Soak in the Soul and Emotion of Tracy Eckstrand's Stunning New Alt Folk EP “Who's Gonna Rescue You"

Tracy Eckstrand, a folk-rock singer-songwriter, resides in Rochester, New York. She recently released a new EP titled “Who’s Gonna Rescue You.”

Tracy’s new EP starts with a beautiful, soulful track called “Something Happened” by Tracy Eckstrand. From the first notes of the guitar, you can feel the melodies washing over you like a calm wave. Tracy’s voice has a rich, velvety tone that draws you in, and you find yourself getting lost in her unique vocals. There’s something melancholy yet soothing about the way she sings, “Something happened, I don’t know what it was.”

At around the 1-minute mark, the song takes an uplifting turn as the riffs and subtle beats kick in. It provides the perfect backdrop to Tracy’s singing, keeping you immersed in the lyrics and emotion of the track. It was impossible not to get caught up in the music and find myself singing along. This sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the EP journey. Tracy’s vocals are truly the star of the show here. She breathes so much soul and feeling into every word.

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“Come Around” by Tracy Eckstrand changes the pace from the opener and brings more of an upbeat, energetic vibe. From the start, it’s got an infectious toe-tapping rhythm carried by the sparkling riffs and crisp beats. It really pulls you in and gets you moving to the music. The chorus is nothing short of euphoric – it hits you with a rush of positive energy that’s impossible not to get swept up in. Every time it comes around again, you’re fully hooked. Tracy’s vocals are perfectly suited to the folk-blues style, sounding joyful and lifting your mood.

Looking deeper, the lyrics address feelings that I’m sure many can relate to. It touches on being overwhelmed by the expectations and demands of others while also struggling with your own personal issues. The theme of constantly being there to help others yet finding it hard to get support yourself when you need it hits home.

“Ghosts In My Head” takes things down a notch with its slow, swaying rhythm that’s perfect for introspective moments. You can easily picture sitting alone watching the sunset with a coffee as this song plays in the background.

The atmospheric melodies and Tracy’s soulful vocals tap into the emotions of looking back and getting lost in your own thoughts. It has a quality that transports you straight into that pensive state of mind. What’s striking is how Tracy manages to capture so much feeling within such a simple, understated track. Her singing is stripped back yet immensely moving.

“Borrowing Oxygen” by Tracy Eckstrand feels like a track about renewal and being reborn with new energy. The incorporation of electronic elements like riffs, synths, and beats gives it a truly unique modern sound compared to the previous songs. From the start, it’s impossible not to start nodding your head to the infectious bassline and crisp production. It has a melodic sensibility but injects it with bouncing rhythms and a sense of upbeat positivity. You can really feel Tracy relishing her powerful vocals on this one.

The chorus is an absolute standout – “Now I inhale, and I exhale cause I’m not, I’m not borrowing oxygen” perfectly captures that feeling of taking control and breathing fully on your own terms. Her delivery of it, alongside the ebbs and flows of instrumentation, is pure bliss.

“What I’m Doing” by Tracy Eckstrand takes things down a notch again with a mellow, atmospheric vibe. The gentle opening synths and gorgeous guitar work create the perfect setting for Tracy’s soulful vocals. You can sense a tinge of sadness or reflection in her tone. What stands out most is the masterful way Tracy builds and releases the tension through subtle ebbs and flows throughout the track. Her vocals are in top form here, as usual.

Looking deeper, the lyrics explore themes of self-discovery, resilience, and finding one’s purpose after hardship. It perfectly captures scaling a new dawn with a sense of empowerment and optimism. The image of the sun rising in your eyes works beautifully. The ending is cinematically brilliant – it builds to an unexpected swell that provides the perfect payoff.

“Leave Behind” by Tracy Eckstrand brings the EP full circle with its hopeful, uplifting folk vibes. Much like the opening song, Tracy’s vocals pour soul and inspiration into every note. The minimal yet impactful production allows her stunning voice to shine through. When she sings the refrain of “leaving behind,” it’s impossible not to feel motivated to shed your own pains and start fresh. The lyrics resonate deeply – “taking inventory, writing my own story, cutting loose what I need to leave behind” captures the process of self-reflection and growth.

What began as a beautifully moving yet lonely journey has transformed into something empowering by this final track. Tracy leads the listener from melancholy to motivating over the course of the EP. It provides the perfect sense of closure and optimism to take with you after experiencing this collection of songs.

We recently had an opportunity to have a chat with Tracy Eckstrand about her new EP and beyond. Read on to know more.

1. Welcome to Sinusoidal, Tracy. Your EP “Who Is Gonna Rescue You” delves deep into emotions and experiences. Can you walk us through the journey that inspired this collection of songs?

A: I wrote all six songs for, “Who Is Gonna Rescue You,” in the month of January 2023. It was shortly after my mom passed away and I left my husband of 22 years. Two devastating events in my life in the same month. I created the EP to tell the story of a broken relationship and how I processed my thoughts and progressed through it. Similar to the stages people go through when someone they love dies; I felt tremendous grief. At first, I was in shock and denial (“Something Happened”). How could something so beautiful (the relationship) become something I couldn’t even recognize? Next, I started trying to “sort out” what had happened. I experienced a lot of sleepless nights during that time (“Ghosts in my Head”). Eventually, I began the healing and moving on (“Leave Behind”).

2. I was completely swept away by the opening track, “Something Happened,” on your EP. The way the music seamlessly builds up with intense riffs and keys, only to drop beautifully, was absolutely captivating. Did you have a specific emotion or experience in mind when you were working on it?

A: I write all the melodies to my songs on my Taylor 814 acoustic guitar. When I created “Something Happened” I wanted the verses to sound light and happy because I was reminiscing about what was once a beautiful love relationship. So, I chose major chords for the Verse section. I wanted the Chorus section, however, to have a darker feeling which is why I chose minor chords. I wanted a stark contrast between the Verse and Chorus sections because that’s how I was feeling. It was a shock to find out the man I loved wasn’t exactly who I thought he was. After I wrote the melody, I recorded a demo with just the acoustic guitar and my vocals. Then I sent it to my brilliant producer, Jordan Ruiz, who lives in Los Angeles. Jordan is also a singer-songwriter. We have been collaborating online since I wrote my first single dedicated to my mother, “One Petal at a Time.” Jordan is responsible for the arrangement and almost all the instrumentals on all my songs. He did an amazing job capturing what I felt in the song!! Obviously, you agree 😊 When I first wrote, “Something Happened,” I hadn’t yet thought of a bridge section. I wrote the bridge lyrics “on the spot” during the recording of this song.

3. Absolutely loved the pace and subtle groove of “Borrowing Oxygen” on the EP! The introduction of electronic elements felt like the cherry on top, adding a unique flavor to the track. I’m curious to know what inspired the incorporation of electronic elements in this particular track and how you maintained the delicate balance between different musical styles.

A: Again, my producer, Jordan Ruiz, is responsible for the groove of “Borrowing Oxygen.” I actually wrote it to have a “throwback feel” to an era of blues and jazz. But when Jordan heard it, he felt a different vibe. We went through a couple of different versions of this song but eventually we both really liked the final version that you hear on the EP. In developing all the songs on the album both Jordan and I agreed that we wanted to represent a blending of genres and vibes which is why the songs are all very different.

4. “Leave Behind” serves as a powerful conclusion to the EP, wrapping up the emotional journey with a sense of closure. Was there a specific message or atmosphere you aimed to convey as the final piece of the EP puzzle?

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A: It’s funny but “Leave Behind” was almost “left behind.” I wrote it quickly and wasn’t sure I liked it. But when I shared it with Jordan, he was adamant that I keep it. He really liked that I chose to write a song with a country vibe to it. I didn’t “choose” to write a country song; the melody just came to me that way and it seemed to be a good fit with the lyrics. I wrote, “Leave Behind,” during the cold winter month of January in my hometown of Rochester, New York. I was wishing it was springtime; not only for the warmth but in spring everyone seems to feel a sense of hope and renewal. I thought of the metaphor of “pruning.” In the spring, we prune plants to enhance their health and help them to grow. I thought that would be an excellent metaphor for the journey on which I was embarking. I needed to let go of what no longer served me and embrace my own growth. “Pruning away” unhealthy relationships and self-limiting beliefs allows us all to create space for new possibilities and transformative change.

5. Any special experiences you’d like to share regarding the creation of your EP?

A: Sure. I planned the creation of the EP because I had to have thumb surgery on January 31, 2023. I knew I would feel like going “crazy” because I wouldn’t be able to play guitar, or lift weights in the gym, for 3 months. Two of my favorite activities! So, I spoke to my producer, Jordan, about creating an album. We decided I would write songs every day for the entire month of January up until the day of my operation. Then 2 weeks after the operation we got together online with all the songs and picked out the ones we liked the best. We then spent a couple of weeks discussing song arrangement and recording the instrumental sections. Then I flew to Los Angeles, California to record the vocals with Jordan in his studio. We took 5 days to record my vocals and the backup vocals. Afterwards, I drove up the coast to San Francisco to visit a friend and see the sights. So, completing the EP took almost 2 months and kept me sane when I couldn’t play guitar or lift weights.

6. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, on a future project, who would it be and why?

A: I would love to collaborate with Sheryl Crow. I think the song, “Come Around,” has a Sheryl Crow sort of vibe to it. I just love her songwriting!

7. What’s next for Tracy Eckstrand? Any new projects or exciting ventures on the horizon that your fans can look forward to?

A: I just released a new single, “Not Too Far Away.” It has an old western vibe to it. The theme of leaving a relationship, moving on, and growing is still a part of what I’ve been writing lately. I also recorded a new single, “This Cocoon,” which I will release sometime in late March or early April. I’m beginning to produce lyric videos for my songs. My first lyric video for “Not Too Far Away” will be released on February 16, 2024 on YouTube. I’m constantly writing new songs and thinking about what the next project will be. Currently, I am developing a new band, “Tracy & The Accidental Cats,” to promote my music in live gigs. The solo guitarist, Ray Bellizia, from the 1980’s band, “Pearl,” is helping me to reimagine some of my material. I’m hoping the band experience will be another growing period not just for me but for everyone in the band.

Enjoy listening to “Who’s Gonna Rescue You” by Tracy Eckstrand here.