Ian Fisher sings with a voice that has seen the world, so it’s no wonder his new song “Icarus” challenges American Folk as we know it.
for fans of Gregory Alan Isakov and Damien Rice
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Greek mythology has a tendency to pose a Catch-22 for artists searching for a metaphor: The tradeoff is a near universal understanding of a story, for the cost of being compared to every other song, poem, or film that shares that tale. Fortunately for Ian Fisher, his latest single “Icarus” certainly does the ancient figure justice. Melancholy keys trace Fisher’s crooning to create an intimate song that sounds like he’s right in the room with you.
somewhere there’s gotta be someone
holding out a line that can pull me in
from the reckless abandon of flying
too close to the sun playing icarus
somewhere there’s gotta be someway
for me to finally give in
and let myself love someone else again
Listen: “Icarus” – Ian Fisher
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/431733897?secret_token=s-xUw3d” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Icarus,” the latest single off Ian Fisher’s upcoming album, Idle Hands (out August 31, 2018). The search for “somewhere” isn’t just a theme of this track – it’s a huge part of Fisher’s career. Originally hailing from rural Missouri, he’s spent the past decade travelling the world, never staying in one place for more than just a month. Knowing that, the “someone” he’s looking for to pull him in holds much more significance, as it would certainly take a force to take him off the road he’s been travelling for so long. It’s as hopeful as it is poignant, as though finally coming down may be as great a loss as never finding someone worth coming down for.
she’d say “come down
you’ve been up in the clouds
flying around
trying to figure out
what’s up what’s down
there’s no shame
in changing the game
moving pieces
that you play around
’til you hit the ground
now get lost
cause that’s the
only way to get found”
It’s no coincidence that Ian Fisher’s music is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac, Bill Withers, and the sounds of the ’70s, as he considers them to be some of his greatest influences. “Though this life of touring around and constantly seeing just how far I can go or how much I can take often makes me feel like the protagonist of that Greek myth that gave this song its name, the real musical inspiration was the song ‘Amelia’ by my hero Joni Mitchell” Fisher says, “I tried to mix elements of what she did with her lyrics and the vibe of that song with another hero of mine, Bill Withers. I nearly cry every time the drums and strings come in on ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and we used that as something for which to aim.” It’s safe to say he’s hitting the mark.
somewhere there’s gotta be someone
holding out a line that can pull me in
from the reckless abandon of flying
too close to the sun playing icarus
somewhere there’s gotta be someway
for me to finally give in
and let myself love someone else again
Folk traditionally relies on Americana influences and tropes, and the lack thereof in Fisher’s music lends itself to a sound that is immediately authentic. Indeed, Rolling Stone last year described Idle Hands as a “world traveller’s perspective on American folk-rock,” a niche genre that could very well be the next frontier for folk. The nostalgia element is also deeply present in “Icarus,” from the simplicity of the lyrics to the hopeful wonder behind the repetition of “someone,” “somewhere,” and “someway.” Although the song ultimately tackles some somber thoughts, there’s also an optimism that shines through and gives light to the imagery of Icarus flying too close to the sun.
Stream Ian Fisher’s “Icarus” exclusively on Atwood Magazine! Fisher’s album Idle Hands is out at the end of the month on August 31, 2018.
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? © David Johnson
