Wayward Vine – Dancing On Your Basement Floor
There comes a point in every new relationship where a decision has to be made: Is this something meant to last, or is it just an impassioned fling for the here and now? But there’s also a feeling that emerges just ahead of any resolution, where a certain euphoria of the heart and mind creates a unique sense of harmony, and we simply forget about reality to embrace an overpowering swell of unbridled lust and emotion.
That moment, however long it may last, and whatever the outcome may be, is at the sentimental root of Wayward Vine’s enchanting new single, a spellbinding fit of casual intensity and intrigue called “Dancing On Your Basement Floor.”
It’s the latest hypnotic effort from the Boston indie-folk and Americana band, composed of core songwriters Valerie Rachel (harmony vocals and keys) and Greg Lawrence (vocals and acoustic guitar) and a backing band that on this track features Jim St. Pierre on percussion; Boston scene veteran Yoni Gordon on electric guitar; and Jose Downes on bass.
“‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’ is the encapsulation of a moment in time that is really beautiful but also short-lived,” says Rachel, a classically trained vocalist, violinist, and pianist. “The story of the song reflects the longing and excitement associated with a newer relationship that isn’t always replicable but usually leaves a mark.”
Lawrence agrees, adding: “It’s about an intense relationship captured at a moment in time where the relationship has come to a crossroads – do we continue and take it to the next level or do we walk away? Like most romantic relationships, there’s a simple and beautiful innocence to it in the beginning before things escalate and become more complicated. At its core, ‘Dancing’ is a pure love song, with notes of desperation, internal conflict, and sexual intensity mixed in for good measure.”
With a slow-burning potency, “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” arrives fresh off Wayward Vine’s live performance at the New England Americana Festival at Bellforge Arts Center this past June. It also acts as one last aural appetizer ahead of debut album The Fall, surfacing September 19 after a string of attention-grabbing singles dating back to last year.
In a relatively short period of time, Wayward Vine have slowly crafted a reflective world through song and storytelling, where beguiling themes of heartbreak, obsession, and the dynamic of family relationships are soundtracked by an enriched sound of sweeping emotion that flirts along the lines of folk, Americana and indie, drawing comparisons to the likes of 10,000 Maniacs, The Head and the Heart, and The Civil Wars.
But to properly indulge in “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” is to understand Wayward Vine on an almost spiritual level, to reflect back on lyrics that explore the complexity of human relationships, particularly romantic ones, and to feel the songwriting chemistry that has quickly flourished between Rachel and Lawrence, who trade off vocals and harmonies with striking ease.
The bones of the track, as well as the lyrics and melody, were penned by Lawrence before the band formed, but quickly evolved into its current shape through the pair’s penchant for building upon what the other provides, adding arranging, melodic instrumental riffs, and other elements that have quickly become Wayward Vine hallmarks.
“Much of our songwriting is informed to some degree by actual meandering experiences of living on this earth and ‘Dancing’ is an example of that,” Lawrence adds. “Also, to me it’s a very emotional song, both in the lyrics themselves but also in its musical expression and delivery. It’s a song that we ‘feel’ deep inside when we play it live, and hope that feeling carries over to the listener as well. If I think of my favorite songs among the vast universe of music that’s out there, it’s the ones that invoke a deep emotional response in me. We hope ‘Dancing’ is that kind of song for people when they hear it.”
Produced by David Minehan, recorded at Woolly Mammoth Sound in Waltham, and mixed and mastered by Will Holland at Chillhouse Studios in Charlestown, “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” also serves as a compass to Wayward Vine’s debut album, connecting recent releases with new compositions. The long-player will wrangle up the band’s seven prior singles dating back to only last December, including a trio that have emerged so far this year in January’s “History,” March’s “Implode,” and May’s “End of May.”
Four new tracks round out the album, where snapshots of modern life are filtered through Rachel and Lawrence’s acute songwriting lens.
“Creating new music with Val and the others is energizing and nourishes my soul,” Lawrence admits. “We have a shared vision for the types of songwriting themes and imagery we want to express in our music. We have different, but complementary, writing styles and we make each other’s music better, along with our amazing supporting bandmates. But there’s a common core to what we do that’s really powerful, in my opinion.”
That shines through on “Dancing On Your Basement Floor.” Though the protagonists in the lyrics are faced with a decision of where their relationship may or may not lead, the creative relationship and blossoming friendship between Rachel and Lawrence feels destined to not only keep pushing forward, but to evolve into something truly special.
Audiences first heard the potential last fall with charming debut single “The Fall,” a magnetic pop-rock track that lends its title to the forthcoming album, and each Wayward Vine composition has emerged like its own unique chapter in the band’s emerging story, in both narrative and musical style. There is both cohesion and diversity in their sound, something that emerges both warmly familiar and entirely new.
“We have never tried to box ourselves into a certain genre or song style,” Rachel admits. “Some people listening to us hear a little bit of folk, a little Americana, and even some ‘80s rock or ‘90s pop. I think one of the special things about us is that we let the song’s story and structure go where it’s meant to go without worrying too much about where we ‘fit in.’”
It’s one of the many aspects where Lawrence and Rachel see eye-to-eye, slotting Wayward Vine as one of the more exciting new bands to emerge from Boston’s electric Americana scene in some time. “Dancing On Your Basement Floor” continues to set that tone, and frames what’s to come.
“Because the song was written before Wayward Vine was formed and then evolved through artistic collaboration into a fully polished work for our first album, I see it as one of the roots of the Wayward Vine tree, so to speak,” Lawrence concludes. “Creatively, it’s at the foundation of the Wayward Vine sound and image. I also see it as having the potential to inspire and inform our next phase of writing new material as we continue to evolve as a band.”
Unlike that young couple unsure of whether their fling will emerge into something long-lasting or flame out in a fit of passion, the foundation of Rachel and Lawrence’s songwriting and storytelling seems like a sure thing to stay intact.
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