Alright-- so these two seemingly very different albums- Polaraura, by Broken Deer and Sandra Bollocks Black Baby, by Theesatisfaction- share an interesting thematic connection. The songs "My Heart's in the Highlands" and "Born Identity" both discuss, in very different words, references and sounds the way we understand our identities, our destinies, our histories, our dreams and visions as connected with our respective space. Both vocalists are women and through their lyrics we glean that their being women bears some importance. My Heart's in the Highlands is the title of an 18th Century Robert Burns poem about attachments and longing for the highlands of the "North", but the song in question (which was recorded in and drew influence from Whitehorse, Yukon- a "forgotten wilderness- within themselves") contains different lyrics- ones that reflect a more mysterious and feminine relationship between the land and the artist. The sounds Broken Deer generate are absolutely beautiful and searching and expansive and solitary.
The second track is from Theesatisfaction (for the life of me, I could not get the html link to embed in this post--
%$#%$#a.ekt ahbvl.ea vr$%^$*
.... i'm over it though.. so I've attached a link to the webpage where you can play the track).
"Born Identity" is similar to "My Heart's in the Highlands" insofar as it makes great use of minimalist sound composition and it is explicitly dealing with the topic of identity as it is formed through one's space and place. Stas, however, does not paint a picture of solitude with her words. Her space is that into which she is born and takes claim of, not through some seemingly deep historical, mystical or natural connection, but through articulating her familiarity with the city she inhabits by way of chance and with which she continues to identify, by choice. Her world is loud and crowded, while Broken Deer's is absolutely silent, save the violent sounds of nature.
It's hard for me to not think about how the history of race is present in these songs. -- but since I know far too little about the politics of the former artist I will abstain. Both songs (and BD's video) are nonetheless stunning.
**Apologies if this post is jumbly.. I wasn't planning on writing tonight update:
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