HiddenTrack #225 DEVARROW (Graham Ereaux)

HiddenTracks

Graham Ereaux, who makes music under the alias, Devarrow, is a Canadian musician and producer celebrated for his songs reflecting on small-town joys, personal introspection, environmental and social concerns, and(on this new album)the unique love affair with his converted school bus turned music studio. Despite his seemingly bustling life in rural coastal Canada as a carpenter, surfer, and nature lover, his latest album, Heart Shaped Rock, defies any notion of musical complacency. Opening with the lines, “Every morning I just wake up and I just wash my face. Go downstairs and make some breakfast, coffee and some bacon and eggs,” there cord offers a refreshing take on life's simple pleasures, injecting vitality into a folk genre that can often lean towards melancholy. Devarrow's music is a heartfelt ode to rural life, drawing inspiration from his activities, interests and shared communal moments. Rooted in a deep appreciation for simplicity, he finds solace in stepping away from technology, relishing the quiet moments with morning coffee by his wood stove, and expressing his thoughts on a vintage typewriter. This record is a poignant exploration of the beauty found in life's simple pleasures, influenced by the wisdom of literary works such as "The Unsettling of America" and "The Encyclopedia of Country Living." Through Heart Shaped Rock, Devarrow enthusiastically embraces the mission to revitalize the folk genre, acknowledging his own troubled relationship with it. It is a captivating journey through love, loss, and self-discovery. The title track epitomizes the album's core theme, finding beauty in life's simplicity. Throughout the album, three songs feature toe-tapping whistling, while others incorporate tambourine, shaker, and an upbeat tempo, creating an atmosphere that feels light and airy amid the prevailing tones of folk music. Underneath its friendly and accessible folk-pop facade, Heart Shaped Rock retains moments of profound introspection. Personal stories unfold, from the poignant "Pictures" to the metaphorical love affair with solitude in “Bus Baby.” The album navigates emotions, from the abstract lyricism of “Falling Into Pieces” to the social commentary of “Help Me,” addressing climate and social collapse. At the core of Devarrow's music lies vulnerable lyrics, offering an unfiltered yet relatable glimpse into the life of a millennial navigating meaning in small-town Canada. Rather than shying away from the depth of folk music, Devarrow navigates it with respect and a desire to bring new perspective to the genre, along with a hope that we all somehow, get to a place where we collectively care less about things that don’t actually matter, while somehow caring more about things that do.

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