The Music and Planet Project

Community is one of the first words that comes to mind when listening to the latest track “Barefoot” from Swallowtail and the Kaleidoscope. Though led by a clear and singular vocalist, the song is defined by a community of musicians that fill the backdrop with the pluckings, strummings, and thwackings of upright bass, snare drum, piano, and accordion.

When mixed together, these instruments form a colorful and warm tapestry of sound for the listener to delight in.

There is a great deal to dig into here about this quirky troupe of musicians from Washington State, but we’ll have to stick to what we can fit into a single page. Lyrics-wise, “Barefoot” evokes images of life in the vast mountains of the Northwest through lines like “Don’t need no pocket to carry water when you live on the river” and “I go barefoot, ain’t got no bootstrap, can’t tie me down”. Sitting here, writing this in my urban dwelling, I felt a wave of tranquility wash over as the music transported me away from the constant hum and buzz of cars and people. 

Aside from the lyrics, the track’s accompanying music conjures a scene of a group of musicians gathered in a house somewhere with microphones scattered throughout the room to capture the varied elements of the sound. Rather than zero in on every single note and compress it into perfect sonic clarity, the band focuses more on the overall vibe and how the instruments and vocals blend together in the creation of their sound. The drums, rather than drive the beat with perfectly precise thumps (as we are accustomed to hearing in modern music), provide more of a textural backdrop and give the listener a feel for the room in addition to a sense of the beat. In this world of warm and blended sonic elements, spontaneity drives the narrative, as little pops and sparkles of different instruments regularly bubble up and create intrigue. 

Overall, if you’re looking for music driven by community, spontaneity, and experimentation, Swallowtail and the Kaleidoscope are a go-to choice. Their sound is both expansive and democratic, evoking scenes of communal joy through the creation of music. For a listener like me, “Barefoot” was a refreshing change of pace and a different experience of music than what I am accustomed to in the modern day. And, similarly, if you’re like me in that you live among the bustle of city life, this music is a ticket into another world – one with a backdrop of mountains, clear waters, and open skies. 

Stream Barefoot by Swallowtail and the Kaleidoscope here.