Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Beth // James ‘s song “Voicemails,” from the duo’s forthcoming album Get Together. The album was produced and engineered by James Petralli with additional engineering by Ryan Joseph and Nick Joswick; mixed by Jim Volentine; and mastered by Jordan Richardson. It was recorded at Radio Milk Studios and at Lakeside Studios in Austin.
“Voicemails” is Nick Clark on bass; Matt Young on drums; Jordan Burchill on guitars and synths; Mikaela Burchill on piano, vocals, and synths; and James Petralli on synths.
This song is a tribute to Beth’s father who passed. If you need a cathartic release in the presence of mortality and someone’s passing, this is your song. Technology today leaves us with so many keepsakes, but the oddity of being able to save voicemails asking you to call back is a tough one, and makes for a uniquely haunting song. Plus Beth // James deliver a sorrowful arrangement.
I think it’s the most honest song I’ve ever written and definitely the hardest one to sing. One of my toxic traits is saving voicemails from people I love so that someday I can listen to them when they’re gone. But when my dad passed away, it was too hard to actually listen to them. I did it once and then this song happened. It’s such a beautiful thing to be able to have those mementos and hear your loved one’s voice when you really need it. — Mikaela Beth Burchill
https://bethjamesband.bandcamp.com/merch
“Voicemails” –