Cal Wilson - “Home of the Pale Horse”
Photo by Robbie Augsperger
Vancouver, Washington-based Cal Wilson has one of the most refreshing indie folk vibes that we’ve heard in quite some time. And though part of the fuel for his songwriting is grief, we certainly hope he’s reached some sort of catharsis with “Home of the Pale Horse,” one of the most glorious tracks you’ll ever hear.
Once you press play, you’re going to be immediately overwhelmed by a flood of sonic comparisons, most likely the vintage flavor of The Beatles, as well as the craft of Elliott Smith, topped off with the panache of artists like Big Thief and The War on Drugs. All of this is not only reminiscent in the music, but in Wilson’s vocal as well. Careful listeners might also hear a bit of Tom Petty in his voice, causing this song to be a sort of culmination of an entire history of music, like the abstract someone would read before opening a book on musical legends.
“Home of the Pale Horse” contains all of the necessary elements to earn a song a place on our blog, including acoustic guitar, vocal harmonies, and the marvel that can only come from pedal steel. Soft piano fills the spaces behind the lyrics and we still cannot get over the Elliott Smith-ness of this recording. Maybe there’s something in the water out in the Pacific Northwest, but hearing this song is like catching up with an old friend: “…in every hand, every piece, I remember you…”
This song will certainly take you on a trip through your emotions. Wilson explains that “Home of the Pale Horse” is “Not specifically about anyone or anything, but just about that feeling of being forever tied to something beautiful and how that thing can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s about hitching yourself to those things that you want waiting for you, and that you must have the patience to wait for.”
-TM