Singles Spotlight:
The Black Drumset –
“The Ice Melted, We Had To Swim”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

I’m excited to discuss another multi-instrumentalist who is creating some great music in Texas. The Black Drumset is, according to its bio, “The recording and live music project of multi-instrumentalist Brian Willey. Founded in 2009 in Austin, TX, The Black Drumset’s music lives somewhere between various rock genres: psych, drone, kraut, indie, and shoegaze, with influences from many genres and musics from around the world. Reviewers often use words like cinematic and driving, which sounds about right. The project has always focused on drums and percussion, with two drummers for live performances. The new record is preceded by two critically acclaimed albums, The Black Drumset (2009), and Charged (2019).”

The press release for the newest album, Friends in Dark Places, summarizes Willey’s life in a decent amount of detail, noting, “Willey spent his youth in and around Birmingham, AL…running around in the woods; discovering punk rock and skateboarding; enduring family turmoil, Catholic school, and various self-destructive behaviors. He then took off to NY for college and new adventures, and then onto grad school at the Art Institute of Chicago. He later founded and directed Tiny Park, an art/music/film/literature space in Austin, TX. Nomadic for much of his adult life – he has spent time living in NYC, Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Boston, Austin, and Tucson.” Sounds like the life that would spawn a great deal of creativity, not only in art but also fuel some songwriting, right?

I knew after listening to this album and song that I had to set aside a date to cover one of the songs as part of SWT’s Singles Spotlight series. As your first intro (unless you’re a long-time fan, and respect to you if you are) to The Black Drumset. “The Ice Melted, We Had to Swim” is a beautifully hypnotic song. The melody is led and kept on beat by percussion, interlaced with some synth that captivates your attention as it marches forward in a gorgeous rhythm. Truly. Willey’s vocals move the melody and narrative of the lyrics forward as well. The groove is danceable. The result of all these combined elements is a nice listening experience and serves as a welcome to The Black Drumset. Hearing it live with two drummers, if performed as such, would be a memorable treat. Forgetting about the state of the world and getting lost in the sauce.

Check out the light show within the video for the entrancing song, “The Ice Melted, We Had to Swim” from The Black Drumset’s YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to The Black Drumset)

Here’s another look at the captivating artwork for the single, “The Ice Melted, We Had to Swim”:

Take a look at the cover art for Friends in Dark Places:

The track list for Friends in Dark Places:

1. Friends in Dark Places
2. Beauty, Hope, and Peace of Mind
3. The Ice Melted, We Had to Swim
4. From a Different Place
5. Moment, Moment, Moment, Moment
6. Open Flames
7. Little Things

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com