By Zach Collier
With so much music in the Provo music scene, it’s easy to get sucked in and start listening to music in a bubble. It’s always great to see what awaits you in the broader world of sonic textures, and to find new recommendations that can inspire you to make music differently than you did before.
Today’s pick is “Circles” by Raleigh-based band Good Deal. Good Deal has a really cool vibe. They have spacious, clean tones and a smooth, understated vocalist in frontman Cliff Johnson. He has passionate, technical delivery while still feeling rootsy and down-home. It’s like if Brady Parks from The National Parks was doing a Ben Folds impersonation in the middle of a Pinegrove cover. I know that’s a wild description, but I promise it’s a compliment. I love every single one of those artists, and that combo works to an astonishing degree.
The band describes itself as alt folk, and that’s a good description. It feels rustic, but the electric tones and the way they’re played have more in common with midwest emo. Soli melodic sections and breakdowns like the one you’ll find at 1:52 will please Utah Clean fans (think Cardinal Bloom and The Moss) and the beautifully executed ritardando at 2:33 is a testament to how tight and forward thinking this band is. This song is a masterclass in indie expression.
Make sure to follow Good Deal on Instagram and check out “Circles” below.