ISMAY – “I Called You Up”
Americana Highways presents this premiere of ISMAY’s song “I Called You Up” from their forthcoming album produced by Andrew Marlin. ISMAY is also producing and starring in an upcoming documentary about Lucinda Williams featuring Buddy Miller, Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Chuck Prophet, Charlie Sexton, and more.
“I Called You Up” is Avery Hellman on vocals, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals; Andrew Allen-Fahlander on electric guitar; Andrew Marlin on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals; Clint Mullican on bass and backing vocals; and Jamie Dick on drums. Part swagger, part grit, and all around honesty characterize both the tones and the intentions of this song by ISMAY. Imagery like “you fixed my hair, ’cause I was younger then,” and the beauty of a parent-child connection in all its evolutions is laid beautifully bare.
For me this song is about the changing dynamics in a parent-child relationship as each person ages. In the story, the 25 year old is trying to get in touch with the parent who is too busy for them, and the child realizes that their relationship has changed now that they’ve grown. They have to accept their new place in the world, as an adult who unbinds from their parents and relies on themself. It’s the first time I’ve really written a song in this style, and to me it shows the influence Lucinda Williams has had on my songwriting. I’ve been studying her work intensely for about 5 years and it’s totally influenced how I make music. — Avery Hellman
You can find the music here: https://ismay.lnk.to/I-Called-You-Up
Enjoy the song here: