Mike Freund - "Kicking Dirt” [Self Released]

“Kicking Dirt” is an odyssey through the raw, untamed landscapes of hardship and adversity. It emerges from the gritty soil of the Deep South, it is a poignant ballad that encapsulates the struggles of those fallen on hard times. The lyrics unfurl a narrative of hard times and ill fortune, weaving a tapestry of struggle and resilience.

The song’s thematic weight is balanced by a rhythmic drive that propels the listener forward, mirroring the indomitable spirit it celebrates. This is more than a song; it’s a touchstone, a musical companion for anyone who’s walked through life’s darker valleys and emerged stronger on the other side. The song stands as a tribute to the downtrodden, a testament to their strength, and a call to keep moving forward, no matter the odds.

The composition aimed to capture the essence of Southern blues, drawing from a rich musical tradition that speaks of both sorrow and hope. The process of recording and producing “Kicking Dirt” was a labor of love. The arrangement included a slide guitar with fuzz FX in open C tuning and a overdriven organ and a Bass guitar to add texture – and a steady, heartbeat-like drum.

The vocals were delivered with a raw, earnest quality, capturing the pain, but also the hope, that permeates the lyrics. It embodies the idea that, no matter how dire the situation may seem, there is strength in simply continuing to move forward, to keep “kicking dirt.”

“Kicking Dirt”, sounds like a classic Alternative Rock, well enhanced by a strong voice , something decidedly original, engaging and overwhelming, a proposal that can be listened to with extreme ease and naturalness.

A dynamic trend where technic and body blend together thanks to a good glue made of refined sounds well adapted to the musical context that embellish the listening.

A listening that reveals good technical and compositional skills, and that demonstrates how Mike Freund knows how to move with familiarity in their musical environment.

“Kicking Dirt”, lays the foundations on really spot on metrics and riffs, managing to dose a mass of sounds that give concreteness and a sound mature enough to get noticed and appreciated.