Jennifer Hartswick embraces a New Orleans second line sound on her soulful new single, “By The River”.
Released on Friday, “By The River” follows “Only Time Will Tell” as the second preview of the Trey Anastasio Band trumpeter/singer’s upcoming solo album, Something in the Water. The song features guest vocals by Shira Elias and Maureen Murphy and brass courtesy of trombonist Roy Agee.
“I wrote ‘By The River’ as a celebration of childhood. A celebration of the spirit of wonderment,” Hartswick told Glide Magazine, who premiered the track along with an animated lyric video. “I used to go out to the river and forests behind my house and sing Anita Baker songs as loud as I could! That’s where I cultivated who I would become.”
Hartswick uses vivid imagery to contemplate the world as it is experienced by children. She expresses reverence for both their perspective and their yet unrealized potential: “Makin’ up songs that got to be sung / Belt it out at the top of her lungs / Someday you’ll know how you inspire / Please never let the world extinguish that fire,” she sings.
“By The River” is now available on streaming platforms. Watch the song’s animated lyric video below.
Something in the Water is due out September 9th via Christian McBride‘s Mack Avenue Music Group imprint, Brother Mister Productions. Click here to pre-order the album.
Jennifer Hartswick – “By The River” (ft. Shira Elias)