Southern California-based Americana band Moonsville Collective has just released a tremendous new single, “Helen Highway.” Band co-founder, songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Corey Adams sat down with @skopemag to talk about this heartfelt and jangly tribute to old friendships and adventure.
@skopemag: What is “Helen Highway” about?
Corey Adams: “Helen Highway” was inspired by hours logged with friends in the back seat of some car, that hopefully gets you to the next state line, seeking a hit of something new to beat the doldrums of everyday life. You and your companions chase your adventure, but, with all things, both the adventure and often the friendships wane – leaving you with, hopefully, a very full heart. This one is about that.
@skopemag: Are there lyrics in the song that really resonate for you?
Corey: My favorite lyric in the song is in verse two, “White knuckled and weary/lightning and thunder/the rain was pounding down like it was the beating heart of God.” We drove through this wretched storm; it gave us all a holy fear. When we came out, we all shared the same energy, kind of locked into the same frequency of things, and maybe of greater things.
@skopemag: How did this song come together?
Corey: I found the melody, first verse, and chorus upon returning from the trip. It’s a bit melancholy but also optimistic. It took years for the other verse and bridge to find me, and only after I was able to make peace and have full understanding of the new dynamic between myself and those whom it’s about. Once that moment came, the rest of the song came immediately and stopped me dead in my tracks to complete it.
@skopemag: What is one word that you would use to describe how you feel about releasing this single? Why did you choose that word?
Corey: Sincere. This one is really important to us, because it reflects how grateful we are to the crew of guys that defined the band for so many years. We are all still close, but this is a poem for them.
