Diamond Back started as a desire to make something that would be one of those songs you put on your car stereo as you drive down a long and lonely road with the windows open.
Taking the idea literally we used the Diamond Back as being a snake-like road in front of you and gave it a bluesy groove and a repeating double kick beat to mimic the sound of the road.
Phil created a sliding chord pattern that alternated every other phrase by hitting an extra chord inside a triplet.
We put an extra beat in the intro to push the groove sideways just before the lyrics start to set a sense of catching up for a moment and to rhythmically suggest that this is where the journey begins.
Lyrically it's a contemplative look at one's own life through the lens of a mind that is lost on an internal journey from past to future.
We originally wrote this as a gritty southern rock style jam influenced by artists like The Black Crowes.
When we played this live we would alternate hitting the guitar with our thumbs to mimic the rumbles of the road.
In studio this song came together smoothly, once I finished writing it.
Phil and I had always assumed we'd put a third verse, but never wrote one, so I decided to add a solo section and revisit the chorus instead which I think works a lot better.
The band rocks out with crunchy guitars and thumping rhythm that take you on a ride along the long, black diamond back, still giving me the sense of that Black Crowes influence which is awesome.
I think it turned out pretty much the way we originally planned as a gritty, southern rock band style bar song.
Diamond Back
lyrics
Another victim of the road, choked on the dust of my soul.
Slow lonesome rumbles of the highway, forever calling me back home.
It's an uphill climb with the ending rolling out of sight
on this long black diamond back reaching for the fading light.
Next exit looming past the headlights, where even demons are alone.
A lonesome wanderer in the valley losing the fight to bitter cold.
I have to shade my eyes to reflections from the other side.
On this long black diamond back hitching for another ride.
But I've still got time, no matter how hard you tried.
On this long black diamond back searching for the end of time.
I'm gonna set my sights while I spread my wings and fly.
Over the long black diamond back leading to the end of the line.
credits
from Let Me Go,
released March 19, 2024
Written by Jean-Pierre Larda & Phil Short
Vocals - Jean-Pierre K. Larda
Backing Vocals - Cheryl Ireland
Drums - Aaron Spink
Guitars - Sean Roberts
Bass - Alex Paris
Produced by Jean-Pierre K. Larda
Additional production by John MacLeod
Recorded at Artist Development Studio, Courtice
Engineered and mixed by Alex Paris
Mastered by John MacLeod at Sweet Daddy Sound, Ajax
Rising Philadelphia band balance oversized pop punk hooks with vivid, intimate lyrics, presenting a raw, honest vision of guitar music. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2022
