Here’s the new ethereal, dream-like single from The Boy The Earth Sings To, which is the musical project of Joshua Britt from The Orphan Brigade. Lush mandolin melody is at the heart of ‘Too Late Too Soon’, an enchanting ballad that transports you to another time and place. Britt’s hushed vocal delivery is lifted by the gorgeous backing of Lady Moon, whose sweet harmonies – graceful and elegant – illuminate the music. Most striking is when the relative tranquility of the ancient, pastoral-feeling music is punctuated by searing guitar solos; musically driven and urgent, the contrast is compelling.
Known for his vivid imagination and for creating music videos for other artists, Britt’s vision for the song was realised in this animated, visual feast. Real locations in Japan were used to create the gorgeous settings and, beneath the powerful image of the eclipse, we see the beautifully-rendered animals that populate the fiery forest. There’s a magical feel of myths and legends throughout, and the song and visual share a sense of cinema and drama. Joshua Britt, from The Boy The Earth Sings To, says of the song and video: “My first real animation was eight years ago for Amanda Shires’ song ‘Harmless’. My filmmaking partner Neilson Hubbard and I swore we’d never do it again after weeks of building aluminum foil Loch Ness Monsters and ballerinas — but then Jason Isbell called for ‘If We Were Vampires’, then John Prine’s label said he wanted some ‘cartoons,’ and then Brandon Flowers from The Killers asked for two animated videos. For ‘Too Late Too Soon’, I finally turned that same madness toward my own music. This time I made it with my kids — my daughter Quincy and son Colter — who helped bring the fire, trees, and fox to life. It became our little family animation studio, and it means a whole lot to me.” Various collaborators supported Britt on the new songs, including Matt The Banjo Player from Mumford & Sons and Neilson Hubbard, whose excellent drumming propels us through the ‘Too Late or Too Soon’ on rhythmic currents.
‘Too Late Too Soon’ features on the brand new debut album from The Boy The Earth Sings To, which was just released on 7th November. Britt shares his musical journey and the nature of this new project: “I spent the first 20 years of my life in rural Kentucky, alongside four generations of family. I was immersed in Bluegrass and Old-Time music thanks to that older generation who had weathered the depression and all the ages of war. I used to love sitting out in the sun while my Grandfather carved pumpkin vines into whistles, while his brother sat in a field with a rifle waiting for a rumoured groundhog to appear. These people taught me to love what the “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe called the ‘Ancient Tones.’ This is where I found my passion for the mandolin.
“Years of touring rekindled my longing for home, prompting my return to Kentucky where I co-founded The Orphan Brigade. In a haunted Civil War-era mansion, we transformed ghostly tales into music and films, later recording in ancient sites across Europe. This creative period peaked with collaborations with legends like John Prine & Tommy Emmanuel culminating in an award-winning film showcased at the Nashville Film Festival.
“Now, I am returning to music with ‘The Boy The Earth Sings To.’ I am trying to follow the quiet voice of God into the wild, beautiful, musical wilderness for a new path on this one. Inspired by a famously eccentric Spanish architect’s philosophy that ‘The creation continues incessantly through the media of man. But man does not create…he discovers,’ I’ve sought to capture that spirit of discovery.
“I wanted this project to be unlike anything I’ve ever created. That eccentric Spanish architect went on to say ‘Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator. Copiers do not collaborate. Because of this, originality consists in returning to the origin.’ I returned to the spirit I have heard singing to my family for generations and to the ancient tones and to the sacred hum of the soul. I hope it means something to you, and I would love you to join me in discovering it.”
Beautifully-articulated by Britt himself. Indeed, this is music aligned with sacred hum of the soul. Immerse yourself in it and then check out the album.
