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Artist Spotlight

Richard Lynch Sticks to Tradition on Biographical “Right Where He Ought to Be”

“Right Where He Ought to Be”, like much of Richard Lynch’s work, is deeply rooted in traditional country music, often celebrating the simplicity of rural life, hard work, and strong family values. “Right Where He Ought to Be” continues this tradition, with its narrative (about Hollywood stuntman, Kim Kahana) focusing on finding contentment and a sense of belonging in one’s life choices and circumstances. The title itself suggests a story of realization and acceptance, reflecting on the journey of an individual who has discovered their place in the world—whether it be through returning to their roots, embracing their current life stage, or finding peace in their personal or professional life.

The song narrates the life of Kim Kahana, who, from a young age, walked across the country alone to make California his home. With only a third-grade education and having survived the Great Depression, he joins the military to fight in Korea, where he is captured and nearly killed. Displaying remarkable courage, he escapes death by faking his death and escaping. After the war, he returns to California, aspiring to work in the film industry. Starting as a stuntman, he eventually becomes a revered figure in Hollywood, teaching others for over 70 years.

Key messages include the power of belief in oneself, the importance of perseverance, and the idea that it’s never too late to find where you belong.

Richard Lynch stands out in the country music scene for his steadfast dedication to the traditional country sound, characterized by its storytelling, emotional honesty, and connection to rural life and blue-collar experiences. “Right Where He Ought to Be” is a reflection of these core themes, encapsulating the essence of what Lynch’s music represents.

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Comparing “Right Where He Ought to Be” to the rest of Lynch’s discography, several key similarities and distinctions emerge:

  1. Thematic Continuity: Lynch’s songs frequently explore themes of love, loyalty, hard work, and the importance of roots and heritage. “Right Where He Ought to Be” aligns with these themes, likely offering a narrative that celebrates finding one’s place and peace in life, a recurring motif in his work.
  2. Musical Style: Lynch is known for his commitment to traditional country instrumentation and arrangements, shying away from the pop-influenced sounds that dominate modern country. This song, like much of his work, features classic country instruments such as steel guitar, fiddle, and acoustic guitar, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and timeless.
  3. Authenticity and Personal Connection: One of Lynch’s strengths is his ability to draw from his own life experiences, giving his music an authentic and relatable quality. Whether “Right Where He Ought to Be” is autobiographical or inspired by the stories of others, it maintains this personal touch, connecting with listeners through shared experiences and emotions.
  4. Evolution and Consistency: While maintaining a consistent sound, Lynch also shows evolution in his music, exploring various facets of country life and personal introspection. This song represents a deeper, more reflective side of Lynch, offering insights into his personal philosophy or life journey while still fitting comfortably within his established musical identity.

Overall, “Right Where He Ought to Be” serves as both a continuation of and a unique entry in Richard Lynch’s discography. It showcases his strengths as a traditional country artist while offering listeners a potentially new perspective on finding one’s place in the world. As with all of Lynch’s music, the song  resonates with those who appreciate country music’s ability to tell stories that are deeply human and profoundly relatable.

Other suggestions for similar themes and exploration would include Johnny Cash, for his storytelling in songs like “A Boy Named Sue,” which also explores themes of identity and destiny. and films about Hollywood’s golden era, such as “La La Land,” for its exploration of dreams, success, and the allure of the silver screen.

–Roger Newsome

Artist Spotlight

GOODTWIN shares reflection with indie-pop single, “Soak It Up”

GOODTWIN

The indie-pop project GOODTWIN offers a subtly stirring new single, “Soak It Up,” that’s sort of like taking a deep breath after drowning out the world for so long. The track combines avant-garde jazz elements with their indie-pop sensibilities. “Soak It Up” is more of a quiet rallying cry than a rousing proclamation.

The song gently explores the push-pull of life between external pressures and inner peace, the feeling of being pulled in multiple directions while seeking a soft place to land. GOODTWIN’s leading force and vocalist, Gus Alexander, wrote the song in response to that insidious, yet understated, influence on modern life, and the need for validation, doing something useful with your time today, and, at the same time, being attractive enough to get what you need gutted from someone else.

“Soak It Up” offers an encounter with the concepts by attending to how it was made, with a focus on presence rather than performance and on significance over distraction. The balance between warmth and precision in the production is immaculate. The track, produced and engineered by Carly Bond and Germaine Dunes of Sound and Hearing at Altamira Sound, has a refined yet raw feel that doesn’t seem polished but rather suggests a human element, which suits its introspective tones.

Jack Doutt’s mastering adds another layer of depth to a soulfully rich composition, leaving enough space for each element to shine without overwhelming the others. The result is a cohesive, immersive sound that feels intentional throughout. For fans of indie-pop with a sprinkle of jazz, introspective verses, and emotionally driven production, the track is an exciting addition to GOODTWIN’s blossoming discography. It’s a piece of music that invites a slower tempo, that forces attentive listening, and, with it, an experience more fully lived.

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Artist Spotlight

G3 the Plug moves like a ghost on latest release “Danny Phantom”

G3 the plug

G3 the Plug goes darker with his new single, “Danny Phantom,” a moody slice of hip-hop whose chord, and melody-led chills make it feel less like a song and more like this state of mind you have after the witching hour. Emotionally understated and  raw, the track embodies that quiet intensity of moving through the city when everything is far away and everything seems blurred, half-seen.

Built on a minimal trap foundation, “Danny Phantom” excels in its simplicity. The production is intentionally loose, leaving room for the emotions to breathe rather than smother. It’s a beat that doesn’t beg for attention, it settles in, serving as an enveloping setting that mimics the song’s motifs of isolation, motion and presence. Every bit of sound seems deliberate, supporting the introspective mood rather than competing with it.

G3 the Plug doubles down on understatement. He chisels away rather than overexplain, allowing space to pass like streetlights out a car window. It has that drifting feeling, of being in a place while actually not being there at all, that gives the album its ghostly contours. The title seems right, G3 floats through the track like a ghost, invisible but powerfully present, in landscapes where silence is as telling as language.

The key to making “Danny Phantom” stand out is its emotional honesty. This isn’t a track intended for the spectacle, it’s meant for reflection. It’s a record that speaks to anyone familiar with the sensation of being alone in motion, tumbling toward some destination and hauling thoughts up from the depths after dark. Lying in the land between underground rap and atmospheric hip-hop, “Danny Phantom” makes clear G3 the Plug’s capacity to convey mood through music without forcing it. It’s a slow-burn record, one that uncovers itself with more listens, with the music lingering long after its final beat.

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