Most of the time, it’s the vocals and lyrics that deliver a song’s stories and emotions to the listener, however, sometimes a song only needs its instruments to convey the same. When all pieces come together, an instrumental song can be just as, if not more powerful, than some of the best lyrics ever written. From Beethoven and Mozart to Ellington and Goodman to Monroe and Scruggs – their music can deliver pain, love, sadness, hope and more without a single word uttered. Carrying on that musical torch is Bluegrass newcomer Carley Arrowood, who is set to release her incredible debut album Goin’ Home Comin’ On this Friday, April 8th. At the halfway point of the album’s 12 tracks, the listener comes upon Arrowood’s instrumental masterpiece, “Double Sunset.”
“‘Double Sunset’ is actually the first instrumental tune I’ve ever written,” says Arrowood. “Recording it with Kristin Scott Benson on banjo, her husband Wayne on mandolin, my husband Daniel Thrailkill on guitar, along with my brother-in-law Paul Watson on electric bass, made for a sweet collaboration and some fun split breaks that I hope listeners will thoroughly enjoy and be lifted by.”
Just like the legends mentioned earlier, Arrowood’s ability to deliver the feeling hope as well as a visual of the title through instrumentation is showcased. Her pristine fiddle flows, taking the listener on a whimsical journey. “I hope listeners can imagine a sunset changing colors and intensifying as they listen to this melody. And when that modulation hits at the end, I hope they can imagine tracing the rays back to the east, and seeing the beautiful light doubling on the other side as one last crescendo before the sun disappears until tomorrow.”
Listen to the exclusive premiere of “Double Sunset” below:
There’s also a personal backstory to the song: “When some people hear the phrase ‘double sunset,’ they probably think about that lonesome Star Wars scene where Luke is watching the two big suns go down,” explains Arrowood. “But, that’s not what this song is about. A long time ago I learned that an actual double sunset is somewhat rare in nature, but it happens when the rays of the sunset in the west stretch all the way out across the sky and come back together in the east, so it literally looks like there’s a sunset on either end! My husband and I have a funny story about one we saw last year. We were on our honeymoon, and had just pulled into the local Wal-Mart to get some groceries for the week. I got out of the car and noticed how bright the sunset was through the clouds, and then I noticed the rays kept stretching out to the other end. I started jumping up and down and hollering, ‘Babe, look! It’s a double sunset!!’ We tell that story onstage sometimes and Daniel adds, ‘Right there in the Wal-Mart parking lot. It was so romantic.’
Mark your calendars: To celebrate the release of her debut album,
Carley Arrowood will be taking over our Instagram this Friday, April 8th!
Be sure to tune in!
Pre-Save Carley Arrowood’s debut album Goin’ Home Comin’ On here.
For more information on Carley Arrowood, visit her website www.