One of the finds from our inspirational trip to Nashville was Thunderstorm Artis. Hailing from Hawaii he exuded a warm family vibe and his performance at The Oak - Live gives us a good reason to highlight a couple of songs from his catalogue, one his latest single and the other one of the tunes that he played when we saw him.
His yuletide song "Christmas With You" does somewhat wear its influences on its sleeve,the introduction owes a nod to Van Morrison while the overall feel has John Mayer's fingerprints on it, but the sentiments are pure Thunderstorm, even down to including a picture of his young family on the cover.
The opening "Give me love love love" perfectly sets us up for a bit of Christmas cheer.
"Sitting round the living room , singing old carols
The sound of laughter and we're a little out of key
There's nothing else that I could ever ask for
When we're all together, I got all that I need"
It's the feel good song of the season - who could not begrudge him a good time with a chorus like
I got joy I got peace - I got you right next to me
My greatest gift is spending Christmas with you"
The later verse details all of the ingredients of a perfect gathering
"The children are playing and they're making snow angels
Mama's in the kitchen , she's making something sweet
I don't need mistletoe to tell me when to kiss you
When we're together, I got all that I need"
It's soulful , it's spiritual and an essential add to any Christmas playlist.
A good companion piece to really give you an introduction to Thunderstorm would be his single from earlier in the year "Don't Let Me Let You Go". It starts with the softest of introductions, percussion played with brushes, solitary piano notes, picked out, are the only sounds for nearly the opening twenty seconds.
When Thunderstorm arrives, he fires out the lyrics rapidly, not in a confrontational rap style delivery more of someone worried and concerned. It manages to perfectly encapsulate the sentiment of the lyrics.
"Spend every night
Out of my mind
Wondering why
We went wrong
Walkin’ the line
Right on the edge
One step away
From too far gone
I don’t know what we’re fighting for"
There is almost a break in his voice on the word "for" really capturing that sense of uncertainty of where things might be heading. the second verse sees Thunderstorm really enforce that feeling of concern.
"All these shots in the dark
Keep breaking my heart
I say I’m sorry
Way too much
Push and I pull
Playin’ the fool
Scared that we’re both
Losin’ touch
I don’t know what we’re waiting for"
The chorus sees the sound explode to another level, there's a sense of grandeur, powerful percussion and synth like strings adding to the overall drama of it all.
"I don’t wanna lose you to find me
And I know you’re tired of fighting
I wish that my words said enough but they don’t
So don’t let me let you go
This is a love that’s worth saving
My flag is up and it’s waving
I’m so foolish I know
So don’t let me let you go"
The plea in the final line is quite moving.
The cover picture, that at first glance seemed so sweet, after hearing the lyrics of the song, looks more like someone barely holding on about to let go. it is therefore no wonder there is powerful pleading verse, haunted with regret.
"I can’t take back all the words that I said
I know I hurt you
But I don’t wanna live through this life with regrets
Or without you
Darling, the best thing that I ever did
Was love you
So let me love you
Oh let me love you"
There is an short intense little section with just Thunderstorm and his guitar where he sounds much as he did when we saw him play live bfroe it reignites into a powerful finale
He's undoubtedly a talent to watch out for.