One can go to Barstow, California, for as long as they want. It’s just too bad that you can only spend 3 minutes and 47 seconds with “Barstow” the song, though. Well, until you put it on Repeat, that is. ((wink))
I was thrilled to take a detour this week from the usual blog content when I heard this new track, grounds for a review post instead of what readers here have grown accustomed to. And the artist is quite noteworthy as well due to the high profile she has already achieved in the arts.
That being said, it doesn’t matter how well known you are for one talent (acting, sports, modeling). If you try your hand at music and just don’t cut it, the audience will tune you out – and likely not come back for a second chance. Fortunately for actor Jena Malone, she is doing just fine musically too.
Just released three days ago, “Barstow” is the newest addition to a growing music catalog for the actress known for “The Hunger Games,” “Donnie Darko,” and “Pride & Prejudice,” among numerous other films.
In listening to the track, some people are going to use the expression "haunting melody" (or "haunting vocals") but that's too cliched. It's mood setting and I like how it builds anticipation, coupled with what's happening starting at the 40-second mark. The electronic treatment at 1:55 adds an interesting wrinkle – all holding the listener throughout. A nice music bed supporting the vocals too. Nicely done.
Before you consider this whimsical, she absolutely knew what she was doing.
This will be the first solo album from Malone. She previously released three albums with the band The Shoe. She had launched her experimental music project, Jena Malone and Her Bloodstains, opening for Deerhunter in 2008.
“Barstow” is a new single off the record that comes out May 8 called “Flowers for Men.” Malone will tour throughout June and July, doing shows in eleven cities.
This is “new economy” at its finest, as Malone’s work also spans photography, poetry, and theatre. On the current episode of my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast, two-time GRAMMY winner John Beasley talks about, like Malone, wearing numerous hats, albeit pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and music director in his case. So, you see, even those at the top aren't just doing one thing.
You can credit Malone for not only diversifying but following her passions while not putting all her eggs in one basket. With “Barstow” she has shown that she is multi-talented and not simply curious about music.
Lyrically, I started to wonder if the person she was singing about was herself. As seen in the official music video (which also features actress Robin Tunney), it’s not. But the mere inspiration to become introspective is a triumph in and of itself. Furthermore, the praise for what this other woman was – as described in the vocals – resonates with yesterday (perhaps not coincidentally) having been International Women’s Day.
Listening through the song conjures up images of being used in a motion picture, and then you do watch the aforementioned music video and have that vision reinforced. It would also be a great tapestry for Malone’s upcoming live shows to pull audiences in even deeper.
For the indie recording artist still waiting for momentum to build, this is a great blueprint. Releasing a single and its music video on the same day and building anticipation for summer tour dates is a formula worth following. “Flowers for Men” will have just been released the previous month when Malone steps on stage June 23 in San Francisco. Audiences will be ready and waiting.
“Barstow” also offers a perspective on a lost relationship that feels different from the predictable reflections and styles that other songs follow. Malone is also honest enough to address a heavy subject that countless listeners know all too well.
Bravo to Jena Malone not only for this single but clearly the table has been set for wanting to stay seated for what’s next in the May 8 release too.
A Member of the Recording Academy, I have been helping indie music artists, authors, actors, entrepreneurs, podcasters, filmmakers, small business owners, and more for over twenty years. What challenges are you having in your creator career that I can lend some insight to? Connect with me so you can take advantage of all my experience, and I can help and keep you moving forward.