“Trapped in Infinity”
The 4th single off Strickman’s upcoming debut full-length, Falling Back to Earth, explores depression and hope through the metaphor of being lost in space. It came out on July 28th 2024 on streaming platforms and was played on The Bone 107.7FM San Francisco. Music Connection Magazine published an article about the song’s release. (READ)
“With heart beating drums and intimate breathy vocals this song grabs you and transports you into another world. As the insightful lyrics beautifully explains those dark feelings of battling depression and the guide of hope, it pulls the listener on a therapeutic and validating experience. This tune really helps in fearlessly facing those dark moments in life.”
= EntertainMuse Media
The song was produced by Strickman along with co-producer McKay Garner, and includes a Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio version.
“Belong to the Night”
Strickman’s 3rd single is an ode to the late hours & an anthem for night owls everywhere. It was released on June 4th 2023 on streaming platforms and will appear on the upcoming full-length album Falling Back to Earth.
This folky anthem for night owls features wailing harmonica, warm upright bass, jaunty acoustic guitar and some electric guitar sprinkled about.
Music Connection Magazine published an article about the song’s release. (READ)
The song was produced by Strickman along with co-producer McKay Garner.
“Deadly Chemistry”
The second single off of Strickman’s upcoming full-length album Falling Back to Earth was released on Sept 15th 2022 on streaming platforms.
“Falling in love is quite the experiment. When sparks are flying between you and a special someone, you never know if it'll lead to a long and lovely chemical bond… or a disastrous explosion. Either way, love is a deadly chemistry,” Strickman explains.
This rock tune is complete with distorted guitars, drum fills, and group vocals from LA indie folk band The Ateliers.
Strickman self-produced the single, along with co-producer McKay Garner.
“Falling Astronaut”
The debut single off Strickman’s upcoming full-length album Falling Back to Earth was released on April 30th 2022 on streaming platforms. Since then it’s received over 10k Spotify streams and airplay in California on KPFA 94.1FM Berkeley, KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles, 98.7FM Santa Barbara, 93.7FM San Diego, and 99.5FM Ridgecrest/China Lake, as well as Shady Pines Radio in Portland, OR.
“After a big breakup I left my hometown for the first time, in search of a new life. It felt ungrounding yet exciting to part with everything I knew, like leaving the Earth for the unknowns of outer space. But every once in a while when I’d look back, it felt like a crash landing into everything I called home. Falling Astronaut is my ode to that nostalgia.”
“Falling Astronaut” sets an honest and powerful tone for the rest of the record, with beautiful melodies, intimate confessions and grand instrumental sections. The album title (Falling Back to Earth) is embedded in the lyrics.
Strickman self-produced the song along with co-producer McKay Garner. It includes a Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio version, mixed by Garner and mastered by triple Grammy Award winner, Michael Romanowski.
Lyrics & bonus material!
"Falling Astronaut” is the lead single from what will be Strickman’s highly anticipated debut full-length album. Plucking the song from the cosmos we’re introduced by way of flowing, swelling harmony before being anchored by piano and strings...as waypoints of reflective songwriting keep us following the soaring message through a darkness. This single, however, is a painfully honest reflection of a real journey to find one’s self. - Nanobot Rock Reviews (full article)
Willow Steps - A Truth Too Big to See
From the minds that brought us Dear Indugu comes the five song A Truth Too Big to See. Jesse Strickman (acoustic guitar, lead vocals) and Leiya Mahoney (vocal harmony) pair in an airy, reflective, post-punk folk styling with contributions from Van Jackson-Weaver (Bass) and Graham Patzner (Violin). Collectively Willow Steps picks, slaps, and strums their way through heart-on-their-sleeve pains of love’s complications, intimate confessions, and realizations. The EP is the antithesis of today’s chaotic ramblings and thoughtless bantering. It is precise. It is rich. It is beautiful.
- Nanobot Rock Reviews (full article)
1. Lovers Recipe
2. Saline Sand
3. Shape Today
4. Kicking Soot
5. A Truth
Willow Steps - The Secret You Can't Bear to Keep
Willow Steps is a look into that which is romantic and beautiful about the "steps" we encounter in life. A concoction of Jesse Strickman (vocals, guitar) and Leiya Mahoney (vocals), the band is the bare-bones sound of guitar, vocals and some lucid instrumentation -- a step away from heavy production and a step toward the vulnerability of relying on lyrics and simple melodies. The Secret You Can't Bear To Keep is an audio novella documenting Strickman's relationship with one of his closest friends. A story of time, love, and heartbreak.
- The Bay Bridged (full article)
Like a stripped-down She & Him, Willow Steps excels with simple song structures and catchy melodies, taking only the most essential ingredients of pop music to remain memorable long after the track has ended.
- The Bay Bridged (full article)
Dear Indugu
The Oakland-based quartet takes many of the building blocks of folk and turns it on its head. There are a select few that understand how simple it is to create compelling music. It can be done with four instruments and a modicum of care put into the songwriting process. Jesse Strickman cares about the process and it shows in his work.
- Nanobot Rock Reviews (full article)
Inside every human is a natural compulsion to the honest and the real. Oakland-based folk-rock band Dear Indugu embodies these primal desires in their lyrics and sound.
- Alameda Sun
Heartfelt songs and personal experiences amplified, with loads of instrumental breaks and well-laid song lyrics.
- Monterey County Weekly
1. Black Dress
2. Circles
3. Frame of Gold
4. Counting Cracks
5. The Outlier
6. A Revery