An impassioned song of support, hope, and spirit, Buddie’s “In Aquamarine” off their forthcoming debut album ‘Diving’ is an outstretched pop/rock hand ready to shoulder our burdens and help however it can.
Stream: “In Aquamarine” – Buddie
“You against the world,” sings Buddie’s Dan Forrest in his band’s feverish new single. Too often, when the walls close in on us, they close in on us alone; it’s hard to feel connected to anyone when we’re dealing with such strong inner pain – – be it anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, illness… It’s hard to imagine things getting better, just as it’s hard to accept help from the outside. Yet no matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone, and as Buddie’s “In Aquamarine” reminds us, it’s not you against the world: An impassioned song of support, hope, and spirit, “In Aquamarine” is an outstretched pop/rock hand ready to shoulder our burdens and help however it can.
You against the world
Always something in the way
Against the world
But you want it all
It’s you against the world
Take it to it every day
Against the world
But what goes around comes around
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “In Aquamarine,” the second single off Buddie’s upcoming debut album Diving (out August 4, 2020 via Pittsburgh’s Crafted Sounds). The Philadelphia-based indie rock/pop band of Dan Forrest, Danielle Farley, Brian Thomas, and David Dean, Buddie arrived hot on the scene in 2018, ready to roll with raw vigor and deep intent. “They’re like a young 1990s Weezer, just figuring things out and otherwise making it up as they go along,” wrote Atwood Magazine in February 2019, “only in this case, it’s with an incredibly keen mind for lyrical vulnerability and fuzzy, jammy rock goodness. The band’s debut EP Change of Scenery was hailed as a “refreshing dip in the deep end of raw DIY rock,” and paved the way for the more finessed, sonically invigorating Diving.
Describing themselves as writing “fuzzy, poppy, rock songs about social anxiety, environmentalism, and trying to be a good person,” Buddie excel throughout their first full-length. With production by Keith Abrams (The Districts, Vundabar, Pine Barons) and mastering by Ryan Schwabe (Hop Along, Trace Mountains, Mal Blum), their latest set of songs are their sharpest work yet. Lead single “Heartbeat” was piercing and pointed, with just enough rollicking guitars and overdrive to help Forrest’s sweeping melodies really pop.
As its follow-up, “In Aquamarine” feels looser, more restless and less controlled: It’s the garage band making the loud sounds and dynamic contrasts they loved doing without abandon as teens, now just with a little more finesse and a lot more intent. Forrest’s voice aches with emotion as he sings into the mic:
Up on the third floor in C2
In a bathtub full of shampoo
She’ll be singing Elliot Smith
Sung for too long through her purple lips
A mind of pure artistry
watching Gilmore Girls season 3
Until she’s hungry
Cooks macaroni and cheese
And for five minutes she’ll feel so serene
In aquamarine
“‘In Aquamarine’ was one of those songs that initially came together pretty quickly for me, in about a night,” Forrest recalls. “It’s about someone near and dear to me struggling to find their place, feeling lost, and trying to find comfort in the little things in the meantime. When you’re struggling, it’s easy to find yourself wondering why, and start blaming yourself for your circumstance, and that can lead to feeling hopeless, or depressed. If you’re in that place, it can feel insurmountable, but someone you love will still see all your beauty, gifts, and can try to offer a path forward. This song was my attempt to encourage, to remind them of all that they’ve already accomplished, to tell them they’re good enough. I felt like my daily optimism and words of encouragement started sounding abrasive, even nauseating, as the situation remained the same, and so, I took a kind of “show, don’t tell” approach with these lyrics. They serve me the same way that I hope they serve [that person], and I hope these words can help anyone listening feel warm and crack a smile too.”
As a unit, Buddie bring Forrest’s vision to life with a wallop of heartfelt, patient charm. Their song is respectful of the individual’s hardship, while nodding to the helpless and hopeless perspective of their loved ones. The band exhibit care and control while still letting the riffs fly.
You against the world
Always something in the way
Against the world
But you want it all
It’s you against the world
Take it to it every day
Against the world
But what goes around comes around
“When I brought it to the band, things clicked pretty quickly,” Forrest tells Atwood Magazine. “Adding Danielle’s guitar line, that descending riff with the drone note, felt like one of the key pieces to getting it where it needed to go, sonically. When we got into the studio with Sean Reilly, Danielle, David, and Brian all recently cemented their parts, and the song was really fresh in our minds. That gave us a lot of energy and enthusiasm during those sessions, in addition to Sean being the kindest, ultra-encouraging person, and I think that energy comes through in the track. Keith Abrams put his usual magic touch on the song in mixing, especially at the beginning of the second chorus, where the drums get super compressed and everything kind of sucks out. I think that moment gives you a second to breathe, and take in the melody, during such a high energy song, and I give him full credit for making that come through.”
But she’s got big dreams in her heart
Even if she can’t quite find her start
She’s making big moves every day
Got five interviews from her resume
She’ll substitute teach,
or even park your Mercedes
Until she gets hers
And when she finds what she needs
She’ll take the plunge, goes head first
She’s smiling, while she’s diving in
Uplifting in spite of the pain that inspired it, “In Aquamarine” showcases the best of Buddie: A Philadelphia band trying to do good, by helping us feel good. Stream their latest single exclusively on Atwood Magazine; Diving is out everywhere August 4, 2020!
You against the world
Always something in the way
Against the world
But you want it all
It’s you against the world
Take it to it every day
Against the world
But what goes around comes around
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Stream: “In Aquamarine” – Buddie
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