Our obsession with La Need Machine seems to grow with every listen! Having featured a slew of their recent releases, we couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in the band’s universe once more with their single, Rock and Roll Show.

Drawing us in with a fierce and assertive guitar soundscape with melodic depth, showcasing the instrumental mastery and dynamism we have learnt to expect from the band, La Need Machine open Rock and Roll Show with the situational lyrics, “When you saw me in lane, she said I looked sad, she had Ramones on her shirt, so I knew she was bad… Met her at a Rock and Roll Show…”

We are immediately enthralled with the narrative of the track and the charming relatability that oozes from the concept and delivery. We learn that Seattle’s La Need Machine designed the track to pay homage to both love energy, and the music that shaped them!

In essence, it is equal parts clever, heartfelt and infectious. Rock and Roll Show is also an important reminder of why the genre continues to endure. At first listen, Rock and Roll Show seems like just a tender ode to a romantic partner, but it also reveals a deeper metaphor because the beloved muse is rock and roll itself. It’s witty, brilliant and much needed in this day and age! As lead guitarist and singer Al Dams puts it, “When I get down, I need rock and roll music to hold my fort down.”

Musically, the track channels the energy and charm of the classic Seattle sound while infusing it with La Need Machine’s distinct indie-rock flair. It feels perfect for a coming-of-age movie where music and love are the main protagonists, perhaps even The Runarounds on Amazon Prime. The band’s signature harmonies, buoyant rhythms, and ingenious lyricism create a vibe that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

Instrumentally, we learn that Rock and Roll Show features Elise Dahlberg on keys and Brian Hassler on guitar, whilst subtle touches of strings and saxophone add a rich warmth to the composition! Producer Bear Davis captures the group’s live energy with polished precision.

Needless to say, we love the track, and have added Rock and Roll Show to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of La Need Machine, and anticipate future releases!

The post La Need Machine cement their love for an iconic genre with inspiring and metaphorical new single, Rock and Roll Show appeared first on KIMU.

In La Need Machine’s latest offering, The Mountain, the band ascends to new heights of musical and lyrical complexity, blending their signature elements of Americana, Indie Rock, Folk Rock, and Alternative Country.

We previously featured La Need Machine for their captivating tracks I Wish I Could Fly and These Old Jeans, which already hinted at the band’s profound ability to intertwine simple melodies with deep, introspective messages.

The Mountain, however, stands out as a bold statement, a sonic journey that not only pleases the ear but also challenges the mind. The driving beat and ethereal harmonies are not just the backdrop but the very pulse of the song’s philosophical exploration of giving and receiving, a timeless message that resonates deeply in our increasingly divided world.

The first verse of The Mountain introduces us to a duality that is as old as humanity itself: the pursuit of art and love. These are the activities that give life meaning, and when shared with others, they can withstand any storm. The band suggests that it is not merely the creation of art or the experience of love that matters but the act of doing so together. This togetherness is portrayed as a force that can transcend adversity, turning the mundane into the extraordinary. Here, La Need Machine subtly implies that the true value of life lies not in material wealth or status but in the shared experiences that connect us to others.

In the chorus, the song’s central message emerges with clarity and power: “It’s not what you take… it’s what you got to give.” This line distills a philosophy that has been espoused by sages and spiritual leaders throughout history – true fulfilment comes from giving rather than receiving. The imagery of climbing mountains, swimming seas, and walking across the land alludes to the arduous journey of selflessness. It’s a journey that demands effort, sacrifice, and a willingness to give without expecting anything in return. This chorus serves as both a personal mantra and a universal call to action, reminding us that the essence of a meaningful life lies in our contributions to the world around us.

The second verse deepens this message by reflecting on the universal human desires for wealth and power, represented by the poor man wanting to be rich and the little girl wanting to be a queen. Yet, the band reassures us that these desires are secondary to the bonds we share with others. When we are together, we can transcend our limitations, and in doing so, we elevate one another. This verse echoes the chorus’s theme by suggesting that the true riches of life are found not in material possessions but in the relationships and experiences that help us grow as individuals and communities.

As the song reaches its bridge and final chorus, the narrative takes a turn toward a more personal anecdote, grounding the lofty themes in everyday life. The seemingly trivial interaction outside a bar, where a joke falls flat, serves as a reminder that even in the smallest moments, there is an opportunity to give—whether it’s honesty, a smile, or a simple acknowledgment.

The repetition of the chorus in the outro drives home the message with a relentless urgency, leaving the listener with the sense that the mountain we must all climb is not a physical one but a moral and emotional journey toward generosity, empathy, and love. In The Mountain, La Need Machine has crafted a song that is not only a pleasure to listen to but also a powerful reminder of what it means to live a truly meaningful life.

We love what La Need Machine are manifesting, and have added The Mountain to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of the talented creators!

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Setting the tone with a textured count-in and glistening guitar soundscape with evocative strings, La Need Machine open I Wish I Could Fly with fantastical prose and conscious depth as they sing, “I got lot’s of friends I’m happy to say. said ‘hello’ to the birds, and they’re flying away, am I the last of my kind or the last one here, I got paws and claws but I got no wings, except in the bureau of magical things…”

The opus expands to take us on an eye-opening journey, as the Seattle-based indie band invite us to open our hearts and minds to the impacts of climate change on wildlife.

Aligned with the zeitgeist, I Wish I Could Fly was released at the same time as Sir David Attenborough spoke about the environmental benefits of plant-based food in an episode of Planet Earth III. The band raise awareness through a metaphorical and transportive lens, singing from the perspective of animals who “lose their habitat due to fire, change in flora and fauna food chains, declining biological diversity, and melting snow and ice. “

The band confess, “I Wish I Could Fly follows the story of a Black Bear that is happy with his place in the forest until wildfires force him and his fellow animals to leave.”

They add, “He watches the birds leave the wildfire area and then wishes he could fly, too. Not only so he can get away from the fires and find a new home, but also so he can help other animals escape. In addition to being able to fly, the Bear also wishes he could communicate with people to make them stop causing climate change and wildfires.”

We absolutely love the intentional nature of the message, and the charismatic depth, intricacy and harmonies that the band share. We have added I Wish I Could Fly to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to explore the wider discography of La Need Machine, and anticipate future releases from the talented creators.

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