“River Runs Through” illuminates Lea Thomas’ insightful perspective on making music, while taking viewers on a visual journey through Japan in the artist’s new 8mm music video.
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Stream: “River Runs Through” – Lea Thomas
It is easy to forget the actual power that music has on our lives.
Music has the power to make us dance, cry, laugh, and shout. Even though music is often seen as a stimulator of active emotions, it also has the power to calm us down. Especially in modern society, where our minds are often messy, chaotic, and loud; finding a song that brings one’s mind peace and comfort is a valuable thing.
Lea Thomas seems to understand the importance of this power, as beautifully showcased on her recent single, “River Runs Through.”
Hudson, New York-based Lea Thomas grew up on the island of Maui in Hawai’i, but also connects deeply to her Japanese heritage. “Growing up half-Japanese, I often felt like I lived between cultures and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring how this perspective has permeated my life story.”
The videos that accompany “We Must Be In Love” (Thomas’ previous single) and “River Runs Through” explore the dichotomy between these two sides to her culture, with the former being shot in Maui and the latter being shot while on a trip to Japan. The imagery in both videos contextualizes each song with an assortment of stunning scenery shot on 8mm film.
A river runs through us
It pushes and pulls us
A room full of strangers
To witness each other
And what kind of magic
Has brought us together
“This song was inspired by my own reflections on how geography and ancestry shape our experiences as individuals, and also how all of the rivers that run through each of us are always just rippling and colliding together into this greater flow of time and space.”
Thomas’ perspective is simultaneously refreshing and familiar, serving as a reminder to the listener that we have more in common with each other than one might think.
Her lyrics also align with a number of philosophies, most notably the Buddhist idea that life is like a body of water, with waves of causes and effects rippling through each other in constant motion and connection. Though I am not sure how Thomas would identify her personal philosophy, I as a listener found this connection very meaningful while watching the video taking place in Japan (it reminded me of my grandmother, who studied Japanese Zen Buddhism throughout her life, in case anyone is curious).
The song itself is just over 8 minutes long, which is notably longer than the songs that I usually review. But the patience it takes to listen from beginning to end feels more like a gift than a burden. This is seemingly a result of Thomas’ own patience in allowing her fellow musicians to take up space and set musical intentions in the live room, while recording.
“I had the intention of leaving room for my band to stretch out on the recording of this song in particular – and I feel like that specific time and place influenced us to be more intentional and responsive to each other because we were able to really listen.”
A river runs through us
It runs on forever
It gathers our stories
Of love and of worry
A mirror before us
Above and below us
That brings us together
While this song allows the listener to relax into its peaceful composition, it also invites us to open our eyes to the present moment and recognize the river that runs through our lives for what it is.
It is an invitation to take a deep breath and remember that you are alive and connected to the world and fellow creatures around you everyday! It is all too easy to become cynical about modern society… I would know. But the truth about society is much more nuanced and paradoxically simple than a negative approach would have us believe. Lea Thomas recognizes this truth and creates a world within her music to embrace the connection that flows through and between each of us.
“When we were recording this album, we set up in the round, tracking live in a room where the windows overlooked the woods. I remember it was really quiet outside – no wind, and there were no leaves left on the trees to rustle anyway. Every sound we made felt amplified against the stillness of the season.”
If you are a fan of “River Runs Through,” be sure to give Lea Thomas’ new album, Cosmos Forever, a genuine listen and check out her accompanying music videos on YouTube.
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:: stream/purchase Cosmos Forever here ::
:: connect with Lea Thomas here ::
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Stream: “River Runs Through” – Lea Thomas
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© Wyndham Garnett
© Wyndham Garnett
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