‘Two Dollar Coat’ is the glowing new offering from Canadian hailing NYC resident Brick Blair. The single is wrapped in nostalgic folk roots and touches of a humbling narrative, emblematic of Brick’s Christan band leader roots. The single has an edge of My Morning Jacket’s more somber affairs, with other influences such as Nathaniel Rateliff, Father John Misty coming to the fore.
Talking about the writing and messaging behind the track, Brick Blair shares:
“Two Dollar Coat is a musical projection into a reality where I am homeless, alone, and nullifying myself through drug addiction. I wrote it during a stark period where each day I faced decisions that would move me nearer or farther from that fate. For the three minutes and forty seconds, it takes to sing this song, I’m in that future. I feel its truth in my throat, in my fingers, and in my blood. There is a fragile filament separating me and the people sleeping on the cold concrete that I walk every morning. That knowledge is useful. It keeps me connected to our shared humanity and the truth of our time together on earth.”
Brick’s music is influenced by his experiences with drugs and alcohol as well as love and mental illness, carefully crafting his lyrics to be both exploratory and reflective.
In 2021, Brick played a solo show at the Triad Theater in Manhattan and he can often be found with a dynamic full-band setup, taking on a more Indie Rock sound. But for now, enjoy the reflection that ‘Two Dollar Coat’ brings with every winding chorus.
