Richmond’s Downhaul released their new album How To Begin today via Self Aware Records, and it’s another great one. It finds them pulling from alt-country, indie rock, emo, and a little post-rocky atmosphere, coming out with something that sits nicely between Goodness-era Hotelier and the recent “post-country” bands like Ratboys and Wednesday. And, as on every Downhaul record, Gordon Phillips’ highly distinct voice jumps out at you and pulls you right in.
To celebrate the release of the record, Gordon (who’s also written for BV) and his bandmates have made us a list of 10 songs they love that pass the “campfire test.” “A major touchstone for the writing process of our new record was whether any given song could stand on its own when played only on acoustic guitar–like, say, around a campfire,” Gordon says. “In that spirit, we wanted to share some of our favorite ‘campfire songs,’ in no order.”
The list includes songs by The Cure, Sugar, The Flaming Lips, Jawbreaker, Fleet Foxes, Grateful Dead, and more, and you can read on to see the band’s picks and what they had to say about each one.
The Cure – “Just Like Heaven”
My favorite song! There’s a reason this song is covered so often. The big open chords sound great acoustic and are easy to play. I think this one is popular enough that you will hopefully get some folks singing along, but the lyrics and melody are so pleasant on their own that even if nobody around the fire knows it, they will be sure to enjoy. –Gordon Phillips
Sugar – “If Can’t Change Your Mind (Solo Mix)”
The original is a banger in its own right, but this version highlights Bob Mould’s simple yet catchy hammer on/off melody on what is most definitely a twelve string. It’s also one of the few breakup songs that is poignant without being mawkish. -Andrew Seymour (drums)
Foxwarren – “Your Small Town”
Strip away the admittedly beautiful ornamentation on this track and you’re left with a song that stands on its own two feet even in its most bare form. Not surprising from a project masterminded by proven singer-songwriter extraordinaire Andy Shauf. -Chandler Brooks (bass)
The Flaming Lips – “Do You Realize??”
This one’s maybe lost its luster over the years but my memory attached to this song is being at Earth Day 2009 on the National Mall front row for a Lips performance and I touched the ball and sang this song with my friends. Corny but poignant lyrics always land at the fire, I think. – Robbie Ludvigsen (guitar)
Jawbreaker – “Chesterfield King”
I’m cheating a little bit on this one, because the acoustic arrangement of this song that I love so much is actually a Northstar cover with some very tasteful slide guitar in there. But this is how you demonstrate that you’re the most punk person currently eating s’mores. Evocative lyrics, nice variance in the strum pattern–can you imagine camping with Blake? –GP
Fleet Foxes – “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”
During my sophomore year of high school, I had a crush on a very granola guy in my British Literature class. He wore short khaki shorts, had a tousled mop of dirty blonde hair, and adored this album. The crush may have faded but this album, and this song in particular, left a lasting imprint on my taste in music. -CB
Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
This came out when I was 15 and completely rewired my brain. I never had the patience to learn how to fingerpick, so I lazily copied Justin’s signature clawhammer style and have stuck with it ever since. To the handful of people I subjected to me singing this song over actual campfires, I owe you a beverage of your choice. -AS
Grateful Dead – “Dire Wolf”
-An underrated Dead singalong. Too much pedal steel on the studio version but I think Jerry Garcia with an acoustic guitar is enough to get this song across the plate. People say this is about the Manson family, but that’s not true actually. It’s just a fun take on Scottish folk songs from Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia; see the “Fennario” inclusion. – RL
Old Crow Medicine Show – “Wagon Wheel”
I know, I know–you’re sick of it. You’re sick of the Darrius Rucker cover, you’re sick of hearing it at open mic nights, you’re sick of hearing that Bob Dylan may or may not have written some of it. All those valid gripes acknowledged, if you really want to get people singing along, there’s simply no better choice. And the Laura Jane Grace cover is great–shouts out to The Revival Tour. –GP
Rhianna – “Umbrella”
Like Hesh from The Sopranos said, “a hit is a hit.” The chords are easy, the melodies top tier, and the chorus is etched into every millennial’s brain. Most of us can’t sing like Rhianna, but the subtle roar of a fire is sure to drown out the flat notes. -AS