Customers at Folk Arts Rare Records in City Heights on Saturday, April 20, 2024. / Photo by Bella Ross
Customers at Folk Arts Rare Records in City Heights on Saturday, April 20, 2024. / Photo by Bella Ross

The Band Cope, ”submarine”: Music doesn’t have to be for everyone. Some of my favorite songs are some of the most deeply personal – songs replete with cryptic references meant for only one person. While those kinds of songs may wall themselves off, if done well, they allow listeners to see their own experiences within them.  

That’s what listening to “submarine,” feels like.  There’s an intoxicatingly meditative and confessional nature to the lyrics and though I don’t know who Olivia is or what road trip through Arizona lead singer Ellie Cope is referring to, I know the emotional truths she’s communicating. And when you’re hit with lyrics as evocative and emotionally charged as “I pray with tears to a god I heard you talk to,” context isn’t all that important. 

Like what you hear? Catch The Band Cope on Friday, Feb. 14 at The Ken ClubDo you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.

Jakob McWhinney is Voice of San Diego's education reporter. He can be reached by email at jakob@vosd.org and followed on Twitter @jakobmcwhinney. Subscribe...

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