As SXSW Sydney launches its inaugural year, it seems appropriate that I finally got to sit down with Austin based singer songwriter, Skateland and his song “Postcards”.
Released on September 28th, “Postcards” delves into the perils of the online realm and the detrimental habit of making unhealthy comparisons through social media.
The creative genius steering the ship of Skateland is none other than Dorian Willians II, who says this about his writing,
“I take emotions or feelings that I’ve gathered from certain experiences and package them into a format that’s accessible to anyone who listens. I think that’s why I love writing and recording music in non-traditional places as opposed to a fancy studio, writing a guitar part on my porch, jotting down song lyrics at a bar or cafe, tracking vocals in my bedroom etc., it feels like returning to the scene of that major life event and there’s an emotional power in that!”
The track commences with a guitar strumming and delicate, almost tropical, sighs, swiftly establishing an entrancing and irresistibly rhythmic groove. Although the song addresses a weighty theme, its ambiance remains far from sombre. “Postcards” exudes the laid-back summer vibes, offering a blend of dulcet melodies and soothing vocals.
Having unprecedented access to the lives of everyone around you (or the highlights at least) is a terrible thing if you really think about it, because it’s the quickest way to become unhappy with your own life or situation. In theory we should be able to celebrate each other’s achievements, but more often than not we end up feeling discontent, unhappy, and restless with our own lives, including our jobs, possessions, life progress, romantic status, our bodies, and even our families.
With his message clear, Skateland prompts us to refrain from measuring ourselves against the meticulously curated online personas we encounter.
