Driftwood Pines are an Oakland-based duo, headed by well-known multi-instrumentalist and songwriter IJ Smith. Taking influence from the likes of The Eagles and Hermanos Gutierrez and also featuring the percussion of Tony Daquipa, their debut EP Crimson is streamable on Bandcamp and will be released in full on July 1.
As a master of the lap steel guitar, IJ Smith has leaned in to the Americana/country folk feel of this instrument in crafting the all-instrumental Crimson. It’s a study in the instrument, in fact, as it leads three out of the four songs on the album with its haunting melodies. “Truckstop Milkyway” is the one of two tracks where Smith’s exquisite mandolin playing is also featured. This track also belies something a bit different about this album: it’s not just standard acoustic Americana.
‘Crimson’ captures the essence of Folk/Americana while also incorporating unexpected yet subtle and sublime ambient synth textures to add its ethereal base.
While “Truckstop Milkyway,” with its extraterrestrial title, has the most obvious ambient production, it’s clear in all the other tracks that this is what elevates the EP as a whole. The subtle ambient pulse in the background helps the listener conjure thoughts of wandering the nighttime desert, looking up to the skies and wondering at the billions of start above. The lack of vocals allows the focus to be on this music and vibe with no interruptions. The steel guitar does all the singing.
(The album’s) nostalgic melodies evoke memories of dusk transitions and a vast landscapes and long freeway rides to times past and future.
Poetic without any words, Crimson will not only make a splash on the folk, country and Americana scenes, but will be enjoyable for fans of all genres, especially as a contemplation piece.