Song of the Day: THICK - “Father”
Photo Credit: Sydney Tate
THICK have been on our radar since a ripping set at Calgary’s Sled Island Music and Arts Festival last summer and they are back with new single “Father”, out now on Epitaph Records. The track features a more vulnerable side of the band, with production by one of our indie/punk favourites Will Yip. “Father” also features Mannequin Pussy member Kaleen Reading on drums (who’ve arguably released one of the best albums of the year so far called I Got Heaven).
The Brooklyn band brought the song to life after the passing of singer/bassist Kate Black’s dad, and finds her reflecting on their relationship over a serrated, cathartic rock arrangement. “I’m trying not to search for the answers / Denying that you ever left us alone / Sifting through the memories / To see what you left with me,” Black sings on the chorus, penned while still in a state of surprised vulnerability. “Father” is accompanied by a searingly human video that features footage of people expressing grief in their own individual ways.
On the track, Kate shares: “THICK has always been a cathartic outlet for frustration and anger, but “Father” is the first time I tapped into sadness and loss without a snarky comeback. This song is a snapshot in my journey with grief after losing my dad, at a point when it was still a surprise every time I wanted to ask him a question and remembered that he wasn’t there.
It’s scary sharing something so personal and vulnerable, I could barely get through recording the first voice note that I sent to Nikki of the song, you could hear the tears rolling down my cheeks. It can be tough playing it live, my whole body tightens up against my emotions. But, it’s been rewarding having people share their experiences and relate to the song, it’s a nice reminder that you’re never really alone. "
On the video, the band shares: “Experiences with grief are so personal, for the “Father” music video, we invited people to share what grief and loss feel like to them and to express it in whatever way they feel most comfortable -- through movement, music, screaming, etc. We were blown away by the participants and are so grateful that they were willing to share themselves and be so raw with us."
Check out the music video below: