Photo by Kevin Garner
Some songs take a long time being born. Austin singer-songwriter Chase Frank–whose music has appeared in Netflix’s Lucifer–started working on “This Big Blue” about a decade ago, performing the song live but never capturing a studio version. Yet the song’s message of identity and affirmation took on extra resonance during 2020’s health and moral crises, inspiring a new sense of urgency. Frank finished the song with the help of Joe Woullard, known for his expert horn work for Hard Proof, Gary Clark Jr., Cilantro Boombox, and more. Together, “This Big Blue” turned into more than the sum of its parts, uniting country and folk with psychedelic soul.
On April 20, Frank releases the single paired with “The Only You,” an instrumental remix that features a sound collage of social justice protest audio, news broadcasts, and more. This week on My KUTX, Frank and Woullard celebrate the song’s release with a guest DJ set featuring their influences, ranging from Lauryn Hill’s poetry to Bobbie Gentry’s grit and beyond. Hear My KUTX on Saturday, April 17 at 6 p.m. or listen anytime in the player above.
–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX
Playlist:
1. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “California Soul”
2. Bobbie Gentry – “Fancy”
3. Sly & The Family Stone – “Underdog”
4. Hard Proof – “Soul Thing”
5. Lauryn Hill – “Everything Is Everything”
6. The Pharcyde – “Runnin'”
7. Gil Scott-Heron – “Your Soul And Mine”
8. Chase Frank – “This Big Blue”
9. Black Pumas – “Confines”
10. Curtis Mayfield – “Give Me Your Love (Love Song)”
11. Aretha Franklin – “Wholy Holy”
12. Chase Frank – “The Only You”
13. Malik “The Freq” Moore – “Life’s For The Living”
