Do you hear that? It’s the sound of summer.
The birds are singing.
The bees are buzzing.
The cowboys are crooning in the church.
While a song and video that evoke the sleepy sun of a western might not be everyone’s go-to for the season, there is something distinctly summery about new duo Horsebath’s video for their track “Baby.”
Comprised of members Daniel Connolly and Keast Mutter, the duo is currently based out of Margaree Forks, Nova Scotia, where the pair of musicians are residing on a farm. While working the fields out in the small Cape Breton community, they’re preparing in advance of recording their first album in Halifax this July. And as far as first impressions go, Horsebath makes a strong one in this live performance.
Filmed out at St. Andrews United Church, the mood for the duo is immediately captured and imprinted on the viewer. With subtly gorgeous footage of the church’s grand interior and the image of Connolly and Mutter clad in cowboy regalia and sleeping in sunbeams, it is an expertly shot homage to western film. The performance section of the video centers just on the two musicians, but closes with a clever button on the cowboy dreams the pair stirred up.
“Baby” as a track alone stands strong as well. Horsebath has a clear vision for the energy they want to create- equal parts playful outlaw country and swaggering rock’n’roll, served on a spurred platter. The acoustic and electric play interestingly together in the acoustics of the big, empty church, and the pair’s vocals harmonize tastefully in the ascending chorus. The slowly bouncing wagon of a song never falters, and above all else, you can see just how much fun the two are having.
Horsebath is giving the perfect taste of what else might be coming out of that farmhouse in Margaree Forks. While no strangers to the east coast scene- the pair having collaborated on travelling music documentary Driftwood trail last summer – there is a fresh energy to this project that leaves the listener wanting more. Here’s hoping it’s not too dusty a trail between now and July.
Tour Dates:
07.01.21 – Port Hood, NS @ Port Hood Ceilidh