A couple of months ago, we here at FFS were thrilled to premiere CHUCK’s “Dogs”. On it, Charles Griffin Gibson, the man behind the moniker, eclecticized folk and psychedelic influences to hit one of the world’s most popular subjects right on the head. If you’re wondering what it is, it’s in the name—an effusive love for dogs.
Now, the psych-folk bard is back with a b-side. The plaintive, adventuresome and offbeat “America” is releasing alongside his upcoming single, “Happy Birthday” on September 15. You can give it a listen below, followed by a statement from CHUCK reflecting on the song.
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This is a DEEP cut. “America” was written in a tiny Washington Heights living room with help from my dear friend, photographer Andrew Piccone. I think this was 2009 or 2010. It was my first year in NYC and funds were low so we’d just sit around the living room drinking cheap beer. We didn’t have a TV or smartphones, so naturally we wrote some songs to entertain ourselves. I think we were trying to push some buttons with the lyrics. I also sense some inspiration from the snarky, internet style humor that was just heating up around this time. #FML. I really like the vibe of the recording, which is surprising because this was made in a tiny closet on the built in microphone of a MacBook Pro.