Filled with the warmth of a crackling fireplace, What Stops Time gets listeners in the holiday spirit with a mix of original songs and covers of beloved festive melodies.
Shiny Shiny Black, an indie folk group from Goshen, Indiana, is composed of husband-and-wife duo Nathan and Amber Butler, and their band, Simon Kauffman Hurst (keyboard), Isaac Fisher (bass), and Arthur Schroeder (percussion). Their November release, the six-track EP What Stops Time, was recorded entirely at the Butler's music studio, Nimble Wit Productions. Their music style, self-described as "Coffee-House Rock N' Roll," has drawn comparisons to artists like Tom Petty and Wilco, with influences of classic guitar and indie rock.
What Stops Time opens with a jazzy rendition of the classic "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Jingly piano and a capella vocalizations give the cover -- while fresh and modern -- a sense of timelessness. When Nathan sings, "Faithful friends who are dear to us / Will be near to us / Once more," there's a genuine warmth and hopefulness to his voice.
The EP's titular song, "What Stops Time", is an ode to the desire to freeze the clock and live forever in one perfect moment.
Melancholic electric guitar hooks and Amber's dreamy vocals lend emotional depth to the simple imagery of, "I'd like to reside inside this moment / Wrapped up in my Mexican blanket / Holding it close to my heart." The song references the Butler's ambitious passion project, restoring a 19th century farmhouse. "Our floors are worn from decades passing / Open rafters show new wiring / Walls were plastered a century ago."
"Some Kind of Christmas" is slower and sadder, albeit with a tinge of optimism.
It expresses the bittersweet emotions many people feel around the holidays: happy to be with family, but frustrated by unspoken words and unresolved conflicts.
"Sorrow buries us til tomorrow… it's a sad kind of Christmas tonight," sings Amber. "We gather round the table / What we can't say, rules the day/ Oh the words come out anyway." The song ends on a more hopeful note, with the possibility of reconciliation: "But if you're dreaming of something else / You're not alone, you're home / In a new kind of Christmas tonight."
What Stops Time offers something a little different yet still relatable this holiday season. Shiny Shiny Black frequently performs live in their home state of Indiana, and when they're not busy in their studio, they offer house concerts and live music performances for private events.
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