Stephanie’s DJ Pick of the Week is “If I Were a Butterfly” by Rayland Baxter! The daring title track on Baxter’s upcoming album, “If I Were a Butterfly” offers a psychedelic, meandering, and dark sneak peak into Baxter’s next evolution as an artist. Moving almost entirely away from the folk sound that launched his career, Baxter treads out into the murky waters of sound collage and musique concrète throughout this five minute journey of a single. With its fusion of indie riffs, classic guitar solos, a deep sense of distance, and baroque instrumentation, “If I Were a Butterfly” promises that the upcoming Rayland Baxter album will far exceed the already high expectations.
Unsurprisingly, such a jarring shift in sound comes on the heels of major changes in Baxter’s personal life. Most notably, Baxter’s father, acclaimed instrumentalist Bucky Baxter, recently passed away, leaving Rayland Baxter to ponder the immense issues of “life and death… birth and rebirth… evolution and transformation of the mind, body, and spirit.” If the title track is any indication, If I Were a Butterfly will be a magnificent retelling of this harrowing spiritual journey.
While you wait for the full album’s November release, listen to Rayland Baxter’s “If I Were a Butterfly” below!
Tune in to 100.1 FM or lightning100.com all week to hear “If I Were a Butterfly” by Rayland Baxter, Stephanie’s DJ Pick of the Week. Share your thoughts on the track by tagging #L100DJPicks on Twitter.
