Luke Gard - “Ashes and Wounds”

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Luke Gard delivers a wonderfully folksy soundscape by way of his latest release: “Ashes and Wounds.”

A cajon ignites the rhythm of the track, moderately upbeat and warmly inviting as the tones of a piano arrive. The sound beholds all the evidence of an analogue recording and if you told us that it was being performed live in the next room, we would have no choice but to believe you. An acoustic guitar richly accentuates the rhythm as “Ashes and Wounds” rises to its full form, beautifully setting a somber vibe for our chilly, midwestern morning.

Some lap steel pours itself into the sonic space, reminding us of why we first fell in love with this dreamy, ethereal instrument. And it is here that Gard begins his honest and emotive vocal performance, delving into some darker subject matter before ultimately revealing a glimmer of hope. His voice is slightly reminiscent of Ben Gibbard, both in tone and delivery, and once we heard him sing, we knew that we had to feature “Ashes and Wounds” on the blog.

On the middle eight, your ears shall be filled with a remarkable call and response between the piano and lap steel– the sounds dreamily dance with each other, overlapping and transcending the heart of the track. “Ashes and Wounds” is a song that will sit with you long after you’ve heard it, so you might as well play it again.

-HD