the dialtones - static sky [ep]

The Dialtones, a remarkable super group hailing from Austin TX, comprises brilliant musicians from the esteemed bands Okkervil River, White Denim, The Polyphonic Spree, The Heartless Bastards, and the Golden Dawn Arkestra.  

Guitarist/composer Lauren Gurgiolo, after years of touring with other artists, decided to embark on her own musical journey with The Dialtones. Following a life-changing event that truly transformed her perspective on life, her aspirations shifted towards writing music and channeling her emotions through her art. 

Thanks to her extensive network in the industry, she was able to assemble a stellar group of musicians, making The Dialtones truly exceptional. Dive into their captivating story and experience their extraordinary sound by exploring The Dialtones' press kit.

More info on some of the tracks:

Naming No Names delves into the experience of mania. It's a feeling of all or nothing, going full throttle and speeding towards ends that don't justify the means. The grandiosity and ineffability of one's thoughts in this state remind me of concepts that have fueled wars. As the song progresses, it transitions from the mischievous energy of mania to the darker consequences of such self-justifying enthusiasm in the world. Manifest Destiny, Social Darwinism, Ethnocentrism- the world is saturated with the effects of this blind energy. The chorus "stamped no returns, naming no names" conveys how this tidal wave of energy is unleashed.

Love to Live is an old song that was never officially released, but it became my mantra after my episode. Stripped of everything - career, relationships, identity, and security - initially, I felt like I had lost all the progress I had made over the last 20 years. However, as I navigated through the abyss, I came to realize that this was not entirely true. I still possessed the approach to life and living that I had cultivated.

Inspired by the book "Finite and Infinite Games," "Love to Live" focuses on infinite players. These individuals engage in activities because they love the process, not with the end goal in mind; their objective is to continue playing. This concept may seem simple, but it served as a guiding light for me and was a source of strength during my recovery. The book is a quick and easy read, yet it has the power to transform lives.

Monk exemplifies the type of overreaching, black-and-white concepts that intrigue me when I am in a hypomanic state. Hypomania is a milder form of mania that I experience at the beginning and end of manic episodes. The song raises questions about whether human progress since the agricultural age has been worthwhile. Influenced by the works of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung, the song portrays modern life as being psychologically at odds with our roots as hunter-gatherers. For the majority of human history, spanning some 300,000 years, we lived in harmony with the earth in egalitarian societies, much longer than we have existed as modern humans.

In these societies, everyone received equal nourishment regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Having lived near homeless encampments, it appears that our modern ethics are lacking and that we have lost something valuable.