Spyderhuff – “Stray Dog Blues”

A sweltering bluesy rock allure shines on “Stray Dog Blues,” a new track from Detroit-based act Spyderhuff. Twangy guitars and solemn organs complement a dynamic vocal presence, ranging from heartfelt laments to ardent woo-ing. The release takes inspiration from when the artist’s dog, Sonny, got loose one day and ended up at the city dog shelter, for his owner to pick him up. “When I walked in, I could hear and feel the K-9 pleas ‘take me, take me!'” he says. “Then Sonny heard my voice, and he wailed like a siren. Sonny was glad to be back home on my lap.” Even though Sonny found his way back home, it still prompted the question: what about those stray dogs?

Coming via Spyderhuff’s upcoming sixth EP, Barfly at the Barn Dance, “Stray Dog Blues” ushers in gradually as fragments of twangy guitars and percussive shakes drive into a bluesy vocal contemplation: “How ’bout them dogs? How ’bout them stray dogs? They got no name, they got no tags.” Added guitars and blaring organs bolster the enveloping production quickly thereafter, further complemented by more ardent vocal infusions, before the “coat is ragged” descriptions continue during the smoky verses. The lyrical depictions balance the relief of freedom with the stresses of no faithful owner or reliable meal. “Stray Dog Blues” is a memorable rocker with plenty of heart from Spyderhuff.

Featuring on this single are: Tom Kuhr (Slide Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Dobro, Synth, Vocals), Don Beyer (Bass Guitar, Organ), Joey Gaydos (Lead Guitar), James Carmichael Dooley (drums), and Tony Mitchell (Bongos).

This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

Mike Mineo

I'm the founder/editor of Obscure Sound, which was formed in 2006. Previously, I wrote for PopMatters and Stylus Magazine.

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