Gavin and the Piano – Live in California/Up North (2022)
Through his double single release Live in California/Up North, Gavin and the Piano takes us on a road trip from LA to New York. Between the two tracks, he showcases his musical versatility, moving from sunshine-packed California to rich ballad tones in New York. As he taps into two different musical flows, he considers the trappings and frustration of vanity and the culture it lives in, before leaving it all behind for some smooth and lush beauty.
Written after a messy separation with a scam record label and a drunken late-night jam session, these tracks touch on familiar influences while shining with a refreshingly modern touch. Gavin Serafini, the man behind the music, weaves musical threads together to create a connection with the world and share experiences, thoughts and emotions in a language we all understand. Adding his unique musical flair to the sound, he brings something exciting and fresh to our ears.
‘Live in California’ brings the sunshine of California to life with the shimmer of tones in the opening. The vocals have a rather hazy feeling to them that fills the single with warmth and bright lights. There is a wonderfully upbeat pop feeling to this track that taps into some retro tones while getting you bopping away to the sound. The bright feeling and sighing backing vocals are a little at odds with the substance of the lyrics. While Gavin’s vocals have a sunny vibe, the lyrics delve into vanity, narcissism and a general sense of frustration with the culture of LA. This all comes together for a rather tongue-in-cheek flow that is a lot of fun to listen to while making the misery of the lyrics entirely too engaging. It is an extremely catchy song that hides its true depths in the lightness of the melody.
The music changes completely for ‘Up North’ with a more acoustic feeling to the melody. The piano that opens that track leads you into a slow meander into the rich melodic harmonies of the guitar, harmonica and piano. Gavin’s vocals match this slow walk through the beauty of the surroundings, as the lyrics detail all the natural beauty on offer. While he paints a stunning picture through his performance, there is a feeling that everything you see is not enough to replace the company of someone you love. Not only is the music a fantastic showcase of his versatility, but the swing in emotion from one song to the next highlights his compositional skills. This track is easy and soft, lifting all stress from you as you bask in the stunning visuals he paints, before a little pang of longing for a loved one hits you.
Through his double single release Live in California/Up North, Gavin and the Piano moves from frustration wrapped in sunshine tones to natural beauty that doesn’t compare to a loved one. Across these two tracks, he showcases not only his musical versatility, but also his emotive prowess. Filling you with lively energy hiding a deep frustration, only to lift it for a soft and gentle touch, he swings you between emotional extremes with masterful ease.
Find out more about Gavin and the Piano on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
