Dan’s DJ Pick this week is “Bethel Woods” by Midlake. This single is an ubpeat, drum-heavy song about leaving everything in life behind “for the sake of the Bethel Woods”. Suggested by the title, the song and its cover art draw inspiration from a still taken from the 1970 Woodstock documentary. In the photo, Chandler’s father is sitting in the crowd. “I felt that moment in time embodied the perfect depiction of a paradisal place. Dave tragically died a few years ago and I was moved to write this song from his point of view with a message of peace in returning to that special place and reuniting with loved ones ‘down the road'” Midlake’s Eric Polido noted in reference to the photo.
The music video for the single is a ghost story, depicting what it would be like to revisit places of significant memory after passing into the afterlife. Michael Peña portrays the subject of this video. Video director Brantley Gutierrez commented on Peña’s performance, saying “Working with the highly talented Michael Peña was an absolute pleasure; he brought something to the character that felt honest and relatable”.
“Bethel Woods” precedes Midlake’s fifth studio album, For the Sake of Bethel Woods. This will be the first album Midlake has released since 2016. To celebrate their return, the band will tour the world in the spring of this year. Their first stop in the United States is Nashville’s very own 3rd and Lindsley on May 8th. You can watch the music video for “Bethel Woods” here:
Tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear “Bethel Woods” by Midlake as Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week. Be sure to let us know your thoughts! Tweet at us with #L100DJPick and share your take on the track.
