What Makes Big Thief's Sound?

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  • Опубликовано: 26 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 156

  • @ckallaher
    @ckallaher Год назад +33

    This video needs an update since New Dragon came out and showed that, as predicted, they are not at all done evolving musically. Truly an outstanding group.

  • @sundogsun
    @sundogsun 2 года назад +315

    i sometimes feel like i'm alone in my insane obsession w these guys. good to know i'm not

    • @johnnymancspice
      @johnnymancspice 2 года назад +3

      Ditto. Phew!

    • @TheRyanH.
      @TheRyanH. 2 года назад +7

      Definitely not, they've been my most played on spotify since 2018, I can't get enough

    • @rickashley2322
      @rickashley2322 2 года назад +3

      You're not :)
      We're with u

    • @wandermit6714
      @wandermit6714 2 года назад +9

      seriously. i want to talk to ppl about how much i love them, but a lot of their fans are people interested in obsecure music who don't use the internet a lot, so it's hard for me to find someone who likes them.

    • @johnnymancspice
      @johnnymancspice 2 года назад +2

      @@wandermit6714 they kept me sane thru lockdown n now we’re all out n they’re gigging again, even at the Best Kept Secret where Adrianne forgot the lyrics n they way James helped her, it made me love them even more.
      I do little singer songwriter gigs n if anything it gave me more confidence knowing it happens to her too 💜

  • @bk6678
    @bk6678 3 года назад +78

    Another “feature” of their sound is Buck’s “weak” backing vocal. Very intentional.

  • @jessa1299
    @jessa1299 2 года назад +24

    i cannot describe how much i love this band.

  • @nevereatencake
    @nevereatencake 4 месяца назад +2

    In regards to Buck's guitar playing: he spoke about it in a interview with Berklee; he talked about how he likes to contrast Adrianne - playing soft when she's going at it and playing loud, crazy parts when she is soft. He also said something about trying to tell a story with his tone. For example he talked about 'Shark Smile' and that when he heard the song he envisioned a broken FM radio playing faintly in the wreckage of the car, and he tried to emulate the feeling and sound of that with his washed out, distorted guitar - very interesting!

  • @ParhelionMedia
    @ParhelionMedia 3 года назад +143

    Some good points here and a lot still left to say.
    1. Adrianne's lyrics are distinct in their poeticims and use of both concrete and imaginative imagery. "You lie in bed at night and watch the lines of headlights through your screen" from "Mythological Beauty," for example, is just an incredible image. That whole song and many others are phenomenal for their storytelling through images and raw vulnerable personal refelection - which Arianne writes with conviction from her own experience.
    2. Use of extended chords that serve the melody and shape of the song. These are used tastefully, not just for the sake of throwing in weird chords. Adrianne's use of alternate and open tunings must be discused here. She often plays an ostinato chord arpeggio (repeated pattern) with a moving melody or bassline (or both) on top of it. This technique creates really interesting voicings and harmonies that would not be available in standard tuning.
    3. Rhythm. Big Thief seems to write in several rhythmic modes - Some songs fall into a consitent, repetitive, but often complex groove through the whole song ("Shark smile", "Not"). Also some songs that have super distinct, varying rhythm, and timing changes ("Animals," "Real Love" "Haley"). James and Adrianne's musical interplay has a lot to do with this. Also, many songs have subtle but really intersting time signature changes, skipping beats, or adding them in places in ways that add interest. "Objects," "Cattails", and "Orange" all do this. Or try counting Adrianne's solo song "Kerina"...it's sort of in 5/4 sort of in 3/4, not really either. Adrianne seems to just write this organically feeling the rythm as it fits with the lyrics and musical accompaniment. Point is they mix it up where a lot of bands don't and things start to sound samey.
    4. Bass. While James holds down the rhythm, Max often plays melodic fills higher up on the bass neck that complement the vocal line. This is a somewhat unusual technique compared to most bassists/drummers who stricly lock into the rhythm. As players every member of the band is particlarly good at complementing each other's playing while not getting in eachother's way.

    • @NewGrooveVinylClub
      @NewGrooveVinylClub 2 года назад +7

      Yo start a RUclips channel. I appreciate your observations and there’s a lot of unfocused, Ill-defined musical criticism on RUclips

    • @timothwaites8853
      @timothwaites8853 2 года назад +2

      Spot on! Very nice to read this, thanks:)

    • @ikasten07
      @ikasten07 2 года назад

      Thanks for sharing this mate. ✨

  • @browk2512
    @browk2512 Год назад +48

    Buck has said that his dancing/swaying specifically helps him keep up with Adrianne's strange sense of rhythm

  • @carmach59
    @carmach59 3 года назад +40

    Perhaps the most gripping opening lines on any Big Thief Song for me are from Orange on UFOF
    Orange is the color of my love
    Fragile orange wind in the garden
    Fragile means that I can hear her flesh
    Crying little rivers in her forearm
    Fragile is that I mourn her death
    As our limbs are twisting in her bedroom
    Would love to see a video on Adrianne's writing and her amazing solo work!

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +4

      orange is such a delicate and intimate tune i find myself going back to a lot. absolutely great writing there!

  • @sensedata4908
    @sensedata4908 3 года назад +17

    The fundamental underpinning of the band sound by Max's ethereal bass playing is conspicuous by its absence in this appreciation.

  • @thorn99thorn
    @thorn99thorn 3 года назад +18

    4:11 when I saw them live, it was like at least 5 minutes of that lol. It's great though. It was a similar in the guitar solo for Not, like 5 minutes of Adrianne absolutely wailing on guitar. 10/10 performance.

  • @christophermonroe8523
    @christophermonroe8523 2 года назад +6

    Buck's tone on Shark Smile is definitely crafted to the song, aquatic and crashing yet echoing and pitchy. Fits in perfectly. I think Adrienne is responsible for her rhythm tone which is critical as the balance to Buck's lead. On their KEXP set they play Shoulders and I would say her tone is even more critical/apparent live, pulling from Neil Young and other similar influences yet blending them with the rest of the band. She also plays with a thumb pick allowing for blended tones from fingerpicking to flatpicking allowing for a range especially when utilizing distortion. Not far into the video right now but really excited about this content. Had to pause to comment but back to it!

  • @avemariasiobhan
    @avemariasiobhan 2 года назад +4

    I have too many favorite Lyric's of Big Thief and Adrianne, but whenever I hear "Heaven is stitching across me, my chest is the crossing" it sends shivers down my soul

  • @may5a
    @may5a 3 года назад +19

    thank you. “nobody could kiss away my shit”
    and i love your videos they make me curious about artists i’ve heard before but haven’t fallen i love with yet!

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +2

      a classic line all of us can relate to lol - and thank you!! appreciate ya :)

  • @hayleyb467
    @hayleyb467 3 года назад +27

    i cannot express in words how much i LOVE this!! actually all of your band/ music breakdowns are so amazing. a lyric deepdive would be great. i honestly just love your musical perspective & knowledge so whatever you choose i'll be a happy camper :)

  • @th3lo
    @th3lo 3 года назад +13

    favorite bt lyric right now is totally "the wound has no direction, everybody needs a home and deserves protection". some real shit

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +3

      ah forgotten eyes! love that track, feel like it doesn’t get enough love

  • @MrSquekersUPSB
    @MrSquekersUPSB Год назад +2

    Sergio, thank you so much for making this video. You put into words what I’ve felt about James’ drumming style. The music overall is deeply mesmerizing/entrancing. I saw them live back in 2018 or whenever UFOF came out, and I just remember Adrianne screaming. Pure raw energy and it still sticks with me. My most played song on Spotify this past year was the Bunker Studio recording of Black Diamonds, because the screaming Adrianne does feels so cathartic to listen to. Thank you so much for making this!!!
    Something I was hoping you would talk about, which I know you’re perfectly capable of doing, is Adrianne’s/ Big Thief’s use of the 12 string guitar. I’ve played one since the pandemic started, and it makes me admire their playing so much more because they are very much in control of how they play. Thank you again and thanks for coming to my mini talk!!!

  • @therneee
    @therneee 3 года назад +11

    Adrienne went to Berklee for Guitar so it's a little off to contribute the tonal sound to just Buck when they are both experts at guitar.

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +2

      yes I actually just saw Adrianne and I didn’t realize how amazing she was solo - she can definitely play but that’s why I said I was only guessing that tonal decisions came from Buck, just so Adrianne could focus on songwriting yk - I could be wrong!

    • @bailiff360
      @bailiff360 2 года назад +8

      I would agree that Adrienne definitely makes her own guitar decisions. Her tone is wildly different from Buck's and she takes the majority of solos live. She is way too thoughtful of a songwriter to let her guitar tone be dictated by someone else in the band. Buck's guitar sound is ethereal and crucial to the sound of Big Thief, but Adrienne is definitely a singular artist making her own decisions on that front. She absolutely shreds!

  • @Pela-f70
    @Pela-f70 2 года назад +6

    I think you nailed it in talking about their overall sound and feel being greater than the sum of its parts; their music just always puts me in an emotional atmosphere and I’m rarely focused on a particular player. I know nothing about music, but do appreciate the drumming, too. Lyricist and tone, a complete package, but unbound.

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  2 года назад +1

      very well said! i broke a lot of things down here but you’re right, the sum is greater than the parts

  • @loadedvideo
    @loadedvideo 2 года назад +1

    I heard Not in the car, became obsessed with the sound.

  • @terrybeaud9348
    @terrybeaud9348 2 года назад +2

    They are reinventing great music !!
    Adrianne, along with Big Thief, is an amazing singer/songwriter/composer/artist.
    One of my new favorite artists for sure !! :))

  • @bluewescott4631
    @bluewescott4631 Год назад +2

    i'm late lol but my favorite lyrics are "your hands were making artifacts in the corner of my mind" and "heaven is stitching across me, my chest is the crossing"

  • @TheOfficeIsBananas
    @TheOfficeIsBananas 2 года назад +3

    An excellent analysis! They’re soooo gooood live.

  • @Loveroftacos
    @Loveroftacos 10 месяцев назад

    Very underrated channel, this video is golddddd

  • @dizzygee87
    @dizzygee87 3 года назад +2

    I prefer every live version better because the energy of the band playing together is the really special thing about them. Perfect chemistry

    • @dizzygee87
      @dizzygee87 3 года назад

      The drum style he plays is syncopated also, makes it for me! Especially live

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад

      i still need to see them live UGH

    • @dizzygee87
      @dizzygee87 3 года назад

      @@sergescardigno Meetoo, im in canada, they dont get up here much, im jut referring to what ive seen on here. Cant even imagine live i might just liftoff the face of the planet!

  • @bob1423able
    @bob1423able Год назад +1

    Another great video Sergio!! Was looking up Big Thief live recordings to get ready to see them next year and this analysis is just so spot on

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  Год назад

      haha thanks laur! appreciate it, super happy you got into em :)

  • @cookiepotter9272
    @cookiepotter9272 3 года назад +21

    Thanks for this, I really love Big Thief and this is such a good breakdown on their sound!
    I’d love to hear your thoughts on Joanna Newsom, aside from Adrianne, she’s my favorite songwriter

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +3

      happy you enjoyed! if i’m being honest i haven’t listened, but i’ll have to check her out!

    • @BradleyRegister
      @BradleyRegister Год назад

      Hope I’m not stepping in it here, but for me Joanna never did better than “The Milk Eyed Mender” and it’s incredible.
      The line in Sadie, “but the water got so cold, and you do lose what you don’t hold..” still gets me every time.

  • @SELVESTiR
    @SELVESTiR 3 года назад +14

    I’d be sooo into an Andy Shauf video!!

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +1

      noted :)

    • @jh7574
      @jh7574 3 года назад

      @@sergescardigno I've become ridiculously obsessed with both Big Thief and Andy Shauf since discovering them in 2019. Both are consummate musicians, but their musical styles and approach to songwriting & production are very different. I'm interested to find that some other people are drawn to both of these artists; how many, I've no idea. Maybe it's more than I thought...

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +1

      you’d be surprised!

  • @bryonguernsey9794
    @bryonguernsey9794 2 года назад +1

    Thank you for such an insightful and thoughtful review of this fabulous band. Clearly you listen with an artists heart . All the best to you young sir .

  • @Houseofnyxrecords
    @Houseofnyxrecords 3 года назад +3

    strong believer they are one of the best-- if not the very best-- bands of our generation

  • @jvessubvotalon5082
    @jvessubvotalon5082 2 года назад +1

    since masterpiece, i think this band is really "something" and they have proven it until now. That is why they're one at the top of my list.

  • @pedrogarzon12
    @pedrogarzon12 2 года назад +18

    The lyrics to that new Spud Infinity song... wow. So incredibly clever. An AI could never come up with that. I know bc I work in AI.

    • @staticdistance
      @staticdistance 2 года назад +3

      Love that one! It’s got some serious John Prine vibes.

  • @rockmimosa
    @rockmimosa 2 года назад +1

    Thank you for your insights Sergio.I enjoyed your synopsys and it got my wheels turning.I love this band! Sounds like you have a theory background, but you marshal it well speaking to a broad audience. Well done brother.❤

  • @TheOfficeIsBananas
    @TheOfficeIsBananas 2 года назад

    On stage too you can just tell they know and trust each other!!

  • @joeylopo1353
    @joeylopo1353 3 года назад +1

    Bro thank you so much for doing a vid on big thief. THANK YOUUUU

  • @gabrielrf1
    @gabrielrf1 Год назад

    Please do another Big Thief vid!! So much to talk about songwriting-wise

  • @MrSmotPoker1
    @MrSmotPoker1 5 месяцев назад

    Just discovered you. Thank you for doing a video on Big Thief

  • @MrMarcoBriatore
    @MrMarcoBriatore 2 года назад

    Best band out there! Can’t wait to see them again!

  • @timothwaites8853
    @timothwaites8853 2 года назад +3

    After diving in the drum parts i found that James often uses the same pattern/sticking that is based on the main melody or a melody that is also used in other melodic parts. That is a powerful thing in its self. But he plays that pattern in very specific places for example: when Adrianne stops singing for one bar, or at the end of the chord loop. I found this very funny because at first i thought het was just playing some random cool stuff carried by his emotion/intensity. I also think that the instrumentation and intensity of the fills are key. For example, James wil play the fill pattern very subtile on just hihat snare and kick. But every time he plays the fill he will upgrade it by putting an accent on a tom or an open hihat or maybe accent some different hits. I noticed those things especially in the songs “Not” and “U.F.O.F”.
    Let me know if you think i am right or if i am forgetting something here:)

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  2 года назад +1

      I think you're right on the money with James' work being about feel and intensity - this is something the whole band operates on, and James operates at the center of it all. Him playing in the way he does allows for others to remain loose and play in the same way

  • @chrisnitti
    @chrisnitti 3 года назад +23

    Alex G would be sick but the dude has so much discography haha

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +18

      one half hour analysis of Sarah

    • @condogwow
      @condogwow 3 года назад +1

      Would love to hear analysis of Alex's evolution !

  • @rashams1605
    @rashams1605 Год назад

    Sergio. I know you have this “sound” video for big thief. But I dare you to do a music theory deep dive on the band. I feel like with Adrianne’s unique approaches to songwriting-her being one of the goats to ever do it-and just how odd some songs can be compared to a lot of the more traditional stuff they have been doing as of late, would lend to a remarkable theory video essay. Please my guy!!!

  • @ericbrown7329
    @ericbrown7329 Год назад

    My fav band 2023

  • @92jdeg
    @92jdeg 2 года назад +1

    4:22 literally just quentin tarantino jamming

  • @Naturenoisesnsnsndjsanjds
    @Naturenoisesnsnsndjsanjds 10 месяцев назад

    Im so glad im not the only person whos insanely feral about them.
    Theyre just. Christ alive canine poetry dude
    Edit: yes youre correct on the vocals thing! The "head voice" refers to brighter sounds + higher resonance

  • @timothwaites8853
    @timothwaites8853 2 года назад +1

    Great vid, to deeper understand their music. im doing a big thief tribute at my music University:) can’t wait haha mega fan here🙋🏼‍♂️

  • @shivamshrivastav685
    @shivamshrivastav685 3 года назад +1

    really enjoyed this video still listen to Masterpiece on a weekly basis

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад

      glad :) - and yea big thief is p much always in my rotation - lots of masterpiece and two hands

  • @connorcraig518
    @connorcraig518 2 года назад

    Dude bless you for making this video

  • @patrickseary
    @patrickseary Год назад +1

    You need to believe in yourself more dude, don’t keep trying to counter yourself be confident in what your saying it’s a really good video

  • @superultragiggachigga
    @superultragiggachigga 2 года назад

    love your videos. you do such a great job producing them.

  • @humphreyfilm
    @humphreyfilm 3 года назад +1

    Very well done!

  • @luisotavionovetis.demoraes9384
    @luisotavionovetis.demoraes9384 8 месяцев назад +1

    Por favor, um vídeo novo sobre o álbum solo da Adrianne e o Dragon New Warm Mountain :)

  • @bridgetspruill1793
    @bridgetspruill1793 7 месяцев назад +1

    What about the bass player? Am I missing something? I am new to this wonderful band, but there is a bass player.

  • @ruthkinyon4665
    @ruthkinyon4665 Год назад

    Omg I got into them after DNWMIBIY and I'd love to hear what you have to say about that album

  • @chisler6192
    @chisler6192 2 года назад

    Great video, thank you!

  • @avabooth7122
    @avabooth7122 Год назад

    I would love to hear you talk about Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You!

  • @ydoineedausername100
    @ydoineedausername100 3 года назад

    sooooooo good. yes pls adrianne vid

  • @nastasjagorzen9220
    @nastasjagorzen9220 3 года назад

    Very interesting, good job Sergio!

  • @randielzoquier6249
    @randielzoquier6249 3 года назад +1

    Amazinggg! Do Coldplay next. Or Snail Mail.

  • @SELVESTiR
    @SELVESTiR 3 года назад

    Thoroughly enjoyed this!! 💙 B-)

  • @eduardomachado3356
    @eduardomachado3356 3 года назад +4

    yes make a vid on adrienne lenkerrr

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +2

      hehe i just might

    • @eduardomachado3356
      @eduardomachado3356 3 года назад

      Sergio Scardigno 3:30 am here in brazil and im binging ur videos lol, please do itttt

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +1

      ahahah obrigado amigo - i’m workin on a few other things for the channel right now, but if enough people want me to dive back into her, i definitely will :)

    • @carmach59
      @carmach59 3 года назад

      @@sergescardigno Hoping for a video on Adrianne's writing and solo work too! I think her "songs" album ranks as high up as any of the Big Thief records!

  • @shunmatsuhashi
    @shunmatsuhashi 3 года назад

    This was brilliant. And yes, Andy Shauf would be awesome!

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +1

      :) glad you enjoyed! yes yes him, maybe tallest man, maybe fjm - have been on a songwriter kick lately

    • @hayleyb467
      @hayleyb467 3 года назад

      @@sergescardigno fjm would be AWESOME

  • @rae9247
    @rae9247 3 года назад +1

    I’d watch the hell out of an Andy Shauf video.

  • @farflebfarfle
    @farflebfarfle 2 года назад +1

    And Dragon is...transcendent? yes. this

  • @billyjeckel407
    @billyjeckel407 2 года назад

    New to the channel, I would love to know your thoughts on Bent Knee, or really any band that incorporates ambient textures in rock music.good luck and keep up the good work

  • @rohitpaul1816
    @rohitpaul1816 2 года назад

    Please cover Elena Tonra's band Daughter too

  • @LeonardReyes88
    @LeonardReyes88 3 года назад

    Subbed. Great job.

  • @smimmons2231
    @smimmons2231 2 года назад

    cool vid! now where's that andy shauf one?

  • @LiuJimmyJymzo
    @LiuJimmyJymzo 3 года назад +1

    Which photo is the thumbnail based on? It’s gorgeous...

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +2

      thank you! i commissioned my friend for it, i think she based it off this: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/big-thief-ufof-interview-827486/

    • @LiuJimmyJymzo
      @LiuJimmyJymzo 3 года назад

      Your friend sounds amazing 😍😍😍 is there any chance you can send me to print as wallpaper? liujimmy0215@gmail.com but don’t worry if you don’t want to

  • @locolorenz
    @locolorenz Год назад

    I tried to tell you I didn't know how to stay you believe she can see through cutting at the silent clay

  • @ted1091
    @ted1091 2 года назад

    Using the Grindr notification?

  • @rizkyfajari5431
    @rizkyfajari5431 3 года назад

    i think adrianne can be vocalist of the cranberries, she is looks like dolores IMHO.

  • @garyives1218
    @garyives1218 3 года назад

    8:50 thanks KEXP :)

  • @listentohook
    @listentohook 2 года назад

    What do you mean by consonant for Masterpiece?

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  2 года назад

      lots of songs based in major, lots of major harmonies, brighter tones, traditional but big grooves - just stuff that makes your brain happy in a good way musically

  • @Msbeatricemay
    @Msbeatricemay 2 года назад

    what is the first song in the video called?

  • @nayliyasmeen351
    @nayliyasmeen351 3 года назад +1

    A video about Andy Shauf
    A video about Andy Shauf
    A video about Andy Shauf
    (btw just stumbled upon this channel, it's everything I've been looking for, keep it up!)

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  3 года назад +1

      hehe it will come!! i just need to dive into his earlier discography and get a better feel for it (and tysm that means a lot :))

  • @kennadonovan
    @kennadonovan 2 года назад

    ‘This place smells like piss and beer, can you get me out’

  • @milou.official
    @milou.official 2 года назад

    Andy video please :)

  • @tjc45213
    @tjc45213 Год назад

    we like the same bands. adrianne probably has something to do with tone too.

  • @mosephhh
    @mosephhh Год назад

    I'll be your morning bright goodnight shadow machine, I'll be your record player baby if you know what I mean

  • @MrMissingReel
    @MrMissingReel 2 года назад +1

    Not a single word about the bass player?

  • @freyap5390
    @freyap5390 Год назад

    I want to be your friend

  • @jusmaku
    @jusmaku 10 месяцев назад

    Years, days... Makes no difference to me babe

  • @joeylopo1353
    @joeylopo1353 5 месяцев назад

    Bro as if your not doing Andy shauffff

  • @nikitaptashko3430
    @nikitaptashko3430 Год назад

    Sorry man, sloppy is an offensive word for a drummer. Hi is the opposite of sloppy. And his hits are just as tight as Paak's

  • @saratynong2610
    @saratynong2610 2 года назад

    Why wouldn't Adrianne be responsible for her own guitar tone? That's a really clumsy assumption to make...

    • @sergescardigno
      @sergescardigno  2 года назад

      I didn’t say she wasn’t responsible, I just said Buck is responsible for crafting what I was about to talk about, which was mostly lead guitar tone - could’ve been phrased more precisely sure, but obviously adrianne has her own board lol

  • @BarronVonSchnoot
    @BarronVonSchnoot 3 года назад

    Wh do you talk like that?

  • @nasdaq313
    @nasdaq313 Год назад

    They try hard not to be pop … , a lot grimacing, Adrianne look man or woman !? Guitars parts pretty weak, i dont want play cover … but overall good, is in my playlist!