From little acorns of tragedy has grown this big beautiful indie rock tree.
A persistent, propulsive tune, “Tiny Figures” is a Strokes-esque indie rock song (actually, maybe it has more in common with Albert Hammond Jr’s solo stuff) that was founded in the most unfortunate of circumstances.
Songwriter Tyson Adam Henrie (the brains behind Cult Caves) had an artist friend who left us way too soon. Chris Coy suddenly died in Las Vegas, where he lived, whilst in his forties. No time to go.
A month before he passed, he dreamed the line “All of us tiny painted figures in the landscape of God”. Henrie took the line from this anecdote and immortalised it in song, a touching tribute made for his friend who will now live on in perpetuity.
Musically, apart from the aforementioned Strokes/Hammond influence, this is operating in a similar sphere to The National (listen out for the brass in the last third), Bon Iver, and The Killers. Speaking of The Killers, Henrie once toured briefly as bassist and backup vocalist in the band Big Talk, the solo project of Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci.
He also spent some time as a teenager singing in a ’90s punk band, opening for legendary acts like The Offspring and Rancid.
Clearly Henrie has been around the block a few times, and his time spent around these musical luminaries has resulted in a refined skillset that has given birth to an excellent songwriter.
With Coy credited as a fellow songwriter (as well as someone named Jillayne Lowe Coy, who we’ve deduced from a bit of internet sleuthing is his poor, unfortunate widow), Tiny Figures is dripping with emotion, sentimentality and earnestness. We’re sure Chris would be very proud.
Take a listen to “Tiny Figures” below.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
