Song Picks of the Week – July 28, 2020

Every Tuesday the Bard editors post our favorite song discoveries from local artists around the Intermountain West. For an archive of past picks, check Song Picks of the Week.

1) “Come Down” by Oskar & Julia | Genre: Sauce Rock Duo

Our first pick of the week comes from husband and wife team Oskar & Julia, off their 2016 release Wilshire Royale. I saw Oskar and Julia play at the Made in Utah Festival a few years ago at the Gateway Mall. The festival was not so great, but the music was. The Intermountain Songwriters Showcase had some of Utah’s best songwriters on one stage, and the outdoor stage had some great music as well. Oskar and Julia were standouts then and, a few years later they are still making amazing music. I may have set a precedent by breaking down lyrics and what not, but this week I’m just gonna say that I love the tune. The harmonies kind of remind me of Chris Thile and Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek. Listen to Oskar & Julia on Spotify, and Apple Music. Learn more about the duo on their website, oskarandjulia.com. – Scott Cullins

2) “You Owe Me A Beer” but Colt.46 | Genre: Country Rock

Songs about truckers on the road…it’s American as apple pie. The story in “You Owe Me A Beer” follows truck drivers from Pocatello, Idaho to Pinedale, Wyo.—two places I have passed through many times. When the protagonist of this tune picks up the tab, he tells his trucker friends “this one here’s on me, but next time that we meet, you owe me a beer.” Check out Colt.46 on their website at colt46.com, where you can download their album for free. – Scott Cullins

3) “Shrouds” by Systems and Stories | Genre: Metalcore

It’s time for some metal core. Salt Lake Bard is still looking for an editor seeped in the metal genre. However, for the meantime,you’ll have to settle for me and my less than stellar feel for the genre. The thing that hooked me on “Shrouds” was the chorus. After a heavy intro and verse, “Shrouds” bursts into a more accessible chorus than your typical metal core song might include. The production m “Shrouds” and the album Systems & Stories is a bit of a mystery. The band is brand new with only one song release on Spotify. According to their website, they are working towards a fall release of a full album. Follow Systems & Stories on Facebook, stream their music on Spotify and Apple Music, watch on Youtube and learn more about them on their website, systemsandstories.com. – Scott Cullins