WL//WH is pleased to Premiere Spirit Award, the moniker of Seattle-based singer/songwriter Daniel Lyon, along with bassist and collaborator Chris Jordan (Sunny Day Real Estate), for his single “Shame and Guilt”, a second teaser from the 10-track LP “The Fear” scheduled for release on May 19, 2023 via Share It Music / Sub Pop Records (Distribution).
The band’s vision has always been to make something with intention, love, vulnerability, raw emotion, and authenticity that captures the human spirit. The sound has morphed into a feeling and sound that is motorik, psychedelic, fuzzy, ethereal, driving, and aggressive but still maintains some pop sensibilities, citing the work of Arthur Russell, Neu!, and Suicide among their inspiration.
The new album, “The Fear”, co-produced and mixed at Way Out in Woodinville, Washington by Trevor Spencer (Beach House, Father John Misty, Valley Maker), is an exploration of the supernatural, love, dreaming/waking, and most of all facing the things that scare you or you think you can’t do, all encompassed in a warping and changing landscape. Shedding your perceived notions of what you think life or the world is and being open to new ideas or experiences.
“For me, this song is about having mental clarity, or a realization that changes your perspective on the world, yourself or your life view. Growing up, I was taught to feel guilty and ashamed for a lot of things in my life that no one really should. So when I wrote this song, I wanted to channel all that negative energy and channel it into something that felt freeing. It’s sort of a proclamation song for anyone going through a transitional period, or that needs to let out some unwanted energy that’s been holding them back.”
An alternate timeline of distorted perceptions drives chugging and droning synth-basslines, steady marching drum beats, meandering sparkling guitar melodies, and stabbing clangorous riffs, into dark abrasive bursts around slightly reverbed numb yet strained vocal grief, collapsing achingly into a heavy burden of “Guilt and Shame.”
Spirit Award‘s upcoming full-length LP, “The Fear”, is slated for release, in Ltd. Vinyl 12″ & Digital formats, on May 19, 2023 via Share It Music / Sub Pop Records (Distribution)
Keep up with Spirit Award:
photo by @merepaul
