Seldom do you get to sit back and enjoy country pop-rock in its rawest, most sentimental form, but Canadian band JukeBox County — and their new album, Inner Space/Outer Space, — can give you just that.
Produced by Hugh Christopher Brown through Wolfe Island Records, the 10-track release marks the official rollout of Kingston-based artist Rich Tyo’s creative identity. The song “Words” draws inspiration from Rich’s day-to-day experiences working as a mental health crisis worker.
A warm and heartfelt song about adventure, travel, and new love, the song also touches on the difficulty of communication and vulnerability in relationships and with ourselves, Rich said.
“The song ‘Words’ delves into the most intimate and challenging aspects of human connection and communication, and the limitations (and necessity) of words and the power of human closeness and physical touch.”
Upon first listen, “Words” doesn’t necessarily come across as a song laden with such a salient message. However, when you watch its music video, you really get a feel for the overall imagery JukeBox County is trying to create.
The video was conceptualized, filmed, edited and directed by Juno-winning director and film-maker Sean Michael Turrell (Hawksley Workman’s ‘Jealous of your Cigarette’ video).
With a sound that already hints of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, with a splash of the Rolling Stones for good measure, “Words” is a release ready to whisk audiences down a bumpy, half-paved backcountry road at its first opportunity.
And that, it does.
“Making the video, we got dressed up and performed the song on the back of a big pick up truck,” Rich recalled. “We rode along the main strip of Marysville, Wolfe Island…
“There is an homage to Bob Dylan’s video ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ in the selective lyrics on sheets of paper, too,” he continued. “Some of these ended up being subliminal poetic messages…”
While Rich Tyo took the bull by the horns when it comes to the production of “Words,” it’s worth mentioning the bandmates responsible for the comfortable and twangy feel. Focusing on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Rich recruited Hugh Christopher Brown to play keys while working on tracking the album.
From there, “Words” features Jason Mercer on the bass guitar, Greg Beresford on the drums, Teddy Kumpel on electric guitar, and Teilhard Frost on percussion. Hugh Christopher Brown makes another appearance in the background vocals, as well as Sarah McDermott. What an all-star cast!
“Words” is available now.
