The Down Hill Strugglers – “Picking Dandelions”
Americana Highways brings you this premiere of The Down Hill Strugglers’ song “Picking Dandelions” from their forthcoming album Old Juniper. Old Juniper is set for release on August 16. The album was produced by The Down Hill Strugglers (Eli Smith, Walker Shepard, Jackson Lynch); recorded and mixed by Jon Atkinson; and mastered by Don Fierro.
“Picking Dandelions” is Jackson Lynch on guitar and vocals; Walker Shepard on banjo and vocals; and Eli Smith, who wrote the song, on harmonica. The Down Hill Strugglers have achieved a true old-time music sound, both in the arrangement and lyrics of the song, and also in the quality and production. The vocals are blunted in an old recording style, the banjo is holding the rhythm and the whole thing is a delight.
“‘Picking Dandelions’ is a breakup song, kind of an over the top one. At first the song talks about wanting to keep some of the feeling you had before it all ended, not being bitter and taking a walk out in the country somewhere.
But then the singer starts to spiral, with nightmares, nosebleeds… things turn darker… but after all, the singer is “doin’ fine for the shape I’m in”. Best to go back to bed and wake up on a brighter day. Start again.
The song was arranged by the band. We ended up playing it like the old Carolina Tarheels used to do some of their music, but it came out sounding like the Down Hill Strugglers anyhow. -Eli Smith
Find the album on their Bandcamp page here: https://downhillstrugglers.bandcamp.com/album/old-juniper
