Harrisburg-based band Pullin’ Daisies released yet another excellent track March 26 titled “This Feeling” and no surprise, I’ve got feelings about it. Spoiler: the feelings are positive — I love the track. “This Feeling” is a conflicted, highly emotional track simplistic in its lyrics but expansive in what it is conveying. Before I get fully into my thoughts on the song, let me brag for a moment.
I managed to get contact information for the band members when I briefly met them while they were recording a live set in a friend’s business. Say what you want about me, but when I’m around cool people, my networking abilities kick right in. I reached out to Jalyn Rodriguez and Nick Madigan of Pullin’ Daisies and got some insider information about the track and current goings-on with the band.
Not to sound like a grade-A hipster, but you probably haven’t heard of Pullin’ Daisies. Like I mentioned, they’re local to this area and they’ve got a very folk punk, DIY punk sort of sound that I adore. In case folk punk isn’t your scene, an article from Medium describes it as “a combination of the acoustic instruments and personal stories of folk music and the anarchist leanings of punk.”
“This Feeling” definitely fits the bill. The first moments of the track hold the listener in a stillness as they try to make out the meaning of the ambient noise before an acoustic guitar comes in, and then a moment later, trumpet. “We used a broken synthesizer and [Madigan] used the broken parts of it, haha.” Rodriguez wrote. “It oscillates so it makes a cool noise! DIY scene!” This is exactly why I love folk punk, honestly. The creativity of the people involved as they combine novel elements with classics is sometimes inspiring.
“I wanted to create a super unique acoustic soundscape.” Madigan wrote. “What better way than a trumpet to cut through the mix and give it that special flair?”
The song absolutely has flair, and I’m personally obsessed. Beyond instrumentals there is also a fun balance of traditionally sung lyrics and a background screamed version of them for emphasis. Again, if folk punk isn’t your scene, you may not love this, but I totally would recommend checking this song and the band out!
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too much longer for new music from Pullin’ Daisies. Madigan let me know that their next album “Gihc ext.” is going to be released May 31. “It’s a story that our previous EP’s were trying to tell, but told the way I’ve always wanted,” Madigan wrote. That’s super intriguing if you ask me, and if you’re reading my review then you sort of are. So, to sum up my ever important opinions: “This Feeling” is stellar, Pullin’ Daisies continues to produce excellent music and everyone should engage with their local music scene. Check Bandcamp and find whatever is around you, because I promise there will be something amazing.
