If you’re not paying attention to Gar Hole Records – and their even smaller, preexisting sibling label, Tape Dad – you’re missing out. These two independent labels work closely together, delivering an impressive collection of music. Together, they create a musical aura – a starburst of colors expressed through song and sound, from an array of artists who are true individuals brimming over with genuine individuality.
This is especially true for Grady Philip Drugg, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose latest release, 4, was self-recorded in a converted garage studio in Springfield, Missouri. Drugg played most of the instruments, crafting an intimate, hands-on sound reminiscent of artists like Brian Wilson, Elliott Smith, and The Shins.
4 marks Drugg’s fourth solo effort, and it swings through an emotional pendulum of discovery, reflection, and remorse. There are moments of intense self-loathing that make you question the more ambiguous tracks – wondering whether to defend Drugg from the pain they’re conveying or to offer comfort, realizing they might be their own greatest adversary. Either way, you can’t help but feel the weight of Drugg’s world throughout the album.
Since 2018, Drugg has mainly played the role of sideman, supporting artists like Willi Carlisle and Dylan Earl, amongst others. Drawing from those experiences, Drugg set out to write songs of substance – songs that could stand on their own, without relying on flashy studio tricks or overly complex arrangements.. The result is 4, and Meanwhile in Music is here for it.
– @meanwhile_in_music
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