music, but it’s not. Just make it, release it and move on.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
More recordings of songs we have written. “Our House” is the only cover on the EP. We’re really much more interested in original music.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Can you grab me a beer from the fridge?