Ahead of today’s release of Chasing Volcanoes, Felicity Cripps Band provided glimpses into themes of consciousness, love and lust, and community with singles “Inside a Keyhole,” “Werewolf,” and “St. Christopher.” These songs were a mere amuse-bouche of the journey that Chasing Volcanoes would provide.
The nine song album is an odyssey into the depths of the human experiences of connection, memory, and transcendence, and it starts with the name of the album itself. Named in homage to the pioneering volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, the album explores themes of connection and introspection through a kaleidoscope of sounds. Recorded over four years at Resting Bell Studio with producer Nick Huggins, the album is a mosaic of Felicity’s life experiences that include motherhood and her role in running the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.
From the vivid dream-inspired opening track “Can You Feel It?” to the contemplative closing notes of “St. Christopher,” Chasing Volcanoes is a sonic journey through love, loss, and the quest for meaning. “Volcano (It Would Be So Nice To Die With You)” conveys a striking message about shedding one’s ego and embracing a collective consciousness. The record’s exploration of themes like loneliness and love is heard in songs such as “Italo Disco” and “You Make Me Feel Feelings,” while “Palo Santo” captures the depths of grief. In the cover of Don Walker’s “A Cowgirl Is A Fool For Jazz,” Felicity ties together her reflections on personal and spiritual connections.
The album’s diversity is heard in each striking track that carries its own narrative weight and emotional palette. Closing the album is “St. Christopher,” a song that was inspired by Felicity’s nephew, who went missing during a school concert. She says,
“I wrote this song on the plane home from Auckland after visiting my sister and her family. My nephew had gone missing during a school concert in a rural area north of Taupo. The search party had reminded me of a mass, such a solemn and sacred gathering, with a shared objective. The power of that gathering and the focus to find my nephew was unforgettable.”
In its minimalism, Felicity gives a raw portrayal of communal strength in times of crisis. She transforms a moment of panic and uncertainty into a powerful anthem of collective hope and action.
On the album, Felicity says,
“Making this record was a form of escape from the everyday throes of life – not that anything was bad, but it was a difficult time to navigate work, motherhood and relationships not only with my loved ones but with myself. Without those days making music and sitting in the studio with Nick, working and reworking the ideas in my head, I would have really struggled to find my sense of self again. This record was vital, hopefully not just for me, but for others also.”
The album is not only a personal sanctuary but a potential beacon for one navigating their own journeys, Chasing Volcanoes is proof why people seek solace or enlightenment through music. For those that are intrigued by music that not only entertains but also challenges and elevates, Chasing Volcanoes offers a tapestry of sound and sentiment. It’s an album that was crafted as both a tribute to the power of human connection and a reflection on the intangible threads that bind us to the world and one another.
