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Fake Dad Confront Discomfort in New Single ‘I Like the Beach’

By Charlie Maybee

This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum.

The Brooklyn based indie alternative duo, Fake Dad, is back with the chill new single “I Like the Beach,” which has subtle allure in its spacious electronic beats driven by pulsing a bass along with a contrasting falsetto voice that pierces the contemplative atmosphere of the synthesizers.

With the opening line, “Not into beaches, but I enjoy riding the waves,” lead singer Andrea de Varona immediately subverts any expectations about pro-beach stances implied by the song’s title. Instead, it turns to a love song to express the way a significant other’s company can make you enjoy something that is ordinarily not of interest, as reflected in the chorus: “I like the beach only when I go with you.” Andrea de Varona wrote the song to celebrate her joyous, profound romance with bandmate Josh Ford.

Given that this song is about personal growth by trying something new or uncomfortable, the laidback composition of the music feels appropriately introspective. It leaves enough space to activate and float within emotions of comfort.

Perhaps, this is the soundtrack that plays in de Varona’s head when she’s forced to go to the beach because, as a listener, it feels offers the sensation of being carried. Overall, “I Like the Beach” is a lovely song that offers an example of learning to move through discomfort, but not by oneself – always with the love and support of those who make those uncomfortable experiences worth it.

“I Like the Beach” is available on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for this and more great music featured on the site.

Charlie Maybee

Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. 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 and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.

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