By Charlie Maybee
Portland-based folk musician, Jesse Carsten (known under the moniker Half Shadow), is mustering up haunting melodies with the new single “Moonless” which released today, March 4. A contemporary take on the psychedelic surround sound of Pink Floyd, this is a song that feels dark and raw despite its drive coming from the plucking of an acoustic guitar.
Half Shadow encapsulates the moody mystique of the song by describing it as “an ethereally soft folk song that explodes into a transcendent anthem of self-discovery at the midway mark. ‘Moonless (Unmoored)’ is full of mysterious drones, glistening finger-picked guitar, squealing free jazz violin, and whispered words revealing an unseen world.”
As the volume and instrumentation increase and swell, it has the feeling of being caught in riptide – there is no easy way out if you fight it. You must follow the current in order to get back to the shore. It is easy to become untethered listening to a song like this because of how naturally it can sweep you up and away.
For those new to Half Shadow’s catalogue, you do not have to wait long for more as the new album At Home With My Candles is due to be released on April 8, on Bud Tapes and Dove Cove Records. Mark your calendars so that they may take you on another ethereal journey driven by the acoustic madness of this psychedelic folk rock.
“Moonless (Unmoored)” is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Follow our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Winchester, Virginia who currently teaches in the Dance Division of the Shenandoah Conservatory. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression. He also currently fronts local hard rock band, The Aftershakes, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
