You know what they say -- opposites attract. And that's certainly a philosophy that seems to work for the indie folk musician known as Little Champion.
Meshing an array of genres, Asheville-based songwriter Dustin Goldklang is unafraid to try something different. The result? A delightful blend of anti-folk, mainstream and underground indie pop, as well as pop-punk that creates something lesser heard.
Beginning in his late teens, Goldklang spent much of his time playing folk-punk shows under the name Dustin and the Furniture. Deciding it was time for a break, he stepped away to rest for a while… until the itch to make music returned with a vengeance. Around 2021 when we were still navigating the pandemic, he found himself among the many picking up instruments and writing to pass the time.
Returning under the moniker Little Champion, Goldklang made his reentrance in 2023 with the album Curiosity. Taking DIY to the max, he produced, recorded, and mixed the entire project above his garage. Living up to its title, this album explores some big questions about life.
He's since returned with his latest album, Peaks Island and Other Places, which hit streaming services May 2nd.
A departure from the "curiosity" of his initial release, this project is a bit more intimate, exploring ideas like a sense of place, as well as loss and longing. As one who has always enjoyed playing with sound, Goldklang's experimental prowess shines, crafting a colorful landscape of swirling sound.
"Peaks Island Ferry" opens the 12-track collection, its final lyric posing a question that sets the rest of the album in motion. The narrator contemplates a decision that has consequently changed their life's trajectory. No matter how you slice it, every choice you make has led you to where you are now. With a plucky acoustic riff and clocking in at about two minutes, it introduces listeners to the artist's unique if not delightfully unusual vocal delivery.
Accompanied by a music video, "Drive" crafts a light-hearted, quirky guitar melody whose upbeat manner is a breath of fresh air. Ready to set forth on a mission, the singer hopes to find meaning out there somewhere: a reminder for all of us to live a full life.
Though it's full of playful yet chill guitar playing, there's more to "Overpass" than meets the eye. Narrating a journey home, the lyrics suggest that the road hasn't been smooth; "...home feels closer than it ever was…" evokes feelings of disappointment.
Little Champion closes with "So Long", whose title alone bids the listener goodbye for now. Leaving some big questions unanswered, this track's somber tone will have you pondering the grief in your own life. In the wake of sadness and confusion, hints of hope hide behind some lyrics, offering consolation that'll remain far beyond the final note.
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