Dawson James - “Hit The Road”
It is with great pleasure that we welcome to the blog the wonderfully folksy sounds of Dawson James and his new single, “Hit The Road.”
For a tune that was recorded live, it is as robust as any studio track that has rolled through our site. It begins with some raw guitar plucking and some soft, droning notes from a harmonica. The sound is truly a delight to experience in all of its stripped-back and analogue glory, and upon the arrival of James’ honest and heartfelt vocal delivery, “Hit The Road” has completely won us over.
James’ voice is full of character and warmth, immediately inviting you into his captivating and melodic world. On the hook, there is a subtle harmony that smoothly adheres to the lead, elevating the production and enticing all who hear to sing along. When James ventures into his upper register, his vocal is reminiscent of both Caamp and Mt. Joy, which showcases his natural talent– he was definitely born to sing.
The first half of the track is reasonably sparse in its arrangement, but some nice, round bass appears at the end of the second verse as a precursor to the forthcoming expansion. Just after the arrival of some lead guitar ear candy, an upbeat, percussive breakdown occurs, complete with foot stomps and handclaps before flowing into a tastefully gritty guitar solo.
The end section of the song acts as a sort of celebration, as James adds: “”Hit The Road” is a song meant for late night drives with the windows down, bonfires, and roadtrips. It's about finding life and freedom in discovering new places and the people you surround yourself with. Personally, it's about my journey and realization as I moved from my small hometown to different parts of the U.S, then back to my hometown.”
“Hit The Road” is a fantastic and enthralling trip through some good, old-fashioned Americana, without falling too closely into alt-country, which is just the way we like it. It’s folksy enough to resonate with listeners from multiple genres, and we are looking forward to hearing more from this North Carolina-based songwriter.
-HD