Friends to the End – “Soap Creek Saloon”
Americana Highways presents this video premiere of Friends to the End’s song “Soap Creek Saloon,” from their forthcoming album. The song was written, arranged and produced by Thom Kurtz; co-produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Tim Dolbear, of Eclectica Studios.
“Soap Creek Saloon” is Thom Kurtz on lead and backing vocals and guitar; Kimberly Zielnicki on lead and backing vocals; Paul Glasse on mandolin; Geoff Queen on pedal steel; David Carroll on acoustic and electric bass; James Fenner on percussion; Roger Glenn on drums; and Kimberly Zielnicki on backing vocals.
This video was directed with the story created by Max McDermott and Thom Kurtz. It was
animated and edited by Max McDermott and produced by Thom Kurtz. So Jenny has a mutual attraction with most of the men she knew, and the story evolves from there, until the lens is turned on the listener: “Now turn off the T.V! Let a real person through.
The Soap Creek Saloon, you’re almost to the Soap Creek Saloon. Why are you acting like you’re so immune when it’s all over at the Soap Creek Saloon?” Enjoy the mandolin’s melody and this plucky tune, against the animation of the video that creates a full sensory experience while you think about things. Friends to the End really create classic songs that weave together bright music with thought provoking tales.
It’s my privilege to appear at the americanahighways.org outlet, because “Soap Creek Saloon” is the most Americana and commercial sounding track in my catalog so far. So I believe it fits right in with the other great music on this site. I’m really proud of Max McDermott’s artwork, inspired by Austin favorite Daniel Johnston and The Wild, Wild West TV show (1965-1969), in creating a very unique animation style for the music video, Animé Americana, and illustrating the song lyrics.
An important quote I like comes from David Byrne (Talking Heads), in his book HOW MUSIC WORKS. David writes about the desirability of lyrics with some detail (what I call song furniture), “to anchor the piece in the real world;” but then he also comments about ambiguities, “By letting the listener or viewer fill in the blanks, complete the picture (or piece of music), the work becomes personalized and the audience can adapt it to their own lives and situations. They become more involved with the work, and an intimacy and involvement becomes possible that perfection [of detail] might have kept at bay.”
It’s relevant because that’s the attitude I have when I work on lyrics. Many of my songs are a kind of social commentary, and I’m trying to pique the listener’s interest without imposing my own views. And I’ve found with several of my songs, like “Where’d You Put The Baby?” and more recently, “Chinese Underground,” I get some interesting, surprising and affirming feedback that my songs generate sincere thoughtfulness. Often it’s quite different from what I had in my own thoughts when penning those lyrics. That will probably happen for some listeners on “Soap Creek Saloon.”- Thom Kurtz
You can find the music here; https://found.ee/ftteSCS
and here: https://found.ee/yt-SCS