by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
I don’t want to hear a lot of songs about our current pandemic situation, but I’ll settle a few. Yesterday we shared Jad Fair and Hifiklub’s contribution to quarantine music and today we’re graced with what is most definitely the best song we’ll hear about this situation we’re all stuck in, courtesy of As In, a project you’ve surely never heard of. The band, who may or may not exist beyond this song (I sincerely hope they do) is comprised of Emerson Stevens and Candace Clement, both formerly of Western Mass’ late great Bunny’s A Swine, a true staple of slop-rock for all eternity (go ahead and check them out if you haven’t). The duo of Stevens and Clement got together to make some new lo-fi music, recording on mics not recommended for recording, and generally giving it their signature best (which we say in high praise).
“Not A Doctor, Not Today” captures so much of what we love about these musicians, and it does so for a good cause. All proceeds made from their single will be donated to the One Fair Wage national relief fund for tipped and service workers out of a job. Like many great Bunny’s A Swine songs, Stevens and Clement’s vocals lie directly on top of each other, but rather than a simple harmony, the opt to sing completely different lyrics, allowing you to have fun listening to both at the same time. Opening with thoughts we’ve all had recently, Stevens asks “how long does it live in the air, or on the surfaces” while Clement asks “hey, do you think we’re okay?” Their questions only linger for a moment before they come together and separate again. This back and forth continues until the jangle into the somewhat sardonic hook, “I got so scared I asked the lord to save us”. It’s lyrically brilliant (“we can’t stay but we can’t leave” is a nice layered mantra) and it’s a genuine treat to hear these two singing together once again.
The band has filmed a video for the single, which they would love for you to check out.