At the risk of mixing metaphors, Guy Forsyth started his journey washing dishes and mucking stalls in the musical kingdom of Austin. From those early days of busking on the UT campus he worked his way up to leading multiple bands and securing a residency at Antone’s, the throne room of Texas blues. Along the way he expanded his repertoire across a variety of the genres Austin is known for, including a folk-ish duet with partner Jeska Bailey, that was a favorite-of-the-year of mine a half-decade ago.
Forsyth has a new EP, Rider, released a few weeks back that combines a lot of that experience into a sound that’s uniquely his own. For just having four songs, it packs quite a punch. Although a couple of the songs are social commentary on topics both national and local, the title track takes on a more metaphorical foe. Sometimes labeled the monkey on your back, or the devil inside, Forsyth chooses the folkloric Rider to talk about inner demons. Stylistically it weaves in elements from country, classic rock, and little delta blues to create a sound that matches a never-ending journey to rid oneself of the things holding you back. One interpretation of that story became a video for the song, and we’re so pleased to be able to premiere it. Here is Rider.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.